Category: How To

“Space10 wants to change the way we look at what’s on our plates now in preparation for what will potentially appear on our plates in the years to come as the global population increases, the threat of climate change worsens and the old, tried and true methods of food production are rendered unsustainable. And just a heads up: The future of food, as Space10 sees it, will involve homegrown micro-greens and deep-fried cricket bites.”

“Last fall, Space10, in collaboration with architects Sine Lindholm and Mads-Ulrick Husum, unveiled Growroom, an art installation-cum-urban farming solution that somewhat resembles an alien space pod that’s been merrily dragged through a veggie patch a couple dozen times. Bursting with fresh herbs and veggies, the Growroom is indeed a room — or more of a partially enclosed chill-out lounge/greenhouse hybrid of sorts, an oversized planter that pulls double duty as a public pavilion large enough to comfortably accommodate a small crowd.”

Read the full article at: “mnn.com“

“In the small town of Oxford, Kane and Fiona Hogan have transformed their urban 1/2-acre property into abundant organic veggie gardens. Their business Urban Gardener aims to build resilience and food security in their local community.”

Find the original video at: “HappyFilms.com“

“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.”

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.

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“

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.

“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“

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“

“Now, at 14 years old, Katie has established Katie’s Krops. Not only does she provide fresh garden vegetables to the hungry in her community, she teaches other kids around the country how to do the same. Katie’s Krops has raised over $200,000 to help kids ages 9-16 grow vegetable gardens for the hungry in their communities.”

View the full article at: “LittleThings.com“

“When Meredith Thomas traded lawn for something her family could eat, she relied on scavenged materials to build her ever-producing vegetable beds. Putting discarded materials back into use, she builds trellises, beds, and even a hugelkultur with a keyhole concept addition. She doesn’t buy fertilizer. To nourish her plants, she simply tucks in plant waste or fish heads free from a local seafood store. She adds art to the garden, too, with simple finds that in in her creative hands, take on a lovely new purpose.”

The risks and rewards of urban farming in high-density cities…