Find out a little more about a block, a building, the city—maybe even your neighbors—when you get your daily SmartMatch recommendations.

A Garden at your Fingertips
Even if you don’t have the yard—or the time—for a backyard garden, you can grow your own fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers on a sunny balcony, fire escape, rooftop or deck. Containers can even be brought indoors when the weather turns cold.

Container garden basics
Traditional containers have a hole in the bottom to drain excess water—large flower pots are a good example. You can also recycle: A plastic bucket, half a whiskey or wine barrel or pail will work. Self-watering containers have a reservoir for water connected to the soil—just keep an eye on the water level. If you use traditional containers, plan to water at least once a day, more often during hot or dry weather.

What to grow
Pick your own strawberries right from a hanging basket, window box or strawberry tower. Alpine strawberries produce berries in summer and fall and Alpine strawberry seeds take a year to get started. Also try some popular summer varieties like "Cambridge Favorite."

Cherry and plum tomatoes are perfect salad additions that you can grow just about anywhere with full sun, moist soil and a lot of water. Unlike full-sized tomatoes, cherry tomatoes should be taken off the vine when they’re ripe, not before.

Ideal for fire escapes and city windowsills, a selection of herbs will give your kitchen an instant boost. Rosemary, marjoram (which will grow year-round), lemongrass, basil, and creeping thyme will also make your home smell great. Use basil in sauces, rosemary for grilling and lemongrass for Thai and Indian dishes. Others to try: golden marjoram has pretty golden leaves, and orange thyme has a terrific scent.

Other good choices: peppers, eggplant, spinach, lettuce, bok choy and other leafy greens.

Some resources to get your garden started:
1. New York City garden pro Rebecca Cole offers a wealth of inspiration.
2. Read more from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden online store.
3. Apartmenttherapy.com shows you how to create self-watering containers from recyclables.