Upcycle empty toilet paper rolls into seedling pots with a few simple steps. Paper pots are biodegradable- perfect for seedlings with root systems that don’t transplant well because they can planted directly into garden beds. This allows gardeners to start these crops indoors, getting ahead for their first wave of succession planting. Cut four slits…

Reusing glass bottles and jars is an easy, and money-saving, way to collect containers for pickles, preserves, and sauces made from garden crops. There are already a variety of jars and bottles in different sizes in your pantry! Find a space where you can collect these as they are emptied. To remove labels, you will…

Companion planting is used by gardeners to maximize space and increase crop productivity of vegetable crops. Including flowers and herbs as vegetable companions also helps gardeners create habitats for beneficial insects, increase pest control, and aide in attracting vital pollinators. Some vegetables are also beneficial to flowering plants! Onions are known to help to protect…

Creating your own urban minigarden is easy, and delicious! With three simple items (containers, soil, and seeds) you can enjoy a variety of herbs and vegetables even if you don’t have a yard. Start your own vegetable container garden with these easy steps! An old bookshelf and empty nursery pots (from houseplant purchases) are perfect…

Square foot gardening is an easy and versatile approach to urban food gardening that can be adapted to everyone’s needs. Whether you are a busy professional who just wants to grow some fresh salad on a balcony, or a big family growing your own backyard vegetables, this method is perfect for any type of urban…

Edible flowers are the perfect companions for your vegetable garden! Blooms attract vital pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds while adding beauty. Leaves and young shoots make healthy and delicious additions to salads, teas, and other dishes to compliment vegetable crops. Borage (Borago officinalis) an easy to grow annual, Borage produces blue flowers that are…

If it is an accessible option, we strongly encourage urban gardeners to invest in a community garden plot. Community gardens help urban areas improve food security by increasing access to fresh foods, and maintaining a garden plot is an easy form of passive exercise that benefits both body and mind. In addition to the nutritional…

Prep your beds If winter mulch is well composted, you can mix it into the soil for a spring boost. Otherwise, remove winter mulch and leaves to clear soil where you will plant for the new season. Time to divide perennials.If you already have perennials, dividing them is an easy (and free!) way get more…

Give single-use packaging a second life with this easy upcycling project. March is the time for seed-starting, and these mini-greenhouses are perfect for starting your homegrown vegetables while reusing packaging items we all have! We started by searching our kitchen and garage to find different types of single-use packaging that we could use. Good items…

Get To Know Your Soil! Soil tests help identify the fertility of your garden or lawn, eliminating guesswork when it comes to choosing the best plant for a project. A test can determine pH levels, nutrient imbalances or deficiencies, and any potential contamination issues. In Connecticut gardeners can send samples to their local UConn Extension…