Inner City Farms?

Discussion in 'Gardening' started by aeliencactus, May 12, 2012.

  1. aeliencactus

    aeliencactus Guest

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    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?
     
  2. FeralLunar

    FeralLunar Member

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    i like the ideal. Im all for more local gardening everywhere.
     
  3. emmastone

    emmastone Guest

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    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.
     
  4. independence

    independence Banned

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    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.
     
  5. Aerianne

    Aerianne Lifetime Supporter Lifetime Supporter

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    There a lots of good stories and images on the web and youtube about this being done.

    I think it's so worthwhile. :sunny:
     
  6. ripple

    ripple Member

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    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
     
  7. domnic0723

    domnic0723 Guest

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    yeh, mini farms with LED Grow lights and u got the most fresh vegetable or fruit.
    :)
     
  8. windy

    windy Member

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    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.
     
  9. MADwoman

    MADwoman Member

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    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.
     

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