2 28 MARCH 2024 News&Views A group of urban enthusiasts are proving it’s possible to cultivate produce in contained areas and reap a bumper crop, writes Sarah Barratt THE GARDENERS GROWING VEG IN TINY SPACES ‘Social media is helping people discover that you don’t need a large garden to be a gardener’ Feeling green-fingered, Alessandro Vitale set about livening up the balcony of his London flat, cultivating everything from beans to beetroot and pumpkins to tomatillos, then posting videos online to inspire others. Ten years on, he now spearheads a smallscale growing revolution, sharing his wisdom with more than eight million followers across social media as @spicymoustache – a nod to his love of chillies. With #urbangarden boasting more than three million tags, he is one of a flourishing number of gardening influencers proving that you don’t need a big plot to grow an impressive crop. Alessandro, who presides over a modest 8x5 metre garden, reaps 200kg of produce each year. “I hope to prove it’s possible to grow food no matter what space is available,” he says. In 1900, fewer than 14% of people lived in cities. Today, more than half the world’s population does, and it’s estimated that 80% of Brits will live in urban areas by 2100. While city gardens might be small, studies reveal that they can be highly productive. Research by the University of Liverpool found that the UK could grow up to eight times what it currently produces in fruit and vegetables if all available urban spaces – including gardens – were utilised. Mark Ridsdill Smith, author of The Vertical Veg Guide to Container Gardening, has been blogging about small-scale growing since 2009 and is delighted by the increased interest. “When I started growing veg on my balcony, I struggled to find relevant information,” he says. “Most books assumed I had space for a compost heap, greenhouse and potting shed. Social media and blogs are helping many more people discover that you don’t need a large garden to be a gardener.” His top tip is to grow upwards. “Growing ladders are fantastic, enabling three or four rows of pots in a space that would normally only take one,” says Mark. “They’re perfect for herbs, tomatoes and chillies. Plus, always opt for larger pots over small ones, which dry out quickly.” Mark adds that urban plots are often overshadowed, so it’s vital to select plants according to how much sun you have. “Tomatoes and courgettes need lots of sun, while French beans and peas do OK in less. If you get barely any, leafy salads and herbs, plus woodland fruits like blackberries still grow well,” he explains. He now has an allotment, but continues to cultivate crops such as cavolo nero and potatoes in containers at his north-facing concrete yard in Newcastle. “The big advantage is the proximity – I can pop out and pick food for a meal,” he says. “I will always be a container gardener at heart.” Jason Williams tends to his tomatoes from his 18th-floor Manchester flat, sharing his trials and tribulations with his 21,000 followers (@cloudgardeneruk). Since 2020, he has designed small gardens for the Chelsea and Tatton Park Flower Shows, aiming to prove that anyone can be a gardener. Mel Darvill is on a similar mission. The mother-of-two from Upminster, Essex, posts about the joys of cultivating a concrete square (@melslittlegarden). “There’s a perception that growing your own is for older people with time and space on their hands. I want all people to feel like gardening is for them – because it is,” she says. “It tastes a thousand times fresher and brings so much joy to have nurtured something from plant to plate. You can grow your own in any space. A windowsill, wall planter or a hanging basket will all bring food – and happiness.” SMALL WONDERS Mark Ridsdill Smith on his balcony (above); Jason Williams at the Tatton Park Flower Show (left); Mel Darvill in her plot (below left); Alessandro Vitale with his produce (far left)
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