How does Natasha Nicholes’s method outperform traditional gardening practices in urban settings?

I focus on using every bit of city space with intention, while building community at the same time. As a master urban farmer and founder of We Sow We Grow in Chicago, I’m always thinking about how to make gardening work in tight, often compacted, city soils with lots of non‑green infrastructure around.

Where traditional gardening might assume roomy backyards and good native soil, I lean into:

1. Raised beds and containers for poor or contaminated soil
2. Heavy use of mulch to protect soil life and conserve water
3. Crop choices that fit short seasons and small spaces
4. Education and community organizing so more people can grow where they are

That combination helps urban gardeners get higher yields, healthier soil, and stronger neighborhoods, not just prettier backyards.

What part of urban gardening are you most interested in—space-saving design, soil health, or community impact?