Rebecca and I lived in New York City in our twenties and heard rumors about rooftop farms in Gowanus that grew enough vegetables to meaningfully supplement what came from the local co-ops. But growing food on a NYC rooftop was a daunting proposition to most city dwellers.

These days, “urban farming” is more accessible and a lot easier if you’ve defected to the suburbs, like we have. As always, urban farming is an amazing way to transform small spaces into productive gardens. Here are a few tips we’ve collected on how to get started:

1. Choose Your Space: Especially if you’re right in the city, use balconies, rooftops, or even window boxes to grow plants. Vertical gardening techniques can maximize space.

2. Select Crops Wisely: Grow herbs, leafy greens, and small vegetables that thrive in limited areas. We have had a ton of success growing herbs, which makes cooking with fresh herbs easier and always makes your food better.

3. Use Containers: Pots, planters, and grow bags are essential for urban farming. Ensure they have good drainage. You can even move these into a garage or enclosure when the weather gets colder and keep some plants alive during the winter season.

4. Compost for Nutrients: Turn kitchen scraps into compost to enrich your soil naturally. We have had varied success with composting — one year we created the world’s largest muck bucket full of black fly larvae. 0 out of 10, do not recommend.

There’s a company called The Compost People near us in Southwestern PA. Look for something similar in your area if you’re not up for DIY.

5. Embrace Community: Farming is more fun together. Look for a community garden or even your local nursery or hardware store to share resources, knowledge, and produce. We have found that urban farming not only provides fresh food but also helps us build community and promote sustainability in our neighborhood.