Start Here

If you’re new to urban gardening, we have a few in-depth, introductory guides:

Finally, familiarise yourself with this post about homemade insecticides. Creating the right conditions, then doing your best to get rid of pests when they arise, is more or less the whole battle.

We also have extensive reviews of numerous gardening tools.

And individual plant guides:

Also have a look at our monthly sow and groww guides for container gardeners:

I will add to this page as I add more content to the site.

16 thoughts on “Start Here”

  1. Doug

    I read your blog on peat pots, but what are your thoughts on peat pellets? I plan on starting seeds in a heated cold frame. Peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, cabbage, squash, cukes. I know that I will need higher heat for peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant. But to achieve good contact with soil for heat and moisture, I was thinking peat strips/ Pellets would be best. Your thoughts please.

    Reply
    1. Dan Mowinski

      Hey Doug, thanks for your comment! To be completely honest I don’t use Jiffy peat pellets. I realise that you get a lot for your money so I might give them a go. Could you clarify what you mean by “good contact” – I don’t see why pellets would work any better than other methods in a cold frame.

      Reply
  2. Mira

    I recently received the bonsai tree kit as a gift but it did not come with the instructions of how to grow it, is there a link on here that can help?

    Reply
  3. joanna burtenshaw

    Hello!
    We have a big roof terrace over our apartment in Athens and would like to grow some fruit and vegetables. What are your thoughts on toxicity of city-grown food? I’m worried they might be loaded with heavy metals…
    Thanks!
    Jo

    Reply
    1. Yarrow Brook

      Hi Jo! OK, so I assume you’re growing in containers. If that is the case, then you will be using potting mix anyway, so contamination is unlikely to be an issue. IF you were growing in contaminated soil, my understanding is that metal uptake and storage by roots is relatively minimal (far too low to have any effects in humans). You should consult the research directly to be sure, but my general understanding is that there isn’t an issue as long as you’re washing (the bigger danger is from the soil). If you’re unsure, just use potting mix. In terms of air pollutants, again I think there is virtually no risk aside from what may be deposited on the leaves. So washing is key. Plants won’t “store” noxious airborne compounds in their leaves. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  4. Hannah Baker

    Hi , I was given the Bonsai Tree Kit by my friend. I have read the instructions and I’m just a bit confused about some of them. It says to choose 5 or 6 seeds to soak. Then after they’ve soaked it says to sow the seeds aprox 0.5cm deep – do I put all 5 or 6 into the same growing pot?
    Also do I need extra soil or just the compost pellets that come with the set?
    Thank you

    Reply
    1. Yarrow Brook

      Hi Hannah! I don’t sell these I’m afraid. It’s another brand. I think urbanturnip.co.uk is the right site.

      Reply
  7. Dale Howe

    Where is step 9 in the instruction guide as step 6 suggest skipping 2 step now but it does not appear in the booklet thanks 4 your help

    Reply
    1. Dan Mowinski

      Hi Dale, I think you’re talking about a grow kit? They’re made by a separate company that’s also called Urban Turnip. Sorry about that. Warmly, Dan.

      Reply
  8. David Harland

    A refreshing perspective on gardening and appreciation of nature….I look forward to reading more, and putting into practice your recommendations.

    Reply

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