So, I was wondering about this the other day. What if we started planting "mini farms" in the city? Let me break this down. For example, let's say you live in an apartment building. What if the surrounding space(including roof tops) were used to make vegetable gardens. Every building could have a group of volunteer gardeners to take care of the gardens. I'm going to make a wild estimate that a 10mx10m vegetable garden can provide enough vegetables for 20 family units per month(tomatoes, herbs, cucumbers, etc..). I know know, it seems like that could (1) save a lot of money for some people on groceries, (2) help people to become closer to nature and (3) learn basic farming, (4) and become more independent while practicing localisation. What do you think?
These days, urban gardeners are waging lots of different wars--against global warming, foreign-oil dependence, processed food, obesity and neighborhood blight. Turning an old parking lot into a working farm not only helps reduce a city's carbon footprint but can also generate revenue for a down-and-out part of town. To demonstrate how much food can be grown in a small space.
Lots usually belong someone, if you want a rooftop garden it boils down to the owner, and a balcony garden requires some creativity to take advantage of available space. Vining varieties such as beans and melons will go up poles and criss cross wood trellises. The best options for urban farming is to have a backyard. Intensive gardeners can pull off all sorts of stuff. Look for a trenching spade.
There a lots of good stories and images on the web and youtube about this being done. I think it's so worthwhile. :sunny:
Definately! Here's a link to some: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYWll9zmmtg&feature=related"]Inner-City Garden Plants New Hope in Miami Neighborhood - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5leLebL8Kw&feature=relmfu"]Rooftop Gardening is a Growing Trend in New York City - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJypFEA33lU"]MOBY - An Inner City Community Garden Project - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDxBEUOImjI&feature=related"]FOOD CURATED: NYC's Cool New Backyard Farms: Growing More Than Just Produce - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvmZc5WLhJ4"]City Garden Farms | Portland, OR - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yYO4L2vegE"]Obsessives - Urban Farming - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IbODJiEM5A"]Homegrown Revolution (Award winning short-film 2009)- The Urban Homestead - YouTube
great idea. I planted herbs tomatoes beans and flowers on my rooftop this year. Next year I think I'll do a whole "salad bowl garden". Just about anything you can throw into a salad you can grow in a pot.
Great way to address food deserts: Areas where there are no supermarkets, only liquor stores where very little, if any fresh produce and other ingredients for home-cooked meals are sold. West Oakland is an excellent example of this. It is being done, should be done on a more wide-scale basis. I think our schools need to begin dedicating some of that precious land not to pretty, but inedible landscaping, but to FOOD. Have you ever heard of Window-farming? http://www.windowfarms.org/ When a neighbor gave me some brackets that you can hang from a deck railing I made two long planters. I have a variety of lettuces growing where the deer can't get them! I do have more in places where deer can, and did, get to them, but those are a little better protected now. I'm not in an urban area, far from it in fact, but it IS a fact that everyone needs healthy, nutritious fresh food DAILY.