Economy is a web of interconnected systems that sustain one another. When one part of the economy suffers, it has a ripple effect. With gas prices on the rise again and affects of economic downturn still rampant in the US, many consumers are returning to sustainable ways of living. Food prices have hit record spikes in prices, which has fostered growth in an ancient custom. Community and urban gardening is on the rise across the country, which has pushed the boundaries of some city bylaws, especially in regard to raising livestock. Many cities have seen growing popularity in this niche market, and it’s making waves in local communities, by encouraging healthy eating and saving consumers money.

Naturalhomemagazine.com released an article that listed the top ten cities that have the largest urban gardening communities. These densely populated areas, which are usually know better for their high crime rates and lower income communities, are now creating public programs for average citizens and neighbors to work together to produce 100 percent organically grown produce. Created out of necessity, due to rising food costs and budgetary concerns, many of these programs have the additional benefits of an increased emphasis on community relations and a reduction in local crimes rates. Places, such as Portland, St. Louis, and Nashville, have the highest community gardening programs per capita that have helped transform local communities, improve cost, and living conditions.

Many individuals have also begun their own backyard gardens to produce most of the fruits and vegetables they use, and there are many websites to help other start their backyard plan, including instruction for bed construction, fertilization, and composting. The goal is to show residents how to work with small growing spaces and flowerpots to start growing instead of buying. This has helped educate consumers on sustainable living and reduced our carbon footprint one person at a time.

Some tips for beginning your own urban garden include:

• Grow vegetables that you enjoy eating on a regular basis and plan out a growing space on your rooftop, deck, or backyard.
• Some vegetable can be grown solely in flower pots if you have no outside space, as long as there is a well-lit window.
• Pick out a variety of produce that you want to grow and start small. Grow foods that require less space like greens, tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers, carrots, and beans.

You’ll be surprised at how much you can do and grow within an urban setting. Inhabitat.com is a website that offers normal people with little or no growing experience excellent tips on getting started. Lounge back in your luxury outdoor furniture and enjoy the fun and saving benefits that come along with flexing your green thumb.

Photo Credits: Gabriel Kamener, Sown Together

Originally posted 2011-04-03 11:10:27. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Everyone can benefit from the beauty and serenity that a country garden offers, but people who live in big cities may have difficulty finding the space that they need to create a country garden landscaping endeavor. Living in a big city like New York City does not mean that you cannot enjoy the stunning and relaxing atmosphere that a country garden can provide you. Whether you are looking to create a deck garden in Manhattan or an enclosed small backyard in Brooklyn, there is something special about the peaceful and enjoyable atmosphere of a country garden that you simply cannot deny. Creating such a country garden is also a unique way to create a space for entertaining guests that visit your home. There is really nothing that is more relaxing than having a conversation and a nice glass of wine in a stunning country garden following a breezy sunset.

There are a wide variety of different contractors that can be found in large metropolitan cities that will be able to assist you with this project. They will have the knowledge and capabilities to help you design a space that will suit your needs as well as to help you bring your ideas into fruition. Before you create a custom country garden in your small space in the big city, you are going to need to think about building codes and zoning, and this is another thing that a contractor will be able to help you with. There are a wide variety of different ways that you can create a small country garden space even with limited space in the big city, including a rustic garden, a country garden, a French garden theme or so many more – And you can choose any materials or landscaping elements that you like to bring your own unique idea to fruition.

The biggest step in the process is to choose your greenery. Bring your country garden to life using greenery with plenty of live and luscious plants. Accent your planting with bright colors, flowers, small trees and climbing bushes. This will allow you to bring some nature to your modern city home by bringing a taste of the country home. You can enhance a small deck or patio using small potted plants, flowering herbs, climbing plants and other landscaping elements, and none of these ideas require that you have a ton of space in order to make them work. If your garden has a roof, you can even hang plants in baskets for a more natural and inviting feel. Many fruit and vegetable plants are suitable for hanging baskets, so you can even grow something edible in your comfortable country garden if you want your garden to serve function as well as form.

The sky is the limit and no idea is too big when it comes to bringing a little bit of country garden into your small modern home in the big city.

Photo Credits: Lanterna

Originally posted 2009-06-18 14:34:55. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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