Families in Albuquerque are becoming more health-conscious and concerned with their diet. As a hobby or as a cottage industry, city-dwellers are growing vegetables for pesticide-free produce, free of pesticides.

The ability to grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs at home depends on three factors: climate zone, property availability, and willingness to try.

You can raise edible plants virtually anywhere if you have the right tools and are motivated. Consider the following factors:

Which crops will you grow?

It's important to check local Albuquerque zoning regulations or homeowner's association guidelines before you begin gardening outside. Next, determine the hardiness zone for your plants. Using a planting schedule, determine what plants are recommended and when they should be planted. Selecting plants is almost as much fun as growing them.

It is best to grow plants indoors by placing them near large, south-facing windows. If this is not possible, set up grow lights or find creative solutions. Avocados, carrots, microgreens, lemons, and scallions are some of the most hearty indoor crops.

How can you garden... without a garden?

When you think of a garden, you probably imagine lush rows of crops and tilled soil, crop after crop of vegetable plants. This dream isn't as unattainable as you might think. Participate in a community garden in your area, and take advantage of fertile ground you can call your own. Gardening in a community allows people to share in the work, strengthen community ties, and give them a sense of accomplishment. A community with the right equipment can turn an unproductive lot into a food-producing area with hard work.

Gardening in a small space is not impossible, though. Urban gardeners have devised innovative ways to garden in small spaces.

Make a grow tower: A 15-gallon plastic drum, a 5 inch PVC pipe, a drill, and dirt are all you need to garden vertically. 

Plant in containers: Using buckets, planter boxes, hanging baskets, pots, and wooden barrels on the porch and patio can maximize your growing space.

Create a rooftop garden: Take advantage of the space that most of us don't even think about, our rooftops. If you've got a flat area on your roof and easy access, consider growing fresh food there.

There are plenty of innovative ways to grow your own produce in a small space, so don't let your tight space discourage you. It's just a matter of getting creative and finding the best solution for you. You'll know that all your hard work was well worth it when you've harvested your first tomato or made pesto with your own basil.

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