Los Angeles is a city of concrete, asphalt, and rooftops—but it’s also a city full of creativity, resourcefulness, and green dreams. Whether you have a balcony, patio, or empty lot, you can grow fresh food, herbs, and flowers right in the heart of the city. At The Garden Kollective, we believe every space has the potential to bloom.
Why Concrete Gardening?
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Urban spaces are abundant, but green spaces are limited.
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Gardening in containers, raised beds, or planters helps cool neighborhoods, improve air quality, and feed families.
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Even small spaces can teach kids and communities about food, nutrition, and life skills.
Fun Fact: Los Angeles has over 4 million people, but very few green spaces per capita—every concrete garden counts!
Getting Started!
Step 1: Choose Your Space
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Balcony, rooftop, driveway, sidewalk strip, or unused patio.
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Make sure your spot gets at least 4–6 hours of sun if growing vegetables.
Step 2: Pick Your Containers
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Buckets, bins, recycled crates, or custom planters.
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Make sure containers have drainage holes to keep plants healthy.
Step 3: Soil & Water
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Use potting mix, not garden dirt—LA soil is often too sandy or compacted.
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Water consistently—concrete can get hot and dry plants quickly.
Step 4: Choose Plants
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Herbs: basil, mint, parsley
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Vegetables: tomatoes, peppers, lettuce
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Flowers: marigolds, nasturtiums, sunflowers
Tips & Tricks
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Use vertical space: trellises, wall planters, or hanging baskets.
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Companion planting can improve growth and deter pests.
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Start small—one container at a time—then expand as you gain confidence.
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Connect with neighbors and local community gardens to share seeds, tips, and support.
Concrete Gardening in Action
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Share photos or sketches of actual concrete gardens in LA.
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Include a mini-story about a family or school that uses a concrete space to grow food.
Join the Movement
Grow With Us:
The Garden Kollective is building school and community garden programs across LA. We turn unused spaces into living classrooms, where kids learn to grow food, try new flavors, and develop life skills that last.
Get Started Today:
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Follow us on Instagram: @TheGardenKollective
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Visit our website: www.thegardenkollective.org
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Join a workshop or start your own concrete garden!
Even in a sea of concrete, green can thrive.