{"alias":"blogEntry","byline":"Alanah Reid, Creative Content Producer","standfirst":"Spring is finally here! With the RHS Chelsea Flower Show taking place this week, it\u2019s the perfect opportunity to give gardening a go, especially in towns, cuties and urban spaces.","content":{"layouts":[{"type":"singleColumn","areas":[{"items":[{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWhether you\u0027re a beginner looking to get started\u003C/span\u003E\u003Cspan\u003E\u00A0or an experienced \u003C/span\u003Egardener\u00A0\u003Cspan\u003Ewanting inspiration, here are our urban gardening tips to give nature a home in the city.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cspan\u003EWherever you live, you can brighten up your home, meeting place or local community with plants, trees and by growing vegetables.\u003C/span\u003E\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/14460/squirrels-21-jpg.jpg","width":7360,"height":4912,"altText":"A Squirrel wearing a red jumper and blue necker, puts a spade into a plant pot filled with soil.","caption":"","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EThe benefits of urban gardening\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhether you\u2019ve got a small garden, a balcony, or even just a windowsill to work with, there are many ways to bring nature to your home and community.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ECreating green spaces and planting can have incredible benefits for both you and the environment, too.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ESome of the benefits include:\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt\u2019s a fun way to recycle your old household items.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt\u0027s an activity for everyone and anyone, including young people. You could work a gardening activity into an upcoming Scouts session.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt\u2019s a hobby that\u2019ll boost your skillset, knowledge and wellbeing. Looking after plants and watching them grow can give you an immense sense of achievement and help with mindfulness.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt can work in various ways to suit your space, no matter how big or small.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIt can be super easy activity and there\u0027s a low-cost to get started!\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/18006/1-112357min.png","width":1080,"height":1080,"altText":"","caption":"An old pair of wellies can make great plant pots - just add some stones in the feet and safely add some holes for drainage!","link":null},{"gridType":"RichTextBlock","content":"\u003Ch3\u003EOur top tips\u003C/h3\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EHere are some affordable urban gardening tips to help you make the most of your space.\u00A0\u003C/p\u003E","gtmId":"","gtmClass":""},{"gridType":"accordion","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","showExpand":false,"items":[{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EContainers are ideal for growing things in small spaces. They\u2019re sturdy and relatively cheap, but you don\u2019t need to buy any if you\u2019ve got some at home.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EDon\u2019t be afraid to recycle containers - even old fruit crates work well. You can line them up in your garden or use them to grow inside with a grow light and good air circulation.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s a good idea if your containers have drain holes at the bottom, to allow water to drain freely. Remember to water them when the soil\u2019s looking dry.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Use containers"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EHanging plants are fantastic, especially if you\u2019re limited on floor space. You can hang them on walls to brighten up your indoor or outside space.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou can buy and fix wall planters, or you can recycle old pots you already have at home and tie them with string for an even cheaper option.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Try hanging plants"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIt\u2019s always handy to have herbs in your home to add to your cooking. If you\u2019ve got old egg cartons lying around, they\u2019re perfect for growing herbs in.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAdd a few holes with a pencil (be careful!) in the bottom of each cup for drainage, and pop a tray or some cardboard underneath each cup to catch the water.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDrop a seed-starting mix into each cup, and then a couple of seeds of your choice.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMake sure to check on them daily, and water them when the soil gets dry.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe cartons will need to be kept warm for your herbs to grow well, so leave them in a warm area of your house. You could leave them near a window that catches the sun.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Plant some handy herbs"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EMany vegetables grow well indoors, such as carrots, onions, and potatoes. Growing vegetables is so rewarding when they\u2019re ready to eat, and helps you save your pennies at the supermarket.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou could plant some vegetables in your session, and let your Scouts take their pots home to look after. Remember to check in and see how they\u2019re growing!\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECarrots take a while to harvest, around 70 days, but are simple to maintain.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESalad greens, like lettuce and spinach, will grow quick. You can plant new seeds every 10 to 14 days.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETry reusing your household items as veggie planters \u2013 try old yoghurt tubs, egg cartons, and any other container-like items. Simply add potting soil and the vegetable seeds of your choice to get started.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E","label":"Prepare some yummy vegetables"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EBright plants are wonderful for bringing\u00A0colour to your space.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EGrow plants that thrive in the shade, such as snowdrops, pulmonaria and ivy.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMost plants will only need to be watered twice a week, so make sure you aren\u2019t overwatering them.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECheck the air needs of your plant \u2013 air plants need regular misting with a spray bottle.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECheck the light needs of your plant \u2013 most houseplants will need indirect light, and some might need artificial light to grow indoors.\u003C/li\u003E\n\u003C/ul\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExtra tip:\u003C/strong\u003E Turn your urban gardening into an art project, too. Young people and adults can get creative and decorate their egg cartons and pots.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Grow bright indoor plants"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003ECreating a succulent bowl is easy and won\u2019t take up much space (depending on how big you decide to make it, of course).\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EGrab a large terracotta bowl and add some potting soil. Then, when you\u2019ve got your succulents ready, make some holes in the soil to plant them, starting with the largest and ending with the smallest.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EThey\u2019re great for adding some variety to your urban garden, easy to maintain, and always look pretty.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Create a succulent bowl"},{"gridType":"accordionItem","gtmId":"","gtmClass":"","body":"\u003Cp\u003EAs well as giving you lots more room to grow, community gardens are ideal for meeting people who share your passion for gardening.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EYou can share ideas together, while spending time outside in the fresh air \u2013 two things that\u2019ll boost your wellbeing.\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EWhy not have a search around, or reach out to your community, to see if there\u2019s one you can join or visit?\u003C/p\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn partnership with WWF, we\u2019ve got a great activity to help you and your group \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/our-wild-community-garden/\u0022\u003Estart your own community garden\u003C/a\u003E. It\u2019s a perfect activity to take an active role in community and make it better, while working towards your \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.scouts.org.uk/staged-badges/community-impact/community-impact-stage-1/\u0022\u003ECommunity Impact badges\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","label":"Find a local community garden"}]},{"gridType":"gridImageBlock","gtmId":"gtmId","gtmClass":"gtmClass","image":"/media/18008/7-112355min.png","width":1080,"height":1080,"altText":"","caption":"","link":null}]}],"config":null}]},"searchDescription":null,"pageType":null,"location":null,"versionDate":"20 May 2022","reviewDate":null,"furtherReading":[{"caption":"","title":"Discover how to grow a wild community garden","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/our-wild-community-garden/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Find out how to make upcycled planters","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/get-growing-with-recycled-planters/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Get creative and make some seed paper","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/seed-paper/","newWindow":true}],"relatedLinks":[{"caption":"","title":"Cubs Gardening Activity Badge","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/cubs/activity-badges/gardener/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Beavers Gardening Activity Badge","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/beavers/activity-badges/gardener/","newWindow":true},{"caption":"","title":"Squirrels Let It Grow Activity Badge","url":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/squirrels/activity-badges/let-it-grow/","newWindow":true}],"id":48694,"nodeName":"7 top urban gardening tips to help nature thrive","title":"7 top urban gardening tips to help nature thrive","type":"blogEntry","image":{"url":"/media/20296/beavers-sat-in-a-field-smiling-at-cameramin.jpg?cc=0,0.11543558993184863,0,0.040874673620754885\u0026width=800\u0026height=450\u0026v=1dae195317f8b70","caption":"Beavers sat in a field looking at each other","type":"jpg","size":2151669,"width":7000,"height":4667,"altText":"Two Beavers in blue uniforms and yellow neckers sitting in a field looking towards each other"},"assets":null,"headerOptions":{"headerTitle":"7 top urban gardening tips to help nature thrive","headerSubTitle":null,"headerCta":null,"headerCtaText":null,"headerCtaLink":null,"headerBackgroundColour":null,"showSEOImage":false,"headerBackgroundImage":null,"quickLinks":null},"subHeader":"Check out our urban gardening tips to help you bring nature to your city home.","browserTitle":null,"silktide":"eyJjbXMiOiJVbWJyYWNvIiwiZWRpdG9yVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9wcm9kLWNtcy5zY291dHMub3JnLnVrLy91bWJyYWNvIy9jb250ZW50L2NvbnRlbnQvZWRpdC80ODY5NCJ9","canonicalUrl":"https://www.scouts.org.uk/news/2022/may/7-top-urban-gardening-tips-to-help-nature-thrive/"}