Musings of an urban gardener

February in frigid Chicago has me daydreaming about next season’s urban garden. Also, many of my indoor succulents are hanging on for dear life. I can’t wait to get them back outside and watch them explode in the warm, humid Chicago summer. Last year was fruitful … literally, if you count my teeny, tiny strawberries. I’m hoping it will be a successful potted perennial—and that this summer’s yield will be bigger than tic tacs.

While I stare longingly at my snow covered pots, I’m dreaming about starting new seeds and running my hands through fragrant bunches of basil. Here are a few of the items on my list for this spring:

• Poppies. Had some last year. They were lovely. I drowned them in a pot that wasn’t properly draining. Better luck this year, let’s hope.
• Beets. So I can make this beauty again and say it’s locally sourced.
• Microgreens. I LOVE them. And they look amazing as a garnish in food photography.
• Edible flowers. Ditto on the last point.
• Tomatoes. ‘Nuff said.

And, five things I never knew you could grow in a container that I plant to try:

• Fig tree. I know it may never bear fruit. I know it might not survive the Chicago winter, even in my garage or condo. But I’m trying anyway, dammit.
• Lemon tree. See the last point.
• Avocado tree. Ditto.
• Saffron. I hear it’s easy to grow—if I can’t kill it, we’ll know that’s the truth
• Pomegranate. Wouldn’t that be amazing??

Also, thanks to this amazing site, I even got organized enough (read: obsessed) to plan my seed-starting schedule.

Follow my urban garden board on Pinterest for more inspiration.

What are you growing this spring/summer? Anything else I should add to my list?