Prompt:
Which of the techniques would you be most interested in implementing; why is
this so? Are there one or multiple urban farming methods that would be more
suitable to your lifestyle/region?
Give
a brief summary of the method and answer at least 3 of the following questions:
1.
What
are some of the steps that need to be addressed before the method is put into
place?
2.
How
does the system work?
3.
What
is the up-keep?
4.
What
are the benefits of the sustainable system?
5.
If
there are setbacks or possible problems with the system, state and explain
them.
Blog Reading Assignments for Urban Farming
and Vertical Food Systems
http://content.ebscohost.com/pdf9/pdf/2008/ASU/01Jul08/33566988.pdf?T=P&P=AN&K=33566988&S=R&D=tfh&EbscoContent=dGJyMNXb4kSep7I4zOX0OLCmr0qep7NSsKq4TbWWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGvtkmwrrRKuePfgeyx44Dt6fIA
http://www.hydroponics.com/howtoinfo/hydroponics%20articles/strawberries.html (optional)
http://www.hydroponics.com/howtoinfo/hydroponics%20articles/hydroponics_at_school.html (optional)
http://www.hydroponics.com/howtoinfo/hydroponics%20articles/organic_vs_inorganic.html (optional)
http://www.independent.com/news/2010/sep/02/garden-plots-now-available-city-community-gardens/
http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=39846
http://www.pittsburghpa.gov/publicworks/gardenplots/
http://www.nycgovparks.org/about/history/community-gardens/movement
http://www.oudaily.com/news/2012/oct/24/communitygarden/
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/289407/how-vertical-garden.html
http://www.sfgate.com/business/prweb/article/Vertical-Garden-Idea-Living-Wall-Kit-Puts-4033746.php
If I were to implement one gardening technique I would implement the idea of vertical gardening. I think this is a cool idea because it saves space, creates a beautiful wall hanging and also produces nutritious foods. I think that the hydroponic gardening would also be suited for my lifestyle since it is very similar to the vertical gardening. The only one that I would not necessarily agree with is the idea of community gardens. I just don’t feel like that idea would work well in my community because most people have large backyards of their own and also it takes a lot of devotion to drive or walk to the lots everyday to water and tend to the garden. Before you implement the idea of vertical gardening you first must located a good area that has adequate sunlight and wall space. You must also research which plants grow best in your region and which plants grow best vertically. The system works by planting the seeds in a vertical wall box of soil where the plants will then sprout. The modules are slightly slanted to ensure maximum sun exposure yet keep the soil from falling out. The upkeep if that of any other garden and needs to be watered and harvested as so. The benefits are remarkable. It’s easy to install, easy to fertilize and irrigate, yields a maximum bounty, looks terrific and costs very little. This solves the problem in areas of high density, where gardening space is at a minimum. The only drawback that I can think of is that you can not grow larger produce such as watermelons, pumpkins etc.
ReplyDeleteYou make an interesting point about how community gardens would be less useful in you community due to the size of land that people live on. I agree with you because I live in a similar community where people have their own gardens in their backyards. I think that type of gardening would be the most useful for those who live in apartment buildings or other highly populated areas where people dont own as much land.
DeleteOne technique that I would like to see implemented in many places is green roofing. This is the technique of growing plants on the roofs of buildings. I feel that this will be beneficial to all and is a great way to garden in an urban area. Space is usually an issue for urban gardening, but a green roof utilizes only unused space on top of roofs and takes up no extra area. Several steps are necessary to maintain a green roof. First, the roof needs to be designed for this process. It also needs to be in an area where plants can grow. The up-keep of the roof is another issue. A green roof is not a convenient place for a garden, as it is exposed to the elements and is hard to reach. Regular maintenance is needed to irrigate and keep the plants alive. The problems with this system also have to do with this. The unnatural place for a garden make is more prone to several issues. These include high temperatures, lack of soil, and exposure to extreme conditions. These issues could be problematic without proper care. Overall, despite the many issues that could arise, I feel that rooftop gardens are a great method of urban gardening that should be implemented in more locations.
ReplyDeleteSuneil, I am just curious to ask where you live? Since you are interested in rooftop gardens, I think that is a fantastic idea! I would like to respond to some of your concerns regarding rooftop gardens because I had a similar response to yours when I first learned about rooftop gardens. I thought there would be no way this method would work in some colder areas that are exposed to harsh weather conditions, wouldn’t it be hard for the plants to survive? However, as you will learn in our presentation today, we found that a city that is prone to rooftop gardens is actually New York City! One strategy to mitigate these potential problems is to install greenhouses on top of the buildings to help ensure plant survival, and although these do cost more to install, they can be extremely beneficial to maintaining plant life due to the better conditions, and thus have a higher return on the crops produced than if there were no greenhouse installed.
DeleteI would be most interested in implementing rooftop gardening. Although I don’t personally live in a large city where space is limited, I think rooftop gardening is a great way to conserve and take advantage of space. And it’s environmentally friendly as well as friendly to the eye. If I ever do live in a city, I would be interested in living in a building that had a rooftop garden. The downfall of a rooftop garden is that it’s approximately two times the cost of a normal roof, but it is a good investment because it, over time, saves money on heating and cooling. It’s a natural insulator. Although rooftop gardening is a great idea, one must be careful how one goes about implementing it. For instance, the garden must be drought tolerant, or else the garden wouldn’t flourish. Also, at least four inches of soil is needed for plants to actually be able to grow. One must also be conscious of how much weight the roof is able to hold. Some buildings can hold from fifteen to fifty pounds per square foot, that is, if the soil were only four inches deep. Depending on what type of climate there is in the area, the best time to install a rooftop garden is between the months of April and October. Areas with midsummer droughts and heat waves are also to be avoided.
ReplyDeleteThe great thing about rooftop gardening is that it reduces energy costs in the long run, like I mentioned before. It also helps with storm-water management, thus using as much rainwater as possible and utilizing a natural resource. Rooftop gardens also reduce greatly the “urban heat-island-effect, especially in large cities where heat is trapped within the concrete walls. Normally in a city, when the temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit, the surface temperature of the buildings can be up to 140 degrees. Rooftop gardens absorb much of this heat, thus making our cities not only look cooler, but actually stay cool, in regards to heat. Something important to remember when implementing rooftop gardens is that one must monitor weeds carefully, especially since there is a limited amount of food in the soil for the plants due to the shallow depth. Therefore, fertilizer is also required, for the lack of nutrients.
I think rooftop gardening has a promising future and is one of the most promising ways of getting gardens to people in tight-knit areas, where otherwise a garden would not be possible. If the people can’t have a garden in their backyard, why not let them have it on their rooftop?
Although I do like the vertical garden method of growing your own vegetables/ herbs/ etc., I think that that a city garden plot would best fit my lifestyle. I think it is very affordable if a person only has to pay $62 a year or so, and they get to grow whatever they like inside of their raised plot. Some cities don't even charge people to use the plots, or to eat the produce. There are normally applications that have to filled out to receive a plot. The plots are rented out, and maintained by the renter. Sometimes a city will have a vacant lot of land and this can be used for the garden plot. The only set back I could see in gardening with this method is the availability of space at different locations. Also, some cities might not permit something like this to happen. Another set back might be no location for the garden in the city you are in. If you have to drive 25 or 30 minutes to get to the garden, it might be a burden and could prove to be hard to maintain your garden. Over all, as long as you go to a city with an already established garden, then it proves to be a wonderful method of an urban food system.
ReplyDeleteHallie, another option for city garden plots are CSA programs. If you haven’t heard of CSA programs, they are Community Supported Agriculture programs wherein city residents can purchase a share of the program and are guaranteed to have fresh vegetables for an extended period of time. If you are interested in having fresh produce but are not sure if your area would allow you to have a community garden, maybe this would be another alternative for you to look into. For example, City Roots has a program like this that you might be interested in! Additionally, if you do still want to have that feeling of growing your own food, many CSAs offer to its shareholders opportunities to come help out on the farm and tour the area (though you have already been there), this is a great “compromise” between having fresh vegetables and having the responsibility of growing them yourself or not having a plot to do so.
DeleteLink to City Roots CSA: http://cityroots.org/?page_id=202
You make a great point in the reasoning to why a garden plot would be most useful to your lifestyle. I definitely agree with the garden plots as being the most useful towards my life too, especially for where I live. Another way to garden would be to try a rooftop garden if there are no plots available to your location, and though it may still be less of a convenience, a garden on your roof would definitely take away the struggle of distance problems or travel issues.
DeleteMy home in Ohio has a huge backyard and we could probably easily grow a small (or even large!) garden. However, since I am not home year-round, I should consider ways to garden here at USC. I live in a dorm, so rooftop gardening is probably frowned upon ad I don't think my roommate would appreciate hydroponic gardens hanging above her head. My best choice of gardening technique would have to be a plot of land in a community garden. The city of Columbia's community garden (do they have one?) would be inaccessible to me since I do not have a car so my best choice would be to garden in a GLC plot. This would require me to contact the GLC and possibly buy some basic gardening tools such as gloves, shovels and a watering can. A community garden works by selling a small plot of land to its citizens for an annual fee. The upkeep in one's own plot is up to the owner. It would require everyday water, cultivating, harvesting and care. However, it can be very rewarding. It provides a relaxing hobby where one's efforts can be easily recognized and a fulfillment when one's TLC results in fresh, organic produce. It is also a convenient way to grow the foods and plants you choose in a protected environment. Some setbacks may be that gardening requires almost everyday care which can be time-consuming and if the local garden is not well gated or protected animals or other gardeners may damage your plants.
ReplyDeleteMeagan, I understand what you mean about the large backyard, my family in upstate New York has a good deal of land in our front and backyard as well, and we actually just started our own small-scale family garden last year! It turned out to be a ton of fun and extremely successful for our first year; we had loads of tomatoes, green peppers, herbs for cooking such as basil, corn, green and yellow beans, and zucchini.
DeleteI love your idea of maybe having a little garden plot here at USC. Currently, I have one with another friend in the GLC that is right behind Green Quad Building C. If this is something that you think you would like to try out for the Spring semester or even next year, I encourage you to offer to partner up with someone, or a group of people, who already have a plot and they can help you learn the ins and outs of plot gardens! Oftentimes, there are even workshops throughout the year that Sustainable Carolina hosts to engage and educate people on how to grow there own food, and I promise it isn’t as challenging as it may seem. In response to the materials that you would have to purchase, I have some great news because all gardening materials such as gloves, shovels, and watering cans are actually provided for the students that have garden plots, and you are able to use them for free! All you do is put in some work and then you and your partners can enjoy the fresh veggies and herbs that you grow. Let me know if you have any further questions!
I think that the hydroponics technique would be the most interesting to implement in a local setting because it is safe for the environment! The produce created using hydroponics has a higher vitamin and mineral content, thus making it more nutritional for you. I really feel that regions should utilize the various resources they have available in their area, for energy production, as well as food production. All the different options for urban farming are quite interesting but in my region of San Bruno, CA my family could definitely thrive off of a vertical garden system. My family lives in a suburban setting and my dad maintains multiple gardens throughout the backyard. But, if we were to adopt this gardening style, my parents could save thousands of dollars a year, while also providing even fresher food to eat. This technique of hydroponics incorporates small spaces with a little bit of urban innovation, by creating a wall for plants to creep up vertically. There are a few steps associated with the installation of a successful urban garden. As a gardener you want to make sure the area you will place the Wallgarden can is capable of withstanding your garden. A few more tips to a successful garden would be maintain your soil quality and quantity as well as keeping up with your overall drainage system, etc. The standard maintenance of a vertical garden is virtually nothing. Starting up a vertical garden should be relatively easy.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed reading about hydroponics (my topic), it and vertical gardening are innovative and useful! My parents have gardens too, and while hydroponics is a great idea and can possibly save money in the long run, it is rather expensive to start up. Maybe your parents can figure something out and enjoy new ways of gardening!
DeleteI think implementing hydroponics is a great idea for the community. It is a new, modern, and fresh approach to traditional gardening that eliminates much of the mess people associate with gardening today. Once the system is set up, the gardening itself seems to be a fairly simple process In terms of urban farming methods, community gardens and vertical gardens would be suitable for this area. The shared space of a community garden helps multiple members of the community share a space and all gain the benefits. Vertical gardening is a great way to incorporate natural elements into city life. Even if the purpose is to add a little decorative and natural fair to your apartment in the city, vertical gardening seems very practical for this location. I am interested in hydroponics because I feel like it would fit my lifestyle at the current time. I have no problem getting my hands dirty to work on something like gardening, but with my busy schedule today and lack of a backyard space in which to grow fruits or vegetables, hydroponics seems like the most useful solution. Before this could be put into place, extensive research would have do be done on the technology to make sure one could obtain all the necessary supplies and that one can understand the process of growing foods as such. If one is interested in just growing a small amount of procedure on the individual scale, deep water culture is something to consider; this is because it’s specialized for small to medium sixed plants. The system works by suspending the plants’ roots in a solution rich with nutrients. When the plant roots extend into this solution, they are able to absorb massive amounts of oxygen and other nutrients without having to get extra human effort or artificial ways to obtain nutrients. The setbacks to hydroponic gardening are mostly those concerned with setting up the actual system- media in the bottom of a mesh pot must be soaked and PH-balanced. The placement of the plant itself my by tricky since the placement is so particular in everything else. After everything is set in place, the owner should only have to make sure there will be light. A chilling process also needs to take place after these roots have grown out, but it is typically only necessary when changing crops. I think this type of gardening does have a sustainable system. Once it is set up, it is easy to use and is a convenient, indoor solution for those that do not have th
ReplyDeleteWell you certainly did your research on hydroponics! I'm glad you were interested in it, hopefully you can start up a small system of your own!
DeleteOne of the techniques that I would prefer over all of the others would have to be the city garden plots. Even though I live closer to the shore in the suburbs, New York City is only 45 minutes away from me as well as Philadelphia only a little over an hour. I feel that having gardens spread out through these cities would not only benefit the city but also add a greener touch. As mentioned in the article in New York about how they changed abandoned lots and turned them into gardens and even mad e a profit from selling those vegetables to markets around the city. I feel when I take an internship in either city closest to me in the future I can definitely try to make a difference by adding a greener approach with these gardens in the city. Some methods that would need to be put into place would be that they must get permission on the property to start removing trash and putting down top soil so there is no legal fines for being on private property. The system is pretty much ran by whoever would like to help out and donate their time to keep the certain gardens running on a daily basis by keeping the soil rich and the vegetables in great conditions during storms. The benefits are to clean up a lot that makes cities look poor or unmaintained, and to bring gardening from the suburbs into the city for a different approach so people who live in the city can grasp a better understanding of how things work in that type of system.
ReplyDeleteSteve, I think it is really awesome that you would be interested in having an internship that would involve urban gardening and community gardens. I encourage you to look into this to see if any internships like this exist in New York City.If not, maybe it is something that you could work with your local government to create! I know that you are a political science major, how would you be able to incorporate your sustainable interests into your future career?
DeleteYour point about adding a greener touch to cities is definitely something everyone should think about. Since so many big cities are within proximity to you, thinking about a city garden plot definitely would beautify some of these areas. The fact that you would consider making an effort to try and use a city garden plot when you intern in a city is definitely something more people should consider. Overall, good post and great attitude!
DeleteIn the community that I grew up in I think that vertical gardening and hydroponic gardening would be the most effective. The idea of having a community garden sounds good on paper, however in the neighborhood that I live in I don't think that people would be willing to walk or manage the garden. However, the vertical and hydroponic gardens would provide nutritious food while saving space, yet it would be close. With that being said I also lived in a large city for a few years. I believe that the community gardening would work extremely well there. In Vancouver people walk to the grocery store anyways, they might as well walk by a garden on their way. Also, the rooftop gardening had already begun taking place while I was there. Vertical gardening takes place when a box is placed at an angle along a wall. The area must have sufficient sunlight for the plants growing. The seeds are then planted in the soil (which is in the box). The plants must be watered, harvested, and maintained like any other garden. The benefits of having fresh, nutritious food outweighs any of the work that goes into the gardening. Many that eat fresh foods suffer from less health issues. This is because there body is properly nourished and they are protecting themselves from the chemicals and toxins found in many foods.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like these ideas, they sure are resourceful and innovative ways of gardening. Though you won't get as many nutrients from hydroponics as you would from soil-grown plants, they are still good for you; and your point about the health benefits is true!
DeleteI would be interested in exploring the opportunities for community gardens and vertical gardening for my dorm room and back home. For dorm life, community gardens are ideal because they can allow groups of people to grow different plants in a smaller space. It also stimulates a collaborative atmosphere and sense of community along with a pride that comes with becoming more self- sufficient. Vertical gardening is ideal for the suburb I live in back home because it takes up little space and cuts down on land water costs. They work by growing up a wall instead of on the ground. The starter kits allow people to prep a wall for the plants. It is not as difficult as it may sound. Implementing vertical gardens is becoming increasingly easier as companies put out starer kits and tips. You would need to investigate the most ideal spot for growing in places that have good soil, irrigation potential, and security. The up keep for the garden is very simple and cheaper than traditional gardens. There is less guess work because excess water can run off into the ground instead of harming the plants. Many strains of vertically growing plants are also pest resistant which is beneficial for easy maintenance. I would setting up the garden intiially would have the largest potential for difficulty but I would think that someone in the area would have some experience and could be of assistance.
ReplyDeleteI think campus community gardens sound like a great idea! Do you know if any already exist at USC? If not, maybe next semester once the warmer weather returns you could be a part of creating one! It would be really awesome if one day in the future, every dorm had their own community garden for those who live there!
DeleteI found these readings on alternative farming methods to be very interesting because I think as the world faces the challenges of overpopulation and climate change in the 21st century there is certainly a chance that we will need to get creative in how we grow our food in order to survive. Considering all of the alternative farming techniques listed in the readings, I think I would be most interested in implementing the rooftop gardens. I would choose the rooftop gardens because I find it fascinating how humans went for so many decades without ever realizing how much flat rooftop space was being wasted when it held such great potential, especially in large urban areas such as New York City. I think that all of the alternative farming techniques other than the city garden plots would work well in my area. I’m not sure that the vertical gardening or hydroponics really suit my lifestyle because I’m not sure I would want to do the maintenance work needed to properly take care of these gardens.
ReplyDeleteRooftop gardening works pretty much as its name would suggest as flat roof tops are converted into lush gardens where there was once nothing but concrete.
1. Some things which need to be addressed before hand are making sure the roof is constructed in a manner which can support the added weight of the rooftop garden safely. Other things to consider include which type of plants will do best, what systems will be used for irrigation/maintenance, and how much maintenance will you be available to do.
2. The system works by using a garden bed, sometimes prebuilt, to hold soil and then work the same as any garden except that the garden is on a flat rooftop and typically in an urban area instead of a rural one.
4. Some of the benefits of rooftop gardening are that it opens up gardening and exposure to natural areas to residents of urban areas, it counters the heat island effect and it puts otherwise unused space to beneficial work.
Rooftop gardening is certainly a great way to a implement one of these methods into your lifestyle. You make a lot of valid points, and I completely agree with the fact that hydroponics and vertical gardening take a lot more maintenance than the other methods.
DeleteI would be most interested in implementing vertical gardening. I am interested in this type of urban gardening because there are a lot of different methods and ways to make it suitable to the environment in which you live. Because I live in a house with a back and front patio, i would love to set up a garden on my patio.Because i live in a rural area, i dont think community gardens would be very useful to the people in my area.Most people already have a big backyard, so there would be enough space for everyone to have their own garden at their house.I think rooftop gardens would also be intersting. It would give big buildings and business more of an aesthetic appeal and would give people a nice place to enjoy during breaks in the workday.Some benefits of vertical gardening are that you can save money on groceries if you grow food, and you can grow organically. Some downfalls would be that it would be difficult to grow during the winter and cold months.The upkeep would be to change the soil inbetween products, and to make sure to water the plants and make sure they get enough sunlight
ReplyDelete