Posted on 04/06/2010 5:06:29 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
'Window farming,' a DIY urban gardening fad that got its start in New York City is gaining in popularity across the globe.
When it comes to the DIY urban agrarianism craze, there’s been a heavy emphasis on rooftop mini-farms and gardens (and increasingly, apiaries). It’s all good and green but for many urbanites a city roof might not be most accessible place to dig in. Personally, I don’t think my landlord would be thrilled if I were to start cultivating cucumbers spread out in containers atop my building. Heck, I don’t even know if I’m technically supposed to be up there (but that’s never stopped me ... maybe I can give it a shot and start paying rent in rooftop-grown pickles).
NPR hit the airwaves last weekend with a story on a bourgeoning urban gardening movement that started out in Brooklyn (natch) and has caught the attention of greenthumbed apartment-dwellers in cities across the globe who, for one reason or another, would rather grow indoors instead of take to the roof. It’s called window farming and it’s a year-round, hydroponic (soil-less) vertical gardening technique that requires recycled 1.5 liter water/soda bottles, a fish tank air pump, plastic tubing, and clay pellets — all stuff that can be acquired on the cheap from a recycling bin, hardware store/gardening center, and pet store (windowfarming.org also offers a start-up kit). A window that gets plenty of sunlight would also be most helpful.
In the piece, NPR chats with avid Brooklyn window farmers Britta Riley (one of the founding forces behind The Window Farms Project) and Maya Nayak who share their experiences with growing delicious veggies and herbs (no root veggies!) in upside down plastic water bottles hung in windows. Riley calls the window farming process “R&DIY” (Research and Develop It Yourself).
Download and listen to the story over at NPR or just take a gander at the accompanying article. And be sure to check out the video below to see window farming in action.
Video at Link. Amusing, to say the least.
Hippies.
I’d like to see them produce ONE tomato or pepper with this system. When I see that, I’ll believe it.
Somehow, I’m thinking most aren’t growing veggies with this system, LOL!
I know someone who does this in their office. I wouldn’t think anyone could get good results, considering their plants only get adequate sunlight for a few brief hours during the day. I suppose someone could supplement with electric UV light, but I don’t think many people do so.
bump 4 l8r
Wouldn’t putting a UV light in a window for the window garden risk visual damage to anyone looking at it?
I think this is a great idea.
I grow a lot of veggies in a similar but larger system using a fish tank as the nutrient source. The tank water is pumped through the growing medium which acts as the biofilter. The nitrification byproducts are then taken up by the plants as their nutrient source. It’s a complete system, and the only inputs are fish food and water to compensate for evaporation and plant transpiration. The occasional micro-dose of seasol (seaweed based liquid fertilizer) also helps to top up trace elements.
check out www.backyardaquaponics.com
Just look at those people!The country has spawned another generation of hippies.
I remembered that! Thanks for posting. :)
New York is where I want to stay, I get allergic smelling hay.
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