How a Corporate Executive Like Me Became an Urban Gardening Advocate

I’m a full-time executive, a lawyer, and a mom—and I grow vegetables in containers. If I can do it, so can you.

I’m Glo de Castro—also known as Urban Gardening Mom.

And I’d like to tell you a little story about how a busy working mom, with no formal training, no open land, and no spare time, ended up growing vegetables in the middle of the city... and inspiring others to do the same.

I started gardening more than 15 years ago. My mother was my first inspiration—she would grow all types of vegetables in our backyard back in the province where we used to live. When I moved to the city, I found myself surrounded by concrete, limited space, and a fast-paced lifestyle. But one thing stayed with me: the belief that even in small spaces, big things can grow.

So I started small—with containers, recycled pots, anything I could use. I researched online, attended a one-day course, and the rest? I learned by doing. Through trial and error, I grew not just herbs and vegetables—but confidence, calm, and a deeper connection with nature.

Today, I maintain a thriving garden right here in the city. And I’ve made it my mission to share what I’ve learned—especially with people who think they can’t grow anything. My advocacy is rooted in three simple values:

✅ Safe for the household
✅ Effective for the plants
✅ And Eco-friendly for the planet.

If you’ve ever said, ‘I don’t have time,’ or ‘I don’t have space,’ or ‘I don’t have a green thumb,’—I’m here to tell you: you absolutely can. If I can grow a garden as a full-time executive and lawyer, so can you.

Let’s grow something beautiful together—one pot, one plant, one homegrown meal at a time.