Urban permaculture: growing on small spaces

The basic principles of urban permaculture

Urban permaculture is an innovative approach that aims to integrate the principles of permaculture into compact urban spaces, typical of urban environments. As with any permaculture project, urban permaculture takes into account fundamental ethical principles: caring for the Earth, by promoting cultivation methods that enrich the soil and preserve ecosystems; caring for people, by creating green spaces in towns for the well-being of city dwellers; and sharing fairly, by promoting access to healthy, locally produced foods for all.

The design of urban permaculture will, of course, be ecological: it will be based on observation, it will involve studying the urban environment to identify the best areas for cultivation and integration, by combining different plants and animals to create a balanced ecosystem in an urban setting.

Urban permaculture also helps to optimise space (raised beds, vertical cultivation, rooftop gardens…), to manage water sustainably (rainwater harvesting, cultivation techniques that use less water…), to recycle waste (shared compost, various forms of upcycling) and to promote local biodiversity.

Finally, urban permaculture places people at the heart of its concerns by creating community gardens and engaging the public with future challenges concerning, among other things, biodiversity, climate and the human diet.

By integrating these principles, urban permaculture offers a sustainable solution for growing in the city, while improving the quality of life of city dwellers and strengthening the resilience of urban communities. A wonderful project!

A community garden in the heart of the city allows residents to harvest, meet others, and eat healthily!

Assessment of available space

Assessing available space is a crucial step for success in urban permaculture. In environments often restricted, such as cities, maximising every square centimetre is essential. Space assessment in urban permaculture requires a methodical approach to transform even the smallest spaces into productive green oases. Every corner of the city holds untapped potential for sustainable cultivation.

Key considerations include:

• Mapping: use tools such as Google Maps or dedicated apps to measure your space precisely.
• Zoning: identify sunlit, shaded, damp or dry areas.
• Vertical potential for vertical gardening: walls, fences, balconies, windows…
• Roofs and terraces: an innovative solution to transform unused spaces into productive vegetable gardens. However (note!), ensure the load-bearing capacity is sufficient and that you can provide an effective drainage solution.
• Usable communal spaces: creation of shared gardens within community projects, but also the use of certain public spaces that can be used for planting, with the consent of local authorities.
• Resources available, notably water and light: rainwater harvesting and the use of reflectors can be solutions in urban settings.
• Soil: test the quality of your soil to determine the necessary amendments. Additionally, in urban areas, soil can be contaminated. Also consider tests for heavy metals and other contaminants.

Cultivation techniques for small spaces

Urban permaculture is a practice that adapts perfectly to small spaces, and there are several growing techniques that can be used to maximise production in these restricted areas.

One of the most popular techniques is vertical farming. By using walls, trellises and shelves, gardeners can grow plants vertically, turning an otherwise unused space into a productive garden. This can include climbing vegetables such as beans and peas, as well as herbs and flowers.

Container gardening is another method suited to small spaces. Whether it’s pots on a balcony, window boxes, or even large vegetable tubs (if you have the space!), container gardening allows you to grow a wide variety of plants in restricted spaces. Containers can be moved and rearranged as needed, offering flexibility and control over growing conditions. Moreover, substrate management is simpler, as you can select the substrate rather than simply having to make do with soil that can prove hard to cultivate at times.

→ Cultivating a container garden has its advantages and disadvantages; to learn more, follow Ingrid’s tips.

More of an aside, aquaponics and hydroponics are soil-less cultivation techniques that can also be used in urban environments. These closed systems use water to supply nutrients to plants, and can be installed indoors or outdoors. They are particularly useful in areas where good-quality soil is scarce.

Small-space composting, such as vermicomposting, allows transforming organic waste into rich compost. Even in a small apartment, a worm bin can decompose kitchen waste, providing valuable fertiliser for plants.

Finally, planning and design are essential to maximise production in small spaces. This includes understanding each plant’s light, water and nutrient needs, and creating a plan that allows all plants to thrive (see point 2).

All in all, urban permaculture in small spaces is not a limitation but rather an opportunity for innovation and creativity. By using techniques such as vertical farming, container gardening, aquaponics, and small-space composting, urban gardeners can transform even the most restricted spaces into productive and sustainable gardens.

Container gardening and vertical growing on wires or trellises where possible, and vermicomposting to enrich the soil: benefits for a small space

Choosing plants for a small space

The choice of plants for urban permaculture must be carefully considered to fit space, climate and the urban environment. From selecting compact vegetables to dwarf fruit trees, these choices enable the creation of a productive and aesthetically pleasing urban garden, even in the smallest spaces.

→ To learn more about dwarf fruit trees, read: Dwarf fruit tree: choosing, planting and pruning.

We will opt for productive vegetables for a relatively small area: tomatoes (notably cherry tomatoes), cut-and-come-again lettuce, mesclun, spinach, climbing vegetables (beans, peas, pumpkins, cucumbers…), fast-growing root vegetables such as radishes or round carrots. In addition, we will add aromatic and medicinal plants, some companion plants (read about it: the role of companion plants in the vegetable garden), melliferous plants, native flowers for biodiversity and perhaps even small fruit trees and dwarf fruit trees.

→ Native species (of our flora) are important for our pollinators.

The overarching idea is to mix plants of all kinds (polyculture and beneficial plant associations) and to plant robust plants, adapted to the climate (and urban pollution if possible) and productive for the smallest space.

Parmi les légumes adaptés aux petits espaces : basilic, tomates cerises, figuier nain, radis, mesclun et fraisiers

Water management in urban environments

Water management in urban environments is a crucial aspect of urban permaculture, especially in areas where water can be scarce or expensive. In the context of permaculture, the objective is to use water as efficiently and sustainably as possible.

One of the most common methods is rainwater harvesting. By collecting rainwater in barrels or other containers, urban gardeners can reduce their reliance on municipal water. This water can be used to water plants, which not only saves water but also reduces costs.

Drip irrigation is another technique often used in urban permaculture. Instead of watering plants with a hose or watering can, drip irrigation delivers water directly to the roots of the plants. This minimises water waste and ensures that the plants receive the amount of water they need.

In some cases, aquaponic systems can be used in urban environments. Aquaponics is a system that combines fish farming with plant cultivation. The water from the fish is used to nourish the plants, and the plants help filter and purify the water, which is then returned to the fish. This creates a closed-loop system that uses water very efficiently.

Finally, plant selection can also play a role in water management. By choosing plants that are naturally drought-tolerant or that require less water, gardeners can reduce their water needs.

→ Follow all our tips for saving water in the garden

Rainwater collector, or if unavailable, a large container, is essential in urban gardening

Waste management and composting

Waste management and composting are essential elements of urban permaculture, reflecting commitment to sustainability and the natural life cycle. In urban environments, where space may be limited and organic waste abundant, turning waste into valuable resources becomes a smart practice.

Urban composting can take several forms, tailored to different spaces and needs. Vermicomposting, for example, uses earthworms to break down organic waste such as vegetable peels and kitchen scraps. This process can be carried out in indoor bins, making it ideal for flats and small spaces.

Another popular method is Bokashi, a fermentation process that breaks down organic waste in a sealed bucket. Bokashi can even handle products such as meat and dairy products, which are generally not suited to traditional composting.

These composting methods transform waste that would otherwise be sent to landfill into rich, nutritious compost. This compost can then be used to enrich the soil in urban gardens, improving soil structure and providing essential nutrients to plants.

Composting, an essential step in reducing waste

In addition to composting, waste reduction can also be an important part of waste management in urban permaculture. This may include practices such as bulk buying to reduce packaging, reusing materials, and choosing durable and biodegradable products.

Biodiversity integration

Integration of biodiversity is a fundamental component of urban permaculture, contributing to the creation of resilient and dynamic ecosystems at the heart of cities. This practice goes beyond merely growing different plants; it encompasses a holistic vision that recognises the importance of all living organisms in the ecosystem.

In urban environments, integration of biodiversity can be challenging, but it is an opportunity to reconnect city dwellers with nature. It often starts with selecting native plants that are adapted to the local climate and that can attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies and birds.

Adding features such as ponds or basins can attract amphibians and provide habitat for a variety of insects. Even a simple pond on a balcony can become a micro-habitat for local wildlife.

Monospecific insect hotels, which can be built from recycled materials, offer refuge for beneficial insects such as ladybirds or solitary bees. These insects play a vital role in pollination and in biological pest control.

Integration of biodiversity is not only beneficial for wildlife; it also contributes to the health and productivity of the garden. A diverse ecosystem is often more resistant to diseases and pests, thereby reducing the need for pesticidal products and chemical fertilisers.

Ultimately, integration of biodiversity in urban permaculture is not simply a gardening technique; it is a philosophy that recognises the interconnection of all living beings. By creating spaces where fauna and flora can thrive, urban permaculture contributes to greener, healthier and more sustainable cities, where humans coexist harmoniously with nature.

Bees drawn to onion flowers… Plant native melliferous species in towns!

Tips for maximising production