Welcome back to our apartment homesteading series! If you’ve read our previous guide, "Container Gardening 101: From Pots to Plants," you already know the basics of growing vegetables in containers.

In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the art of regenerative gardening. You’ll learn how to apply these sustainable practices to small spaces and container gardens. Whether you’re looking to start a balcony garden or maximize your urban backyard, these regenerative tips will help you create a thriving, eco-friendly oasis.

What is Regenerative Gardening?

Before we get into the specifics, let’s briefly recap what regenerative gardening means.

→ It is important to understand that regenerative agriculture exists because of the work and traditional practices that Indigenous, Black, and Asian farmers have shared with us. They are the original regenerative farmers and gardeners, and we are indebted to them for their knowledge, methodology, and stewardship.

Regenerative gardening is a sustainable way to tend to your outdoor space by restoring and enhancing the health of your ecosystem.

Unlike conventional gardening, which often focuses on short-term yields, regenerative gardening is a nature-based solution to environmental issues. In addition to not applying synthetic chemicals on plants, regenerative practices go beyond organic gardening in order to replenish soil health, promote biodiversity, and sequester carbon.

All together, these principles contribute to the sustainability and resilience of our environment.

Can Regenerative Gardening Work in Small Spaces and Container Gardens?

Absolutely! Small gardens, urban backyards, and container gardens can greatly benefit from regenerative gardening practices. These methods are not only feasible but can transform even the tiniest spaces into productive, eco-friendly havens.

Even in limited spaces, these methods can:

• Improve Soil Health and Fertility: Enhancing soil structure and nutrient content is like building a strong foundation for your garden; it leads to towering and robust plant growth. Your plants will thrive because both you AND the soil will be tending to them.
• Increase Biodiversity: Diverse plantings attract beneficial insects and microbes, helping manage pests and diseases naturally. The soil microbiome helps sequester carbon, too.
• Conserve Water: Techniques like mulching and using self-watering containers reduce water usage. If you live in an area with drought, this is especially important.
• Reduce Synthetic Inputs: Natural fertilizers and pest control methods minimize the need for chemical interventions. No need for toxic sprays or fossil-fuel derived fertilizers here!
• Enhance Connection with Nature: Even small-scale regenerative practices foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of natural processes. From the magic of photosynthesis to the stunning visit of a hummingbird, nature provides plenty of moments for awe and inspiration.

Carbon Gardening in Small Backyards: Citizen Research from EcoFaith Recovery

Ecofaith Recovery is a group of folks who combine spiritual practice with environmental stewardship. They conducted an estimation of carbon stored in the soil of a member’s raised bed garden. They sent a soil sample off to be analyzed for carbon, and then did a calculation based on the depth of the organic-rich soil layer. They say, “Our conservative estimate is at least 600 pounds of carbon in those beds.”

The EPA carbon calculator says that this is equivalent the the amount of carbon sequestered by planting 16.5 tree seedlings and growing them for 10 years!

Is it worth it? Case Study:

You may be dreaming of one day owning a large property to plant your own idyllic garden. If that’s your dream - I hope you get there! But - don’t let your current space go uncultivated in the meantime. No matter the size, it holds heaps of potential.

Take inspiration from a recent experiment carried out by the University of Calgary along with Root and Regenerate Urban Farms and the Young Agrarians. From May through September in 2021, they were able to harvest around 7,000 pounds of food - from 9 separate urban spaces. When combined, these spaces were just .26 acres!

Let’s do some simple math here. On average, each growing space was .028 acres. That’s around 1220 square feet, or a 30 x 40 foot garden. Divide 7000/9 to find that each of these spaces yielded 777ish pounds of food.

Let’s say that you have a backyard half the size - 15x20ft. Is there the potential for 388 pounds of food there?

Let’s go smaller - a 4 x 5 ft balcony planted at the same intensity could yield nearly 100 pounds of food over a growing season.

Now this is just some calculations and extrapolations. But it really shows the potential of careful planning and maximizing the space that you have available to you.

How to practice regenerative gardening in small spaces

Soil Health for Container Gardens

The foundation of regenerative gardening is healthy soil.

For containers, opt for a high-quality, organic potting mix. Ideally, find a peat-free variety to protect our vital peat bogs, which are significant carbon sinks.  Once mined, peat can take thousands of years to regenerate again.

Better yet, create your own mix. My go-to is a blend of 40% coir, 40% compost, and 20% organic rice hulls. I find that this mixture not only retains moisture effectively but also improves soil aeration. It’s a great mix for germinating seeds or transplanting more established plants.

Regularly add organic matter such as compost or worm castings to maintain soil fertility. This will help you to improve soil health in containers and raised beds.

• Scientific Insight: Compost adds beneficial microorganisms to your soil. This enriches soil and supports plant growth and resilience (Source: CalRecycle.

Diverse Planting in Your Urban Yard:

All you have to do is explore the forest floor or an untended meadow to see how nature inherently is filled with a variety of plant species. Follow nature’s lead and mix things up in your garden. Companion planting—pairing plants that benefit each other—can maximize space and resources. For example, grow basil alongside tomatoes; basil repels pests and improves tomato growth.

• In Practice: Try planting legumes like bush beans, which fix nitrogen in the soil. When the beans are ready to harvest, cut back the plants, leaving the roots behind in the soil. That’s where the nitrogen-fixing nodules live, and they’ll benefit future plants.

Water Management Strategies:

Adopt water-saving strategies such as mulching to reduce evaporation and maintain soil moisture level.

This is not only recommended for regenerative farmers on a large scale, but for container gardening, too. Dr. Colby Moorberg, a soil scientist with a focus on water resources, says “Adding mulch to the soil surface reduces how much water is evaporated from the soil.”

Self-watering containers and drip irrigation systems can also be extremely efficient, ensuring that your plants receive consistent hydration without waste. In my garden, drip irrigation has drastically reduced the amount of water that goes into our garden.

Dr. William Johnson, a horiculturist at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, answers the question “Does container planting take more water? It takes less, overall, than a garden plot, but may require more frequent watering.”

• Practical Tip: Incorporate a layer of small rocks or gravel at the bottom of containers to improve drainage and prevent waterlogging.

Natural Fertilizers and Pest Control:

Shun synthetic chemicals in favor of natural alternatives. Use compost tea or organically certified (OMRI) inputs to enrich your soil. For pest control, neem oil is highly effective, or you can manually remove harmful insects. Additionally, planting flowers like marigolds can naturally deter pests.

There are a few inputs that turn up the regenerative quality of your soil.

• Vermicompost, as shown in a study from 2023, can help your plants be more resilient. In my own experience, vermicompost has been a game-changer. Within a week of applying vermicompost around the base of my plants, I notice a remarkable revival—they seem to stand taller, their leaves a richer green.
• JADAM inputs are based on Korean Natural Farming and are low-cost, sustainable methods for both pest control and fertilizing your garden. One of the most fascinating experiences I’ve had was using JADAM inputs. I cultured rice with bacteria and microbes found in the woods. Not only did it improve soil health, but it also felt like I was connecting with the invisible microbes of the forest in a special way.
• Mycorrhizal Fungi helps increase plant productivity. A study published in 2023 showed that mycorrhizal fungi can improve yields by 40%! I’ve seen mycorrhizal fungi work wonders on my tomato plants. After incorporating these friendly fungi, my plants' productivity soared—yielding bigger paste tomatoes than I’ve ever grown - or seen -before. Note that brassicas and plants in the beet family don’t form relationships with mycorrhizae, so don’t waste your precious fungi inoculant on these plants.

If you live in an apartment, you might not be able to make your own compost in the way showcased most frequently - a large bin in your backyard. Instead, try Bokashi Composting. This is a fermentation process that can take place in a 5-gallon bucket with a lid under your kitchen sink. The fermentation is kicked off with Bokashi bran, which has the microbes necessary for the decomposition process (source: Bokashi Living).

Continuous Learning and Adaptation:

Gardening is ever-evolving. Keep learning and experimenting with different regenerative practices to find what works best in your unique space.

I’ve adapted my 1-acre garden’s regenerative practices to my containers, observing how techniques like composting and companion planting translate to smaller scales.

→ Did you know? Container gardening has been around for at least 3,500 years! There are carvings of potted frankincense trees on the walls of an Egyptian temple! (Nagase and Lundholm 2021, via Manso and Castro-Gomes 2015)

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Plan Your Space: Assess your available space—be it a balcony, windowsill, or patio. Measure the area and consider light exposure, as this will influence plant selection.
   • Insight: South-facing spaces receive the most sunlight, ideal for sun-loving plants like tomatoes and peppers.
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2. Select Your Containers: Choose eco-friendly pots made from biodegradable materials or turn to the garden staple of non-toxic unglazed terracotta. Ensure they have good drainage.
   • Pro Tip: Fabric grow bags can be a great choice as well - they provide excellent drainage and root aeration.
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3. Create a Soil Mix: Mix compost, peat-free organic matter, and rice hulls. This will provide a nutrient-rich, well-draining medium for your plants.
   • Insight: Fine soil without large particles in it is best for seed starting. Soil with things like undecomposed wood chips, bark, and stems work well for more established transplants.
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4. Plant Selection and Arrangement: Choose compact, high-yield plants suitable for containers. I have a curated list of container-friendly veggies here for inspiration. Arrange them to maximize light and space.
   • Specific Examples: Try dwarf tomato varieties, bush beans, and vertical-growing plants like pole beans.
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5. Water Wisely: Set up a rainwater collection system if possible. Use a watering can with a fine spray to water gently and avoid soil compaction.
   • Practical Insight: Reuse kitchen water from rinsing vegetables for your plants—just ensure it's free of soap and chemicals.
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6. Maintain and Monitor: Regularly check your plants for signs of pests or nutrient deficiencies. Add compost or organic mulch as needed to maintain soil health.
   • Pro Tip: Yellowing leaves can indicate nutrient deficiencies. Check out this guide from the University of Hawaii on different symptoms of nutrient deficiencies.

→ Fun Fact: A study from 2014 discovered that 77% of the vegetables needed to feed the city of Bologna, Italy, could be grown locally if all available rooftops were turned into container gardens! (Nagase and Lundholm 2021, via Orsini et al., 2014)

Take it to the Next Level:

• Cover crop in your containers: Just when you thought the growing season was over, you have the option to grow a cover crop that can build the health of your soil and provide organic matter for your next season’s endeavors. As mentioned by SARE, Cover crops keep the carbon-sequestering photosynthesis goodness happening during the off-season as an added bonus!
• Save Seeds: Let some of your best plants go to seed, so you can have seed stock to plant next year.

Personal Insights

Although my gardening experience is on a larger scale, I’ve delved deeply into understanding how regenerative practices can be adapted for small urban spaces. I think it’s important that everyone, regardless of where they live, has access to a garden of some kind.

Through extensive research and experimentation in my own grow bags and pots, I’ve found that the core principles of regenerative gardening—like healthy soil and biodiversity—are universally beneficial.

I’ve found success by adapting techniques like composting and companion planting to my container gardens, and I’m continually inspired by the innovations urban gardeners bring to the table.

Conclusion

Adapting regenerative gardening practices to small spaces and container gardens is not only possible but highly rewarding. Focus on soil health, plant diversity, water conservation, and natural pest control to create a thriving garden that supports the environment. Happy gardening, and remember, every small step counts towards a more sustainable future!

Further Reading and Resources

• Container Gardening 101: From Pots to Best Plants
• Apartment Homesteading: A guide for gardening in the city
• Tiny Victory Gardens: Growing Food Without a Yard by Acadia Tucker and Emily Castle