Best Urban Gardening Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: Apr 24, 2023

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Urban gardening has become a popular trend among city dwellers who want to grow their own food and connect with nature. To help beginners get started, there are several informative books available on the market. The "Urban Gardening for Beginners" guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to grow vegetables, fruits, and herbs in small spaces. "The Edible Balcony" offers creative ideas on how to turn balconies and small outdoor spaces into flourishing gardens. "The Rooftop Growing Guide" focuses on how to grow plants on rooftops, while "The City Homesteader" provides a holistic approach to urban farming, including raising chickens and bees. These books are perfect for anyone who wants to start their own urban garden and reap the rewards of fresh, homegrown produce.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Rebel Gardening: A beginner’s handbook to organic urban gardening Cover#TOP 1
Rebel Gardening: A beginner’s handbook to organic urban gardening
ftb score rating icon9.9
The Backyard Homestead Bible: The Most Complete Sustainable-Living Guide Cover#TOP 2
The Backyard Homestead Bible: The Most Complete Sustainable-Living Guide
ftb score rating icon9.8
Regrow Your Veggies: Growing Vegetables Cover#TOP 3
Regrow Your Veggies: Growing Vegetables
ftb score rating icon9.6

Top 10 Urban Gardening Books

Rebel Gardening: A beginner’s handbook to organic urban gardening

Vitale, Alessandro
Apr 11, 2023
Rebel Gardening: A beginner’s handbook to organic urban gardening Cover
Rebel Gardening: A beginner’s handbook to organic urban gardening
ftb score rating icon9.9
FTB Score

Rebel Gardening: A Beginner's Handbook to Organic Urban Gardening by Alessandro Vitale, also known as Spicy Moustache, is a must-have guide for anyone looking to start an organic kitchen garden in an urban space. The book offers practical advice on how to grow a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs and wildflowers in any urban space. The author shares his expertise on organic gardening, companion planting, DIY raised beds, and saving seeds. The book also includes unique recipes such as making vegan honey from dandelions and brewing a natural antibiotic from garlic. Rebel Gardening is an inspiring and informative read that encourages readers to reconnect with nature and embrace the healing power of gardening.

The Backyard Homestead Bible: The Most Complete Sustainable-Living Guide

Harving, Tom
Independently published
Aug 20, 2022
The Backyard Homestead Bible: The Most Complete Sustainable-Living Guide Cover
The Backyard Homestead Bible: [5 in 1] The Most Complete Sustainable-Living Guide | How to Start your Mini-Farm and Quickly Become Self-Sufficient
ftb score rating icon9.8
FTB Score

The Backyard Homestead Bible is a comprehensive guide to sustainable living, perfect for anyone who wants to create a self-sufficient lifestyle. The book covers a wide range of topics, from growing fruits and vegetables to raising animals and preserving food. It even includes ideas for seasonal crafts. Written by an experienced farmer, this book is easy to follow and provides all the information you need to get started on your own mini-farm, no matter how much space you have. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in sustainable living and is a valuable resource for anyone looking to build a self-sufficient lifestyle.

Raupach, Melissa
Lill, Felix
CompanionHouse Books
Feb 17, 2020
Regrow Your Veggies: Growing Vegetables Cover
Regrow Your Veggies: Growing Vegetables from Roots, Cuttings, and Scraps (CompanionHouse Books) Sustainable Tips, Troubleshooting, & Directions for Lettuce, Potatoes, Ginger, Scallions, Mango, & More
ftb score rating icon9.6
FTB Score

Regrow Your Veggies by CompanionHouse Books is an insightful guide that teaches readers how to grow over 20 popular vegetables, herbs, and fruits right at home using scraps. With step-by-step instructions and troubleshooting advice, including tips on dealing with pests and pathogens, this book helps reduce waste, save money, and provide a source of fresh and healthy produce. From scallions and lettuce to galangal, Jerusalem artichoke, and mango, readers can learn how to regrow their favorite foods and produce them sustainably. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to take sustainability to the next level and produce their own food with ease.

How to Garden Indoors & Grow Your Own Food Year Round

Kim Roman
Mar 25, 2022
How to Garden Indoors & Grow Your Own Food Year Round Cover
How to Garden Indoors & Grow Your Own Food Year Round: Ultimate Guide to Vertical, Container, and Hydroponic Gardening (Creative Homeowner) Vegetables, Herbs, DIY Projects, Composting, Lights, & More
ftb score rating icon9.4
FTB Score

The "How to Garden Indoors & Grow Your Own Food Year Round" book is a complete guide to indoor gardening. It provides clear and easy-to-understand guidance on how to grow year-round edible plants inside your home. The book covers a range of topics including at-a-glance grow charts for vegetables, fruits, and herbs, maximizing indoor space, start-up costs, composting, container gardening, hydroponic gardening, grow lights, and choosing a growing area. Author Kim Roman is the owner of Square Foot Gardening 4 U, where she offers small-space vegetable gardening methods and online classes for beginners. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to grow fresh produce indoors, no matter where they live.

#TOP 5

Straw Bale Gardens Complete, Updated Edition

Karsten, Joel
Cool Springs Press
Mar 26, 2019
Straw Bale Gardens Complete, Updated Edition Cover
Straw Bale Gardens Complete, Updated Edition: Breakthrough Method for Growing Vegetables Anywhere, Earlier and with No Weeding
ftb score rating icon9.4
FTB Score

The updated edition of Straw Bale Gardens Complete by Joel Karsten is a must-read for anyone interested in innovative gardening methods. This book provides detailed instructions for growing vegetables in straw bales, making it perfect for those with small or unusual spaces, contaminated soil, or weed issues. The book also contains new ideas and projects, such as building a greenhouse for less than $100 and cultivating mushrooms in straw bales. With 75% less labor, extended growing season, and the ability to grow 100% organically, Straw Bale Gardening is a revolutionary method that holds the solution to many gardening challenges.

#TOP 6

The Chicken Chick's Guide to Backyard Chickens

Shea Mormino, Kathy
Voyageur Press
Oct 1, 2017
The Chicken Chick's Guide to Backyard Chickens Cover
The Chicken Chick's Guide to Backyard Chickens: Simple Steps for Healthy, Happy Hens
ftb score rating icon9.3
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The Chicken Chick's Guide to Backyard Chickens is a comprehensive and beautifully illustrated book that covers everything needed to keep pet chickens healthy and happy. Kathy Shea Mormino, known as The Chicken Chick, shares her years of experience and collaborations with poultry experts to provide simple steps to care for these uncommon pets with confidence. The book is well-organized and informative, making it an excellent resource for both newbie and veteran backyard chickeneers. As a chicken owner herself, Kathy's practical, down-to-earth approach to chicken-keeping is refreshing and makes this book stand out from other bird care books.

Espiritu, Kevin
Cool Springs Press
May 14, 2019
Field Guide to Urban Gardening Cover
Field Guide to Urban Gardening: How to Grow Plants, No Matter Where You Live: Raised Beds • Vertical Gardening • Indoor Edibles • Balconies and Rooftops • Hydroponics
ftb score rating icon9.2
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The Field Guide to Urban Gardening by Kevin Espiritu is a comprehensive book that teaches readers how to grow plants in any living situation. Whether you have a small balcony or a rooftop, this book provides a plethora of urban gardening options to create beautiful, productive edible gardens. The book features practical growing methods and demystifies complex terminology and processes into simple, easy-to-follow guides. The author also provides in-depth garden plans, from upcycled DIY projects and intensive hydroponic systems to beautiful and functional raised beds. Overall, this book is an excellent guide for anyone looking to garden in an unconventional, small, or urban space.

Tiny and Wild: Build a Small-Scale Meadow Anywhere

Gardner, Graham Laird
Mar 7, 2023
Tiny and Wild: Build a Small-Scale Meadow Anywhere Cover
Tiny and Wild: Build a Small-Scale Meadow Anywhere
ftb score rating icon9.0
FTB Score

Tiny & Wild is a guide to creating a low-maintenance and no-mow miniature wildflower meadow that supports nature and biodiversity. Author Graham Laird Gardner offers practical advice on designing, planting, and caring for a small-scale meadow in various spaces, from a small corner of the yard to containers and raised beds. The book shares plant lists and charts to help readers choose the best plants for their micro prairie. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to embrace their wild side and make a positive impact on the planet.

The Vegetable Gardener's Bible: 3 books

Weber, Tiffany
Independently published
Oct 28, 2022
The Vegetable Gardener's Bible: 3 books Cover
The Vegetable Gardener's Bible: 3 books in 1: Learn The Secrets Of Soil Mates and Grow a Happy Yard with The Old Farmer’s Almanac, Companion Planting and the vegetable Garden Pest Handbook
ftb score rating icon9.0
FTB Score

The Vegetable Gardener's Bible: 3 books in 1 is a comprehensive guide to creating a successful vegetable garden year-round. The book covers everything from designing and planting to pest and disease prevention, with jargon-free guidelines and over 50 photographs. The author teaches readers how to cultivate plants with diverse environmental requirements, battle increased food prices, and create an eco-friendly yard. This book is perfect for anyone interested in gardening and producing organic vegetables and fruits at home. Overall, The Vegetable Gardener's Bible is an excellent resource for both novice and experienced gardeners.

The New Plant Parent: Develop Your Green Thumb and Care

Cheng, Darryl
Cheng, Darryl
Abrams Image
Mar 19, 2019
The New Plant Parent: Develop Your Green Thumb and Care Cover
The New Plant Parent: Develop Your Green Thumb and Care for Your House-Plant Family
ftb score rating icon8.9
FTB Score

The New Plant Parent by Darryl Cheng is a must-read for indoor gardeners who want to develop their green thumb and care for their house-plant family. Cheng teaches readers how to understand a plant's needs and provide it with the right balance of light, water, and nutrients. His friendly tone and personal stories make the book an enjoyable and informative read. The accessible photographs and recommended species also make it easy for readers to apply what they learn. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to become a confident and active indoor gardener.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do you build an urban garden?

Get this urban garden started with a variety of pots, small barrels, boxes, or even a few buckets! Just make sure containers allow enough room for plants to grow and have adequate drainage. Items like gravel, soil, pellet fertilizer, and a watering can or hose will be needed for planting and growing.

2. What is the meaning of urban gardening?

Urban gardening is the practice of growing plants in an urban environment. ... Although there is not one steadfast definition of urban gardening, it is usually grouped into two segments, container gardening and rooftop gardening. Container gardening is very common for people with small patios, yards, or balconies.

Editor's Notes

During our urban gardening book research, we found 1,200+ urban gardening book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 32,297 customer reviews through our big data system to write the urban gardening books list. We found that most customers choose urban gardening books with an average price of $15.72.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.