Compost & Gardens in NYC: How Tos
August 26, 2026 · 2 min read
In the concrete jungle, real gardens can feel out of place. That doesn't have to be true, though — gardens aren't reserved for green hills and rural countryside. Your New York City home may be the perfect place for one of these gardening how-tos!
Windowsill Herbs
Sick of repurchasing herbs at steep prices? Grow them at home! Here's how:
Pick the sunniest window in your home, usually south or southwest facing.
Collect well-draining pots that fit the width of your windowsill.
Collect or purchase nutrient-dense, lightweight soil to fill your pots.
Fill your pots approximately halfway.
Plant your seed or seedling — whatever works for you!
Fill the pot the rest of the way and pat the soil down.
Water well, at most 1 to 2 times a week.
Enjoy your herbs! 🙂
Tips & Tricks
Be wary of your soil — much of New York's soil is contaminated with lead and similar pathogens. Look into soil testing before collecting from your backyard.
Herbs aren't the only thing you can grow on a windowsill; try flowers, or even keep a sprouting avocado pit!
Some plants, like mint, can't be potted alongside other herbs. Before planting, look into root compatibility between your herbs.
Kitchen Counter Compost
Compost can begin anywhere! Here's how to start collecting compost in your own kitchen:
Find a home for your compost. Compost pails are recommended because they help absorb harsh smells, but any easy-to-clean container with a tight lid can work.
Collect your food scraps: fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, used tea leaves, and more. Put them all in your compost pail.
Scraps can stay in your kitchen counter collection for up to one week.
From there, the next choice is yours. If you have a backyard, you can start your own large-scale compost pile. If not, use the NYC brown bin to have your compost collected and used by the city!
Gardens Up the Walls
No space on your windowsills? Use your walls! Here's a quick guide to building a vertical garden at home:
Look to repurpose. Have a short ladder? It works as the perfect frame for a vertical garden.
Pick a spot near a sunny window. Secure and anchor your ladder to the wall — make sure it's steady!
Find your plants: small, potted plants that spread well as vines. English ivy and spider plants are great starting points.
Look into the care your plant needs: water and soil as normal, just vertically!