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How to Grow a Vegetable Garden at a Condo or Apartment
“John from http://www.growingyourgreens.com/ goes on a field trip to a viewers home to share with you how she is growing food at her Condominium. You will discover how you can grow a lot of food in a small amount of space by using raised beds, containers, pallet garden, wine barrels, greenhouses and much more.
You will also learn you can make compost or worm castings at your condo or apartment by using a compost bin and worm bin.
Next, you will learn about the Community Garden at this Senior Condominium Complex and how the residents are growing food to feed themselves. You will learn how to keep unwanted animals, such as birds, rabbits, and other rodents out of your vegetable garden by using some inexpensive PVC pipe and bird netting.
Next, you will discover the best two ways to use some of your garden fresh vegetables that you grow in your garden to benefit you and increase your level of health.
Finally, John will interview Cecilia, the gardener and ask her why she started to garden, how gardening has helped her to become healthier as well as her tips on gardening.
After watching this episode, you will empowered to grow a vegetable garden at your condominium, apartment, townhouse or other small space.”
This Urban Farm in Phoenix Teaches People How to Grow Their Own Food
“Over the last 16 years, Peterson has helped Arizonans plant more than 15,000 citrus, apple, fig and other varieties of trees in mostly urban areas throughout the state and educated thousands about urban farming through in-person classes and webinars via his Urban Farm U. Topics include growing food, raising animals for milk and eggs, jump-starting a garden and sustainable methods.”
Master Gardeners Feed Ohio’s Hungry
In Ohio, the Master Gardener program produced more than 23 tons of fresh produce which was donated to local food banks. The program is called “GROW Ohio — Feed the Hungry.”
“In total, 46,198 pounds of food were gathered by the Master Gardeners in 14 counties, according to Denise Johnson, program manager for the Ohio Master Gardener Program.”
According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2016 report on “Household Food Security” in the U.S. in 2015, 1 in 6 of Ohio’s 4.74 million households, or 764,000, reported food insecurity in 2013-15, and 313,000, or 1 in 15, reported very low food security. Ohio tied with Oregon as both the sixth-worst state in food insecurity and eighth-worst state in very low food security.
To read the entire story, visit: “XeniaGazette.com“
Disney Uses a Variety of Techniques to Grow Food Served In Their Restuarants
“Living with the Land (originally Listen to the Land) is a log flume tour ride located within The Land pavilion which is part of Epcot theme park in Walt Disney World Resort at Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It is a slow-moving boat ride, which is part dark ride and part greenhouse tour. The focus of the ride is on agriculture, especially new technology to make agriculture more efficient and environmentally friendly.” –Behind The Seeds
String Greenhouse (formerly the Production Greenhouse) – This greenhouse focuses on innovative high-density techniques, such as Nutrient film technique. It also shows off “vertical growing techniques”, in which plants are grown on specialized trellises which cause the herbaceous plants to approximate the shape and structure of trees.
One of the most famous examples of these trees is The Land’s “tomato tree”, which produced over 32,000 tomatoes in a 16-month period. It was recognized by Guinness World Records as both the largest and most productive tomato plant in the world. Other crops include eggplant, peppers, winged bean, lettuce and snake gourd. Furthermore, cucumbers and pumpkins are grown in the shape of Mickey Mouse through the use of special molds. Much of the produce grown in the String Greenhouse is used in The Garden Grill and Sunshine Seasons, both restaurants in The Land pavilion. In total, over 30 tons of produce are harvested from The Land each year.
Creative Greenhouse – The final greenhouse in the attraction shows some unusual ideas about the future of agriculture. Most of the plants in Creative House are grown via Aeroponics, in which a fine mist of water and nutrients is sprayed directly onto the roots of the plants. The roots dangle freely in the air, and are not hindered by any growing medium. Some of the plants’ roots in Creative House are enclosed within rotating columns and A-frame structures, while others are completely exposed to the open air, at least temporarily, so the entire plant may be viewed by the Guests on the boat ride. Creative House also features a small exhibit of NASA hydroponic growing units, which were developed for use on extended-length space journeys. Crops on display include tomato, squash, lettuce, basil, rosemary, cabbage, super-dwarf wheat, swiss chard, marigold and snapdragon.
Biotechnology Lab – Attached to the Creative Greenhouse, the Biotechnology Lab is a sterile research environment. Several USDA scientists are on-site at The Land, performing research on crop improvement. The Land also produces a product called “Mickey’s Mini Gardens” in the Biotechnology Lab, which are available for purchase in several locations in Epcot.” –Excerpt from Wiki
Moscow’s Urban Farm Teaches Kids How to Grow Their Own Food
“Children are not only allowed to interact with animals, but are also encouraged to take care of them by preparing their food or directly feeding them. Staff teach children how to further care for the livestock and the economics and management of farming such as balancing a farm budget and making financial decisions. An on-site veterinarian makes sure all animals are well taken care of. Workshops housed in the beautiful arched buildings offer classes on pottery, woodworking, and other artistic pursuits. The greenhouses, clad in a pineapple-like facade, include hydroponic farming for herbs and vegetables, soil-based farming for flowers, and a nursery for more exotic plants.”
To read the full article, please visit: “Inhabitat.com“
A SUPER GUIDE for Beginning Gardeners [INFO-GRAPHIC]
A Super Guide for Beginning Gardeners: Infographic helps take the mystery out of planting your first home garden. It even contains information that can be useful to more experienced gardeners. It is part of a growing body of information from Gardener Corner, and contains ideas and practical tips for that first garden.
The term “Victory Garden” originated in World War II when British and American citizens were encouraged to plant gardens, and areas normally devoted to lawns or flower beds were used for growing vegetables. Today, a backyard garden can help take some of the pressure off your home budget by providing fresh vegetables and even some types of fruit. In a world where gas prices, interest rates and wages can fluctuate, having your own fresh produce can be one stable factor in your economic plan.
Gardens also promote getting outside in the sunshine, which is said to provide a wide variety of health benefits. Gardening and yard work provide exercise that includes stretching, bending and lifting. Some accounts indicate that there is even a health benefit from being directly in contact with the earth, and possibly even a spiritual benefit. Best of all, your home garden has the potential to provide the freshest produce possible – straight from the garden patch to your table.
Bringing Urban Farming to Long Island
In a 40-foot-long container they’re growing about 1,000 heads of lettuce in a single week! “Eating fresh produce is a different experience most people on Long Island don’t get to experience.”
Vegetables are grown using LED lighting in a controlled climate with no GMO or pesticides used. About 80 percent less water is used in these spaces since the water is recycled.
“Square Roots vegetables have a higher cost than typical produce, but Bernard says the advantage is you can harvest it and it lasts two to three weeks as opposed to produce in grocery stores that take a week to arrive and wilt three days after they’re purchased.”
Bernard is one of 10 farmers chosen to kickstart the Square Roots movement, which is based in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn.
Read the full article at: “Patch.com“
Growing Roots – This Farmer Is Taking Root On Your Rooftops
“This documentary showcases the people behind the urban farms that have been mushrooming amidst the glass and steel towers of Singapore’s central district. The film follows the trials and tribulations of Comcrop’s Allan Lim and his vertical faming venture, as well as the challenges and triumphs of social entrepreneur Bjorn Low and his bespoke farm-to-table approach. Can cutting-edge agricultural technology and an enduring Singapore spirit of community & collaboration start to influence Singaporeans’ approach to food sustainability? This film captures this changing minds cape.”
Learn more about “COMCROP“, here
Family’s Urban Farm has Flourished in the Middle of a Food Desert
“Urban homesteaders Chanowk and Judith Yisrael, along with their nine children, have converted their yard and a neighboring lot into a half-acre farm consisting of a chicken coop, a small orchard producing everything from plums to goji berries, and gardens bursting with crops like Ethiopian kale, Swiss chard and collard greens. They’ve also taught themselves how to compost, cultivate seeds and make jams and soaps.”
Their mission began in 2008 when the family decided they wanted to improve their eating habits. They now source up to 90% of their diet from their own yard and their focus is to support the nearby 300,000 residents who are living in a food desert. “Urban farming is not just for food production,” Chanowk says. “It’s a community-building tool.”
Read the entire story at: “SacTownMag.com“
CropSwap – A New App That Lets You Trade Fruits and Vegetables, Locally!
“In this episode, you will get a tour of the front yard and back yard of this residential tract home lot. You will discover what is growing and John will share his tips and tricks along the way. You will learn how you can improve how you are growing in raised beds to grow more food in less space.
You will also discover the secret to composting in a 3 bin pallet pile system and learn about the one perrenial vegetable you must grow that can grow more food than a whole 4’x4′ bed of kale!
Finally, John will interview gardener Daniel McCollister creator of the CropSwap app, which is a new product on kickstarter that helps gardeners “trade homegrown, perfectly ripe heirloom fruits and vegetables in our own neighborhood. Let’s take control of our food system!”
“Our biggest challenge is a behavioral challenge: people are used to shopping in grocery stores. We need to teach people HOW to grow food and show them why creating a localized food system is better on every level.”
Main timeline of the app. Users can scroll and look at available produce in their neighborhood, click on each item and see a detailed profile about it.
To make a deal, users make offer from their garden and say what they want back. Other user can either approve or make a counter offer until both sides agree.
CropSwap confirmed neighbors coming. Scroll through pictures of vegetables your neighbors will be bringing.
Support the Crop Swap app at:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1838993996/cropswap-trade-fruits-and-vegetables-hyper-locally
Follow Daniel McCollister on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/gardengraffiti/
Learn about Free Gardening Classes in Los Angeles at:
https://www.meetup.com/GardenGraffiti/
Check out Dan on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/gardengraffiti/
10 Trends Growing In Today’s Urban Gardens
10. Lush backyard getaway. This leafy retreat in the Pimlico neighborhood of London feels hidden, thanks to a slatted screen at the back of the garden and mature trees, vines and shrubbery on either side. Bamboo, grown in brick planters toward the back, offers a quick-growing screen for urban gardens.
9. Living wall. Vertical gardens have been popular on Houzz for the past few years, but this walled London courtyard is a particular standout. With just enough room for a cafe table and chairs, the narrow courtyard left little space for large-scale potted plants. Covering the wall with vertical planting pockets makes room for growing a diverse array of ferns, vines and perennial flowers and creates a verdant backdrop.
8. Sleek lines. This favorite garden proves that with a creative design, even an oddly shaped, sloping lot has enormous potential. Working with the London backyard’s natural gradient changes, garden designer John Davies created a series of terraces and planting beds so that the resulting view from the ground floor is one of lush foliage layers. Lights washed over specimen plants and soft lighting from the fountain create an inviting atmosphere after dark.
To read the rest of the “10 Trends Growing In Today’s Urban Gardens“, visit: “Forbes.com“
Urban Agriculture in Atlanta
A video survey of urban agriculture and community gardening in Atlanta. This story was featured on “This is Atlanta with Alicia Steele,” a Telly Award-winning and Emmy-nominated magazine show on PBA, Atlanta’s PBS Station. View more from “This is Atlanta” at http://www.pba.org/atlanta.
Help Save The Urban Garden that Changed the World
“The garden was beautiful,” Finley said teary eyed, “and then someone complained.” The city threatened him to remove the garden and put out a warrant for his arrest. The LA Times picked up the story, which prompted a petition, which prompted the city to change its zoning laws. The garden grew and thrived.
In 2011, the owner of the property on which the Gangsta Garden and the Ron Finley Project headquarters now sit defaulted on his loan. But over the past few years – since the garden became a success – the owner has been battling the bank for a loan modification that would allow the project to continue and expand. But the bank refused, foreclosed on the property in November, and sold it to a real estate corporation called Strategic Acquistions, Inc., in what Finley calls “a shady business deal.”
Read the FULL Article at: “ReturnToNow.net“
Alleycat Acres – Grow Forth
Alleycat Acres reconnects people, place, and produce by transforming underutilized urban spaces into neighborhood-run farms.
“Mr. Okra” Delivers Fresh Produce To His New Orleans Community via His Pick-Up Truck
“In the vibrant city of New Orleans, Mr. Okra is a man like no other. For the last 50 years, Arthur Robinson, aka Mr. Okra, has been delivering fresh produce in the back of his pickup truck to his community. It’s enough to make him quite the celebrity in his little pocket of the world.”
An Urban Farmer’s Manifesto
“If we want to help make urban farms viable we must discourage lawns, mandate composting, bring back home-ec, and treat farmland like it’s valuable—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.” What we could be doing is:
-Invest in Training Urban Farmers
-Bring Back Ag Education and “Home Economics”
-Make Land Available to Farmers
-Invest in Year-Round Farmers’ Market Spaces
-Incorporate Farms into Housing Developments
-Create More Public Kitchens
-Treat Farmland Like it’s Valuable
-Lawns Should be Discouraged
-Prioritize the Nutrient Cycle
-Create New, Local Sources of Essential Soil Nutrients
-Change our Relationship to Human Waste
-Looking Ahead: Carbon and Water
“When it comes to food, what we are really facing is a crisis of participation. We don’t really need the federal government to achieve any or all of the above. We can roll up our sleeves and talk to our neighbors and community leaders about making these things happen now. All that’s required is a little imagination and the willingness to make a start.”
Read the full article at: “CivilEats.com“
Wild Bees are Trading in Rural Life for the Big City
Bees are losing their habitats in rural areas and moving to cities and urban areas. “Industrial agriculture has promoted the development of monocultures, a practice where farmers plant one crop over a large area.”
“That’s not particularly welcoming for wild bees—especially the many species that are specialist. The squash bee, for example, prefers the pollen from squash plants. When a farmer who used to grow a variety of crops, such as squash, zucchini, and pumpkins, replaces them with a single crop, such as corn, that change forces bees to find food elsewhere.”
“The expansion of monocultures has resulted in very little land left untouched,” Camilo says. “The less area we have for native plants, the less habitat and the less resources we have for these beautiful, beautiful organisms.”
Read the full article at: “NewsWorks.org“
Farming Preschool Would Teach Kids How To Grow Their Own Food
The “Nursery Fields Forever”, a part farm and part school offers three approaches to learning: learning from nature, learning from technique, and learning from practice. “We think that kids should enjoy nature,” said Edoardo Capuzzo Dolcetta to Fast Company. “So we designed this strange school: No classrooms, but open spaces where vegetables grow inside and animals can come in too. It’s a mixing of the two things, school and nature.”
See more at: “GoodsHomeDesign.com“
Happy New Year! Grow Organic Food All-Year-Round.
DEADLINE! To receive a shipment for JANUARY you MUST join before 1/04/17 at 11:59pm PST.
When you join the UOG Seed & Garden Club, you are joining a community dedicated to helping you grow organic food all-year-round.
Each month you will receive a fully customized collection of totally raw un-treated GMO-FREE Heirloom seeds and garden supplies. Everything will be delivered to you at just the right time of the year – based on your grow zone – growing conditions – location – preferences – and more.
Join the UOG Seed Club today and let’s grow together. We promise to make this a rewarding & exciting experience for you.