URBAN GARDENING for Cannabis & Veggies: Thrive in Tight Spaces

City Life, Big Yields

No backyard? No problem. Whether growing veggies or cannabis, you don’t need acres of farmland to produce something fresh, healthy, and homegrown. In 1978, I faced that exact challenge—and turned it into an opportunity to grow smarter.

DIY Meets Survival Mode

As a broke vegetarian in a small apartment, I needed a way to grow my own food. That’s when I started scavenging supplies—milk jugs, soda bottles, and water containers—straight from the recycling bin. My version of urban homesteading wasn’t pretty, but it worked.

The Setup: No Soil, No Problem

Using a utility knife, I cut gallon jugs for stability and filled them with stones. Then I strung smaller bottles inside them to hold plants. This low-cost hydroponic system became my vertical garden, standing tall even in a cramped space.

Grow Cycles on Repeat

To keep things growing year-round, I staggered plantings every few weeks. Timers handled the lights, and I fed the plants with nutrient-rich water brewed from composted kitchen scraps. Indoor gardening? Nailed it.

Veggies, Herbs—Even Lettuce

With a little pruning and vertical training, my plants thrived. I grew lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and herbs—all in repurposed containers. No grow tent, no fancy equipment— just determination and timing.

From Trash to Table

The payoff? A full meal made entirely from my harvest, costing less than $30. My indoor jungle didn’t just feed me, it taught me the value of resilience and resourcefulness. And yes, it was delicious.

From Then to Now: Think Fresh, Think Forward

Today, I’ve got a real garden out back. But the lessons from my apartment days still stick: you can grow year-round—even in winter—with a little hydroponic help and creative setup. That goes for cannabis, too.

Urban gardening could be your secret weapon if you’re a dispensary owner or home grower looking to save space, extend your grow season during snowy weather, or test new strains discreetly. Whether you’re cultivating veggies or cannabis, the message is the same:

Think fresh. Grow smart. Go beyond the soil.

For the Cannabis Connoisseur

All of these solutions work for Cannabis Growers, too. There is one dispensary near me in the Syracuse area whose owner specializes in Hydroponic Growing: ask for TJ at TJ’s Cannabis Co. (You can stop by or contact TJ Lewis, tell TJ – Cynthia at BestCopyNow.com sent you.) 

You can reach TJ at 4205 Long Branch Rd. Liverpool, NY 13090, or call him at (315) 314-6776.

#CannabisHomeGrow #IndoorCannabisGrow #Hydroponics #GrowingCannabis