Year: 2017
Back to the Guide to Urban Farming Table of Contents>> Composting and Fertilizing Compost is essential to maintaining an urban soil fertility program, as it adds organic matter, micronutrients, and beneficial microorganisms to the soil. Urban farmers should be able to use organic fertilizers, such as fish emulsion and manure, and take care to prevent…
Back to the Guide to Urban Farming Table of Contents>> Cover Cropping Cover crops are not planted for harvest and consumption by people (though some cover crops are excellent sources of nutrients for livestock), but for a variety of beneficial purposes such as suppressing weeds, protecting against erosion, adding organic matter and building soil fertility. …
Back to the Guide to Urban Farming Table of Contents>> Crop Rotation Crop rotation involves rotating the planting of different crops, each with different nutritional needs, in succession in the same space. Urban farmers can use crop rotation to maximize productivity and simultaneously improve soil fertility, as well as to help protect against plant diseases…
Back to the Guide to Urban Farming Table of Contents>> Soil Fertility Unlike rural farmers who can lay land fallow, the limited availability of urban land often requires that urban farmers keep plots in continuous production, which can lead to the eventual depletion of soil nutrients. Deliveries of nutrient-rich soil and soil amendments can be…
Back to the Guide to Urban Farming Table of Contents>> Pesticide Use Regulations When using pesticides, the label is the law. Make sure you read it! More information about pesticide use regulations, including the Pesticide Applicator Certification, is available online at dec.ny.gov/chemical/298.html. Note that these pesticide regulations are for farmers applying pesticides to rented or…
Back to the Guide to Urban Farming Table of Contents>> Why Organic? Organic practices are particularly important in urban environments, where limited land often requires intensive use and chemical inputs, such as fertilizers and pesticides, can contribute to soil contamination and water system pollution. Additionally, organic crops can demand a higher market price, important for…
Back to the Guide to Urban Farming Table of Contents>> Increasing the urban tree canopy can directly help offset carbon dioxide emissions entering the atmosphere, decrease storm water runoff, increase shade and reduce the urban heat island effect, provide habitat and improve local air quality. Though typically the species planted to increase the forest canopy…
Back to the Guide to Urban Farming Table of Contents>> Growing Mushrooms in Urban Environments Mushrooms have a great potential for two aspects of urban agriculture. They can consume organic “wastes” often abundant in urban areas such as coffee, sawdust, woodchips, compost, etc while producing a delicious and nutritious food. Additionally, in a separate application…
Back to the Guide to Urban Farming Table of Contents>> Hydroponics in Cities Hydroponics is a method of growing plants in water, without soil. Plants are typically grown in a solution of water and nutrients in containers such as buckets, tanks or tubes. Though systems vary in complexity, the solution is usually aerated using a pumping system.…
Back to the Guide to Urban Farming Table of Contents>> Intensive Growing Techniques Urban farming often occurs in small spaces, and is otherwise constrained by the limited availability of land. As such, many urban farmers adopt intensive growing techniques to maximize productivity. Intensive growing techniques include: Succession planting – Replanting in the same area to…
