City FarmingCommunity Gardens, Allotments and SustainabilityCity farming can be as simple as growing a few lettuce plants and a tomato in a tub, or as complex and prolific as being the main source of vegetables for a whole neighborhood.Community gardens and allotments are quite often intensively farmed, using sustainable methods of organic gardening to produce an astonishing variety and quantity of delicious fruits and vegetables.
Some of the downsides of city farming is the lack of access to some areas such as rooftops and vacant lots which have been fenced to prevent vandalism. In some cities, it’s been found that once a garden takes root in even the poorest and most crime ridden neighborhoods, the crime rate and the incidence of graffiti and vandalism go down. In some cases, landlords and building owners welcome gardens in their vacant lots or on rooftops, as the simple task of growing food makes the whole neighborhood safer. Rental vacancies go down, and the value of the properties goes up. Getting on the good side of the street cleaning crew when they collect the fallen leaves from parks and boulevards, picking up kitchen waste from restaurants, and even finding a local stable or petting zoo within the city limits can give you a ready source of composting materials. Following some composting instructions will get your community garden started on the right foot. Finding supplies like rain barrels, wood to retain the soil and make raised beds, benches and old windows for cold frames is as simple as putting an ad in the local Craigslist or newspaper. 
Many people and businesses will be thrilled to donate building material to a good cause like city farming. Start with free, and add your own value to the project by asking for volunteers, and share the produce of the garden with those that contribute. Find out how you can set up a community garden and start city farming today. See more about Hanneke's Place, The Kettle River Community Garden here.
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Sustainable Gardening
The Unbroken Circle in an Organic Garden
Learning how sustainable gardening all meshes together in a fascinating and miraculous web is all consuming for those of us that like to see how things work.
Click on the pictures to explore...
Raising some backyard chickens for eggs and compost, learning how to make compost tea, and composting are all useful skills.
Follow the composting instructions and these useful composting tips for the best compost ever.
Solarization is an easy way to harness the suns power. See how your sustainable your garden can be.
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