Having a home garden in NYC - it is possible

The very mention of growing a home garden usually creates an image of a garden in a backyard. However, as everyone that lives or had the chance to visit NYC knows, this is not so simple. Living in the concrete jungle that New York City is, not many people find the opportunity or time to nurture a garden. So, if you are planning a relocation to NYC from the suburbs, and have a garden you wish to move, you might want to take the time to consider that. Sure enough, expert residential movers NYC can handle relocating your plants, but whether having a home garden in NYC is a good idea or not is still debatable.

Why do people even consider growing plants in NYC?

Many people would argue that the polluted air in the Big Apple is not the most humane foundation for growing plants. However, New Yorkers still find some satisfaction in home gardening solutions in their apartments. For some, it offers an escape from all the brick and mortar around them, while others enjoy putting their green thumb to the test. After all, having a home garden in NYC is an accomplishment, given the circumstances of it all. Therefore, there are plenty of those that choose to grow different varieties of plants in their apartments, including:

• Fruits (avocados, tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, and other citrus fruits);
• Vegetables (carrots, potatoes, and leafy greens like spinach);
• Herbs (chives, mint, parsley, basil, oregano, and rosemary);
• Houseplants (the Snake plant, cacti, succulents, bamboo, Areca palm, Fiddle-leaf fig, and the Peace lily).

No matter what your choice of greenery is, one thing is certain – it will make your life better to grow it. Similar to adopting pets or finding a hobby, it is an activity that requires long-term devotion and sacrifice. However, it is also a great way to handle stressful situations such as having to relocate from another city or state. Our cross country movers NYC know how important it is for people to have a safe zone during the challenge of moving house.

Things to consider when planning a home garden in NYC

We already mentioned that gardens, no matter how small, demand certain sacrifices. From taking the time to research all there is to know about certain plants and growing them, to securing ample space and lighting to nurture them. And then there is also the daily/weekly maintenance that you need to include in your schedule, to ensure that your home garden is a success. So, whether you are prepared or not for the challenge of having a garden in your apartment will depend on how you answer the following questions:

How much extra space do you have in your apartment?

Before you even start thinking about a home garden in NYC, you first need to make sure you have enough space. As time goes by, plants will grow, demanding more and more room. So, make sure to consider whether or not you have the space necessary to accommodate that growth. Of course, living in such a big metropolis, there are always ways to free up space in your apartment. After all, storage units in NYC are more than plentiful and can be rented at low rates, depending on the time frame and location. Therefore, make sure that you secure enough space for your garden before getting into the project.

How good is the lighting in your apartment?

Natural light is an essential condition for having a home garden in NYC. Given the skyscrapers and “buildings on top of buildings” setup of New York City, this is something that you need to carefully consider. On the positive side, there are those plants that require very little to no sunlight to grow. Also, you have artificial sunlight options that come in the form of special lightbulbs. So, there are alternatives in case your living accommodations lack natural lighting.

Are you able to protect your home garden in NYC?

Having a garden in an urban environment can be daunting when it comes to preserving it. Starting from the pollution on the streets of NYC and expanding to neighborhood pets and weather circumstances, you need to ensure the safety of your garden. So, if you are planning on growing your garden on your balcony, consider all this, and how best to relocate your plants in the need arises.

How to save space while growing a garden in your apartment

New Yorkers know just how important every inch of living space is. When you live in the Big Apple, physical space is a commodity. So, deciding to clutter your home with pots and plants won’t come as easy to most. On the brighter side, there are plenty of creative ways to bake your cake and eat it too. And here are the three most popular methods that people turn to when growing a home garden in NYC:

1. Hanging pots. Probably the most commonly used space-saving method when it comes to gardening. Hanging pots from your ceiling or a high beam free up floor space while acting as a kind reminder for you to water the plants each time you pass them.
2. Vertical home gardening. This method is becoming increasingly popular among small apartment owners. Usually, it involves using wooden pallets and platforms, connected with strings and chicken wire. It saves space while offering an aesthetic layout of your home garden in NYC.
3. Kokedama. Also known as string gardening, Kokedama works best with herbs and smaller plants. The reason for this is simple – this method means suspending plants from the ceiling or higher beams, using a string or rope. How does it work? You take the plant root and put it into a ball of soil, which you then wrap with moss to help it retain moisture. The end effect is that of Japanese gardens.