Can apartment dwellers practice lasagna gardening?
Written by
Julia Anderson
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.The lasagna gardening method can be easily modified for the apartment dweller. I have grown cherry tomatoes and basil plants in 5-gallon buckets on my 4-foot balcony. You can layer organic waste into the buckets similar to a traditional gardening plot, without needing extensive space. You can use breathable fabrics or You can even repurpose storage bins and repurpose them for containers. You don't need a yard for your urban gardening needs, just be creative with your vertical space.
Space-Smart Choices
- 5-gallon buckets: Drill 10 holes for drainage
- Fabric grow bags: Prevent root rot in humid corners
- Stackable crates: Layer 3-4 tiers for herbs/lettuce
- Hanging planters: Use burlap liners for lasagna layers
Material Selection
- Shred junk mail instead of cardboard (saves space)
- Use coffee grounds from local cafes (free nitrogen)
- Mix bokashi bran to pre-compost kitchen scraps
- Opt for coconut coir over heavy peat moss
Preserve moisture without pooling water. My fabric grow bag setup utilizes drip trays made from previously used containers that hold a modular form. I put cardboard down on the bottom of the tray to maintain some water while making sure it remains breathable for the roots. Be sure to check the soil weekly, my apartment beds dry up 30% quicker than black ground gardens. When the temperature is hotter in the summer, add a mulch layer on plants to slow down moisture evaporation.
Odor Control
- Bury food scraps under 2" soil
- Add crushed eggshells to absorb smells
- Ventilate weekly with hand trowel
Pest Prevention
- Sprinkle cinnamon on layers to deter ants
- Use mesh screens over drainage holes
- Avoid meat/dairy to prevent fruit flies
My client in Seattle gets 3 pounds of salad greens monthly from a 2'x4' lasagna garden bed on her balcony. She layers shredded bills of lettuce, spent coffee grounds, and cabbage scraps in a repurposed dresser drawer. Your limited space might become more creative if you find ways to innovate, and your apartment will produce food more than you imagine.
Read the full article: Lasagna Gardening Method: 10 Essential Steps for Success
