Urban farms have become a popular trend in recent years. People are tired of being solely dependent on grocery stores for their food, so they are turning to urban farms to grow their vegetables and herbs. Aside from urban farms being a source of food, they are also a great way to start your own business and bring in some extra income.
But if you are a first-time urban farmer, you may be wondering which plants are best to grow in your garden. Here is a list of the top 15 plants that you should start with for your urban farm or garden.
- Tomatoes
- Carrots
- Lettuce
- Beans
- Broccoli
- Pepper
- Garlic
- Okra
- Mint
- Radish
- Strawberries
- Eggplant
- Beet
- Spinach
- Cucumber
These are the top 15 plants you can start with for your urban farm or garden. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it will help you get started growing the best plants for your urban farm.
Before we look into these plants in detail, there are certain factors you have to consider before selecting any plant for your urban farm.
Factors to consider when choosing plants for your urban farm
Whether you’re an urban farmer, an avid gardener, or just someone who likes to grow a few plants in their apartment, there are a few things you need to think about before choosing what plants to grow.
1. Climate
First and foremost, you need to think about the climate where you live. Different plants thrive in different climates, so if you’re growing a plant that only grows in tropical areas or deserts, it’s not going to work very well for your urban farm.
2. Location
Next, you need to consider where you’re going to be growing your plants. Will they be indoors or outdoors? If outdoors, will they get enough sunlight? Do you have a garden bed or planter that’s big enough for them?
3. Available Space
The next thing you need to think about is available space. If you live in an apartment, chances are you don’t have a lot of extra room for gardening. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t plants that work well in small spaces! You can find some great ideas by checking out this list of plants that grow vertically or these low-maintenance indoor plants.
4. Market Demand
You also need to consider what the market is looking for when deciding on plants to grow on your urban farm. If you’re just starting and don’t have any experience, it’s probably a good idea to stick with plants that aren’t too unusual or exotic. That way, you won’t end up wasting money on a lot of seeds that don’t sell well. If you’re growing cucumbers, for example, will people buy them? You can check out this list of top-selling plants on Local Chow to see what types of plants are in high demand.
The advantage of considering these factors before planting is that you’ll be able to make sure your farm is profitable. If you’re planning on selling plants, it’s better to plant ones that people want to buy. This will help ensure that you have more customers and can make more money in the future.
Now let’s take a detailed look into the top 15 popular plants for urban farming.
Popular Plants for Urban Farming
1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the easiest plants to grow, and they’re great for people who want to do something with their urban garden but aren’t sure where to start. They can be grown both indoors or out; if you have space outdoors I recommend growing them near an area where they’ll get plenty of sunlight each day. If you don’t have any outdoor space available then consider getting yourself a few pots so that you can grow your tomatoes right next to your kitchen window!
2. Carrots
Carrots are versatile vegetables that can be eaten raw or cooked. They’re also easy to grow, store and cook with, making them a popular addition to home and urban gardens everywhere. You can grow carrots in a variety of ways; you can plant them directly into the ground, grow them in pots or use straw bales to make your vertical garden. If you’re new to gardening then consider starting with some store-bought potting mix and planting your carrots directly into that. Once they start growing, thin out any additional sprouts so that there’s about one carrot per inch of soil.
3. Lettuce
Lettuce is a cool season crop, meaning it does best in spring and fall. It’s easy to grow and can be grown in containers like window boxes or raised beds. Lettuce eaten raw has the most nutritional value, but if you want to grow lettuce for cooking purposes, try growing it indoors under lights so that you get a more consistent yield. Lettuce is also an excellent plant for container gardening because of its small size and high yields.
4. Beans
Beans are a great source of protein. Beans can be planted directly into the ground (or container) or started indoors and then transplanted once the soil has warmed. Beans can be grown from seeds or beans, but both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Direct sowing is good for those who want to grow a variety of beans, but it can take a long time until you get your first harvest. Starting beans indoors gives you an earlier crop but requires more work than direct sowing.
5. Broccoli
Broccoli is a cool-season crop that can be grown year-round in most climates. It prefers full sun, but will tolerate some shade and does not require rich soil. Broccoli likes well-drained soil, so don’t plant it in a low spot that collects water after rains. Consistently watering your plants to keep the soil consistently moist will help them grow well and produce larger heads than they would on their own.
Broccoli plants should be spaced about 2 feet apart for optimal growth and yield; give each plant 12–16 inches of space between rows so you have plenty of room to walk between them without damaging any leaves by stepping on them!
6. Peppers
Peppers are versatile and easy-to-grow vegetables that can be grown in containers or on the ground. They thrive in warm weather, so they’re a good choice if you live in a climate where summers are hot and humid. Peppers grow best outdoors, but they can also be grown indoors by placing large pots near a south-facing window or under grow lights.
7. Garlic
You may have heard that garlic is a perennial, which means it can be grown year after year without being replanted. This makes it an excellent choice if you want to grow something long-term in your garden or urban farm.
Garlic, like many other plants on this list, is easy to grow and hard enough to withstand some neglect (especially during winter months). It’s also great as a companion plant because it repels pests like slugs and aphids.
8. Okra
Okra is a delicious and nutritious plant that can be grown in small spaces. Not only that, but it is also an excellent source of vitamins A and C, fiber, antioxidants, and other nutrients.
Okra is easy to grow in warm climates or even indoors with the right lighting conditions. You can start okra seeds indoors or directly sow them in your garden after the last frost has passed. Sow seeds every 3 inches in rows spaced at least 12 inches apart. The plants will mature quickly so thin them out as needed before they produce fruit by cutting off the extra branches below ground level with scissors or pruning shears.
9. Mint
Mint has become a staple in many urban gardens, and for good reason. The plant is versatile and easy to grow, making it an excellent candidate for beginning gardeners looking to start their urban farm. Mint can be used for cooking, and medicinal purposes, and even savored as a spot of flavor in your favorite tea!
You can grow mint either in pots or directly in the ground. Mint prefers rich soil with plenty of sunlight exposure; however, some varieties thrive in partial shade. If you’re planting from seed (which is recommended), be sure to choose one that’s labeled “edible.” You may also use cuttings instead of seeds if you prefer—just make sure they don’t come from chemically treated plants or areas near heavy pollution sources!
10. Radish
Radishes are a wonderful vegetable to grow in urban areas. They can be grown successfully in containers, so no yard space is needed. Radishes are also a great source of vitamin C and fiber, making them an excellent choice for anyone looking to eat more vegetables or increase their nutritional intake. These little guys will grow quickly (sometimes within one week) and offer an abundance of crunchy goodness! You can eat them raw or cooked, but we recommend trying them with some butter and salt as soon as they’re ready to harvest; the combination is unbeatable!
11. Strawberries
Strawberries are easy to grow and can be grown in a variety of ways. They’re versatile, too—you can eat them fresh, freeze them, or make jam with them. If you have a green thumb and love to garden, strawberries are an excellent choice for your edible urban farm.
Strawberries are low-maintenance plants that require little water or attention once established. They thrive when grown in pots but will also adapt well to growing directly into the ground if you prefer that method.
12. Eggplant
Eggplant is a great plant to grow in an urban area. It is easy to grow and tastes great. Eggplant has many health benefits, including being an excellent source of vitamin C. It also contains fiber, which is good for your skin.
The best part about growing eggplant is that it doesn’t take up much space and can be grown in a container on your balcony or patio. The plant will produce fruit for several months after it has been planted.
13. Beets
Beets are a great vegetable to grow in your urban garden. They can be harvested and eaten at different stages of development, and they’re easy to grow, which makes them a great choice for beginners. Beets are easy to grow in containers, so they’re perfect for your urban garden. They’re also easy to grow in the ground, as long as you have a sunny spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. If you don’t have access to any outdoor space, growing beets indoors is another option. Beets are great for juicing and can be eaten raw or cooked.
14. Spinach
Spinach is a cool season crop, which means you can grow it during spring, summer, and fall. It’s also categorized as a leafy vegetable.
Spinach is best grown in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s an easy-to-grow, hardy vegetable that can tolerate cold weather better than warm weather. Spinach is a perfect crop for beginner gardeners because it doesn’t require much maintenance and produces high yields.
15. Cucumber
Cucumbers are a favorite crop for urban farmers. They are easy to grow, they come in a range of shapes and sizes, and they’re delicious raw or cooked.
Cucumbers are also easy to grow in containers or small raised beds, so if you have limited space but still want fresh veggies at home then don’t worry: there’s something here for everyone!
How to sell products from your urban farms
How do you sell your urban farm products?
The easiest way to sell your products is through a local farmers’ market. If you’re lucky enough to live in a city with one, try selling there! Some cities have more than one market; if yours does, try them all out and see which ones work best for you. You may also be able to set up at smaller neighborhood events or festivals – just make sure that the event organizers are okay with selling food items before committing time and energy into preparing them for sale at an event (and don’t forget about permits).
If there aren’t any farmer’s markets in your area or intend to explore other exciting ways of selling your products. You can try registering on Local Chow’s online farmers’ market where you get connected to different individuals looking for your products around your neighborhood.
You can read this article to see more options on how to make money from your urban farm.
Conclusion
Whether you’re planting a garden or just having fun with a few pots on your balcony, it’s important to have a solid plan in place on the type of plants you want to grow, or else you could end up wasting time and money. The best way to get started is by thinking about what you want from your gardening experience. Do you want to make some extra cash, or do you just want fresh produce? Once you’ve got an idea of what your goals are, it’ll be easier to figure out which crops will work best for you.
We hope this article has inspired you to grow your food in an urban area. It’s not hard at all, and if you have the right plants for your climate and space then you’ll be able to do it easily!
