Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live Book Summary - Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live Book explained in key points

Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live summary

Kevin Espiritu

Brief summary

Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live by Kevin Espiritu is a comprehensive guide that provides practical tips and techniques for cultivating a thriving garden in urban spaces, from balconies to rooftops.

Give Feedback
Topics
Table of Contents

    Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live
    Summary of key ideas

    Exploring Container Gardening

    In Field Guide to Urban Gardening by Kevin Espiritu, we start with a deep dive into container gardening. Espiritu explains how to choose the right containers, soil, and plants for your urban garden. He offers advice on how to care for your plants, including watering, fertilizing, and pest control. He also provides creative ideas for repurposing everyday items into containers, such as buckets, barrels, and even old shoes.

    One of the key benefits of container gardening is its flexibility. You can move your plants around to take advantage of the best sunlight, and you can easily bring them indoors during harsh weather. Espiritu emphasizes that even in the smallest of spaces, you can grow a bountiful garden using containers, from herbs and flowers to vegetables and fruit trees.

    Embracing Raised Beds

    Moving on, Field Guide to Urban Gardening introduces us to the concept of raised bed gardening. Espiritu explains how raised beds can be a solution for urban gardeners dealing with poor soil quality or limited space. He walks us through the process of building and filling a raised bed, and offers tips for maximizing productivity in this type of garden.

    One of the most valuable aspects of raised bed gardening is its ability to extend the growing season. The soil in raised beds warms up more quickly in the spring, allowing for earlier planting, and it also drains better, preventing waterlogged roots. Espiritu emphasizes that raised beds can be a stylish and efficient addition to any urban garden, and he provides various design ideas to suit different preferences and spaces.

    Exploring Indoor Edibles

    Continuing his exploration of urban gardening, Espiritu introduces us to the world of indoor edibles. He explains how you can grow a wide variety of plants inside your home, from herbs and microgreens to dwarf fruit trees. He provides practical advice on choosing the right containers, lighting, and humidity levels for indoor plants, and offers solutions to common challenges such as pests and diseases.

    One of the key benefits of indoor gardening is the ability to grow your own fresh produce year-round, regardless of the weather outside. Espiritu emphasizes that with the right setup and care, you can enjoy a thriving indoor garden that not only provides you with fresh, flavorful produce but also enhances your living space with its beauty and fragrance.

    Utilizing Balconies and Rooftops

    Next, Field Guide to Urban Gardening takes us to the great outdoors, focusing on balconies and rooftops as potential gardening spaces. Espiritu explains how these areas can be transformed into lush, productive gardens, and offers advice on choosing the right plants, containers, and supports for these unique environments. He also addresses the challenges of gardening in these spaces, such as wind, sun exposure, and weight restrictions.

    One of the key benefits of balcony and rooftop gardening is the ability to make the most of underutilized spaces. Espiritu emphasizes that with careful planning and the right techniques, you can create a thriving garden in these areas, providing you with fresh produce and a peaceful outdoor retreat in the heart of the city.

    Exploring Hydroponics

    Finally, Field Guide to Urban Gardening delves into the world of hydroponics, a method of growing plants without soil. Espiritu explains the basic principles of hydroponic gardening, including different systems and growing mediums, and offers practical advice on setting up and maintaining a hydroponic garden. He also discusses the benefits of hydroponics, such as faster growth, higher yields, and water conservation.

    One of the key benefits of hydroponic gardening is its ability to produce a large amount of fresh produce in a small space, making it ideal for urban gardeners with limited room. Espiritu emphasizes that while hydroponics may seem daunting at first, with the right knowledge and equipment, it can be a rewarding and efficient way to grow your own food, no matter where you live.

    Give Feedback
    How do we create content on this page?
    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live about?

    Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live by Kevin Espiritu is a comprehensive manual for urban dwellers who want to cultivate their own green spaces. From choosing the right containers and plants to dealing with limited sunlight and space, this book provides practical tips and creative solutions for creating a thriving urban garden.

    Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live Review

    Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live (2020) provides a comprehensive resource for urban dwellers looking to cultivate greenery. Here's why this book is a valuable read:
    • Offers practical tips and techniques for growing plants in limited spaces, making gardening accessible to city residents.
    • Emphasizes sustainable practices and creative solutions for urban gardening challenges, inspiring eco-friendly cultivation.
    • Utilizes engaging visuals and straightforward instructions that make the content informative and enjoyable, ensuring readers stay captivated throughout.

    Who should read Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live?

    • Urban dwellers who want to grow their own food in limited space

    • Beginner gardeners looking for practical and easy-to-follow gardening advice

    • People interested in sustainable living and reducing their environmental impact

    About the Author

    Kevin Espiritu is a horticulturist, author, and the founder of the popular gardening website, Epic Gardening. With a passion for urban gardening, Espiritu has dedicated himself to teaching others how to grow their own food, no matter where they live. His book, Field Guide to Urban Gardening, provides practical advice and innovative techniques for creating thriving gardens in urban environments. Espiritu's work has inspired countless individuals to connect with nature and experience the joy of cultivating their own plants.

    Categories with Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    38 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Get started

    Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live FAQs 

    What is the main message of Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live?

    The main message of Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live is to help urban dwellers grow plants successfully.

    How long does it take to read Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live?

    Reading time varies, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in 15 minutes.

    Is Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live is worth reading for its practical advice and urban gardening tips.

    Who is the author of Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live?

    Kevin Espiritu is the author of Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live.

    What to read after Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
    • Fox by Martin Wallen
    • The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
    • The World Without Us by Alan Weisman
    • Green Illusions by Ozzie Zehner
    • Energy Myths and Realities by Vaclav Smil
    • Fukushima by David Lochbaum, Edwin Lyman, Susan Q. Stranahan and the Union of Concerned Scientists
    • The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels by Alex Epstein
    • Should We Eat Meat? by Vaclav Smil
    • Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough and Michael Braungart