East Village Rooftop Garden: A City Oasis

City living is based around the creative maximization of limited space—especially outdoor space. From balconies to fire escapes to rooftops, NYC residents have been known to get unconventional when planning a fun and functional green space. This week, we are checking out an unusually expansive outdoor rooftop space in the East Village. Created by Melissa Baker and Jon Handley of Pulltab Design, this city garden offers panoramic views of the city while maintaining an intimate sense of privacy. Check out their simple and elegant design, featuring strategically-placed walls, canvas screens, and plantings.

Potted Tomatoes: A Growing Guide

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Gardening in small spaces can be a real struggle, particularly when you are trying to grow produce. Tomato plants are especially challenging because they require lots of water, as well as room for their roots to grow. But with the right care, you’ll be able to yield a delicious and juicy crop. Just follow the simple instructions below:

Find a Big Pot!

Your tomato plants will need a big container so their roots can expand. The bigger the pot you, the more bountiful your harvest! Pick a container that’s 12 inches to 16 inches deep, with drainage holes.

Line the Bottom with Drainage Material

Grab some stones, pebbles, or marbles and line the bottom of your pot with them. This will help the water to drain through the soil. If the water is not able to drain out of the pot, the roots will rot.

Drop in Potting Soil

Fill your pot with potting soil, leaving enough room in the center to accommodate the tomato plant’s current soil.

Transplant the Tomato

Remove the tomato plant from its current pot. Hold the plant by the stem, close to the top of the soil and turn the pot upside-down. If it does not come out readily, tap the sides of the pot.

Replant the Tomato

Place the soil and roots into the new pot. Pour potting soil around the sides and over the bottom of the stem. Pat gently on top, until the plant is secure.

Water the Plant

Give your plant substantial water, and place it in a sunny location, outdoors.

Check for moistness regularly by sticking your finger into the soil at a depth of about 2 inches. If it feels dry, it’s time to water your tomato plant.

Fertilize & Prop It Up

Fertilize your plant about once a month. Use a tomato cage or stake to hold the stalk of the plant upright. Eventually your plant will grow tall and heavy enough with tomatoes to need support.

Green Walls in Small Spaces

City-dwelling gardeners know the plight of urban living: not enough space to plant! Whether it’s a lack of outdoor access or a too-cramped indoor floorplan, the urban gardener must find ingenious and creative ways to play with space. Vertical gardening has recently gained traction in sustainable and urban gardening circles, and it’s not difficult to see why: green walls offer a beautiful, lush backdrop to any space. Recently, two companies have entered the vertical gardening space by offering inventive planting products to consumers: Woolly Pocket and Plants on Walls. The slideshow features both products in action.

Urban Farmers Sell at Greenmarkets

For years, city dwellers have grown fruits and vegetables indoors, on balconies, in windowboxes, backyard plots and community gardens. Recently, however, more people are raising food not just to feed themselves, but to sell to their neighbors through local greenmarkets.

This is a slideshow of New York City-based sustainable farming efforts.