Farming suburbia, possible downside?

[ApatheticNoMore]

This is mostly in pots: I'm growing chard, some "mesculin" mixed greens, trying salad burnet (really have no clue about how that will work). I noticed I have a pack of chervil seeds just sitting around, never opened, so I think I will try planting the chervil. Have chives and lemon grass. Ha, do I even eat all these things? I think I'm collecting . But I do actually like greens especially chard, so we'll see how they turn out. Also have thyme and rosemary (those two are always useful).

[ke3]

Thanks so much for the info, kib and ApatheticNoMore! I'm going to the Green Thumb, our local garden store, and at least I'll have a list of questions to ask, and get some advice about growing these winter crops, some outdoors, and others in my special kitchen window ledge, in pots.

It's gotten to the point where I absolutely hate cooking; and without the inspiration of something growing in my yard or home, I just churn out the same, dull meals week after week. I'm really ready to give up cooking for 5 people every night; but if I had some inspiration, things might change.

[Yppej]

I stopped planting lettuce and corn because animals would just eat them. My challenges are squirrels, a possum, a skunk, and insects. In the past I had rabbits but not lately since a new development went up in what must have been their habitat. I shoo the neighbor cats away when I see them as I don't want their droppings amongst my food. Mothballs got the skunk out from living under my shed.

[Poco Pelo]

Neighbors can be a downside, pesticide use or lack of but that is just sometime to adjust for. Here is a small urban farm i visited yesterday. http://mayasfarm.com/

[ljevtich]

While I do not live in suburbia per se, my gardening has to be done in pots. We move around a bit, and are right now in the desert - Lake Mead National Recreation Area, near Las Vegas, NV. We will be going to Canyonlands National Park in mid March. I have thought about getting into Hydroponics, as I can't "plant" anything in a garden, because I live in National Parks. Soil can be heavy when moved and it seems easier if I just have plants that "live" indoors.

I still have to research this idea more closely, but maybe for those that have major pests outside, hydroponics would work well for you inside. Just a thought.

[simplelife2]

I've turned most of my backyard into a "farm" over the past few years. My yard is fenced, but plenty of wildlife gets in. I have field mice that often live in my garage and compost bin in the winter. The wandering neighborhood cats lie in wait at the compost bin for a snack, so that keeps the mice in check. I have had a problem with birds eating my pea shoots, which I try to control with netting. The squirrels have eaten my sunflowers, but that's about it. BUT, I do have a medium-sized dog that a let loose on any varmints. Between her marking the yard and scaring off critters, I haven't had an real problems.

My garden is constantly evolving and growing, but I am getting as much food out of it as I can in Zone 5. I've also noticed more and more of my neighbors planting veggies.

It's a much better use of the space than all the chemicals and time spent trying to maintain a picture-perfect lawn.

[CathyA]

I've had gardens for about 35 years, and the only way I could have one was having good fencing. I live out in the country now and there are deer, coons, foxes, rabbits, cats, dogs,.....you name it. The absolutely only way I could grow anything or raise anything (chickens) is to have good fencing. We use utility wire fencing with 1" chicken wire around some things, and utility wire and hardware cloth around the chicken run.
We even have fencing around our trees! (deer/rabbits/beavers).
I would imagine that suburban "farms" would need to have fencing and very protected compost piles. I've never had problems with rats, probably because we have enough predators around. But I have to be very careful with birdseed, chicken feed, etc., because these less desirable animals can smell it a mile away.
I think everyone would adjust to what is needed on suburban farms.......but it would take awhile to learn what that is, to keep the pests away.

[CropCircleDancer]

I don't see a downside. No matter where you try to grow, something will also want it.

[clear water]

I envy you all for your climate. I live in British Colombia up North. The only thing outside now is snow! On the upside ,our growing season is short about 90 days with 19 hours of daylight. I don't have much trouble with animals eating my vege garden just grow a little more to share with them.Herbs do well here as well as root crops. Greenhouses are common

[redfox]

Most farming around the world is small scale. Pest control is one of the major aspects of raising both crops & animals - it's just part of the job. There are plenty of non-chemical strategies that work just fine, including knowing that a certain percentage is gonna be lost.

Good fencing and other barriers go a long way towards keeping pests out. There's a reason one of the truths of farm life is this wisdom: Good fences make good neighbors.

I see no substantial downsides to raising food anywhere, from large acreage to a pot on the porch. I used to manage 500+ acres and 600 sheep. Now I have a small urban lot with lots on it, a mix of perennials, trees, ornamentals and food. And a hot tub! But sadly, no sheep.