Urban Gardening Ideas to Get Growing in Philly

You don't have to have acres of land to cultivate your own fruits, flowers, and vegetables in Philly. Small urban spaces are ripe for abundant, hearty growth. All you need is some garden design inspiration.

Several Philadelphia-area vendors and organizations offer native plants, seeds, garden gear, and fruit trees. They include Bartram's Garden, the Free Library of Philadelphia seed library, Burpee, Magnolia Garden Village, Truelove Seeds, Primex Garden Center, and Urban Jungle.

If you can't grow your own at home, Philadelphia offers several community garden initiatives that will connect you with members of your community. Several community garden options include the Summer Winter Community Garden, Corinthian Gardens, Brewerytown Garden, Schuylkill River Park Community Garden, Girard Garden, The Spring Gardens, and Capitolo Community Garden.

Just because you don't own a plot of land doesn't mean you can't experience the joys of gardening. Container gardens are easy, attractive ways to bring beauty and color to your urban landscape.

Practical container plants include herbs such as rosemary, basil, and oregano. You can also grow various vegetables in containers, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, and garlic.

Be sure to consider proper lighting, pot sizes, and plant choices before you start planting.

As we think about the health and vitality of our natural world, creating a pollinator garden is an easy way to boost environmental sustainability. 

Longwood Gardens expert Pandora Young, who serves as senior land stewardship technician for the Kennett Square-based horticultural paradise, offers ideas to get started. Young recommends selecting native plants, choosing diverse plantings, and creating year-round pollinator habitats.

To encourage visits from pollinators throughout the year, focus on seasonal pollinator-friendly plants: Virginia bluebell in spring, coral honeysuckle in summer, witch hazel in fall, and wild bergamot stems in winter.