Urban Agriculture Growing Food in Small Spaces Bill Shores Shores Garden Consulting Inc. Urban Agriculture: Advantages for Landscape Professionals Local food is in demand Niche market that is currently underexploited Knowledge intensive vs. labor intensive Customer base and number of sites are vast Less dependence on seasonal cycles in income through season extension and indoor growing techniques Bill Mollison: Permaculture Ethics Cultivate the smallest possible land area. Plan for small scale, energy efficient intensive systems rather than large scale extensive systems Bring food growing back into the cities and towns, where it has always traditionally been in sustainable societies. Use everything at its optimum level and recycle all wastes. See solutions, not problems. From Bill Mollison Introduction to Permaculture Tagari Publications 1991 Urban Sites have unique challenges, advantages and opportunities Urban Site Challenges Low light levels/shade Damaged soils No soil/no access to ground space Space limitations for growing/storage/work
Competing needs for space Urban pests and critters Neighbor activities and attitudes Urban Site Advantages Favorable microclimates/protected sites Above ground garden spaces and rooftops Easy access to water/electric/indoor spaces for growing Easy access to growing supplies Abundant and free materials for composting Easy access to markets for commercial growers Limited or no deer activity Potential Solutions to Urban Challenges Low light/shade: Install reflective hardscapes, utilize rooftops or decks, indoor growing Damaged soils or no ground access: Build raised beds, install manufactured soils, container gardens Space limitations: Container growing, intensive cropping, install multifunctional plantings and structures, use rooftop(s) Neighbors: Ornamental design, containers and raised beds Techniques to Make the Most of Ground Space Semi raised beds with permanent pathways Raised beds Intensive planting (hexagonal spacing vs. rows) Good use of vertical space Succession planting
Client Interview Overview of space available and current uses Assess client needs/desires for space Assess client skill level and time available for urban food production Quantify level of production and types of crops desired Determine project budget Site Analysis Identify existing elements and use or modify to meet client needs Identify site challenges and advantages Seek to utilize and create opportunities Long term mindset; garden as work in progress Landscape professional as a garden coach/mentor w ongoing relationship with customer Analyzing Microclimates Observe snowmelt in winter, which areas melt fastest/slowest Spend time on site in different weather conditions (wind, rain, hot, dry etc.) Observe winter and spring weed and plant growth Track sunlight on site through all seasons Observe soil moisture and drainage under varying conditions Factors that Affect Microclimate Solar exposure Wind exposure/protection Topography Soils Hardscapes: buildings, garden structures
Existing plantings Bodies of water Use Existing Microclimates Create or Enhance Existing Microclimates Season Extension Toolkit Fabric Row Covers with or without hoops Plastic Row Covers with hoops Cold Frames Unheated greenhouses/poly Tunnels Heated Greenhouses Indoor Growing under Light Match the Plant to the Proper Microclimate Example 1: Ground cherries, Chili peppers and Tomato Planting Above ground garden on 2 nd floor deck space West facing exposure with strong, hot afternoon sun Container grown plants Growing media (soil) in containers warms quickly Morning shade limits overdrying/overheating of plants Example 2: Garlic Chive Planting Cool, wet microclimate Bed is lower and in shade all morning Soil retains moisture and stays cool Ideal site for moisture loving perennial
Microclimate Enhancement in an Urban Backyard Reflective hardscape (wall and pavers) to increase available light Raised bed to improve soil growing conditions Good use of vertical space Use Vertical Space when possible to Increase Growing Area Walls, Trellises and Fences Window Boxes Containers Garden structures: Cages, obelisks, teepees etc. Espaliered Fruit Trees Vertical/Wall Gardens Microclimate Enhancements to Consider in the Urban Food Garden Modify in ground gardens to enhance growing environment Install raised beds Install vertical features to create growing space, shelter, shade, design enhancement etc. Incorporate season extension systems Incorporate drip irrigation Designer Toolbox Base Map Bubble Diagrams Priority Charts Photographs Sketches on photos Sketches of features Finished Plan Drawings
Multifunctional Spaces: Strive to make all structures and garden elements perform multiple functions Food production Design/aesthetics Wildlife Habitat Beneficial Habitat Work Space Material Storage Screening/Shelter Microclimate enhancement Key Functions to Consider Incorporating into the Urban Food Garden Garden(s): In ground, container, rooftop, indoor Composting/Mulching organic matter recycling system Propagation/Seedling production system Season Extension for year round harvest Water Management: Capture, retention, purification and re use Example 1: Multifunctional Structure in Rick Bayless Garden Existing fence and trellis act as walls and supports for edible vines and canes Polycarbonate panels above provide rain/climate protection and water management Gravel base serves as water catchment Composting area Container and growing materials storage Food production in containers; greens and herbs Seedling production/hardening off area
Example 2: Multifunctional Raised Bed Garden Space in Rick Bayless Garden Vertical elements increase space efficiency and sunlight rationing Perennial herbs provide winter interest and overwintering sites for beneficials Annual flowers provide food for beneficials Salad green crops grow in temporary cold frame late winter spring Summer annual vines, herbs and edible flower crops in summer fall Edible Landscape Example 1: Combining Edible and Ornamental Elements in a deck annual bed at Rick Bayless Garden Asian Greens Tatsoi, Pe Tsai and Pak Choi spring planted seedlings between spring tulips and summer annual flowers Example 2: Cabbages as an ornamental feature in Grant Park Vegetable Garden Note gap left after cabbages are harvest Edible Landscape Design Considerations Climate and microclimate Planning for year round interest Type of plant material, annuals, perennials, bulbs Level of maintenance Site characteristics Planning for plant water needs Ease of harvest Effect of harvest on planting design Above Ground Gardens Strategy for poor soil, no soil or soil contamination Decks, patio gardens Container gardens
Rooftop gardens Raised beds Beds on top of concrete Temporary Gardens Conditions vary more than in ground gardens Microgreens and Indoor Gardens Berm Gardens on Top of Pavement, Chicago Compost covered with 1 layer of topsoil and woodchip mulch in pathway Deck and Rooftop Gardens Rooftop Production Garden Using earthboxes on drip irrigation system to grow Chile Peppers and Tomatoes on top of 4 story building in River North neighborhood, Chicago Urban Roof Farm; Repkin Biosystems Inc. (www.repkinbiosystems.com) Food fiber and fuel production Storm water management Wildlife and beneficial Habitat Soil fertility and organic matter recycling Thermal regulation, decreased home heating and cooling costs Contaminant entrapment and destruction Shores Garden Consulting Inc. www.shoresgardenconsulting.blogspot.com bluegreenedge@yahoo.com Rick Bayless Organic Garden Tours: www.urbanedible.blogspot.com