More people are now living in cities than in rural areas for the first time in history. Over the next 30 years, virtually all of the anticipated 3 billion increase in human population will occur in cities of the South. By 2030 these cities will absorb 95% of global urban growth, becoming home to 80% of the world’s urban population. Accompanying this urban transition is a growing crisis of food insecurity in cities and city regions. Even in countries experiencing economic growth, food insecurity is already a major challenge.

– Hungry Cities Partnership   |   www.hungrycities.net 

This is not meant to scare you, but to encourage you to find solutions to growing food for your family and your community.

1. Plan your garden

Decide where you’re going to plant your garden. If no land is available, plant in sacks or crates and put them on your roof – as long as you have easy access to the plants.  Or plant against a wall. Use a wooden pallet or a shoe organiser or plastic bottles. Google ‘ideas for gardening when you have no space’. For every idea, you’ll find a video showing you how to do it. If it is just for your family, start small and expand as you become confident. The plants should ideally get 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day, so they shouldn’t be shaded by trees or buildings. It should be protected from animals, like rabbits, monkeys and rats. You should have access to water and the means to get the water to the plants. Do you have tools to turn over the soil, spread mulch and water your garden? Do you have seeds? These can be seeds you’ve saved from fruits and vegetables eaten by your family, or they could be store-bought seeds or seedlings. One organic tomato will provide seeds for multiple tomato plants, each of which will produce many tomatoes. One potato, likewise, can result in multiple plants, each of which will give you many potatoes.

2. Prepare the soil

Remove plants, weeds and rocks, and turn the soil – dig, lift and turn it over onto itself. Spread compost over the soil, then work it into the soil. Compost can be made from a mixture of any or all of the following: fruit and vegetable peels, ash from wood fires, cow dung or horse manure. The resulting soil will be rich in plant nutrients and beneficial organisms, such as worms. Smooth the surface and water the area thoroughly. Let the soil rest for some days before you start planting.

3. Start planting

If you’re using a packet of seeds, follow the directions. If you’re using your own saved seeds, poke a small hole in the soil, insert one seed and cover the hole. The space that you should leave between plants will depend on how tall and wide the particular type of plant will grow. Add a thick layer of mulch and water the area.  Mulch can be any dried organic matter, such as grass, leaves, twigs, tree bark, etc. It will keep moisture in the soil, reduce weed growth, improve the health of the soil, and prevent frosts in winter. Mark the ground with what you have planted.

4. Maintain your garden

Water your garden regularly. If you water when it is hot, most of the moisture will evaporate. Remove weeds that compete for nutrients and water. Check on the next four pages if the ‘weed’ you removed is edible and, if so, include it in your next meal.