Container gardening as a climate solution

One of the best ways to connect with nature, build a relationship with the food you eat, provide a much-needed habitat for pollinators, improve your mental health, and reduce your grocery bills is to grow your own food. 

While some people may have access to a nice large plot to garden, others may only be able to access a small gardening area or a patio, balcony, driveway, or rooftop. There’s also the fact that for many people – especially those who grew up in urban environments – the idea of growing things ourselves rather than buying from the store can feel daunting at first.
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Growing more plants = climate safer communities

There is a growing body of research that shows that gardening in cities is both good for us, and also a powerful step towards climate safe communities. 

For example, an increase in the amount of plants that are growing on balconies, rooftops, and community gardens in an urban area, can directly combat what’s known as the “heat island effect” – which can cause potentially deadly pockets of higher than average temperatures throughout a city.

These heat islands are often concentrated in areas of lower wealth, contributing to the unequal impacts of climate change. This means that more plants grown throughout cities, and especially in the areas where green space is normally hard to find, is also a step towards fairer cities.

Plus, with climate change wreaking havoc on the areas around the world that grow most of our food, and the systems that transport it, having access to strong networks of locally grown food will result in less vulnerable, more climate safe communities. 

In fact, when we imagine a climate safe future for our cities, they should be filled with food.
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Ready, set, grow

One of the best options for people in urban areas and/or who have limited growing space is known as container gardening – growing plants in pots instead of directly in the ground. 

We’ve reviewed some of the best resources from the gardening world to bring you what you need to know as a beginner to start your own container garden. 
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Consider your space

The first thing you need to consider is if your outdoor area will meet the needs of the plants you want to grow. Most vegetables, for example, require full sun – equal to 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. 

If your balcony is south facing and stays sunny all day, most vegetables, fruits, and flowers will thrive there. If it faces a different direction or falls under the shadows of nearby buildings for part of the day, you’ll have to take a different approach – however there are still many things you can grow.

Things like kale, chard, mustard greens, arugula, many types of lettuce and some herbs will tolerate shade – and in fact prefer cooler temperatures. There is still plenty to work with that will produce a surprising amount of fresh, homegrown food through the summer – even if you just pick a few vegetables or herbs to start.

Another factor to consider is how windy it is on your balcony. If you’re high up and the wind can get intense, you’ll want to give some thought as to how you secure your plants, and be prepared to water them more frequently.

The bottom line: almost any outdoor space can be used to grow at least a few edible plants, you just need to adapt your plans to your space.
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Choose your containers

If you’re not planting directly in the ground, the first thing you need to consider is the types of pots and containers you will use to grow your plants. 

One thing to think about with balcony gardening in particular is weight. Terracotta and ceramic containers are heavy to begin with and when you fill them with soil and water this extra weight adds up quickly – which may not be safe or allowed on your balcony.

If you’re just growing in a few small and medium sized pots you’re probably fine, but large, heavy pots covering every surface is unlikely to be safe. If you are unsure how much weight your balcony can safely hold, reach out to your property management for guidance.

It’s a good idea to spread your heavier plants out and/or keep them closer to the place where the balcony meets your wall – an area that can hold a bit more weight. In any case, you should aim to use lighter containers on a balcony – if you can’t lift it, it’s probably too heavy.

A great lightweight option which we recommend for balconies is a fabric grow bag (CAN/US). They come in various different sizes to accommodate different plants, they’re breathable, allow for water drainage, and are strong enough to use for many seasons – which helps offset the initial investment over time. They can  be easily folded up and take up very little storage space during the rest of the year.

You can also check out your local nursery, yard sales, online marketplaces, and thrift stores to find lower cost containers. Items like large plastic buckets or old coffee tins with holes drilled into the bottom, and even those big blue Ikea bags can make fine growing containers with a few modifications.

Generally speaking, the bigger the container you choose, the more the roots of your plants can grow – resulting in healthier, more abundant plants overall. That said, some plants – like lettuces and a few herbs – will do just fine in smaller pots.

The bottom line: Whatever you choose, make sure it’s big enough so your plants have room to grow, have holes for drainage, and won’t be too heavy if you’re growing on a balcony.
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Soil matters

While you can be creative and thrifty with most items you need for container gardening, the one area you’ll want to have a bit of a budget for is soil. 

Given the small space that your plants are growing in, water drainage is key. If your soil is too heavy or compact, water won’t be able to drain through and will end up drowning the roots of your plants. 

Your best bet is to buy some lightweight potting soil from your local garden centre (US/CAN.) In addition to allowing for easy drainage, many have the added benefit of being mixed with the right fertilizers to support healthy plant growth – which will take some of the guesswork out if you’re just getting started.

The bottom line: The soil you choose is important. Go for a lightweight, nutrient rich blend from your local garden centre. If you aren’t sure which one is best, just ask and they’ll point you in the right direction.
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Make a plan before you plant

Do you want to grow from seed or buy and plant seedlings (young plants that have already started growing)? When is it safe to plant things outside in the spring or summer? These are some of the questions to ask yourself and make a plan for before you get started. 

Growing from seed can be more cost effective than buying seedlings from the garden centre, but it also takes more time and know-how in the beginning. Think about how much time and capacity you have for this project and weigh your budget considerations to help you decide which route to take.

Some plants will do better in containers than others. Check out this list of the 20 best vegetables, fruits, and herbs to grow in containers, and think about which you might like to start with.

You also need to know the right time to plant things outside. In most cases, you don’t want to plant anything outside until the last frost of winter has passed – and depending on where you live, the date of your last frost is different. 

There’s also the challenge that climate change is increasingly affecting the timing of the last frost in spring, and the first frost in fall in parts of North America. It may feel like it’s warm enough to plant, but a snap freeze may come through unexpectedly and damage or kill your plants. 

The Farmer’s Almanac has some great tools to help you know what dates you can start growing plants outside based on your zip or postal code. These dates aren’t foolproof, but they’re a good guide to get you started.

If a sudden cold snap is about to come through, you can bring your plants inside until it passes, keeping them close to the window for sun.

The bottom line: Having a plan in place for what you want to grow and being realistic about how much time you have for this project will help set you up for success. However, even a veteran grower will tell you that each season comes with new lessons – so enjoy the process and be open to learning.
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Take advantage of vertical space

You may not be able to grow all your food needs in a small space, but if you’re creative with your use of that space you can grow more than you think.

There are lots of different ways you can grow in vertical spaces like walls, windows, and fences or railings. These include trellises (perfect for plants like peppers and cucumbers that love to climb), hanging baskets (herbs, flowers, and even strawberries can grow well here), railing planters, window boxes, and tiered planters.  

The bottom line: Use both horizontal and vertical space to maximize the amount of things you can grow in a small area.
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You’ll need water 

No matter what kind of garden you have, one thing you’re going to spend time doing is watering every day. This is especially true if your container garden is in an area of high winds on a balcony or exposed to extra heat on an asphalt driveway – conditions which can dry out the soil quickly.

The best case scenario is having a hose that can reach your plants easily. If that’s not available, a watering can will do the trick, but be prepared to make trips between your source of water and your plants. Another option – especially if you don’t have a lot of time – is to buy or (if you’re a bit handy) build self-watering containers. 

On the plus side, watering your plants can be a really enjoyable time of quiet and reflection in your day. It’s a chance to slow down and focus on your intentions for your garden and what you want out of it, which can be a welcome break in our busy lives.

If you’re gardening on your balcony, be mindful of neighbours below you and make sure you have a tray underneath your containers to catch draining water.

The bottom line: Container gardens in particular require a good amount of watering, which can be a time investment each day. Make sure you’ve thought out water access for your plants that will be doable for you, or consider self watering plant options if your time or water access is limited.
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Reap the benefits

Container gardening is a great way to enter the world of growing your own food without a ton of space, money, or fancy tools required. In addition to the benefits for our physical and mental health, growing more plants is also a step you can take towards a healthier, more climate safe city.

If a container garden isn’t something you’re able or ready to commit to now, consider joining a community garden. You’ll gain valuable gardening experience, connect with members of your community, help strengthen local food security, and share in the bounty of what you help to grow. 

With so many options out there, consider making this the year that you play your part in covering your city with beautiful, nourishing plants.