Mike Lieberman is the Urban Organic Gardener. Living in the concrete jungle that is New York city hasn’t stopped Mike from growing his own food and composting his own food waste. Here’s how he did it.
Mike Lieberman - The Urban Organic Gardener
One of the biggest obstacles that I had in getting started in urban gardening was getting started. That’s probably the biggest obstacle for others as well. I’ve never taken on such a project and was pretty intimidated. I got over that quickly though. Hopefully, you will too.
At first, I began reading some blogs and took out books from the library. After about five minutes of reading my interest waned, but still wanted to grow my own. I then decided that I was just going to start a vegetable garden. Forget the experts and the books.
Think about it. What did people do hundreds of years ago? They didn’t have fancy certificates and take courses. They just planted. That’s what I wanted to do. Make it simple again.
The small reading and research that I did do was on what to grow the vegetables in. After coming across self watering containers, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. Not only would they fit nicely on my fire escape, but it’s earth-friendly and could build using recycled materials for under $5.
So I got everything set up and planted on my fire escape garden at the end of May and was able to get my first lettuce harvest in June.
We’ve become so disconnected with our food source that on the average it travels 1,500 miles from farm to plate. So I got pretty overwhelmed when I had my first fire escape salad. Forget the travel, I was able to trace my produce from fire escape to bowl.
In addition to the fire escape garden, I also built up my own indoor compost bin in my kitchen. Most of the trash that I generate is food scraps. This was the perfect way to reduce my waste and reuse it as a part of my garden.
The lesson that I quickly learned with composting is to be easy on the food scraps. The smell was horrific, but quickly resolved and haven’t had it since.
Overall this has been one of the most fun and rewarding projects that I’ve ever taken on. It’s one that I encourage all of you to take on as well. There’s no excuses.
Photos
On fire escape
Thanks to Mike for his contribution. You can keep up with Mike’s antics on Twitter too: @CanarsieBK
13 comments… read them below or add yours now
Twitter: @cybasurfa
Great article! Proves you don’t need a garden to grow your own stuff. Got me thinking about giving a go. Thanks Mike.
Twitter: @CanarsieBK
Thanks @CybaSurfa. Like Karen said, please keep us updated. Would love to know how things go for you.
That’s great @cybasurfa – keep us updated with how you get on!
Hi, great initiative.
I’ve got my own garden at the back of my house with peppers, cucumbers, olives en such. :)
I ‘ve looked at your flickr stream, but do you keep copper pipes next to your plants..?
Should watch
http://www.urbanorganicgardener.com/how-to-make-a-self-watering-container/
before asking.. :)
Twitter: @CanarsieBK
Haha Jonathan. It’s all good. No worries. Did you find all that you were lookin for?
Awesome garden! Has anyone told you to move your stuff from the fire escape? This happened to me. I guess it depends on the building in NY. Keep it up and upload more pics!
Twitter: @CanarsieBK
Nobody has mentioned anything to me about the garden. I’ve left plenty of foot space and the hand rails are clear.
I’m sure the building that you are in makes the difference as well.
Twitter: @hyperlocavore
For folks that don’t have yard space, or for people that need help inexchange for veg, or for serial yard urb/burb farmers please visit hyperlocavore!
Thanks for the great post. What do you know know about gardening indoors? I have many friends in Singapore who don’t even have the luxury of a balcony or fire escape.
Twitter: @CanarsieBK
I don’t have much experience, but you can likely do a similar set up as long as you have exposure to sunlight. The soda bottles could be set up in a window and smaller containers by windows as well.
Twitter: @ecofriendlyblog
Some great ideas. I am really impressed with how much you accomplished.
Twitter: @ecogirl91304
Normally, its very challenging to successfully grow produce while living in an apartment but you have proved it to be simple if we take it back to the basics. I remember when i ate my first salad with veggies i grew…tasty and satisfying knowing you did it yourself