Gardening How-to Articles

City gardens are usually in partial or deep shade, so plants that thrive on the forest floor and in the shade of taller trees can be planted here to model a natural woodland ecosystem. Read › Woodland Garden Plants and Design Ideas for Your Shady, Urban Garden

If you’ve got access to an outdoor space with some direct sunlight you can create a small herb garden. Here's how to start one from scratch or expand from established plants Read › Starting an Herb Garden in a Small Outdoor Space

Stepping out our front doors, we urbanites are often met by concrete pavement and brick walls. But looking up—if we’re lucky—we can feast our eyes on surprising splashes of life growing in window boxes. Read › Thinking Inside the Box

A Williamsburg backyard was designed to capture excess storm water. In a twist on the traditional rain garden, its charming stream and small pond hold water that flows from the yard and green roof. Read › A Brooklyn Backyard Rain Garden and Green Roof

Self-sowing annuals plant themselves, which makes them an appealing, sustainable choice for gardeners who don't mind a few surprises. Read › How to Grow Self-Sowing Annuals

A Sunset Park elementary school managed to create a water-wise garden that harvests rain and produces vegetables in a former parking spot. Read › A Sustainable School Garden in a Former Parking Spot

The author decided to re-create her mother's wedding flowers for an anniversary celebration and learned that the floral industry has changed a lot in 60 years. Read › Making a Midcentury Wedding Bouquet: A Cut-Flower Quest

Take inspiration from the Japanese garden tradition and create a serene retreat that will look beautiful all year. Read › A Japanese-Style Backyard Garden in Brooklyn

Whether you're trimming bushes, weeding, or cutting bamboo, there is an efficient Japanese-made tool for the task. There are even special shoes for climbing trees. Read › A Japanese Tool Kit for Any Garden

If you have access to a flat rooftop, you can create a simple, sustainable container garden where you can entertain guests, grow food, and enjoy the view. Learn how to choose the hardiest plants, the safest planters, and most practical watering system. Read › Start a Rooftop Container Garden