Urban Farm 1st Issue (11!24!09)

PREMIERE
ISSUE
URBAN FARM
URBAN FARM
PREMIERE 2009
A I N A B L E C I T Y L I V I N G
S U S T
S U S TA I N A B L E L I V I N G
Live a Sustainable
Life { what it means
L AW N TO G A R D E N
and how to do it
Turn Your LAWN

C O N TA I N E R G A R D E N I N G
into a GARDEN
GARDEN TO TABLE:
Fresh, Clean-eating
CHICKEN KEEPING
RECIPES
NO TIME?
Hire a Vegetable Grower Meet Urban Farmers
Display until November 24, 2009
Across America
urbanfarmonline.com
PLUS:
CONTAINER GARDENING COMPOSTING
REPURPOSING DRYING & FREEZING HOMEGROWN VEGGIES
00DFCvrAds.qxp 11/12/09 2:22 PM Page Cov2
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1.toc 11/12/09 3:21 PM Page 1
Eat Local: Hire a

72 Personal Vegetable
Gardener
When you want to eat homegrown
8
foods but dont have time to garden,
hire someone to do it for you.
by Rose Strong
PREMIERE 2009 VOLUME 1 NUMBER 1 Urban Renewal

76 Straight recycling is so last decade.
Learn some fresh ideas for the reduce,
reuse, recycle mantra.
by Jessica Walliser
features 84 Hoarding the Harvest

Preserving doesnt have to be
daunting. We offer simple ways to
The Sustainable Life put up your homegrown harvest.
8 What it means to live sustainably by Cheryl Morrison
and how to do it. by Lynda King
Growing Communities
Back to Basics 96 From San Francisco to Atlanta,
16 Learn to Grow Biointensivea holistic
approach to growing in any area, city
community pride has sprouted
wherever there is a communal
32
to farm. by John Jeavons garden. by Cherie Langlois
Mini Gardens Under Glass

28 Class Is In Session
If youre new to urban farming,
102 Build a simple and beautiful terrarium
in seven easy steps.
enroll in a classfrom composting
to chicken keepingin your city. by P. Allen Smith
by Deborah Brandt Buehler
32 Chicks (& Goats)

in the City
Raise some of your own food by
columns
keeping chickens and goats in your
suburban backyard.
24 Green Thumb
R.J. Ruppenthal
by Cherie Langlois
Beekeeping in the Burbs

48 Backyard Coop
Barbara Kilarski
40 From backyards to rooftops, bees can
thrive and provide you with home- 92 Urban Feast
grown honey. by Susan M. Brackney Kris Sherer
Where Urban Meets Farm

52 Meet three groups of nontraditional
farmers, growing vegetables and departments 102
raising animals on rooftops, along
sidewalks and in a suburban backyard.
by Erik Knutzen
3 Crossroads
Lawn Be Gone 4 UF Newsfeed
58 If a lawn requires too much input
from you, learn how to replace it with
106 Urban Storefront
native perennials or vegetables.
by Susan M. Brackney
108 UF Connects
Rules of Containment 110 Marketplace

64 Follow this gardening experts advice
for growing fruits and vegetables in
111 Classified Advertising
patio containers. by P. Allen Smith 112 Why Im an Urban Farmer
1 URBAN FARM urbanfarm.com URBAN FARM 2009 1
2x3.crossroads 11/12/09 3:25 PM Page 2
How To Contact
TM
URBAN FARM Magazine
www.urbanfarmonline.com
uf@bowtieinc.com
P.O. Box 8237
Lexington, KY 40533
PREMIERE 2009 VOLUME 1 : NUMBER 1
Mail Slot: If you have a comment
about an article, a tip or a personal
experience you would like to share,
Editor in Chief: Karen Keb Acevedo Group Publisher: Joe Morris
please send it to Urban Farm, Mail Slot, Managing Editor: Lisa Munniksma Associate Publisher: Mark Hunkeler
at the address above. Advertising Sales Manager, East:
Associate Editor: Stephanie Staton
Michael Cronin
UF Connects: If you know of a resource Assistant Editor: Krissa Smith Advertising Sales Manager, West: Tom Brazil
or a calendar item for urban farming or Art Direction: Douglas A. Kraus Advertising Sales Representatives:
sustainable living, please send it to
Urban Farm, UF Connects, at the Editorial Directors: Melissa Kauffman, Adrian DiFiore, Kenrick Murrell,
address above. June Kikuchi Judith Teague Rosson
UF Newsfeed: If you have a news item Contributors Collateral Sales

youd like to contribute to Urban Farm, Barbara Kilarski, R.J. Ruppenthal, Training and Project Manager: Michael Pavia
please send it four months in advance to Kris Sherer, P. Allen Smith
Urban Farm, UF Newsfeed, at the Systems Analyst and Support Manager: Gino Le
address above. Production Coordinator: Theresa Rahlwes Classified Designer: Terri Wazny
Marketing Manager: Carrie Prewitt Classified Sales Manager: Shanda Ogas
Urban Storefront: If you are a manu- Classified Assistant Sales Supervisor:
facturer or distributor of products or
Debbie Grant
services for the urban farmer, please send Consumer Marketing
a press release detailing your item, along Annuals Specialist: Pat Henderson Classified Support Coordinator:
with a high-quality color photo (digital or Shawna Sandoval
slide), to Urban Farm, Urban Storefront,
Prepress Team
at the address above. Imaging Team
Karen Bartz, Frank Esteinou, Jorge Lopez,
Myles Nguyen, Paul Rosales Gina Cioli, Pamela Hunnicutt
Urban Feast: If you have food- or
kitchen-related tips, recipes or hints to
share with our readers, send them to
Urban Farm, Urban Feast, at the
address above. SALES OFFICES Chairman of the Board: Norman Ridker
IRVINE Vice President, Advertising: Jeff Scharf
Green Thumb: If you have a seasonal P.O. Box 6050, Mission Viejo, CA 92690-6050 CFO: Nicole Fabian
tip or tidbit related to urban gardening, 949-855-8822, fax: 949-855-3045 Controller: Craig Wisda
Consumer Marketing Director: Dolores Whitlo
send it to Urban Farm, Green Thumb, at EAST COAST
40 Broad St, Freehold, NJ 07711 Collateral Sales Director: Cheryl Day
the address above.
732-531-1995, fax: 732-531-2402 Manufacturing Director: Rich Gomez
Michael Cronin, Shirley Pittman Production Manager: Laurie Panaggio
Why Im an Urban Farmer: If youd Human Resources Director: Cherri Buchanan
631-979-3585, fax: 631-979-3587
like to share your personal story, tell us in IT Director: Charles Lee
a few lines why youre an urban farmer. CHICAGO
Send it along with a high-resolution 477 Butterfield, Suite 200, Lombard, IL 60148
630-515-9493, fax: 630-515-9784
digital photograph or a clear 4 x 5 color
Mark Hunkeler, Debbie Raymond
photograph to Urban Farm, WIAUF, at EDITORIAL OFFICE
the address above. LEXINGTON P.O. Box 8237, Lexington, KY 40533
P.O. Box 8237, Lexington, KY 40533 888-245-3699, fax: 859-260-1154
859-260-9800, fax: 859-260-9815
Manuscript and Photograph
Judith Teague Rosson
Submissions: Unsolicited manuscripts
LOS ANGELES PRODUCTION OFFICE
and photographs are welcome on an
P.O. Box 57900, Los Angeles, CA 90057 P.O. Box 6050, Mission Viejo, CA 92690-6050
exclusive basis; none can be acknowl- 949-855-8822, fax: 949-855-3045
213-385-2222, fax: 213-385-0335
edged or returned unless accompanied by Tom Brazil, Adrian DiFiore, Kenrick Murrell,
a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Send Stella Otero, Llisela Ramos
materials to Urban Farm, Editorial Dept.,
P.O. Box 8237, Lexington, KY 40533. Care
will be taken in handling manuscripts and Urban Farm is published annually by Fancy Publications, a division of BowTie, Inc., 3 Burroughs,
photographs, but Urban Farm magazine Irvine, CA 92618-2804. Corporate headquarters is located at 2401 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057-
0900. 2009 by BowTie, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole
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2 URBAN FARM urbanfarmonline.com

2x3.crossroads 11/12/09 3:25 PM Page 3
CROSSROADS
by karen keb acevedo

growing inside & out
Y
ou might wonder why my editors
note is called Crossroads. Its
because the words urban and
farm havent historically been
used together and may seem
contradictory to some. The word urban
brings to mind skyscrapers and crowded city
streets; to some, the word farm conjures up
bucolic images of barns, lush pastures and
happy cows; to others, farm conjures up
images of stinking feedlots and animals in
cages. But an urban farm?
For the past few years, Ive watched the
groundswell of interest and support of the
LISA MUNNIKSMA
concept of urban farming, and Im happy to
report that it is no longer a concept but a
reality. In fact, it has been for many, many
years. Growing ones own food, taking meas-
ures of self sufficiency, and attempting to do that I am, weve edited Urban Farm with My favorite lunch spot in
things to contribute to the sustainability of neighbor issues in mind, so youll find Lexington, Ky. (where
our planet wherever you happen to live arent advice on how to minimize pushback. UFs office is located), is
fads to be swept out with next years Hot Urban Farm isnt a political statement, and Stellas Kentucky Deli.
and Not lists. Ive got a mountain of news- it isnt a revolution. Its an evolution, as They serve locally
paper clippings attesting to the benefits of Urban Homestead author (and UF contributor) sourced meat and pro-
urban farming, identifying all of you out Erik Knutzen says in his blog. Urban Farm is duce, all from sustain-
there fighting the good fightwhether thats here to shed a little light on the things we able farms, and make
to raise urban livestock; to keep bees for pol- can all do to change our lifestyles, in ways we yummy, from-scratch
linators and honey in your backyards; or even think are monumental as a whole, yet at the comestibles like bourbon
for the right to hang your laundry out on a same time, barely noticeable on their own. brownies and jalapeo
clothesline to save energy. Recycle, compost, garden, learn, preserve, soda.
There will always be people who cant wrap and support farmers and businesses that
their minds around change; who want to keep advance these efforts; in other words, live a
doing what theyre doing without ever thinking purposeful life.
about the consequences; who are more con- I know you urban farmers out there, and I
cerned about appearances and resale values know you believe in growing ... inside and out.
than a profound quality of lifeoperating on Tell me what you think of the premiere
a higher level, in tune with the Earth and issue of Urban Farm at www.urbanfarm
nature. Having said that, the eternal realist online.com. uf
URBAN FARM 2009 3

4x7.newsfeed 11/12/09 3:43 PM Page 4
uf NEWSFEED News and views for urban farmers
Pedal to the Mettle

A 30-minute workout on an elliptical exercise produce electricity. These universities join
machine can burn up to 310 calories andif other places of higher education as well as fit-
youre using a machine retrofitted to gen- ness facilities that are creating energy as fit-
erate electricitycan power a laptop for ness buffs burn calories.
one hour or a compact fluorescent light According to Renewable Revolution, its
bulb for two-and-a-half hours. University of ReCardio system reroutes the energy that is
Oregon, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and being emitted as a heat byproduct. Simply
James Madison University are among the put, instead of this heat raising temperatures
most recent institutions inside the facility and causing air-conditioning
to work with units to work harder, the heat energy is
Renewable converted from DC power to AC power. Each
Revolution, a machines controller box allows the free
company that electricity created to provide energy to the
retrofits Precor buildings electrical system.
elliptical
Find out more at www.rerev.com
machines to
Clickin & Cluckin

Urban coop-keepers, unite! If you havent
yet visited www.urbanchickens.org, do it.
Join the forum to contribute to discussions
about chicken coops, chicken ordi-
nances and chicken care. Then
click on Urban Chickens Google
Map to find like-minded city
chicken farmers around the world. www.urbanchickens.org
Put your place on the map and let
everyone know whats happening UrbanChickens.org began as a local effort
on your block. to educate people about urban chicken-
One user, Michael, comments, keeping in 2007 and has become a way to
We live in the city limits of Kalispell, connect and educate urban chicken-keepers
Mont. We have seven chickens, nine worldwide. Founders K.T. LaBadie and Mark
bunnies, a raised-bed garden and Scully live in Albuquerque, N.M., with four
lots of curious neighbors. chickensGloria, Switters, Omelet and Buffy.

www.directmail.com
Stop the
Insanity! www.sustaindane.org
I
f you dread opening your mailbox not for
the bills that await but for the junk mail Employing Mother Nature,
that could bury you on the spot, it's time
to stop it. The key, we're told, to halting the
One Drop at a Time
direct-marketing mail you receive is to get
S
ure, everyone knows its a good idea to conserve water
your name off of the mailing lists. That seems and to collect rainwater for reuse. Not everyone has the
easy enoughuntil you consider there are inclination to build or knows where to purchase a rain
thousands of companies that use direct-mail barrel, though. Recognizing that sustainability needs to be a
promotions. community effort, Sustain Dane in Dane County, Wis., began
According to DirectMail.com, these compa- installing rain barrels at residences. By the end of 2008, com-
nies aren't out to make your recycling bin munity members had purchased more than 3,000 rain barrels
heavierthey actually want to put their and volunteered countless hours for rain-barrel installation
product in front of the people who are most and construction through the RainReserve Community Rain
interested in it. If you happen to be one of Barrel Program.
those people who arent interested, visit Connecting this many community households to rainwater
www.directmail.com, and ask them to help collection and reuse is no small effort. The RainReserve
get your name off of these myriad lists. By Community Rain Barrel Program can be replicated in any
filling out your contact information and community with interest from nonprofits, local government
answering a series of questions about what or other organizations. Since instituting the program, Dane
if anymailing lists you'd like to be on, County has reduced storm-water runoff and preserved the
they'll keep unwanted mail out of your mail aquifer, built community awareness of water conservation
box. This way, you have less junk mail to sort, and water-quality issues, and created revenue to support
the companies get better-targeted mailing environmental efforts.
lists, your postal carrier saves his back, and Sustain Dane supporters will work with other groups to
the landfills win, too. bring the Rain Barrel Program to communities across the
Now if only someone would develop a country. Interested? Contact Sustain Dane at 608-316-6844
do-not-e-mail list! or rainbarrel@sustaindane.org.
URBAN FARM 2009 5

Growing Together
Sharing Backyards:
www.sharingbackyards.com
Hyperlocavore:
http://hyperlocavore.
ning.com
American Community
Gardening Association:
www.communitygarden.org
Portland Yard
Sharing Project
(Portland, Ore.):
www.yardsharing.org
GreenNet
(Chicago, Ill.):
www.greennetchicago.org
Denver Urban Gardens
(Denver, Colo.):
www.dug.org
O
ne major challenge to self-sustainabil-
ity in the city is finding the space to
grow your food. Living in a high-rise
building often limits your green-space access,
and while container gardening is an excellent
option, there are only so many veggie vari-
eties you can grow on an apartment balcony.
When your desire for homegrown foods
has outgrown your container garden, take
PHOTOS COURTESY AMERICAN COMMUNITY GARDENING ASSOCIATION

advantage of a yard-sharing opportunity. Get
to know your neighbors, work toward a more
sustainable community food system and get
your hands dirty, all at the same time. Yard-
sharing is becoming a popular option for
city-dwellers and suburbanites alike, evi-
denced by the number of organizations now
committed to the cause. Whether you have a
yard to share or are looking for some room to
grow your garden, the groups listed above
can help you get started in your town.
When your desire for homegrown foods has outgrown your

container garden, take advantage of a yard-sharing opportunity.
Grease Is the Word

E
ver wonder what happens to the food
waste that gets washed down your
COURTESY COFFEE CREEK CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

sink? San Franciscos SFGreasecycle is
answering this question in an unusual way.
Its turning waste oil into biodiesel. This
brown greasefood wastes separated from
waste waterwill be used to produce three
forms of alternative energy: biodiesel for
vehicles, boiler fuel for running sewage-treat-
ment-plant equipment and methane to power
the treatment plant. www.lettucegrow.org
SFGreasecycle was developed in response to
the damage that used cooking oil was doing to
the citys sewers. It costs San Francisco more Sowing Seeds of Change
than $3.5 million each year to unclog its sewer
pipes, and in 2006, approximately seven
E
arly spring 2009 brought growth in an unusual way to inmates at
sewer-service calls per day were attributed to the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, Ore. What
grease-related blockages. Now, instead of started out as one seed of an idea sprouted from Michael Pollans
being poured book, The Omnivores Dilemma, has become an organic garden that sup-
down the drain, plements the prisons food supply, provides job training and education
It costs San
this vegetable-oil opportunities, and offers the resident women a positive, social activity.
Francisco more than
waste is being The Oregon Department of Corrections, community partners, farmers
$3.5 million each
collected from and volunteers came together with seeds, soil testing, gardening sup-
year to unclog its
city restaurants at plies, and banks of time and knowledge to cultivate the Lettuce Grow
sewer pipes.
no charge to the Garden Foundation. It started as a project behind bars and is now
restaurant opera- involving a whole community, from a grade school growing tomato
tors, resulting in economic and environmental starts for the garden to A & L Laboratories, which provides soil testing.
savings for everyone. Restaurants can sign-up With budget cuts across the board in state governments, the garden
at www.sfgreasecycle.org, and SFGreasecycle harvest is supplementing diets as well as reducing costs in the kitchen.
will pick up or collect the waste oil for free. In a system where residents, in general, face mounting health concerns,
Residential used-oil disposal is an issue for the nutritional benefits start with fresh fruits and vegetables at meals
the citys sewer system, as well. The organi- but branch out into an increased knowledge of the role these foods play
zation is reminding residents to collect their in optimum health.
used cooking oil in a container, rather than Excited about the impact their program has had within the walls of
pouring it down the drain. Throw the con- their prison, the Coffee Creek gardeners have a Lettuce Grow Garden
tainer in the trash or take it to an Foundation website so others can learn from them and perhaps even start
SFGreasecycle drop-off event to add to the their own program. At www.lettucegrow.org, you can read about their
citys oil power. progress, challenges and milestones as the gardening program grows. uf
URBAN FARM 2009 7

8x15.sustainable 11/12/09 3:25 PM Page 8
The
Sustainable
Life
What does it
mean to live
sustainably?
Follow these six
guidelines to a
better life for
you and future
generations.
B Y LY N D A K I N G
W
hether youre managing a 40-
acre farm or farming a 1/4-acre
lot, theres something deeply
satisfying about connecting with
the land, growing your own
food, and living a life that offers a chance to be
self-sufficient. In these tough economic times, the
ability to meet your own needs is increasingly
important. But as an ever-expanding population
increases the demand on what our finite planet
has to offer, it becomes more and more important
to consider how we can meet our own needs while
ensuring the ability of future generations to do so
as well.
Humans are realizing that the way we live is
unsustainable: We are using Earths resources
faster than they can be replenished. Were polluting
the land and the water, threatening our own exis-
tence and that of the other creatures that share
this planet with us. Environmentalists have been
concerned about this for years, and now those
PHOTOS BY JOHN IVANKO
concerns are finally spilling into the mainstream

media. Its hard to pick up a newspaper or magazine
without reading about how our collective
lifestyles are affecting the planet.

Post-World War II generations in this country

have witnessed changes and improvements taking
place at an amazing pace, leading to belief in the
prospect of continuing growth and the infinite
expansion of technology. From the kitchen to the
vegetable beds, modern technology has given us
conveniences that make our lives simpler, help us
be more productive, and give us more time for
leisure pursuits. But these conveniences come at
a cost we are only now beginning to understand.
Petroleum has been the driver in many of the
advances, and it permeates our lives in ways people
may not even realize. Besides heating our homes
and fueling our vehicles, petroleum derivatives are
found in plastics, chemical fertilizers and even
beauty products. The plastics that are part of the
landscape of our livesfood storage bags,
containers and wrap, toys, baby bottles, diapers,
and moreare not biodegradable and will
be on our planet forever. Use of petrole- There
um fuels is believed to be a significant are lifestyle changes
contributor to climate change. The we can make to live more
over-use of chemical fertilizers on lightly and sustainably on
Earth, meeting our own needs
while leaving precious
resources for those who
come after us.
URBAN FARM 2009 9

CLOCKWISE: RHODA PEACHER, JOHN IVANKO, JEFF MARTIN

Clockwise: In
these tough
economic times,
the ability to
meet our own
needs is increas-
ingly important.
record, there is widespread debate on climate
change in the scientific community.)
Permaculture There are good reasons to look for ways to
habitats are bring about change. As daunting as these chal-
designed to lenges may seem, there are things we can do
include self- lifestyle changes we can maketo contribute to
renewing food our farmland has led to pollution of groundwater. solutions and to live more lightly and sustainably
systems that let The Sierra Club reports that runoff of chemical on Earth, meeting our own needs while leaving
nature take over fertilizers from farms in the heartland has created a precious resources for those who come after us.
the heavy lifting dead zone at the mouth of the Mississippi River that
of soil health varies in size annually from 4,000 to 7,000 square CONSERVE
and pest control. miles but has been growing since 1993. The most important way to wisely use the
In November 2007, Steven Strong, owner of resources we have is to find ways to use them
Solar Design Associates in Harvard, Mass.who sparingly. The good news is this will also help
Composting was lauded by Time magazine in March 1999 as a save money by lowering utility and fuel bills.
helps eliminate hero for the planetgave the keynote address at HOME-ENERGY AUDIT A good place to start is
waste and cre- a forum on alternative energy in Harvard, a small to have a home-energy audit. Some utility compa-
ates a natural New England farming community. He told the nies will do them for free and often offer coupons
fertilizer that audience that the petroleum-based fuels that were for equipment upgrades and appliance replace-
builds healthy the life blood of our society are now entering a ments. As part of these audits, companies fre-
soil. period of precipitous decline, and of climate quently offer a number of replacement light
change, said, All the experts say this is the bulbs, in the form of compact fluorescent bulbs
largest crisis humanity has ever faced. (For the (CFLs). CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy

than conventional incandescent bulbs while

providing similar light quality, albeit carrying
Small Changes,
stringent handling and disposal requirements
due to mercury content.
Big Results
USE POWER STRIPS Electronics such as
instant-on appliances, computers, video games Lifestyle changes can
and TVs drain electricity even when they arent help conserve energy,
turned onearning them the name energy vam- the most obvious being
pires. If theyre plugged in to a power strip, the keeping your homes ther-
power source can be easily cut when they arent mostat set to 68 degrees F
in use. or lower in the winter and 72
BUY ENERGY STAR If youre in the market for degrees F or higher in the sum-
new appliances, look for those with the Energy mer. In winter, dress in layers.
Star label, which indicates that theyve been
certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection In the laundry room, forego the
Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy as convenience of the dryer, and hang
more energy efficient. clothes outside. In the winter, use an indoor drying rack. When
INSULATION When it comes to home heating, its time for a new washing machine, get a front-load machine.
insulation can help cut the use of fuel. If you These use up to 60 percent less water and up to 68 percent less
havent done it already, consider insulating attic energy than top-loaders. The spin cycles wring the clothes
floors, exterior walls and even electrical outlets dryer, too, requiring less energy to dry them.
on exterior walls. Seal air leaks around doors with
weather-stripping and door sweeps. Caulk cracks In the kitchen, replace paper towels with cloth flour-sack
around windows. When remodeling or upgrading towels (such as these from Vermont Country Store). Replace
your home, consider using air-tight replacement paper napkins with cloth napkins.
windows. If new windows arent in your immediate
future, consider covering the interior side of cold In the office, print on both sides of paper. Instead of
windows with plastic or, better yet, bubble wrap. notepads, use scrap paper for note-taking.
A programmable thermostat can help conserve
fuel if you set the temperature lower during long At the grocery store, use cloth bags to tote your purchases
stretches when you arent home. Insulate hot- home, reducing demand for their paper or plastic counterparts.
water tanks and hot-water pipes to conserve ener-
gy required to heat your water.
In fall 2008, President Bush signed into law
the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of number of sources can pollute our water and soil.
2008, a bill that allows tax credits for energy- If youve ever lived on a farm, you probably
efficient home improvementssuch as windows, already learned some of the ways we can restore
doors, roofs, insulation and moremade during the health of the soil without resorting to synthetic
2009, so the time is ripe for considering home chemical additives.
upgrades. COMPOSTING Composting isnt news to those
who garden. It helps eliminate waste and creates
L I V E O R GA N I C A L LY a natural fertilizer that will help build healthy
Beyond thinking about what resources well leave soil. It can include animal manure, yard waste,
to future generations, we need to think about the plant-based kitchen scraps, and even cardboard
condition in which we leave them. Over the years, and paper. Books have been written about how to
weve learned that our cars, trucks, planes and speed up the decomposition process that pro-
factories pollute the air and that chemicals from a duces this black gold. Compost tea is lauded as
URBAN FARM 2009 11

CLOCKWISE: RHODA PEACHER (2), JEANMFOGLE.COM

Clockwise:
Buying food
locally
supports local
farmers and
reduces the well together. According to Louise Riottes book,
use of Carrots Love Tomatoes (Storey, 1998), tomatoes
petroleum to contain solanine, which protects asparagus from
haul the foods asparagus beetles. Riotte says that marigolds
over long repel the Mexican bean beetle when planted
distances. among bean plants, too.
PERMACULTURE Permaculture is a concept
that may be less familiar than composting and
A paste made mulching. Back in the 1970s, two Australians
with a 50-50 a natural deterrent to many pests and diseases Bill Mollison and David Holmgrenalong with
vinegar-water when sprayed on plants. some colleagues, created a design methodology
solution and MULCHING Mulching around plants with known as permaculture, which incorporates prin-
baking soda materials that will decay and add to the organic ciples by which agriculture can, in theory, be sus-
works well for matter in the soil will help keep down weeds and tained indefinitely. Permaculture habitats are
cleaning the provide a natural fertilizer that will benefit the designed to include self-renewing food systems
toilet bowl or plants, without the use of synthetic chemicals. that let nature take over the heavy lifting of soil
scrubbing the Grass clippings are especially effective in the veg- health and pest control. They include perennial
kitchen sink. etable garden, since theyre high in nitrogen, plants for foodsuch as asparagus, strawberries,
craved by many vegetables. Pine needles make rhubarb and Jerusalem artichokesand enlist the
effective mulch around blueberries and other help of animals, such as chickens, in pest control.
Buy products acid-loving plants. Permaculture landscapes include dual-purpose
that use mini- COMPANION PLANTING Companion planting plants that provide food as well as shade or simple
mal packing helps eliminate the need for chemical pest control ambiance. Blueberry bushes can take the place of
material, or and encourages plants to thrive. For example, burning bush to provide red accents in a fall land-
buy in bulk. asparagus and tomatoes are two plants that do scape; nut trees can replace oaks and ashes.

More on
Composting
If you live on a small lot and dont have access to the quantities
of materials available for compost in larger operations, there are
still some options for gathering materials for a killer compost
pile. Consider approaching the local coffee shop about taking
used coffee grounds off their hands. (Starbucks puts their bags
out for the taking.) Contact area restaurateurs to see if you can
haul away their plant-based kitchen scraps. Find a landscape
company that might be willing to part with grass clippings (as
long as they arent from chemically treated lawns).
JESSICA WALLISER
GO LOCAL
The past abundance of cheap oil fueled the idea PRESERVE FOOD Food preservation also offers Left: Use
that we can have whatever foods we want, when- an opportunity to build community collaboration cloth bags to
ever we want them. Do spring thaws leave you with neighbors on canning projects or to swap tote your pur-
dreaming of the beans, broccoli and tomatoes stored foods. Before gardening season, you and chases every-
that will soon be filling your garden? your neighbors can plan for a neighborhood where.
Supermarket produce sections today have beans, harvest-canning party, where you not only pre-
broccoli and more any time of the yearall serve the harvest, but also trade to put a little bit
trucked or flown in from faraway places. Those of everything in each neighbors pantry. Building
vegetables may have traveled 1,500 miles or more community is what leads to the development of a
to reach your local grocers shelves. Eating foods self-sufficient human society.
that are in season locally helps eliminate the con- BUY LOCAL Buying food locally supports local
sumption of fuel needed to trek out-of-season farmersmaybe you know some of them.
produce and meats from the four corners of the Concentrating on local food may mean foregoing
world to your supermarket. bananas, but it creates opportunities to explore
EAT IN SEASON Learning to eat in season takes foods you cant find at the grocer. Two years ago, a
some commitment, some planning and some group of citizens in Harvard, Mass.,created a
practical application of skills that have been lost farmers market to generate a sales venue for local
to time and convenience in many households. farmers and provide area residents with an option
What seasonal foods grow well in your area? If for buying local foods. Shoppers might find any-
you arent planning to grow them, do you know thing therefrom squash blossoms for Asian-style
someone who is? Plan to stock up at harvest time, stuffing and frying to blue potatoes. They can
and preserve produce by canning, drying, freezing choose from diverse items such as locally made
or storing foods in a root cellar. Plan off-season seafood ravioli, homemade jams and shortbread,
meals and menus with your stored food in mind. maple syrup, and locally raised lamb and beef.
URBAN FARM 2009 13

Forgo the
electric dryer,
and dry Green Guidance
clothes on a Gaias Garden: A Guide to Home-scale
clothesline Permaculture, by Toby Hemenway (Chelsea
outside. Green, 2001)
Earth Users Guide to Permaculture, by
Rosemary Marrow (Simon & Schuster
Australia, 2007)
Compost: The Natural Way to Make Food for
Your Garden, by Kenneth Thompson (Dorling
Kindersley Publishers, 2007)
Lasagna Gardening: A New Layering System
for Bountiful Gardens, by Patricia Lanza
(Rodale Books, 1998)
Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion
JEANMFOGLE.COM
Planting for Successful Gardening, by Louise
Riotte (Storey, 1998)
Green Guide: The Complete Reference for
Consuming Wisely, by Editors of Green Guide
Patronizing local businessesfrom the yarn (National Geographic, 2008)
shop to the dry cleanershelps to build a vibrant Low Carbon Diet: A 30-day Program to Lose
local economy. 5,000 Pounds, by David Gershon
(Empowerment Institute, 2006)
National Geographics Green Guide
RECYCLE www.thegreenguide.com
One of the best ways to reduce demand for more
Consumer Reports Greener Choices
resources is to make better use of things that have www.greenerchoices.org
already depleted some of those resources, Green Your Blog
through recycling. Most towns offer recycling www.greenyour.com
services for such things as cans, glass bottles, United States Environmental Protection
cardboard, mixed paper and some plastics, but Agency Sustainability Program
www.epa.gov/sustainability
thats only half of the equation; the other half
involves creating a market for recycled goods.
Consider this in your buying decisions, and pur-
chase products made from recycled materials, Cleaning, the EPA reports that levels of pollu-
such as printer paper, paper towels and toilet tants in indoor air can be as much as 100 times
weblink: paper. There are companies that use recycled higher than outdoors, due to toxins released into
glass to make tiles and stained-glass windows; the air from home-cleaning products.
www.hobbyfarms.com/sustainability
sustainability at
Find more ways to increase your
some make wine glasses from recycled bottles. MAKE NATURAL CLEANERS Manufacturers of
IceStone LLC, of Brooklyn, N.Y., makes durable household cleaners are not required to disclose
surfaces, such as kitchen countertops, from recy- ingredients on labels, but many do, and those
cled glass and concrete. Other companies make labels are worth reading. Some common cleaning
furniture, yard dcor and more from recycled products bear the warning label toxic to humans
materials. (See Urban Renewal on page 76 for and animals. If you read labels, youll find that
more about recycling.) some products contain derivatives of petroleum,
such as anionic linear alkylbenzene sulfonate
M A I N TA I N YO U R H E A LT H (LAS), which includes the petroleum byproduct
According to writer Mindy Pennybacker, in a benzene, something the EPA has classified as a
2003 Green Guide article, Healthier Home human carcinogen. Look for products that list

LEFT: CHERIE LANGLOIS, RIGHT: JEANMFOGLE.COM
Before you make any purchase, consider whether Left: Get used
you really need it. Also, consider the ramifica- coffee
tions of buying it: What materials does it contain? grounds from
Where did those materials come from? Was it area coffee
produced in an environmentally responsible way? shops to use
How will this item be disposed of at the end of its as composting
useful life? material.
CONSIDER PACKAGING In considering a pur-
chasefrom food to kitchen gadgets to
electronicstake into account the packaging. Right: Cut
their ingredients, and make sure they arent Select products that use minimum packing mate- your phantom
harmful. Steer clear of anything labeled toxic. rial, and see if that material can be recycled. Buy loads by plug-
Be cognizant of those labeled natural, as there foods in bulk to avoid using excess packaging. ging your
are no regulations governing that claim. Better electronics
yet, make your own cleaning solutions: S TA R T S M A L L into a power
A 50-50 solution of white vinegar and Once you become aware of the many ways in which strip so the
water makes a fine all-purpose cleaner. Vinegar is our lifestyles on this planet are unsustainable, its power source
known to kill many types of bacteria, which is why easy to become immobilized by the enormity of it can easily be
its used in canning and pickling certain foods. all. However, dont try to change everything at cut when they
You might have to apply more elbow grease than once. Pick one area thats meaningful to you and arent in use.
you would using some manufactured cleaners, think about what changes you can make; develop
but there are no carcinogenic toxins left behind goals. If youd like to move toward eating locally
on surfaces. and in season, start with one food. If you want to
A paste made with the 50-50 vinegar-water reduce the amount of packaging you use, start
solution and baking soda works well for cleaning with one productmaybe its bottled water;
the toilet bowl or scrubbing the kitchen sink. maybe its teabags.
Its important to realize that every change we
MAKE INTENTIONAL BUYING make, however small, helps. Collectively, making
DECISIONS small changes can help bring about great change
The United Nations has estimated that the richest in the world and can create a healthier planet for
20 percent of the worlds populationwhich all who will come after us. uf
includes the United Statesuses about 80 per-
Lynda King is a freelance writer and organic gardener
cent of the Earths resources. The most obvious
who lives with her husband in a 19th-century farm-
way to conserve resources is simply to use less.
house on 1 acre in central Massachusetts.
URBAN FARM 2009 15

16x23.biointensive 11/12/09 3:38 PM Page 16
BACK TO BASICS Maximize your lands growth potential

with the Grow Biointensive method.
as you see the possibilities before you for feeding

your stomach, your soul and your soilall of
which contribute to the sustenance of the planet,
as well as your self.
B Y J O H N J E AV O N S
Ecology Action (EA), a research and education

nonprofit in Willits, Calif., has spent the past 37
years remembering or bringing together ancient
agricultural knowledge with new understandings
of how to grow the highest yields of food in the
smallest areas, in any climate or soil type, while
rebuilding the crucial topsoil. The method is
known as Grow Biointensive (GB), or biointen-
sive mini-farming. Its a nutrient-return system,
where the garden is fed by itself rather than
bringing in soil amendments from somewhere
else and depleting that area. The beauty of this
W
hat will create a strong foundation for the method is that it doesnt matter whether you live
new millennium? Weve all heard of the rurally or are an urban dweller. Its designed to be
fundamental three Rs. Well, heres a new effective in small spaces. While you may not meet
LEFT: COURTESY ECOLOGY ACTION; RIGHT: TERRY WILD
version: return, resource, remember. the objective of growing a complete diet for your-
Begin by returning to what we have always self in your own backyard, there are wonderful
known in our bones and returning or giving opportunities for remembering that, together as a
something back. Then re-source, or reconnect community, we can pool our resources. One of the
with the sources of all of life: soil, water, minerals, primary goals of EA is to empower people to feed
air and sun. Finally, remember, or choose once themselves locally and to strengthen community,
again to be a member of the web of life and find while simultaneously being a part of the solution
the joy in that relationship. Now take a deep to world food, water, energy and climate-change
breath and step into your backyard with new eyes concerns.

URBAN FARM 2009 17

The way station between your

kitchen scraps and the compost
bin outside is a compost crock
with a tight-fitting lid.
Utilizing sustainable, organic GB techniques,
you have the potential to:
Use 67 to 88 percent less water
Use up to 50 percent less

purchased fertilizer
Use 94 to 99 percent less energy

per unit of production
Substantially increase yields
Create a 100-percent increase in

soil fertility
There are many details for refining the method
and maximizing potential. However, dont get
PHOTOS BY JESSICA WALLISER

bogged down by the details and think you have to
know everything before you begin. It is, after all,
an ongoing learning experience for us all, and the

most important thing is paying attention and lis-
tening as a part of the new relationship youre
establishing. If the listening part seems a bit eso-
teric at this point, it will become clearer as you
progress. The essential points to know in getting
started are outlined as follows.
D E E P S O I L P R E PA R AT I O N
I f you feed and nurture the soil, it will feed you.

Soil fertility and organic matter are the funda-
mental keys to a regenerative, life-producing
The basic principle of a good ecosystem. Double-digging is one way to develop
deep soil structure, which makes air, water and
compost pile is to layer it with three nutrients more available to plant roots and soil
microbes. According to the International
things: dry, mature material; Institute of Rural Reconstructions Sustainable
Agriculture Extension Manual (www.iirr.org/
kitchen and yard waste; and soil. saem/page134-137.htm), Double-digging is a

method of deep soil preparation in which the soil By starting

is fertilized with organic matter and is loosened to seeds in flats,
a depth of 60 cm (2 feet). The GB method, when youll have
mastered, is actually easy and enjoyable and is stronger
less disruptive to soil microorganisms than mech- plants with
anized tilling. which to start
The question often comes up about whether your beds.
double-digging negatively impacts soil microbes
and mycorrhizal threads that feed root systems.
When done properly, this digging method actual-
ly enhances the soil environment because the soil
is loosened, but not turned, so that the microbial
strata are mixed as little as possible. The Royal
Horticulture Society in England has stated that,
from their experience, double-digging makes a COMPOSTING
significant, positive difference in crop produc-
tion. Many people start out with highly compact-
ed and demineralized soils, since that is more the
C omposting is essential, especially when youre
aiming for sustainable higher yields.
Chemical inputs deplete soil over time, and most
standard with todays soils than the exception. are petroleum products. Proper composting cre-
Gently creating air-pore space in the soil increas- ates a holistic nutrient-return system to minimize
es the availability of air and water to the soil inputs that need to be brought in from some-
microbes and plant roots and helps them access where else, which depletes another area. The
nutrients stored deeper in the soil. basic principle of a good compost pile is to layer it
Once you have established good soil structure, with three things: dry, mature material (slower
only surface cultivation will be needed. At that breakdown); kitchen and yard waste, such as
point, weeding becomes even easier since the soil grass clippings (faster break down); and soil (to
is looser. introduce microbes, help keep it cool, reduce odor
1 2 DOUBLE DIGGING
1. After spreading compost over the
entire area to be dug, use a spade to
remove the soil from the first upper
trench 1 foot deep and 1 foot wide across
the width of the bed.
2. After loosening the first lower trench 1
foot deep with a spading fork, shift the
soil from the second upper trench into
the area above the first lower trench.
3 4 3. Clear out the remaining soil from the
second upper trench.
4. Loosen the second lower trench 1 foot
PHOTOS BY DAVID CAVAGNARO
deep with a spading fork.
For full details, see How To Grow More

Vegetables ... (book information on
page 23).
URBAN FARM 2009 19

anaerobic and becoming very smelly. You may

also want to put grass clippings in this bin. A cool-
er composting system, as described above with
the layered, built pile, is preferable because it can
produce more cured compost than a hot compost
pile, which is turned often, resulting in the loss of
much of its nitrogen and carbon into the
atmosphere.
In urban settings where you may not have a lot
of room for building compost piles, worm boxes
can be a wonderful way to help recycle wastes.
The worm castings can be used as a soil amend-
ment. The important thing to understand about
worm composting (aka vermiculture) is that the
worm castings make nutrients super-available for
the plants, but available nutrients cannot be easi-
ly retained over time. Cured compost made from
plants, on the other hand, is a time-released
nutrient supplement and is more reliable. Earth
worms (different from compost worms) are very
important in the soil, as are microorganisms.
When you create good soil, using cured compost,
all of these elements will be there.
CLOSE PLANTING
DAVID CAVAGNARO
C lose planting protects the microbes in the soil

from sun damage and helps to create a living
sponge for more efficient utilization of water. It
Top: Close and hold moisture). An example of dry, mature

planting pro- material in your backyard might be the leaves you
tects the rake up in the fall or stalks from corn and other
microbes in the plants that reached their maturity and have been
soil from sun harvested or cut back.
damage and Its also important to keep the pile moist to
creates a living assist the microbes that break down the material.
sponge for Once the pile is built, it will take about three
more efficient months until you can harvest compost for the
water use. garden. Not all of the mature material will have
broken down in this time; simply recycle it into
Right: GB the next pile you build. The kitchen wastes you
methods accumulate after your pile has been built can be
encourage stored in a container with a tight-fitting lid. When
beneficials like thats full, transfer it to an outside bin with air
TERRY WILD
butterflies and holes until youre ready to build your next layered
bees. pile. The air holes will keep it from going

If you have a small growing area

(200 square feet), you can grow all
of the vegetables and soft fruits eaten
annually by the average person.
produce a large amount of good material for com-
post, as well as food for you. Corn, wheat, ama-
ranth, millet and oats are some of the best to use.
Growing your own compost materials will be
increasingly more important, since large amounts
of organic matter and nutrients are currently
being mined from other areas. According to a
study published in Population and Environment:
A Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in May
1994 by David Pimentel, et al., estimates show
that we now have as little as 35 to 52 years of
arable topsoil remaining, so rebuilding fertile soil
is a high priority.
The efficient production of sufficient calories
in a small area is facilitated by planting special
root crops in 30 percent of the growing area.
These crops include potatoes, sweet potatoes,
leeks, garlic and parsnips.
DAVID CAVAGNARO
If you have a very small growing area (200

square feet), you can grow all of the vegetables
and soft fruits eaten annually by the average per-
son. To grow a complete diet with the 60/30/10
also enables you to get higher yields. Starting distribution of crops, youll need about 4,000
seedlings in flats and pricking them out also square feet. Planning with friends who are gar-
makes it possible to use less water and to have the dening or as a neighborhood can be useful for
transplanted starts fill the bed area more quickly obtaining more food to eat and for providing
so that bare soil isnt exposed for as long. The flat- more variety. While therell be some crop vari-
ted seedlings will also give you stronger plants ance depending on the climate of the growing
with which to start your beds. region, the optimal percentages apply for each
category of crops.
O P T I M A L P L A N T I N G R AT I O S
C O M PA N I O N P L A N T I N G
I deal ratios are 60 percent grain and seed crops
for food, compost material and seed to be
saved; 30 percent special root crops for calories; T his concept is important, no matter how small
the growing area. Research shows that many
and 10 percent vegetables and fruits for remain- plants grow better when theyre near certain
ing nutritional requirements and variety. other plants. Some plants are useful in repelling
Soil fertility is facilitated by planting approxi- pests, while others attract beneficial insect life.
mately 60 percent of the growing area in dual- Also, many wild plants have a healthy effect on
purpose seed and grain crops. These key crops the soil; their deep roots loosen the subsoil and
URBAN FARM 2009 21

RHODA PEACHER
O P E N - P O L L I N AT E D S E E D S
W ith GB techniques, significantly higher

yields, such as those promised by the
Green Revolution, can be obtained with normal
open-pollinated seeds that have been selected
over generations for their characteristics. Open-
pollinated seeds produce true to type, whereas
plant characteristics from hybrid seeds are more
variable. Some open-pollinated seeds may be
referred to as heirloom varieties. The use of
open-pollinated seeds also helps ensure genetic
diversity, which is essential to the vitality and
resiliency of ecosystems. For generations, fami-
lies have saved seeds from their favorite fruit and
vegetable varieties and passed them down. You
may find varieties youre particularly fond of; sav-
DAVID CAVAGNARO
ing your own seed is a way to ensure that youll be

able to enjoy those foods for years to come.
G O O D TO O L S
bring up previously unavailable trace minerals
Left: Marigolds
and nastur-
tiums are ben-
and nutrients. A few examples of beneficial
plants for deterring pests are marigolds, which
N ot only do well-made tools last longer, but
they make your job so much more enjoyable.
You want to put as little strain as possible on your
eficial plants have a strong aroma that repels insects; nastur- body, and having tools with the proper handle
for deterring tiums for repelling squash bugs; and rosemary length for your height will help you achieve that
pests. for repelling the cabbage worm butterfly. When goal. Also, learning the proper technique for tasks
you use an ecosystem-friendly approach like this, like double-digging will drastically change your
you arent deterring beneficial insect life, such as experience in the garden. Its better to start slow
Right: Open- bees, butterflies and other pollinators; instead, with only one or two beds and to feel your way
pollinated youre encouraging a vitally alive, interactive into the flow of the activities. Pay attention to
seeds are also system. your body; then gardening becomes a meditation
known as Also, dont be too quick to pull out weeds that sustains you on many levels.
heirlooms. that may be beneficial, such as purslane, which The basic tools youll need are a D-handled
can act as a living mulch while corn plants are spade, a D-handled fork, a 12- to 15-inch bow
establishing and is also high in nutrients and can rake, a 2-inch trowel, and a 5 12 -foot digging board
be nicely incorporated into salads and stews. Sow made of 5/8-inch plywood with a carrying handle
thistle has dandelion-like seeds that attract bene- and rounded corners, which you will place over
ficial birds that eat both the seeds and harmful the bed youre preparing to keep from compacting
insects, too. the soil.

A Haws watering can, which provides a

gentler, more effective delivery of water,
is an essential tool for the garden.
contributing factor in a high percentage of illness.
To the beginning gardener, this benefit may not
yet be apparent, but for the more seasoned land
steward, its an essential relationship that feeds
the soul.
For many people, the primary motivation to
COURTESY SMITH & HAWKEN
garden may be to save on food costs, particularly

in these times of rapidly escalating prices. Others
may simply enjoy the convenience of stepping out
onto a balcony to harvest fresh herbs from a con-
tainer garden to give their meals more flair.
Greenhouse windows in sunny kitchens or laun-
WAT E R I N G dry rooms can keep herbs growing year-round
J ust as with topsoil, water is becoming an ever

more precious resource. Efficient water usage
is one of the key benefits of the GB method. When
and can be good places to get seedlings started for
a new growing season.
Urban areas provide a lot of ground for creativ-
you have good soil structure and use a close spac- ityor in some cases, a lack of ground, but dont
ing arrangement, you create a living sponge that get discouraged. As mentioned earlier, local food
holds water longer. Because soil is the focal point production can become an axis point for estab-
for the health of the garden, always think in terms lishing a deeper sense of community, and from it,
of watering the soil more than watering the ideas will sprout about how to maximize what you
plants. A Haws watering can, which provides a have while sustaining yourself and the Earth.
gentler, more effective delivery of the water, is a Grow Biointensive is not just a technique for
good choice. If youre in a very arid climate, then teaching people how to efficiently produce food
a drip-irrigation system with the emitters placed locally, its about growing people and beneficial
on 18-inch, offset centers may be better. The best relationships. It is good to remember that we are
time to water is two hours before sunset, and if all in this together and that were
youre working a regular job and cant manage connected to the same vital
this, the next best thing is to water early in the web. uf
morning. The reason for this is that when you
John Jeavons is the executive direc-
water late in the day, there is more time for the
tor of Ecology Action and author of
water to soak in deeply, providing more available
How to Grow More Vegetables *(and
water for both plants and soil microbes. fruits, nuts, berries, grains and other
Aside from the obvious benefits of providing crops)* Than You Ever Though Possible
nutritious food for yourself and your family, there on Less Land Than You Can Imagine
are multiple other benefits you may not have con- (Ten Speed Press, 2006). For more
information about Ecology Action and
sidered with gardening. For one, slowing down
the Grow Biointensive method, visit
and being present during the creation of a living
www.growbiointensive.org. To order
environment is inexpensive stress therapy. The books, seeds and supplies, visit
medical profession acknowledges that stress is a www.bountifulgardens.org or call 707-459-6410.
URBAN FARM 2009 23

24x27.green thumb 11/12/09 3:53 PM Page 24
Tools and talk for city gardeners

GREEN THUMB
fab fall foods
BY R.J. RUPPENTHAL
i
f youve never grown vegetables certain crops, such as carrots, turnips and
before, consider planting a fall garden. potatoes. Theyll require some protective cov-
A number of easy-to-grow crops can ering (such as a few inches of soil, leaves,
succeed in the fall, including carrots, straw or other mulch covering) and will
beets, cabbage, chard, arugula, broc- reward you with fresh food into early spring.
coli, radishes, green onions, bush First, decide what you want to plant. The
peas and even potatoes. Though all of these seed packet or transplant container should
plants will thrive in cool conditions, theyll be labeled with the length of time it takes to
R.J. Ruppenthal is a
get off to the best start if you plant them in grow that type of vegetable. For example,
licensed attorney and the soil while temperatures are still warm. In early carrots and sugar snap peas both
professor at most locations, this means planting in August mature in about 60 days. Next, determine
Evergreen Valley
or early September. the best fall planting date by finding the
College in San Jose,
Calif. Hes author of There are two basic approaches to a fall first average frost date for your area and
the book Fresh Food garden. One is to plant vegetables that will then counting backwards for the number of
From Small Spaces: mature quickly so you can harvest them days it will take to grow your veggies.
The Square-inch
before winter fully arrives. Lettuce, radishes, Victory Seeds Company (www.victory
Gardeners Guide to
Year-round Growing, early varieties of carrots, and bush peas are seeds.com/frost) and The Old Farmers
Fermenting and good bets. The second approach is to plant Almanac (www.almanac.com/garden/frost
Sprouting (Chelsea veggies that can handle some chill, and these us.php) have comprehensive frost-date
Green Publishing,
2008).
can be harvested during winter; examples listings. For example, the first average frost
include chard, cabbage, arugula and most date for Dallas, Texas, is October 24, while
other leafy greens. You can even overwinter Pittsburgh, Pa., is September 20. In Dallas,
you might get away with planting peas or
carrots in late August, but if youre gardening
in Pittsburgh, you need to start them a
month earlier (unless overwintering).
If you have only one month or so for fall
gardening, grow quick crops like lettuce or
radishes. Lettuce can be harvested at any
stage from baby salad greens (at about 20 to
30 days) to full size (about 45 to 55 days).
The small, round Cherry, Ping Pong or French
MARTIN BELAM
Breakfast radishes will mature in just 30 days

of cool fall weather, and they add a great,
fresh snap to any salad.

tater pots Some people grow spuds in garbage cans. These

work pretty well, assuming theyre clean. Wire
p otatoes can grow in many types of soil.

However, I have limited ground space and
tend to interplant a lot of different
veggies at once, so its too disruptive to
dig up my beds when I need to pick some spuds.
frames are another good bet. Both of these are tall
enough that you can convince the plants to grow
more than one vertical layer of tuber-producing
roots. To do this, fill the container only partway
with soil, plant the seed potatoes, mix in some bal-
Instead, I grow my potatoes in containers, anced fertilizer on the side (near the seed
and Ive settled on fabric pots and pieces but not touching them), and
plastic grow bags as the best for water it well. After the leaves
spud growing. The soil stays emerge from the soil, cover
warm, even during cooler sea- them with a few inches of
sons, which helps the plants compost or mulch (such as
grow and mature quickly. At shredded newspaper or
the same time, there are leaves). Again, keep it well
small holes in the sides to watered. You can use a
aerate the soil, keeping it liquid fertilizer, if you wish.
COURTESY GARDENERS SUPPLY COMPANY
from overheating and enabling Then when the leaves emerge

the plants roots to continue again, repeat the process.
downward for a stronger plant. Plants will continue to grow
Two good bets are Smart Pot fabric upward through the mulch while
pots (www.smartpots.com) and Sunleaves they produce more roots underneath.
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URBAN FARM 2009 25

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URBAN FARM 2009 27

28x31.class in session 11/12/09 3:55 PM Page 28
BY D E B O R A H B R A N DT B U E H L E R
Class Is In
Session
In person and online, seasoned gardeners are standing by to
provide support, education and encouragement to up-and-
coming urban farmers everywhere.
emories of Grandpas garden, over-
M flowing with neat rows of green beans,

peas, carrots, lettuce, radishes, green
onions and sweet corn accompany
visions of family meals from an abundant summer
harvest. The longing for these same fresh, home-
grown foods is at the heart of urban farming.
Major metropolitan areas abound with resources
to support both the novice and experienced
urban gardener.
FIND COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Get on the web, either at the library or at home,
and find out who is offering workshops in your
COURTESY SEATTLE TILTH
area, suggests JoAnn Whitehead, garden educa-

tor with the Boston Natural Areas Network. Visit
sources that end with .org and .edu first, because
they wont be trying to sell you anything.

COURTESY URBAN FARM SCHOOL
County cooperative extension services are development and management. Like the county Top: Kendra
connected to land-grant universities and offer cooperative extension services, Boston Natural Pearce and
dynamic resources related to urban growing. The Areas Network offers resources and key services Toree Hiebert
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service to help people get started in gardening. started the
Marion County Office in Indianapolis, Ind., for With courses such as Planting the Urban Urban Farm
example, hosts an annual, spring garden clinic. Garden, Vegetable Seed Starting, Composting in School to help
The day-long workshop is open to the public and a Small Vegetable Plot and Worm Bin people become
includes the choice of a series of four concurrent Composting, the network provides programs that more self-
sessions. Organized at a public school to keep costs support innovative garden techniques. From sufficient.
down, the registration is only $15 per person. making good use of your space to preparing the
In addition to the spring clinic, we provide the soil, workshops meet the needs of gardeners at
City Gardener Program, says Steve Mayer, all experience levels. Opposite page:
extension educator. This 12-hour class offers the Founded by a regional network of organic gar- Seattle Tilth
very basics of gardening, including topics such as deners and farmers in the Pacific Northwest, offers urban-
vegetables, lawn care, soil and fertilizer manage- Seattle Tilth is another organization that offers gardening
ment, and flowers. Targeting urban dwellers, the exceptional learning opportunities for urban classes where
course is offered in downtown Indianapolis. dwellers. The organization manages two public people can
Since 1977, the Boston Natural Areas Network demonstration gardens where visitors can read connect with
has preserved, expanded and improved urban about and try gardening techniques. The gardens like-minded
open space through education, programming, feature year-round vegetable gardening, fruit- individuals.
URBAN FARM 2009 29

LEFT: JESSICA WALLISER, RIGHT: COURTESY SEATTLE TILTH

Left: Seasoned
gardeners are Soil: The Key
more than
happy to to Success
provide producing trees and shrubs, permaculture design,
education to Whether its a strip of soil at the edge of a rainwater harvesting, soil-building techniques
up-and- parking lot or one sandwiched between the and food-waste composting.
coming urban sidewalk and curb, dont overlook the Seattle Tilth offers organic urban-gardening
farmers importance of knowing all about your soil classes where people can learn about gardening
everywhere. before you dig. strategies and also connect with others interested
There are two reasons for testing the soil in or already practicing urban gardening. One of
you plan to garden in, says Boston Natural the best ways to learn more is to volunteer with an
Right: Seattle Areas Network garden educator JoAnn organization, says Katie Pencke, demonstration
Tilth offers Whitehead. First, be sure the soil is safe to garden coordinator with Seattle Tilth. No experi-
year-round come in contact with and eat foods from. The ence is necessary to start as a volunteer in most
classes on second reason is more practicalsave your programs. It is a way of giving back while learning.
topics like money by knowing what soil amendments are For some, good food is hard to come by, and
lawn- and really needed. being involved as a volunteer supports the food
food-waste An inexpensive soil test will measure needs of the community.
composting. levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium,
pH, heavy metals and lead. Understanding HELP FOR HIRE
whats in the soil is a big first step toward Doug Agee, a garden coach in Salt Lake City,
safe gardening practices in urban areas. Utah, is committed to helping others with their
gardening efforts. They think they know the

One of the
best ways to
Grow Your learn more is
to volunteer
Knowledge with an
educational
Boston Natural Areas Network organization.
www.bostonnatural.org
Cooperative Extension System
www.extension.org
Cornell Universitys Vegetable Varieties

for Gardeners
http://vegvariety.cce.cornell.edu
Seattle Tilth
www.seattletilth.org
Urban Farm School
www.urbanfarmschool.com
COURTESY SEATTLE TILTH

Worldwide Directory of Garden Coaches
www.gardencoachdirectory.wetpaint.com
ideal place for their vegetable garden, explains gardeners come out of the woodwork. Its one of
Agee. Together, we determine what will work the most essential things you can do. When youre
best with their individual situation and condi- having a tough year with something specific, you
tions. That might be a raised bed, a sunnier loca- may find that everyone is struggling with the
tion or, after soil testing, the identification of soil same thing.
amendments needed for success.
In Vancouver, Wash., Kendra Pearce and her C U LT I VAT E A N O N L I N E
business partner, Toree Hiebert, started the COMMUNITY
Urban Farm School with similar goals in mind. There are hundredsperhaps thousandsof gar-
We are dedicated to helping people become deners who blog about their planting adventures.
more food-independent by growing in whatever To learn more, find a blogger in your plant-
space they have available, says Pearce. She and hardiness zone and dig in to reading. Discover
Hiebert offer Garden for Life Partiesa person- ideas for trellis gardening, containers, heirloom
alized way families and neighbors can learn seeds, perennials, and handling both pets and
together about growing their own food. Weve pests in the garden. Garden blogs contain video
done parties for garden clubs, school groups, segments, photos, tool ideas, month-to-month
neighborhood-association meetings and small planning and daily observations. Garden blog-
groups of mixed ages. We work closely with the gers share their own gardening experiences,
individuals to focus on what they want to learn. including the not-so-successful moments!
Once new gardeners get started, Pearce recom- Nothing can replace the education that hands-on
mends they find a network of other gardeners and experience offers, but having virtual support can
resources in their area. Talk to neighbors and answer many questions, too. uf
look for a garden club; chat with people about
Deborah Brandt Buehler is a writer, writing coach and
what youre doing. Its amazing how many food
beekeeper in Indianapolis, Ind.
URBAN FARM 2009 31

32x39.chicks goats 11/12/09 3:56 PM Page 32
BY CHERIE LANGLOIS
CHICKS (& Goats)
IN THE
G
CITY
When livestock and the suburbs collide
retchen and Ryan Bedell
seem like a nice, young, fairly
typical suburban couple.
Gretchen does fundraising
for a law school while Ryan
works as a motion picture
professional, and the two await the birth of
their first child. They live on a 1/2-acre lot in
a cute little wooded subdivision in
Williamsburg, Va., where the houses have
vinyl siding and neat yards. Like many subur-
Yet while they successfully cultivate a sub-
urbanite facade for the benefit of anyone
walking past, a peek out back reveals
Gretchen and Ryan live a kind of double life.
Nothing unsavory, mind you; in fact, their
secret life couldnt be more wholesome, for
Gretchen and Ryan are suburban farmers.
Not only do they nurture fruit trees and a
productive vegetable garden, but since the
spring of 2006, theyve tended an engaging
flock of Rhode Island Red hens.
banites, the Bedells share their home with Why chickens? Were pretty avid garden-
typical household pets, including a Beagle ers, and we try to grow a lot of our own food,
and several cats. says Gretchen, adding that many ardent

RHODA PEACHER
URBAN FARM 2009 33

CLOCKWISE: JESSICA WALLISER, PAULETTE JOHNSON, JESSICA WALLISER

Clockwise: If
you can smell
it, your neigh-
bors can, too. chickens and other small livestock in their back-
Dont wait until yards. Whats more, if you think all these folks
the coop gets are agricultural outlaws harboring their animals
stinky before in secret, think again. From Portland, Ore., to
you clean it. Madison, Wis., to New York City, a number of
cities and towns legally permit their citizens to
keep certain farm animalsprimarily poultry
If your goat with restrictions. And though scores of commu-
escapes and nities still prohibit livestock, change can happen,
jumps on some- as it did several years ago in Seattle, Wash., when
ones new Prius, goat-lover Jennie Grant managed to persuade
your neighbor gardeners have progressed to keeping chickens her city council to change the municipal code to
relations will as another source of healthy, homegrown food, allow mini-goats. (See Changing the Rules on
suffer and could not to mention eco-friendly garden fertilizer. She page 36.)
even cost you also credits a woman at the farmers market with So if youre farmless in the city but dream of hens
your animals. winning them over to poultry by sending them clucking outside the back door as eggs sizzle on the
home with fresh eggs one day. They were the best stove, or if enjoying the playful companionship of
wed ever tasted. I didnt know eggs actually had goats while filling your fridge with delicious,
Keeping a sub- flavor, that they tasted like eggs. Everyone should hormone-free milk sounds like heaven in suburbia,
urban rooster have chickens in the backyard just for the eggs! we have happy news: Some rural dreams can come
can present its The Bedells may be the only suburban chicken true just about anywhere.
challengesbut farmers on their block, but they have plenty of
it will allow you company scattered in suburbs and cities across the W H Y K E E P U R BA N /
to renew your United States. After years of leaving the livestock- S U B U R BA N L I V E S TO C K ?
flock yourself. raising to rural farmers and intensive factory Starting with the domestication of sheep around
farms, some city dwellers and suburbanites have 10,000 B.C., mankind has relied on domestic live-
done a U-turn, going back to the basics of keeping stock for fiber, hides, transportation, draft power

Clockwise:
Goats have to
be milked
every day,
which can
make vaca-
tions and
other trips
more difficult.
Local laws vary

on the type
and number of
goats you can
keep in a
suburban
backyard.
practical addition to their vegetable gardening.
Like a garden, chickens can serve as sources of
fresh food, but ones that convert leftovers, weeds Filling your
and pesky bugs into fertilizer, too. Im a big gar- fridge with
CLOCKWISE: DAVID CAVAGNARO, JANET HORTON, BARBARA BERST ADAMS
dener, and Im a believer in sustainability, says delicious,

Angelina Shell, who coordinates livestock classes hormone-free
for Seattle Tilth in Washington and keeps her milk is
own little flock of Americauna and White Sussex. possible in
I think I like my chickens most for their manure; suburbia.
its the best fertilizer ever!
Concerns about inhumane livestock farming
methods, E. coli and pesticide residues, climate
change, and our dependence on foreign oil con-
tribute to urban farmings growing popularity as
well. After all, when you raise your own chickens,
you can give them a good life rich with fresh air,
sunshine, and room to preen and pick at insects;
and, most importantly, food. Although Americans you can feed them organic food and vegetation to
tend to associate farm animals with the country produce healthier eggs and meat; and you can
(or factory farm), humans have kept livestock in reduce your carbon footprint by enjoying food
urban settings since ancient times. Around much produced as locally as it comes.
of the world, especially in developing countries, For her part, Grant felt inspired to bring Honey
raising livestock in villages, towns and cities is bees, chickens and miniature LaMancha goats into
still a common, often life-sustaining, practice. her urban life after reading about the often-
But why keep backyard livestock here, in this unpalatable origins of our modern foodstuffs in
day and age, with an abundance of food so easily The Omnivores Dilemma: A Natural History of
obtained at the supermarket? Well, like the Four Meals, by Michael Pollan (The Penguin Press
Bedells, many urban and suburban folk have HC, 2006). Now, along with a glut of veggies from
embraced poultry in particular as a compatible, their garden, Grant and her family have honey,
URBAN FARM 2009 35

sheep can make fascinating, responsive and
Changing gentle pets, too.
the Rules BREAKING THE CODE AND

B U I L D I N G N E I G H B O R R E L AT I O N S
Before you order your chicks or start surfing
Snowflake and Brownie, two Craigslist for goats, youll want to determine
miniature LaMancha goats, whether you can legally keep livestock in your
had been living happily in backyard and, if so, what types of animals the law
Jennie Grants Seattle back- allows. Every city and towneven ones within a
yard for some time, munching stones throw of each otherhave different
blackberry leaves and minding codes, ordinances and regulations pertaining to
their own business, when livestock. Adding to the confusion, planned
a neighbor reported their developments and neighborhoods ruled by
presence to the city. homeowners associations usually have their own
Predictably, zoning officials told Grant she would have to give restrictions.
her two beloved, but illegal, goats the boot. This determined As a first step, Shell recommends looking up
woman, however, responded in a much less predictable fashion: your city or towns municipal code; many are now
She decided to try to change the law prohibiting goats in the posted online. (After you locate the code, try
city. With her 8-year-old sons assistance, Grant gained the sym- searching for livestock or poultry to find the
pathy and support of council-member Richard Conlin, launched right section.) You can also check your local
the Goat Justice League, and struck out to garner citizen sup- library, courthouse or city hall. Unfortunately, the
port. Everyone thought [the cause] was really funny and they legalese language of municipal codes can be
wanted to sign, recalls Grant. We gathered 1,000 signatures, confusing, vague or even nonexistent when it
and the city council voted unanimously to approve the goats. comes to livestock. In any case, try to verify the
COURTESY JENNIE GRANT
Goat Justice League information with a real, live person such as a county
www.goatjusticeleague.org or city office clerk, extension agent, animal control
officer or health department official.
Once you decipher the Seattle Municipal Code
pertaining to livestock, for example, youll find
eggs and fresh milk aplenty. (Yes, she actually that it allows residents to keep up to three
milks her city goats.) She knows exactly where domestic fowl, which includes chickens, ducks,
her food came from and how it was produced. I turkeys and the like, on a standard-sized lot.
dont have to buy any milk and cheese from the This means that on approximately 5,000 square
store, she says proudly. And we drink and eat a feet, were allowed three chickens, explains
lot of milk and cheese. Shell. For each additional 1,000 square feet, we
Plus, as all farmers know, its fun and rewarding can have an additional bird.
to share your bounty with others. I love sharing The code also permits keeping cows, horses,
eggs with my neighbors, friends and family, says sheep and similar farm animals, but only on spa-
Shell. It makes me feel like Im actually producing cious lots of at least 20,000 square feeta little
something and sharing with the world. less than 1/2 acre. People living on smaller lots
People also find themselves drawn to keeping can keep up to three small animals, including
livestock in their city or suburban backyards for a dogs, cats and miniature goats; sorry, only one
more impracticalbut no less important miniature potbelly pig allowed. In other words, if
reason: companionship. Move over Rover and you own no dogs or cats, you can have three
Fluffy; with early socialization to humans, farm mini-goats, but they must be licensed just like
animals like chickens, ducks, rabbits, goats and household pets.

CLOCKWISE: FOODANDDRINKPHOTOS.COM (2); BARBARA BERST ADAMS
When the Bedells researched local laws about Eggs laid fresh
keeping chickens, they discovered domestic fowl from your
occupied a gray area in their community. It turns backyard hens
out, as far as our zoning laws go, the rules are and cheese
looser because this area is agriculturally oriented, made from
explains Gretchen. As long as we have less than your own
10,000 chickens and arent killing them on our goats milk are
property, were OK. However, our homeowners are always a
association has some deed restrictions on the hit with
property that restricts poultry except for house- neighbors,
hold pets (probably to allow for parrots). Well, all friends and
of our chickens have names, and if they get sick family.
theyll go to the vet, we wont be eating them, and
they sort of know some tricks ... She says they
have a back-up plan for relocating their flock, just Cleanliness is
in case. and what restrictions apply, you should pay a key for
Along with limits on how many animals you friendly visit to your neighbors. Talk to them suburban
can keep, other livestock restrictions and regula- about the animals you plan to acquire and re- livestock-
tions you could encounter include common bans assure them about any concerns they might have keeping to
on roosters and swine, minimum required dis- pertaining to odors, noise, animal escapes or prevent odors
tances between animal and human habitations, safety issuesas in, No, we wont be keeping any and disease.
requirements for cleaning and disposing of noisy roosters, odorous billy goats or dangerous
manure, and numerous others. You may also rams; Yes, we will have secure fencing and keep
need to pay for a permit. the coop so immaculate youll never smell a
Are you confused yet? thing. If they seem unconvinced, bribe them
After determining whether you can keep with promises of fresh eggs, as the Bedells did
chickens or other farm animals in your backyard with one neighbor, or invite their kids over to
URBAN FARM 2009 37

Go-to Guides for

Urban Farmers
Backyard Chickens, www.backyardchickens.com
Barnyard in Your Backyard: A Beginners Guide to Raising Chickens,
Ducks, Geese, Rabbits, Goats, Sheep and Cows, by Gail Damerow (Storey,
2002)
Chicken Coops: 45 Building Plans for Housing Your Flock, by Judy Pangman
(Storey, 2006)
Chickens in Your Backyard: A Beginners Guide, by Rick and Gail Luttmann
(Rodale Books, 1976)
Hobby Farms series: Chickens, Ducks and Goats (BowTie Press)
How to Build Animal Housing: 60 Plans for Coops, Hutches, Barns, Sheds,
Pens, Nestboxes, Feeders, Stanchions and Much More, by Carol Ekarius
(Storey, 2004)
Keep Chickens! Tending Small Flocks in Cities, Suburbs and Other Small
Spaces, by Barbara Kilarski (Storey, 2003)
Popular Farming Series: Chickens, Goats, Ducks, Organic Farm & Garden,
Heirloom Farm & Garden, and Orcharding (BowTie, Inc.)
Also see UF Connects on page 108.
Eco Friendly Landscaping

with No Mow Turf Grass meet your cute mini-goats when they them, change their water, and you
& Native Perennial Plants arrive. have to make sure the coop is clean.
Some community ordinances You must also supply your animals
Flowers Grasses
Sedges Ferns require you to obtain written permis- with shelter and health care, and, if
sion from your nearest neighbors you want to take occasional trips,
Call for your Free 2009
Catalog & Growing Guide before you bring in farm animals. But youll have to find somebody to fill
even if yours doesnt, it still pays to your boots. The trouble with milk
1-800-476-9453 be polite, and it might thwart future goats is you have to milk them every
Visit us online:
www.prairienursery.com confrontations. day, morning and night, and that
makes it difficult to go away, Grant
C I T Y / S U B U R BA N says. Fortunately, after selling two
L I V E S TO C K C A R E doelings to a neighbor, she now has
In many ways, raising livestock in the someone eager to exchange milking
city or suburbs is much like tending and animal-care duties for milk and
farm animals in rural areas. No matter eggs. We switch off with each other.
where you live, you still have to care Being a city or suburban farmer
Keep up with the world for these needy creatures every day, does present some unique challenges,
of urban farming. rain or shine, winter or summer, no mainly due to the close proximity of
matter how busy you are with work, neighbors and limited space for your
Follow us on Twitter: play or the kids activities. Chickens animals. Good hygiene ranks as
www.twitter.com/UrbanFarmMag arent super time-consuming, says probably the most critical issue; that
Gretchen. But you have to feed means keeping coops, pens and yards

scrupulously clean to prevent odors

and disease, properly composting
manure, and cleaning up grain to
avoid attracting rats and mice. We
basically tell people, The nose
knows, says Shell. If you can smell
it, your neighbors can. If your coop
starts getting stinky, clean it.
Noise is another consideration and
a reason why many communities
prohibit those feathery alarm clocks:
roosters. Although Seattle permits
roosters, in Seattle Tilths classes,
they discourage people from keeping
them in hopes of preventing conflicts
with sleep-deprived neighbors.
Nevertheless, Shell keeps a rooster so
she can renew her flock without buying
from outside sources, but she also
politely confines him in the coop
until late morning in consideration of
her neighbors. Hes less likely to go
on a crowing rampage.
Finally, city livestock owners must
place even more emphasis than rural
farmers on securely confining their
animals with proper fences and pens.
If your goat jumps the fence to play
on someones new Prius or your
chickens fly the coop to scratch
through the local gardening gurus
tulip bed, your neighbor relations
will suffer, and it could even cost you
your animals. Secure fences and
pens will also protect your livestock
from cars, wandering dogs and pred-
ators like raccoons. We learned the
hard way that when you set up a pen
with chicken wire, it needed to be
buried a foot or the neighbors dog
would burrow underneath, says
Gretchen. We also learned that
chickens can fly! uf
Cherie Langlois is the author of Hobby

Farms Ducks: Tending a Small-Scale Flock
for Pleasure and Profit (BowTie Press,
2008).
URBAN FARM 2009 39

40x47.bee 2 11/12/09 4:15 PM Page 40
With a little prep work and know-how,

bees can flourish in your suburban
backyard or on your city rooftop.
Beekeeping
in the
BY SUSAN M. BRACKNEY
Burbs
Honey bees dont ask for much. A
safe, dry place in which to set up
housekeeping and some nectar-
bearing trees and flowers will do.
Intriguing as they are hard-working, Honey
bees offer us plenty in returnand it isnt just
honey. Inadvertently pollinating fruits, flowers
and veggies as they collect nectar and pollen for
use in their hives, Honey bees living nearby practi-
cally guarantee a bumper crop in even the smallest
backyard or patio gardens. (In fact, one out of
every three or four bites of food we eat is the
result of the activity of Honey bees and other pol-
linators.) As they bring nectar and pollen into the
hive and carry out dead bees or debris, Honey
bees are also thrilling to watch. Unfortunately,
though, we dont see as many of them as we used
to. The loss of their natural habitat, exposure to

40x47.bee 2 11/12/09 4:15 PM Page 41
pathogens and pesticides and recent, widespread

bee die-offs associated with colony collapse dis-
order have thrown these insectsnot to mention
their keepersfor a loop.
The good news? Bees will fly high above obsta-
cles such as buildings and treetops to cover a 3- to
6-mile radius in their search for food. They can
thrive on the highest rooftops, tucked behind out-
buildings and in most other citified spots.
CLOCKWISE: RHODA PEACHER (2), FOODANDDRINKPHOTOS.COM

Provided their colony isnt in danger, most Honey
bees will keep a relatively low profile, and theyll
produce pound after pound of golden honey with
just a little space. So, if youve ever considered
keeping bees, theres never been a betteror
more importanttime to start.
B E E P R E PA R E D
Before you get too preoccupied with beekeepings
potential rewards, its important to recognize that
URBAN FARM 2009 41

40x47.bee 2 11/12/09 4:16 PM Page 42
1: Buy your starter 2: Transfer the bees

bees from a local to your hive with a
beekeeper, if brush.
possible.
3: Secure the hive 4: Puff smoke into

lid and let them the hive to calm
settle in. bees and inspect
the hive body.

40x47.bee 2 11/12/09 4:16 PM Page 43
LEFT: SUSAN M. BRACKNEY, RIGHT: RHODA PEACHER
Honey As with any pets or other types of livestock, your

Honey bees will require year-round care and atten-
Left: Basic
equipment to
of a Deal tion. During the height of the nectar flows in spring

and summer, for instance, you must make sure your
bees always have enough room to store their boun-
get started
includes
gloves, a head
According to the National Honey Board, when ty. If you dont, your overcrowded bees will be liable covering with
baking, you can use pure honey for up to half to swarm. In other words, after raising an extra mesh veil, a
of the granulated sugar in a recipe. For each queen bee, your large colony will divide itself; the smoker and a
cup of honey used, reduce liquid in the recipe hives original queen will take flight with about hive tool.
by 1/4 cup, add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda half of the total population in tow. Unless the bee-
and reduce the oven temperature by 25 keeper is on hand and ready to capture it, the
degrees F. newly issued swarm could end up clinging to the Right: An out-
nearest traffic light or the neighbors garage, of-the-way
causing a real scene. So, to avoid drawing storage shed,
the pastime isnt all sweetness and light. Bees can unwanted attention to your new hobby, you may hedge row or
collect and store up to 10 pounds of nectar a day, need to inspect your hive weekly or even every privacy fence
and honey-filled hive bodies can easily weigh 40 few days when the floral nectar is really flowing. makes a good
pounds or more, so theres a good deal of heavy Youll also need to frequently monitor the hive location for
lifting involved. Also, no matter how careful you for signs of disease, parasitic mites and other your hive.
CLOCKWISE (OPPOSITE): DANIEL JOHNSON (2), RHODA PEACHER, DANIEL JOHNSON
are, occasionally you may be stung. Its vital to problems, and during winter and in the early
know how well you and those living around you spring, you might also need to supplement your
tolerate bee stings. bees food supply. That means heating a solution
You can also get stung if you fail to check for local of sugar and water on the stove top and pouring
ordinances that prohibit keeping bees in your city. it into a specialized bee feeder as needed. When
Even if beekeeping is technically legal in the city not working with your bees directly in these
limits, your local neighborhood or homeowners ways, you must also spend some time extracting
association may have strict policies against the and bottling honey and maintaining your bee-
practice. But the tide is turning: Cities like keeping equipment.
Chicago and San Francisco welcome beekeepers,
the previously anti-beekeeping city of Denver THE RIGHT STUFF
recently changed its policy, and even New York Think youre ready to commit to keeping bees?
City is rethinking its stance on Big Apple bee- Besides the time and requisite physical capabilities,
keeping. youll also need a good deal of equipment in order
URBAN FARM 2009 43

40x47.bee 2 11/12/09 4:16 PM Page 44
and around the hives helps calm the bees and clear
How Sweet It Is ... them away from any specific areas to be inspected.
In addition to a bee smoker, youll also need a
hive tool. Looking like a miniaturized crowbar,
Honey contains 64 calories per teaspoon and is made up of the strong, metal implement is used to pry apart
water, carbohydrates, and trace amounts of vitamins and min- the individual sections of a beehive as well as the
erals, including niacin, riboflavin, calcium, iron, phosphorus, frames contained within each of these sections.
potassium and zinc. Once bottled, honey will keep indefinitely Bees expertly seal up any crannies they find with
but can crystallize over time. This is perfectly natural and a tree-resin-based substance called propolis, a
doesnt affect the honeys flavor, but if you wish to restore remarkably strong adhesive.
yours to its original consistency, simply place the honey con- Incidentally, you can sometimes save money by
tainer in a pan of very hot water or put it in the microwave purchasing used beekeeping suits, veils, smokers
for a few seconds at a time. Be careful not to overheat the and other tools, but, when it comes to the beehive
honey because it can burn! itself, new is best. A used beehive could contain
Honey collected early in the seasonusually from sweet pathogens that can weakenor even eradicate
PHOTOS BY PAULETTE JOHNSON

clover and spring-blooming treesis often lightly colored and your Honey bee colony.
mild. The fall harvest, by contrast, contains a mix of scores of The most commonly used beehive is comprised
different wildflowers, and, as such, it can look very dark and of a hive base, a couple of box-like hive bodies or
offer a wide range of more complex flavors. supers, an inner cover, and a hive lid. Having
Because its nearly twice as sweet as sugar and retains neither a top nor a bottom, each super contains a
moisture well, honey often can be used in place of sugar in number of suspended frames on which the bees
muffins, breads, cookies and other baked goods. (See Honey build their beeswax honeycomb. To allow for
of a Deal on page 43.) When combined with herbs like rose- checks on honey production, pollen stores, the
mary and thyme, honey makes a tasty glaze for meats like performance of the queen and the overall health
chicken or fish. Used by itself, honey can be drizzled on pan- of a colony, each of these frames can be pried out
cakes or ice cream, spread on toast or infused with culinary individually. When nectar from spring and
herbs to add a little extra oomph to pots of tea. summer flowers is plentiful, youll add extra
supers on top of the existing hive stack. This
ensures your bees will have plenty of room to
store all of the nectar theyve gathered.
to get started, and your expenses can really add Eventually, the bees will ripen much of that
up. First, for protection from the inevitable sting stored nectar into honey, and if you plan to bottle
or two, a pair of elbow-length gloves is in order. a little of the sweet treat for yourself, theres
And, whether zippered onto a full jumpsuit, another beekeeping tool that, although not
attached to a jacket or worn by itself, a head cov- absolutely necessary, really is handy. Varying in
ering with mesh veil is another must-have. (As size and cost, honey extractors use centrifugal
you look through beekeeping-supply catalogs, force to remove honey from individual frames.
youll likely notice many of these are made of Some extractors hold just a few frames at once
nylon. Besides being lightweight, the material is and are powered by a simple hand crank. Others
thought to be too slippery for bees to easily crawl can hold a dozen frames or even more and rely on
on, making it a good choice for beginners.) electric motors to spin the honey out of the
The bee smokera metal canister with beeswax comb. One benefit to using an extractor
attached bellows and cone-shaped spoutis the is that the empty honeycomb on each extracted
next essential. Beekeepers burn chemical-free frame remains intact and, as a result, it can be put
fuels like jute, sawdust pellets or dried punk back into the hive for the bees to reuse.
inside these contraptions to create smoke thats Of course, honey can be extracted by hand. To
fairly cool to the touch. Puffing this smoke into do this, the beekeeper needs to cut the honey-

40x47.bee 2 11/12/09 4:17 PM Page 45
$50 to $100 or more. Increasingly, bees are being Left: Honey

bred to be more resistant to parasitic mites and extractors use
other problems, so choose bees with these traits centrifugal
whenever possible. Keep in mind, bad weather, force to
disease and other problems in the apiary can remove honey
cause bee shipments to be delayed, and because from
the numbers of Honey bees have been drastically individual
filled comb from each frame, mash it up, and reduced as a result of the mysterious and deadly frames.
strain out the honey. This can be a messy and colony collapse disorder, you might be placed on
time-consuming process, and unfortunately, a waiting list for bees or, worse yet, you might not
because the beeswax comb is destroyed in the be able to obtain bees until next season. Right: Use
process, the bees must create new honeycomb to your bees
replace it. P E R F E C T P L AC E M E N T excess honey
If all goes well, youll need to choose a location for yourself or
BEES, PLEASE your hive. Apartment balconies and shared com- package it to
Last but certainly not least, youll need Honey mon areas in condominium communities and give away as
bees. Buying them from a reputable, local bee- similar living situations are out of the question; gifts.
keeper is optimal because local bees wont have to after all, these spots would usually be much too
be transported too far, and theyll be well-adapted small for you to inspect your hives comfortably.
to your climate. Not sure just where to find the
nearest beekeeper? Contact your county exten-
sion office or state bee inspector for a list of area
beekeepers. If these beekeepers dont sell bee
packages directly, they may be able to suggest
other apiaries that do. But if you cant find any Bees need about 60 pounds of
beekeepers around to askor if local bees are in
short supplyyou may have to order your stock stored honey to make it
from an out-of-state bee farm.
Typically, Honey bees are sold by the pound through the winter, so a new
and are shipped through the U.S. Postal Service
beginning in spring. Three pounds of bees and a bee colony wont have much to
queen will be plenty to start your hive, and a
package of this size can range in price from about spare in its first year.
URBAN FARM 2009 45
40x47.bee 2 11/12/09 4:17 PM Page 46
64
lines a wide berth, and avoid placing hives in
areas frequented by kids or pets. For maximum
maneuverability when hive-inspection time
calories comes, you should also allow for at least a 3-foot

buffer around the front, back and sides of the hive
+
water, carbohydrates, and
and your fencing, shrubbery or other barrier.
Finally, to help prevent accidents, post a Keep
Out or No Trespassing sign nearby.
The hive will function best in a mostly-sunny
spot that gets some afternoon shade. To allow for
better air circulation and help protect the hive
trace amounts of vitamins and from predators, it should be elevated on cinder
blocks or some other sturdy hive stand.
minerals, including niacin, Additionally, you should angle your hive slightly
to facilitate good drainage.
riboflavin, calcium, iron, phos-
G R E AT E X P E C TAT I O N S
phorus, potassium and zinc Considering that bees need about 60 pounds of
stored honey to make it through the winter, a new
bee colony wont have much of the sweet provi-
sions to spare in its first year. A good rule of
thumb is to leave intact at least two supers that
The author are completely full of honey, and should you have
inspects her any honey above and beyond that amount, you
suburban can, at the very least, try a small taste. With care-
Bloomington, ful hive management, you may be able to take off
Ind., backyard as many as 40 pounds of honey or more from an
hive. established, flourishing colony in a single year.
If you find yourself with an embarrassment of
riches, you can always package your honey in small
bottles, complete with attractive, homemade
labels, to use in your own kitchen or to give as one-
of-a-kind gifts. While you gain experience as a bee-
keeper, youll begin to notice both the flavor and
Setting hives in such areas would also impinge on consistency of your honey crop are affected by area
your neighbors ability to enjoy the outdoors. The rainfall, nectar sources and even the habits of
seldom-accessed rooftops of tall buildings, how- your particular Honey bees
ever, hold more promise. Pay a little extra rent or and, as your neighbors come
agree to keep the free honey flowing, and building knocking for more of the
managers or owners might be persuaded to make sweet stuff, youll surely get
you a copy of the rooftop key. to know them better, too. uf
If you have your own backyard, your prospects
Susan M. Brackney is a beekeeper
are better. Got an out-of-the-way storage shed,
and the author of Plan Bee:
hedge row or privacy fence? These make good
Everything You Ever Wanted to
windbreaks, and theyll also screen your hive Know About the Hardest-working
from view. Wherever you choose to locate your Creatures on the Planet (Perigee
Honey bee colony, be sure to give all property Trade, 2009).

40x47.bee 2 11/12/09 4:17 PM Page 47
Top 10 Reasons You Need
10 Discover your niche at the farmers market. 5 Discover which breed is just right for your farm.
9 Know exactly what you should be planting,
pruning or harvesting right now. 4 Get the right info to make the right choices
at the right time.
8 Learn how to spend smart on farm supplies. 3 Make your farm dreams come true.
Find out what you can do with only one acre
7 of land. 2 Experience the joy of self-sufciency.
At the end of a tough day, it will remind
6 Learn exactly how to do that farm repair you 1 you why you wanted a farm in the rst
keep putting off. place.
Let Hobby Farms help you make the most

of your farm -
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48x51.backyard coop 11/12/09 4:17 PM Page 48
Bringing the barnyard home

BACKYARD COOP
Tips for Hot Chicks
i
adore the longer, warm days of sum- gardening, keep a second water dispenser in
mer and fall. After eight months of the yard. Instead of having to return to their
rain, snow and cold, Im ready to fly coop, your hens will always be a few feathers
the coop of my Portland, Ore., bun- away from a refreshing drink.
BY BARBARA KILARSKI
galow and get into my sunny back- SHADE. Never leave chickens in direct
yard. The lingering daylight gives me sunlight without access to shade. You dont
more time to spend hanging out with my inadvertently want fried chickens. Chickens
hens, Zsa Zsa and Whooppee. The girls and I need shady places during hot days. Your hens
have had eight great years together. Though will let you know if theyre too hot:
not the springy, beetle-chasing chickens Overheating hens pant with their beaks wide
they once were, they still enjoy getting out open, and their tiny tongues pop in and out
of their coop to cruise the cool lawn or take (such a sad sight!). If free-ranging, hens will
long, lazy dust baths. sit under thick, shady bushes and dig a
Barbara Kilarski is In Portland, city chicken keepers (I like shallow hole where they can cool off. Keeping
the author of Keep to call us chicken bums) are also avid gar- your chickens in the coop during the day is
Chickens! Tending
Small Flocks in
deners. In summer and fall, our spare day- fine if the coop is well-ventilated and has
Cities, Suburbs and time is spent digging in the soil alongside shade inside.
Other Small Spaces our happy hens. Those of us who are hen- If you keep your chickens in the coop dur-
(Storey, 2003).
empowered urban farmers with a few chicks ing heat waves and still worry about their well-
on the side (of the house) know that sun- being, suspend a small box fan in the coop,
shine brings out the fun in hens. and plug it in to a timer to turn on during the
Unless you are a hen, however, its not all hottest times of day. Some chickens like fans,
fun and games in summer. Urban chicken some dontmine do. Its quite a sight to see
keepers have a few things to do and remember: my hens near the fan lifting their wings to cool
WATER. Water is lifefor people, for off their chicken pits!
plants and for animals. In warm weather, PROTECTING THE GARDEN. Despite their
chickens are big water drinkers. Ensure your fluffy, innocent appearance, chickens are
hens have unrestricted access to plenty of trampsmore precisely, tramp-lers. Theyll
cool drinking water. Standard hens (5 walk all over and squash a bountiful garden
PHOTOS BY RHODA PEACHER
pounds) can drink 1 quart or more of water in hours. Still, a peaceful coexistence
in hot weather. Check the coop water between your tempting vegetation and clumsy
dispenser daily to detect leaks or spills. Keep chickens is possible.
the water dispenser shaded. If you let your To protect fragile plants, I use thick,
hens free-range or accompany you while nylon net to temporarily corral the hens in

< Transfer chicken manure

into your compost bin as a
high-nitrogen component.
Pick eggs out of the

nest box every day.
URBAN FARM 2009 49

Protect your garden Feed less pellets

from those tramplers during the warm

with netting. months.
an area with hardy, shady shrubs. This is not EGGS. Chickens lay fewer eggs when the
bird netting made of thin string and tiny weather heats up. During consecutive days of
holes. This is heavy-duty netting with 2-inch 90 to 100 degrees F, hens stop laying eggs
squares, available by the yard in sporting- until the heat wave breaks. When your hens
goods and landscape stores. You can string it resume laying, pick the eggs out of the nest
up to enclose small areas of the yard where box each day. If you let eggs pile up, theres
you want to contain the hens. When I let the a risk of breakage and spoilage.
girls wander the lawn at large, I protect my CLEANING. During warm weather, clean
vegetable beds with lightweight, portable the coop and henhouse no less than once a
landscape fencing available at most gardening- week. Higher temperatures accelerate bacteria
supply stores. growth, so its imperative to remove chicken
PREDATORS. The warm weather invites all poop promptly. Transfer the chicken manure
creatures outdoors more, not just your back- into your compost bin as a high-nitrogen com-
yard flock. Depending on where you live, ponent. If you have too much chicken poop on
day- and nighttime critters can imperil your your hands, offer it to neighbors who garden or
chickens. Some folks like to let their chickens put it on the free section of Craigslist.
range free in the yard during the day, but they MOLTING. During the late days of summer,
take a chance of losing birds if a predator youll find loose feathers in the chicken coop,
finds the flock. If unattended during the day, henhouse and yard where the hens hang out.
I recommend keeping chickens in a spacious, No, your chickens arent melting, theyre
shady, well-ventilated coop or well-protected moltingdropping old feathers and growing
run so no hawks, dogs, coyotes or raccoons new ones. Depending on your climate, your
can hurt your hens when you arent around. chickens will start to molt in late August and
FEEDING. Warm weather changes your continue into September or October.
chickens diet. I find that my hens eat less MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS. Now is the
pellet feed because they have more time out- time to ready the coop and henhouse for
side to supplement their diet with tasty bugs, winter. Closely inspect the hens habitat for
worms and grass. Plus, Im always bringing damaged wood, loose screws or hardware.
them fruit and vegetable scraps from the Give the perch and nest boxes a good scrub
kitchen. Put less chicken food in their feeder with steel wool. Repair or replace any items
during warm months. That way, what they (vents, doors, insulation) that keep your
dont eat wont attract vermin to the coop. flock dry, warm and comfortable in winter. uf

Enjoy Farm Life Maximum to

the
with the ultimate rural-home living magazine
Each Issue of Hobby Farm Home Includes:

Expert advice on maintaining, rehabilitating and decorating your home
Seasonal gardening tips and delicious recipes
Activities and ideas for enjoying the great outdoors
Available in fine bookstores, tack, farm & feed, ranch stores and pet stores nationwide.
www.hobbyfarmhome.com or call toll-free
800.PET.BOOK
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52x57.uf profiles 11/12/09 4:18 PM Page 52
WHERE URBAN
BY ERIK KNUTZEN
meets farm
Manna
very spring, Bruce Fields plants a 900- Green Roof Growers, like many urban gardeners,
E
Community
Garden in square-foot kitchen garden. Heirloom have to deal with unique challenges in terms of
Detroit is tomatoes, tender kale and sweet melons space: how to garden in a small yard, how to
maintained by grace his table throughout the summer. grow food if you dont have a yard, and how to
church Fields doesnt live on a farm. The garden isnt deal with neighbors who expect lawns and flowers
volunteers and even on the ground; its on the roof of his garage. rather than cabbage and chickens. Urban home-
overseen by Fields is one of three neighbors in Chicago whove steaders are answering these questions through
Em Jacoby. organized themselves into a loose coalition called creative reuses of urban space, retooling tradi-
Her husband, the Green Roof Growers. tional strategies for growing vegetables and
Brian Klassen, By growing their own food, urban micro-farmers keeping livestock.
lends a hand. such as the Green Roof Growers take localism to its Back in the 1970s, a subset of aspiring home-
logical conclusion: Dissatisfied with factory-farmed steaders who didnt want to join the back-to-the-
produce, theyre at the forefront of a revived land movement chose the city as the site for their
urban-homesteading movement where city experiments in self-reliant living. One such early
dwellers are choosing to grow their own food. The homestead was the Integral Urban House, a

Three groups of farmers share their stories of growing food

inside city limits: on rooftops, in backyards and along city streets.
converted Victorian in Berkeley, Calif. It became When asked what motivates her to farm her Manna
a showcase for vegetable gardening, aquaculture, roof in Chicago, Green Roof Grower and writer Community
urban livestock and solar energy, spawning a Heidi Hough gives a one-word response: Garden pro-
book of the same name. But the Integral Urban Eating. For her neighbor and fellow Green Roof duces enough
House and urban homesteading in general passed Grower Russ Cheatham, an executive recruiting food for its
into obscurity during the heady boom years of the consultant, its common sense: Why wouldnt I volunteers,
1980s and 90s. do it? Doesnt it just make sense? plus provides
The current urban-homesteading movement, Bruce Fields, a former Chicago Mercantile a supplement
like its 1970s antecedents, is incubating in a time Exchange floor trader turned urban farmer, and to St. Peters
of economic uncertainty and environmental con- the most political of the three Green Roof Episcopal
cerns. It echoes strategies common in immigrant Growers, believes in direct action: Your brain Churchs soup
households, where generations have grown food changes when you actually do something. You kitchen meals.
in backyards to save money and to preserve the learn through doing.
flavors of their native lands. It also harkens back For Hough, Fields and Cheatham, the only
to World War II, when urban victory gardens possible way to do something and grow food
PHOTOS COURTESY EM JACOBY
provided 40 percent of the United Statess was to head up to their separate roofs. Hough has
produce. Both urban-homesteading veterans of a backyard, but is reluctant to cut down the mas-
the 1970s and a new generation are, once again, sive mulberry tree that provides much-needed
harvesting fresh food within steps of their shelter from Chicagos sweltering summers. I
dining-room tables. dont have the sun, and thats what you need first
URBAN FARM 2009 53

and foremost, so we went up 50 feet to the roof.

For Fields, the issue was the samethe tight
Self-irrigating spacing of Chicagos buildings meant that his side

yard had no sunso he took his vegetables up to his
Planters garage roof. Cheatham, like many city dwellers, has

no yard at all. He, his wife and their newborn baby
live in a three-unit condo. Theyve turned their
Self-irrigating planters (SIPs) are, quite possibly, the most sunny rooftop deck into a lush, edible landscape.
important tool of the urban homesteader. SIPs provide a uni-
form moisture level ideal for most vegetables and can be TA K E A S I P A N D R E L A X
placed on decks, roofs and driveways. You can even outfit Container gardening can be labor intensive
them with wheels and roll them around to catch the sun. because conventional pots require frequent
SIPs were invented by Florida tomato-farmer Blake watering, especially on hot days. The Green Roof
Whisenant and can be ordered, ready to use, from the EarthBox Growers labor-saving solution is the use of self-
Company (www.earthbox.com), Gardeners Supply Company irrigating planters (SIP) instead of ordinary pots.
(www.gardeners.com) and SipH2O (www.siph2o.net). A SIP is a pot with a reservoir for water in the
If youd like to make your own, Josh Mandel has detailed bottom. SIPs use potting mix, so this isnt hydro-
instructions for making SIPS out of scavenged materials on ponics. The potting mix serves as a growing
the Seattle Peak Oil Awareness website (www.seattleoil.com/ medium and wicks up water from the reservoir to
Flyers/Earthbox.pdf). create a continuous level of moisture ideal for
Since writing those instructions, both Mandel and Green Roof most vegetables.
Grower Bruce Fields have raised questions about the use of PVC You can purchase commercially produced
in homemade SIPS (EarthBoxes are made from #5 polypropylene, SIPs, or you can make them yourself out of scav-
which is used in food containers). Mandel has thoughts on sub- enged materials such as plastic storage bins or 5-
stitute materials at www.josho.com/gardening.htm. gallon buckets. To maximize space, the Green
Once you grasp the basic concept, SIPs can be improvised Roof Growers constructed trellises around their
out of a variety of materials, including metal. Many plastics SIPs, allowing them to grow sprawling and vining
used in making homemade SIPS, such as storage bins, will plants, including tomatoes, cucumbers and even
degrade in the sun. To prevent this UV damage, Fields covers small melons.
his with plastic garbage bags. Fields says hes surprised more people havent
SIPs must be filled with potting mix, not potting soil. discovered SIPs. The Green Roof Growers main-
Fertilizer is applied in a strip on top of the soil, and plastic tain a blog at www.greenroofgrowers.blog
mulch is used to hold in moisture. The EarthBox Company has spot.com as well as a Flickr site to encourage their
a detailed manual for using SIPs (useful even if youve made use. Cheatham says, My goal is to document
your own) at www.earthbox.com/consumer/instructions.html. what we did, why we did it, how we did it and
In addition to the obvious choice of tomatoes, Fields says when we did itso that my neighbors, if they
SIPs are ideal for planting greens: Mesclun, lettuce, arugula, want to, can jump on our website and learn that
spinach, Swiss chard, kale, mustard and collard greens. They its time to order seeds or when to transplant. Its
are easy to grow, produce large quantities over a long season, kind of a step-by-step guide for the year.
and while readily available at most markets, theyre relatively Even though theyve only been rooftop growing
expensive (to purchase). As a cook/eater, the real reasons to for three years, theyve already given school tours
grow them are that they taste good, and theyre good for you. and advised international organizations on the
use of SIPs. An orphanage in Haiti now has a
rooftop garden, in part, because of advice from
the Green Roof Growers.
These three rooftop gardeners, each with
distinctly different sensibilities and personalities,

met by chance as neighbors and have since

formed close friendships. Cities can be anony-
mous and alienating, but a common interest in
growing food has created a mutually beneficial
relationship between Hough, Fields and
Cheatham. Fields, who has a warm utility closet,
rigged up fluorescent lights and starts seeds for all
three to get a jump start on Chicagos short grow-
ing season. Hough, the most experienced gardener
of the three, provides horticultural expertise.
Houghs partner, Art Detrich, a visual producer
for film and video and all-around
tinkerer, contributes homespun engineering
advice and elbow grease. Cheatham aims for
maximum food production and aesthetics, care-
fully considering both his costs and crop produc-
tion. Together they are tireless bloggers,
spreading the word about the many benefits of
SIPs and rooftop horticulture.
CUTTING COSTS
Cheatham tracks his costs carefully. Lacking both
the time and space to make his own SIPs,
Cheatham mail-ordered his from the EarthBox
PHOTOS COURTESY GREEN ROOF GROWERS
Company. My investment for the boxes was $34

eachI bought 12 at once. I figured the potting
mix and fertilizer cost another $12 per box and
starter plants were about $5 each, two per box.
With a crop of 26 pounds of tomatoes per box,
Cheatham figures that hes produced about $224
of gourmet-quality tomatoes in one season,
meaning his initial investment will pay off in the
third season, if not earlier. Detrich built a special pulley system so the SIPs Top: Heidi
Hough says that if she relied on farmers mar- can be lowered through a skylight from the roof Hough, the most
kets or high-end food stores, Heirloom tomatoes and placed along a south-facing second-floor experienced of
would bankrupt me. Hough has economized by window during the winter. Now they enjoy a reg- the Green Roof
building her SIPs from scavenged 5-gallon ular harvest of greens year-round. Growers, checks
buckets and has developed a relationship with the But many aspiring urban homesteaders dont on the self-
Vienna Beef Company, which has agreed to even have access to a roof they can grow on. The irrigating
donate its bright-yellow pickle buckets to the view out the window of Em Jacobys apartment planters that live
Green Roof Growers for use as makeshift SIPs. includes an abandoned building, a McDonalds, a on her roof.
Fields makes his out of large storage tubs so that vacant lot and, 1.5 miles away, downtown
he can grow larger plants. Detroits skyline. Jacoby describes her adopted Bottom: Fields
hometown as the kind of city where the new and uses large tubs
G R OW I N G P OT E N T I A L the derelict mix in unexpected ways. It also has a for SIPs so he
Houghs latest project was to extend the growing surprising sense of community. Its a big city can grow larger
season into Chicagos harsh winter. She and that feels like a small town, she says. plants.
URBAN FARM 2009 55

answer the common objection that gardening takes

too much time. Its important to have a go-to
person, but by planning some Saturday communi-
ty days, the planting of the garden is really easy.
Church members also lend a hand during the
growing season: We usually have five or six people
willing to show up with their own gardening
tools. In addition to volunteers, the Manna
Community Garden receives support from
Detroits Garden Resource Program
Collaborative, which tests the soil for contami-
nates, as well as provides compost and tools for
COURTESY KELLY YRARRAZAVAL

the volunteers.
The garden does a lot on its own, says
Jacoby, who insists its not that hard to grow
food. She fertilized only once last year with a fish-
based fertilizer. The garden can go for many days
without watering except during Detroits heat
All four of the In this sprawling city, Jacoby sees potential waves, when members of the church and a few
Yrarrazaval growing space everywhere she looks. With no neighbors share irrigation duties.
children are patch of soil to call her own, Jacoby volunteered
involved in the two years ago to take over the Manna Community D I G G I N G I N TO S U B U R BA N S P R AW L
familys Garden, a makeshift vegetable plot squeezed While the Green Roof Growers and the Manna
suburban between a parking lot and the sidewalk on a narrow Community Garden exist in the heart of the city,
Orange County strip of land that belongs to her Episcopal another set of farmers are colonizing the sub-
farming church, St. Peters. Here, in a set of six raised urban fringe. For suburban homesteaders, the
project. beds, Jacoby and volunteers from the churchs problem isnt a lack of space, but the misalloca-
congregation grow enough food to provide pro- tion of space. With countless acres of parking
duce for themselves and supplement the meals at lots, big-box stores and front yards that look like
the churchs soup kitchen. Jacoby has enough golf courses, suburbia has enough land to feed
tomatoes in her freezer for herself and for the millions. But many obstacles stand in the way,
occasional church potluck. including restrictive city codes, malevolent
As a professional chef, she knows the value of homeowners associations and the raised eye-
locally harvested food. I think its good to recog- brows of neighbors.
nize that this is the way things are going to have Thirty miles south of downtown Los Angeles in
to go if were going to deal with global warming, Orange County, suburban homesteading pioneers
fossil fuels and transportation. But more impor- Kelly Yrarrazaval, her husband and four children
tant for Jacoby, this public garden is an experi- keep a large vegetable garden, 26 fruit trees, four
ment in community building: I really want to feel hens and two beehives.
part of the community because I didnt grow up Were unusual because everything we grow is
here, and you hear all these rumors about how food, says Yrarrazaval, who has taken her 1/2
terrible Detroit is. To have this little patch of acre, which was an olive grove a century ago, and
green land in the city that I can work onand to turned it back to farmland. Like other urban
be able to share that with other peoplefeels very homesteaders, her motivation centers on eating.
beneficial to me. We want to eat things that grow from the soil,
Making urban homesteading a community effort and we want to know whats in it. Yrarrazaval
with a leader and shared responsibilities helps estimates that 90 percent of the produce her

Rooftop Research
Taking your garden to the roof means making
sure your roof can take the load.
Urban farmer Bruce Fields, who has experi-
ence in construction, was able to determine
that his garage roof could handle the load. He
advises aspiring rooftop gardeners to consult an
engineer.
PHOTOS COURTESY KELLY YRARRAZAVAL
Fellow urban farmer Heidi Hough aligns her

self-irrigating planters, which are made out of
5-gallon buckets, along the joists and limits the
number she uses, relying on her handy partner,
Art Detrich, for engineering advice.
family consumes comes from the yard, and she is Top: The
proud that her four children have grown up Yrarrazavals 1/2-
thinking everyone grows their own food. acre backyard is
The keeping of chickens and bees can cause home to
neighborly disputes, even in the relatively open chickens, bees
spaces of suburbia. Moving beyond dogs and cats and a drip-
calls for a mixture of discretion and diplomacy. irrigated
When we got the chickens, one neighbor com- vegetable garden.
plained about the noise, but I leave eggs on the
fence, and I give them honey, too. So far her
diplomatic initiatives have paid off. They could Bottom: Four
make a stink if they wanted to, but theyve been hens provide
pretty cool. eggs for the
Yrarrazaval is especially enthusiastic about the Yrarrazaval
bees. Yrarrazaval is part of a growing movement family of six.
of amateur beekeepers who are relocating wild
hivesthe more hardy cousins of commercial Yrarrazaval is devoted to her suburban home-
beesand keeping them in urban areas. At a time stead and estimates that she spends around two
when commercial beehives are facing an apoca- hours a day working on the yard, with her husband
lyptic die-off due to the stresses of industrial chipping in on the weekends. She plants tightly,
agriculture, underground urban and suburban using a drip-irrigation system to create what she
beekeeping may provide a solution. She has a calls a junglish look facilitated by the addition of
side business rescuing feral bees, putting the horse manure from local stables. But she advises
hives in backyards and harvesting the honey to aspiring homesteaders to start small. All you need
sell at a local shop. Her 6-year-old son even has is a little sunlight, water and some soil, and you
his own miniature beekeeping suit to help his can at least have your own tomatoes. uf
mom maintain the 20 hives she keeps around
Erik Knutzen is the co-author, with his wife, Kelly
Orange County.
Coyne, of The Urban Homestead (Process, 2008).
URBAN FARM 2009 57

58x63.lawn be gone 11/12/09 4:20 PM Page 58
Lawn be
gone
Can you really go lawn-
less without irritating
your neighbors?
Yes ... you can!
S
ummer mowing can seem like a Sisyphean
task. Turn your back long enough and
youd swear the lawn grew an inch while
you were putting away the gas can and
BY SUSAN M. BRACKNEY
The Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Lawn (W.W.

Norton & Co., 2007) and a history professor at
Case Western Reserve University, believes that
may be changing. The idea of the lawn has
mower. It turns out Americans cultivate about 21 entered a kind of vulnerable period in its history,
million acres in home lawns, covering an area he says. A perfect lawn is a high-energy, water-
roughly the size of Pennsylvania, according to the demanding, resource-intensive enterprise, and,
Environmental Protection Agency. It takes real as we see the cost for water and oil move up, I
effort to keep all of those yards golf-course green, think it becomes clear that the perfect lawn is an
and millions of us pour on supplemental water, ecological conceit that, as Americans, we
fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides in the probably cant afford.
process. Aside from curtailing the time, money and
But Ted Steinberg, author of American Green: trouble required to keep our yards tidy, there are
JEANMFOGLE.COM

URBAN FARM 2009 59

Green Expectations
Not quite ready to toss that turf? Traditional lawns do have
their place, since little else can withstand heavy foot traffic as
well as grass can. That means you may want to retain some
grassy paths and play areas for your kids, pets and the occa-
sional picnic.
By choosing your grass type carefully and changing your
expectations, you can, at least, reduce the frequency with
which you mow, water, and apply fertilizers, pesticides and
herbicides. One species Ted Steinberg particularly likes is
zoysia, a thick, slow-growing grass that, once established,
requires very little upkeep. Its drought-tolerant, its very,
very dense, and it doesnt take a lot in the way of fertilizer,
Steinberg explains. The plants crowd out whatever weeds
JEANMFOGLE.COM
might take root there. The drawbacks? Its best installed as
sod over bare ground; if you want to cover large areas with
turf, zoysia can be an expensive choice. Also, zoysia doesnt
do well in extremely cold climates or in deep shade, and, in its A full kitchen garden can be done so subtly that the
dormant stage, the grass goes brown. neighbors will barely notice.
If an all-brown lawn would raise too many eyebrows in
your neighborhoodor if you need to cover larger areas on a myriad other reasons to lose ones lawnor at
tight budgetyou might want to consider directly sowing least to cut it down to size. For instance, Steinberg
native grasses or species that are well-adapted to your climate notes, suburbanites apply more herbicides per
instead. Best-suited for cooler, northern climates, many no- acre than most commercial farmers do, and some
mow fescue mixes are available and can be mixed into existing 7 million birds die annually due to contact with
lawns or seeded onto bare ground. A couple to try include lawn-care pesticides. Whats more, he writes, In
Wildflower Farms Eco-Lawn (www.wildflowerfarm.com) and the process of refueling their lawn mowers, leaf
Prairie Nurserys No Mow Lawn Mix (www.prairienursery.com). blowers and other garden equipment, Americans
Containing deep-rooting, slow-growing fescues, such seed spill about 17 million gallons of gasoline every
mixes can put an end to the need for special care. (While many summer, or about 50 percent more oil than
of these lawns are mowed once a month, still others need to marred the Alaskan coast during the notorious
be cut just once or twice a year!) Exxon Valdez disaster.
Of course, you dont have to redo your grassy areas com-
pletely. To lessen the need for watering and fertilizing, Susan KEEPING OFF THE GRASS
Harris recommends overseeding with a low-growing, nitrogen- Whether out of heightened environmental con-
fixing clover mix. Established clover is both drought-tolerant sciousness or simple fatigue, more and more
in the summer and evergreen in winter. homeowners are either limiting the size of their
No matter what lawn alternative you settle on, deviating lawns or removing them altogetherand all with-
from the usual turf ultimately requires a shift in attitude. out becoming their neighborhoods eyesores. Kirk
Harris notes, The most important thing is to change our Shillinglaw, vice president of Prairie Nursery,
expectations, so we dont expect to see green grass in the Inc., says non-traditional lawns can look great.
middle of summer or a perfect monoculture with no weeds. We Depending on your ordinances, your neighbors
have to get used to good-enough grass. and what you hope to accomplish, it can be done
in a manner that should be non-threatening to

An herb
garden can be
utilitarian,
while looking
ornamental.
TERRY WILD
For a front-
yard garden,
aesthetics
people, he says. Installing large beds of drought- mock. (See Green Expectations, opposite page.) should be a
tolerant, native perennials such as black-eyed Your commitment to the project and your top priority.
Susans, yarrow and coreopsis is one of the easiest timetable and budget, naturally, also play signifi- Old tomato
ways to minimize the need for mowing, watering cant roles. As Susan Harris, a garden writer and cages and
and other lawn-care tasks. For a more formal blogger (www.sustainable-gardening.com), metal garden
look, you can even mix and match natives with admits, One discovers when trying to replace a stakes must
non-native plants. By no means does anybody lawn that grass seed is cheap, and these other go!
have to have a [native-only] garden. We have
people who put in some shade natives with
hostas. We have people who have a predominant-
ly non-native perennial garden who might like
blazing stars or coneflowers, and they will add
our plants to supplement. It doesnt have to be an
all-or-nothing venture, Shillinglaw says.
In fact, the changes you make could be as
prominent as a full kitchen garden, complete with
beds of basil, dill, rosemary and thyme, or so
subtle and gradual that the folks next door barely
notice. Neighborhood politics and personal taste
arent the only factors to consider when planning
a non-lawn. How you typically use your lawn
matters, too. For example, you may discover you
RHODA PEACHER
still need patches of grass to accommodate

impromptu soccer games or your favorite ham-
URBAN FARM 2009 61

No-lawn Caveats
Unless youre replacing the entire lawn with shrubs, trees and
plenty of mulch, eliminating that grassy monoculture can take
a lot of time, patience and even diplomacy. After all, itll
likely be a year or more before youre fully able to reap the
benefits of going lawn-lessand you may get more than a few
worried looks from the neighbors in the process. Follow this
advice for nearly painless lawn conversion:
THE RIGHT FOUNDATION Tearing out or turning under
an existing lawn can be a chore, and, whether youre just
reseeding or painstakingly planting ground-cover plugs,
theres a great deal of work ahead. Your new plants will be able
to spread more quickly in loose, well-draining soil, so breaking
up soil clumps and amending with organic matter is a must.
WEEDING AND WATERING Youll also need to keep the
seeded or plugged areas uniformly moist and weed-free.
Removing any invasive, non-native weeds is particularly critical
for homeowners intent on a natives-only landscape.
JEANMFOGLE.COM
RAKE THOSE LEAVES Until your ground cover has a
chance to fill in and become well-established, plan on raking
and composting any fallen leaves. Left in place, leaves will
form a soggy mat that can smother your new non-lawn. Attractive hardscaping elements, like trellises and arbors,
GOOD DESIGNS AND SCREENS Because front lawns can be combined with a few spots of lawn suitable for
often receive more full sun than side and backyards, they can impromptu soccer games.
be the perfect spots for vegetable gardens, but growing toma-
toes, pole beans, cucumbers and other crops front and center
takes special consideration. First, its important to check for solutions are a lot more expensive. Having
any zoning restrictions or neighborhood covenants in your replaced her own high-maintenance lawn with a
area. If growing vegetables in lieu of the lawn is acceptable, no-maintenance sedum-acre ground cover,
youll want to make aesthetics your top priority. As such, those Harris speaks from experience. Even if you went
old tomato cages and metal garden stakes must go. You can with [plant] plugs, it takes patienceunless you
use attractive hardscaping elements like stone fences, trellises have a huge budget. You space things 12 or 18
and arbors in their place, and add annual and perennial flowers inches apart, and it may take a year or two to fill
in front of your vegetable beds to further screen the view from in, she says.
the street. In 2007, Harris spaded her entire lawn by hand
If you think your neighbors might be concerned, share a and began experimenting with potential turf
map of your garden design with them before you plant, and replacements. There were some other sedums I
let them have a say in the process as needed. Finally, once tried that didnt spread nearly as fast as [sedum
veggie season has passed, youll be left with quite a lot of acre]. It grows as a weed here, so I already had it
bare ground. To green it up and help prevent erosion, sow a on the property. I just took little plugs, and it filled
cover crop like clover or rye for the winter, and then simply in easily in one season, she says. Sound labor-
turn it under in the spring. intensive? Perhaps. But Harriss work has paid
offshe hasnt had to mow, water or fertilize
since. Homeowners lacking Harriss patience can

replace their own lawns more quickly by planting No-mow fescue mixes,
large shrubs and trees right through the grass, like Wildflower Farms
then mulching very heavily underneath these new Eco-Lawn, are an
additions and along paths. affordable low-
maintenance
G E T T I N G S TA R T E D alternative for
Think youre ready to park the mower in the larger lawn
garage for good? The first step is removing your areas.
existing grass, and, depending on the size of the
lawn and how soon you want to be able to estab-
lish something new, there are several ways to
accomplish it:
DIG IT For small turf

areas, you can cut out
sections of sod or dig it
up by hand. Next, add your alternative-lawn plants grow, their roots
fresh compost or other penetrate the lasagna layers.
organic matter to
improve soil fertility and SCALP IT You can
structure. You can seed or plant plugs right away. scalp your lawn by
using a weed whacker to
SMOTHER IT Smothering cut the grass down to
with a large, black tarp, nearly bare dirt, then
cardboard or plywood cover the area with sev-
sheets, or even old eral inches of compost
carpet remnants is one or topsoil, and plant
of the easiest methods; seed or plugs as you like.
unfortunately, its also
CLOCKWISE: COURTESY WILDFLOWER FARM, JEANMFOGLE.COM, JESSICA WALLISER, JEANMFOGLE.COM (3)
one of the slower and TILL IT For large plots,

more unsightly. To smother, you need only cover mechanically tilling is
the area to be repurposed, then wait for the grass your best bet, according
and weeds below to die. During hot weather, this to Kirk Shillinglaw, vice
can take just a few weeks. president of Prairie
Nursery, Inc. We rec-
LAYER IT Sometimes ommend [tilling] every
known as the lasagna three weeks. You get down 4 or 5 inches, regard-
method, this technique less of [the equipment] youre using. You allow
is similar to smothering, the weeds to recover a bit, and then you hit them
since sheets of card- again, he says. Remember to check with your
board or many layers of local utility providers or call 811 before you till.
newsprint are used to Once you think youve dispatched most of the
cover the turf area. But, weeds, its safe to plant. uf
rather than pulling up
Susan M. Brackney is a suburban beekeeper and the
those sheets once the grass has died back, youll
author of Plan Bee: Everything You Ever Wanted to
leave them in place, piling compost or topsoil on
Know About the Hardest-working Creatures on the
top of them, and then planting immediately. As Planet (Perigee Trade, 2009).
URBAN FARM 2009 63

64x71.container garden 11/12/09 4:21 PM Page 64
RULES OF BY P. ALLEN SMITH / PHOTOS BY HORTUS LTD.
CONTAINMENT
t used to be that tions to see how they view
I when people talked

about their veg-
etable gardens, you could
No yard? No worries.
rooftop, balcony and patio
gardens and find out if there
are any restrictions.
assume they had a piece of You can still grow fresh
land in the country where veggies and herbs WEIGHT
they grew rows and rows of Once a large pot is full of soil,
plants. With the surge in urban
with this expert plants and water, it gets heavy. If
farming, that notion has been advice. you have several pots, the
turned on its head! Now you weight can really add up. Some
dont need any land at all. older buildings were simply not
Gardening has come to the city: Rooftops, bal- designed to support the additional weight, par-
conies, doorsteps, window boxes and walls are all ticularly for a large rooftop garden. While newer
places to grow an abundance of your own fresh buildings may be able to take the extra weight
food. Container gardens make it possible for imposed by container gardens, often there are
urbanites to enjoy a variety of produce and flowers still limits. Determine your buildings weight
in just a few square feet of space, all within steps restrictions before you lug the containers and soil
of the kitchen. For burgeoning city growers, here up the stairs.
are some guidelines to follow: If you need to watch the pounds, minimize the
heft of the pots by using plastic, fiberglass or
R U L E S A N D R E G U L AT I O N S foam planting containers in lieu of terra-cotta,
Im always amazed to find places in cities where stone or concrete pots. And if the container is
container gardening is regulated, but happily, they deeper than 16 inches, consider filling the bottom
are few and far between. Still, before you begin, its one-third or so with Styrofoam peanuts or
best to check with your local ordinances, rental- crushed aluminum cans to fill the pot with some-
property rules or homeowners association regula- thing lighter than soil.

URBAN FARM 2009 65

large-sized vegetables need at least 12 to 18 inches

of root space, so a 5-gallon pot is usually required
for them. Herbs, lettuce and other shallow-rooted
plants can be grown in smaller containers. (See
Left: In just a L O C AT I O N the Growing Vegetables in Containers chart on
few square Scout out places that get direct sun a good part of page 69.)
feet of space, the day. The amount of sunlight your container In terms of the type of container to use, there
you can enjoy garden receives will determine what crops can be are pros and cons to various materials. Plastic
a variety of grown. For example, most fruiting plants, like retains moisture better than clay pots and is
vegetables and tomatoes, cucumbers or peppers, need at least six lighter in weight, but it can deteriorate in the sun-
herbs, within hours of direct sunlight per day and perform best light over time. Glazed clay pots are more expen-
steps of the with eight to 10 hours. However, leafy greens, root sive, especially the large ones, but with care,
kitchen. crops and some herbs can thrive on less. (See the theyll last forever and retain moisture well.
Light Requirements for Herbs chart on page 70.) Wood planters are also an option, but they may
Dollies or platforms with casters can be used to deteriorate unless protected against moist soil.
Right: Scout move the containers from place to place to get My personal favorite is the classic, unglazed
out places maximum use of the available sunlight and to avoid terra-cotta pot.
that get direct damage from bad weather or cold temperatures. The shape of the container may also be a factor.
sun for a good In some places, window-box type containers fit the
part of the C O N TA I N E R S location better than round ones. They may offer
day. Make sure your containers are large enough for more planting area for smaller plants, but ensure
the plant at its mature, full-grown size. Most theyre deep enough to accommodate root growth.

Whatever container you choose, be sure there If youre planting a large number of containers, Left: To prevent
is plenty of drainage so the water can escape from the expense of prepackaged mixes may be a bit wilting, group
the bottom. Dont forget the saucer or some steep. You can mix your own using one-part peat containers so
means of collecting the water drainage so it doesnt moss, one-part garden loam and one-part clean, the foliage
stain or damage the area under the pot. coarse builders sand, then add a slow-release fer- creates a
tilizer (14-14-14) according to container size. canopy to
SOIL shade soil and
Since the soil feeds your plant, its important to WAT E R keep it cooler.
use high-quality, organic potting-soil mix. Avoid Keeping the soil consistently moist is vital to the
the temptation of going to a friends house and growth of your vegetables and herbs. When you
digging garden soil from the backyard. That type think about it, there isnt much soil in a container Right: If you
of soil tends to be heavy, doesnt drain well and compared to the soil in a garden. So in the con- mix your own
usually has weed seeds. Youre better off getting fined, above-ground spaces, the soil tends to dry container soil,
packaged potting soil available at local garden out faster. Check the soil moisture in your con- add a slow-
centers. I use Pro-Mix Ultimate Container Mix. tainers at least once each day and even twice on release
Check the label when choosing a brand. You hot, dry or windy days. Stick your finger or a pencil fertilizer
want a container mix that has 30 percent or more in the soil, 1 to 2 inches deep, to determine (14-14-14)
perlite or coarse matter. Soil-less mixes, such as a whether or not its damp. If the soil is dry, you according to
peat mix, are generally too lightweight for con- need to water. your pot size.
tainer vegetable gardening and wont give the Small pots usually dry out faster than large
roots enough supporta strong wind can easily ones. If your plants are wilting every day, try
blow the plants over. grouping the containers together so the foliage
URBAN FARM 2009 67

emitter at the end of each tube regulates the water

flow to the container. Some irrigation kits can
water up to 10 containers from a single faucet.
FERTILIZING
Many soil mixes include a slow-release fertilizer.
If youre using that type of mix, your plants will
have enough nutrients for eight to 10 weeks. If
plants are grown longer than this, add a water-
soluble fertilizer at the recommended rate.
Repeat every two to three weeks. An occasional
dose of fish emulsion or compost will add trace
elements to the soil. Container plants dont have
the buffer of large volumes of soil and humus to
protect them from over-fertilizing or over-liming,
so be careful not to add more than the recom-
mended rate of any fertilizer since this may cause
fertilizer burn and kill the plants.
PLANTS
When people ask me what vegetables and herbs
they should choose for a container garden, I
always tell them to grow the ones you like to eat!
There are some plants that are good beginner
container plants because theyre easy to grow,
such as beans, peas, lemon cucumbers, tomatoes,
lettuce, chard, zucchini, radish, spinach, kale,
peppers, mint, oregano, thyme, basil, rosemary
and strawberries. Vegetables that take up little
space are radishes and many of the leafy greens
such as lettuce, arugula and mesclun. Crops that
With the creates a canopy to help shade the soil and keep it bear fruits over a period of time, such as tomatoes
increase in cooler. On a hot patio, you might consider placing and peppers, are also well-suited for containers.
urban containers on pallets or other structures that There are even columnar forms of fruit trees that
gardeners, allow air movement beneath the pots and prevent can be grown in containers.
plant breeders direct contact with the cement. Some dwarf or miniature vegetable varieties
and seed Sometimes, if the soil in the container gets too often mature and bear fruit earlier but produce
companies are dry, the water will run over the top and down the as much overall as standard varieties. In addi-
working on sides and wont get to the roots of your plants. It tion, with the increasing interest in container
vegetables helps to mulch around the plants with straw or gardening, plant breeders and seed companies
specifically shredded bark. If you prevent the soil from getting are working on vegetables specifically bred for
bred for a hard, dry crust, waterings will be more effective. container culture. These varieties are not neces-
container A great way to keep containers watered is to set sarily miniature or dwarf and may produce as
culture. up a drip-irrigation system on a water timer. The well as standard types, if cared for properly.
irrigation system consists of a main water line All kinds of herbs can be grown successfully in
that runs beside your containers. Smaller tubes pots. However, there are some herbs that prefer
run to each container from the main line. A water moisture-rich soil, such as basil, cilantro, tarragon

Growing Vegetables in Containers

VEGETABLE LIGHT MINIMUM DISTANCE NOTES
REQUIREMENT CONTAINER (inches)
FS=Full Sun SIZE Between Plants
(6 to 10 hours) in Containers
PS=Partial Sun
(4 to 6 hours)
BEETS FS/PS 1/2 gallon 2-3 Thin plants when 6 to 8
Baby Ball inches tall
CARROTS FS/PS 1 quart 2-3 Sow several plantings at two-

Little Finger week intervals
CABBAGE FS/PS 5 gallon 12-18 Requires fertile soil
CHARD FS/PS 1/2 gallon 4-6 Harvest leaves for long yield
Swiss
Rainbow
CUCUMBERS FS 5 gallon 14-18 Support vining types

Bushmaster
EGGPLANT FS 5 gallon 1 plant per Requires fertile soil

Early Long container
Purple
Hansel
KALE FS/PS 5 gallon 10-15 Harvest leaves, cold tolerant
LEAF LETTUCE PS 1/2 gallon 4-6 Harvest leaves with scissors,

Butter Crunch prefers cool weather
Tom Thumb
MUSTARD GREENS PS 1/2 gallon 4-5 Sow several plantings at two-

week intervals
ONIONS FS/PS 1/2 gallon 2-3 Needs a lot of moisture
PEPPERS FS 2 gallon 1 plant per Requires hot weather

(hot and sweet) container
RADISHES FS/PS 1 pint 1 Sow several plantings at weekly

Cherry Belle intervals
SQUASH FS 5 gallon 1 plant per Plant only bush type

Bush Scallop container
TOMATOES FS 5 gallon 1 plant Use only determinate varieties;

Roma per container stake and prune or cage
Liberty
Bush Celebrity
Better Bush
Bush Goliath
TOMATOES FS 1 gallon 1 plant per Helps to stake and prune

Cherry container
Balconi
TURNIPS FS/PS 3 gallon 2-3 Harvest leaves and roots
URBAN FARM 2009 69

Light Requirements for Herbs

HERB LIGHT
REQUIREMENT
FS=Full Sun
(6 to 10 hours)
PS=Partial Sun
(4 to 6 hours)
ALOE (Aloe sp.) FS/PS
BASIL (Ocimum basilicum) FS
BEEBALM (Monarda didyma) FS/PS
BORAGE (Borago officinalis) FS
CALENDULA (Calendula officinalis) FS
CATNIP (Nepeta cataria) FS/PS
CHAMOMILE (Matricaria recutita) FS/PS
CHIVES (Allium schoenoprasum) FS
COMFREY (Symphytum officinale) FS/PS
CORIANDER/CILANTRO (Coriandrum sativum) FS/PS
DILL (Anethum graveolens) FS
ECHINACEA (Echinacea angustifolia) FS/PS Odd groupings of three, five or seven containers have
more visual appeal than even-number groupings.
FENNEL (Foeniculum vulgare) FS
GARLIC (Allium sativum) FS/PS
HYSSOP (Hyssopus officinalis) FS/PS and parsley, while other Mediterranean-style

herbs thrive in drier soil conditions, such as
LAVENDER (Lavandula angustifolia) FS
chives, oregano, sage, rosemary, thyme, bay, mar-
LEMON BALM (Melissa officinalis) FS/PS joram and lavender. Sometimes I plant moisture-
LEMON VERBENA (Aloysia triphylla) FS loving herbs in plastic containers, which retain
water, and put Mediterranean herbs in terra-
MARJORAM (Origanum majorana) FS
cotta containers, which draw out water. Either
MINT (Mentha sp.) FS/PS way, ensure theres a drainage hole in the con-
MUSTARD (Brassica sp.) FS tainer. Herbs dont like wet feet.
NASTURTIUM (Tropaeolum majus) FS/PS

PLANTING
OREGANO (Origanum sp.) FS If your containers are large, save your back and
PARSLEY (Petroselinum crispum) FS/PS place them where you intend to grow them before
you fill the pots with soil. Plant your container
ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis) FS
crops, whether theyre seeds or seedlings, at the
SAGE (Salvia officinalis) FS same time as you would a regular garden. Fill a
SCENTED GERANIUMS (Pelargonium sp.) FS clean container to within 1 inch of the top with a
slightly damp soil mixture. Sow the seeds according
SUMMER SAVORY (Satureja hortensis) FS
to the instructions on the seed package, or set the
THYME (Thymus vulgaris) FS/PS transplants. Be mindful of the spacing require-
YARROW (Achillea millefolium) FS ments between the plants. On a plant marker,

write the name, variety and date of planting in

each container.
After planting, gently soak the soil with water,
being careful not to wash out or displace the
seeds. As the seeds germinate and grow, thin the
seedlings when they have two or three leaves to
obtain proper spacing. If cages, stakes or other
supports are needed, install them when the plants
are very small to avoid root damage later.
DESIGN
Container gardening also presents opportunities
for being creative and lends itself to attractive
plantscaping. A dull patio area can be brightened
with the addition of baskets of cascading tomatoes
or a colorful herb mix. Planter boxes with trellises
can be used to create a cool, shady oasis on an
apartment balcony. Try mixing containers of veg-
etable plants with containers of blooming annual
flowers for a great splash of color. The containers
themselves can also add visual interest.
You can put the emphasis on the plants, not the
pots, by choosing container colors that harmonize
with the surroundings, or you can draw attention Plants should be moved to a sheltered location Write the
to the pots by using bright contrasting colors. I during severe rain, hail or windstorms and for name, variety
like to create visual interest by including a variety protection from early fall frosts. and planting
of pot sizes and shapes, all in the same colors. Ive If youre growing plants in a rooftop location, it date on a
found that odd groupings of three, five or seven may be windier than a normal garden. marker for
containers have more appeal than even groupings Windbreaks can help protect your plants. Use each
of two, four or six. Cluster the pots to add struc- trellises or some other type of latticed panel. container.
ture and mass. And if you run out of room, con- Windbreaks that disrupt the flow of the wind,
sider placing them in a variety of places, such as rather than stop it completely, are actually more
entrances, corners of buildings, gates, and on effective. Solid windbreaks are more likely to be
rooftops, decks, balconies and patios. They can knocked down by high winds than ones that allow
also camouflage unsightly areas, such as air- some air to flow through. Plus, you really dont
conditioning units and trash bins. want to eliminate the wind, you just want to
decrease it.
GENERAL CARE The fresh fruits and vegetables you harvest from
The same insects and diseases that are common your container garden are just as healthful and
to any vegetable garden will go after vegetables flavorful as those that rural-dwellers grow in their
grown in containers. Plants should be regularly acres-large plots. It just takes some creativity com-
inspected for signs of foliage- and fruit-feeding bined with growing know-how. uf
insects as well as the presence of diseases. Use
P. Allen Smith (www.pallensmith.com) is a professional
only organic methods of pest control. Protect the
garden designer, host of two national TV programs and
plants from extreme heat caused by light reflec-
a frequent guest on NBCs Today Show. For more con-
tion from pavement. Move them to a cool spot or tainer ideas, pick up P. Allen Smiths Container
shade them during the hottest part of the day. Gardens or other books in his Garden Home series.
URBAN FARM 2009 71

72x75.personal grower 11/12/09 4:38 PM Page 72
EAT LOCAL:
Hire a Personal
Vegetable Gardener
If you love the idea of eating local
but hate that you dont have time
to tend a garden, hire someone to
do the dirty work.
BY ROSE STRONG
ating food grown by someone else has
E been the norm for the past five decades.

With the industrial revolution and large-
scale factory farming taking hold in this
country, we moved away from the vegetable patch
in the backyard and replaced it with the conven-
ience of shopping at the grocery store.
Its a long way from the victory gardens of the
1940s planted during World War II, but resur-
gence in gardening is taking place in the United
States. Despite our fast-paced lifestyles, people
are looking for creative ways to put the vegetable
patch back in their backyards.
One trend is to hire someone to do the dirty
work for you.
Today you can hire a gardening professional to
help you with your vegetable patch, starting with
the planning, building and maintenance, and
working with them at any level you choose to
TERRY WILD
bring the freshest produce to your table. You may

even skip the work altogether.

From the Pacific Northwest to the East Coast persistent theme about the family vegetable
and the deserts in the western United States, garden these days: There isnt time to devote to
vegetable landscapes are replacing or being something that could possibly fail because you
installed right next to perennial gardens by have limited skills and knowledge about growing
professional landscapers. your own food.
I think most people like the idea of having a Tyler Storey of The Desert Garden in Phoenix,
garden, says Dave Schmidt of Produce Partners Ariz., calls himself a garden coach, an appropriate
in Kansas City, Mo. They like a place where you title for the folks who perform this service for
can see things happening, and its a source of per- their clients.
sonal pride. Probably a lot of people remember I keep a pretty loose definition of the term gar-
their parents or grandparents gardens. den coach, but it boils down to helping out with any
Schmidt concurs with what seems to be the new landscape or gardening issues a homeowner
URBAN FARM 2009 73

What to Do with
All Those Veggies?
Putting meals together can be a challenge with a garden full
of fresh produce, especially during the peak of the season.
Shopping at the grocery store or farmers market, we make
some selection, says garden coach Tyler Storey. With your
own garden, you cook whats ripe that day. For some cus-
tomers, that can be a bit intimidating, but they adjust to having
fresh broccoli, carrots and peasdinner one night might be
pasta primavera and the harvest of broccoli raab and garlic, or
theyll have the classic Puglian dish, orecchiette con cime di
rape. Money cant buy vegetables that are any fresher than
those that come from your own garden.
PHOTOS BY JEANMFOGLE.COM
Left: Most
gardening
services offer
a contract so
that all
parties are
clear on what an age of diminishing and tainted resources, it
to expect. made sense to me to reprioritize what and how
plants were being used for landscaping, says
Talaro. It was a needs-based business.
Right: Some Her typical client is a middle-income, two-
services will person-working family with one or two children
harvest your who lacks the time, skill or inclination to build,
produce and maintain and harvest garden edibles.
leave it in a Ive heard varying theories about why people
basket on are getting back to having a vegetable garden and
your stoop. one is the desire for fresh food and the other is the
economy, says Talaro.
During the victory-garden era, patriotic duty
and a sense of pride inspired Americans to do
their part for those fighting in the war by putting
gardens in their backyards. Today, moral and
may have. Its a bit like being a walking, talking ethical issues influence the decision to grow our
instruction manual, says Storey. own food. With gardens in our backyards, we
Wendy Talaro, owner of Fruits 2 Nuts, is an eco- know where our produce comes from and that the
logical designer and consultant in Southern tomato on our sandwich was picked at the peak of
California, who helps her clients bring the freshest freshness. Local food eliminates the need to pick
food to their table from their own backyards. In our food prior to ripeness and transport it great

Cookbooks for Inspiration ...

Fresh: Seasonal Recipes Made with Local Foods, by John Bishop
(Douglas & McIntyre, 2008)
Local Flavors: Cooking and Eating From Americas Farmers
Markets, by Deborah Madison (Broadway, 2008)
Cooking with Heirlooms, by Karen K. Acevedo
(BowTie Press, 2007)
A personal gardener can perform the

heavy liftingdigging, tilling, building
raised beds and plantingfor you.
Consider what you can do as far as the day-
to-day maintenance, such as weeding and watering,
JEANMFOGLE.COM
to cut down cost. Do you just need someone to do

the dirty work of digging, tilling, building raised
beds and planting or to maintain the garden, too?
If you just want the vegetable garden installed
distances, thus leaving a smaller carbon footprint and can maintain the rest, it should cost one flat
on the Earth. fee for the landscapers work.
Its a resurgence of gardening for the greater How big will your garden be? Size makes a
goodfor the Earth and our wallets, says Susan difference in price of installation and maintenance.
McCoy, trend spotter and president of Garden Will you harvest your own produce? Some
Media Group based in Chadds Ford, Pa. The services will do this for you and leave baskets on
most exciting movement seems to be that gardening the back stoop.
is popular again, particularly among younger According to Schmidt, Some [clients] are
homeowners, she adds. interested in learning planting and growing tech-
niques, and others prefer to let us do it for them.
H OW TO G E T S TA R T E D Typically, price is determined per square foot,
Finding someone locally who can help you design and a weekly maintenance fee is added on top of
and maintain your garden is as simple as opening that for most services. Most who provide this
your telephone book and making a few calls to service offer a contract. We have a signed con-
landscape services or inquiring at a local garden- tract, says Storey. Its primarily to be certain
supply center. As part of a new movement, that everyone is clear on expectations and truly
garden coaching could be a minor extension of helps me and my clients to just relax and enjoy
any landscapers business, and many are looking the work we do together. uf
for new customers.
Rose Strong is a freelance writer from Bucks County,
Pa., where she enjoys planting and weeding her own
W H AT S E R V I C E S D O YO U WA N T ? garden. Her work has appeared in Dog Fancy, Fido
Decide what you want help with. A few questions Friendly Magazine, Greater Philly Tails Magazine and
to ponder about the project are: other publications.
URBAN FARM 2009 75

76x83.recycle urban renew 11/12/09 4:39 PM Page 76
URBAN
Youve been wearing your Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle T-shirt for years, right? Freshen your
perspective with these ideas.
BY JESSICA WALLISER
In todays world of disposable convenience, ONE MANS TRASH ...
its trendy to be green, but it sure isnt easy. According to the Environmental Protection
Almost everything comes in a disposable Agency, the average American produces 4
form, and at one time or another, weve all pounds of trash every day. That adds up to
found ourselves grabbing prepackaged food more than 200 million tons of garbage
on-the-go, forgetting to every year. Yikesthats a lot of yuck!
take our reusable mug to Whats even harder to grasp is that the
the coffee shop, and buying large majority of this trash actually isnt
something we really didnt trash at all. An average of 60 to 85 percent
need. Its tough to remem- of each households garbage is recyclable.
ber to have a green atti- For example, its estimated that upwards of
tude when some days you 35 percent of our garbage consists of paper
can barely remember products that, in most cases, are easily
where you put your car recyclable, as are the 27 billion glass items
keys. But, take heart. we toss each year.
Even if you arent per- So how do we make it better without
fectly eco-chic all the feeling utterly overwhelmed? By taking
time (and, really, who the following concepts to heart, growing
is?), there are plenty of some of your own food, and adopting a
clever and honest ways more planet-conscious routine, you can
th the bo ttoms cut to put Earth-friendly feel good about your efforts to boost your
wi
gallon milk jugs protect tender
One- and 1/2- ma de cloch es to action into your life. self-sustainability.
off canserve as home
st.
plants from fro

RENEWAL
URBAN FARM 2009 77
Old Becomes
New, Again
Consider a few extra little ways to reduce, reuse and recycle in
the garden:
Cut up yogurt cups to make plant labels.
Use egg cartons to start seeds.
Store seeds in a film canister with a silica gel packet
inside. (Silica packets found in shoeboxes and purses
JESSICA WALLISER
help keep seeds dry.)
Use clear-plastic, clamshell-type take-out containers as Get more out of your toilet-paper tubes than just a
spin on the holder: Create pots for starting seeds.
mini-greenhouses to root plant cuttings.
Turn old boots into planters by filling them with soil and
potting succulents inside.
over-packaging is more and more common as our
Instead of buying mulch in bags, have bulk amounts
food (and other product) sources move further and
delivered in a truckno plastic bags to toss.
further from home. Buying stuff with less packaging
Instead of buying new metal plant stakes, use branches is one way to reduce your trash output. If you have a
and twigs to prop up perennials and veggies. choice at the store, buy the broccoli that isnt
Use old pantyhose as plant ties; theyre flexible and last covered in plastic shrink wrap (growing your own is
several seasons. even better), and buy your dry goods in bulk. Pasta,
Use broken tool handles as tomato stakes. beans, rice, cereals, flour, sugar, grains and many
other products are available sans packaging at bulk-
Use plastic knives for row markers in the garden.
food stores. Take your own containers to fill, and
Newspaper makes great mulch. Layer five to 10 sheets pick up a few loaves of freshly baked bread wrapped
thick on garden paths or between veggie plants, and in your own tea towels while youre there. Dont
cover it with shredded leaves or grass clippings. Till it forget your cloth shopping bags!
under the following spring. When we make conscientious decisions about
Make cloches from plastic milk jugs with the bottoms cut what we buy, and when we consider whether we
off to protect tender young plants from spring frosts. truly do or do not need another something in
our lives, were naturally reducing our waste
Hang scratched CDs around the berry patch to scare away
stream. If you buy, buy smart.
hungry birds.
A NEW LIFE
Reusing and repurposing what otherwise might
START WITH WHAT YOU BUY ... OR, get tossed is another way to be proactive. Grandma
BETTER STILL, WHAT YOU DONT probably taught you that old T-shirts make great
Reducing your consumption is the first step. dust cloths and that baby-food jars are perfect for
Dont buy what you dont need, and dont replace storing buttons and paperclips. For her generation
items that can be repaired. Next time youre at the and many before, it was compulsory for items to be
grocery store, look at a package for more than reused. (It was considered an incredible waste of
whats inside. Packaging materials account for an money to use something only once!) There were no
ever-increasing amount of landfill space, and paper towels, paper napkins or paper plates. It was

CLOCKWISE: JEANMFOGLE.COM, TERRY WILD (3)
Collect water in a rain barrel, but secure the top to Sixty to 85 percent of the more than 200 million
prevent access by kids and animals. tons of trash we produce each year is recyclable.
Sort your recycling based on the needs of the recy- Rather than buying new and paying a premium, hit
cling center in your area to keep the process rolling local garage sales and resale stores for great furni-
along smoothly. ture, toys and clothing.
wash rags, cloth napkins and real plates. Go back throughout the garden. The yellow attracts the
to the reusable stuff, and cut out the disposables. little black flea beetles that bother eggplants and
Repurposing items breathes new life into them, the aphids that attack the tomato plants. They get
and there are all kinds of clever ways to do this trapped in the glue and die.
without inconveniencing your family. In his book The Green Gardeners Guide (Cool
Jim Long, owner of Long Creek Herbs, entertains Springs Press, 2008), author and television host
large groups of people for tours and herbal tastings. Joe Lampl notes that construction debris
He doesnt have the facilities to wash and store lots accounts for a large amount of landfill space. He
of cups, so he found a clever way to reuse the plastic suggests reusing old building materials to build
ones. Jim buys only yellow cups, then after the paths, walls, raised beds and cold frames. Lampl
tours are over, he coats their exterior in non-drying also has a great tip for reusing toilet-paper tubes:
glue and inverts them over little stakes placed Use them to start seeds indoors. Just fill it with
URBAN FARM 2009 79

LEFT: RHODA PEACHER, RIGHT: JESSICA WALLISER

Store saved seeds in a film canister with a silica gel
Yogurt cups make quick plant labels when cut to size.
packet inside.
your favorite potting soil, place a seed or two prevent access by children and pets, and empty and
inside, and plant it directly into the ground once store it each winter.
the seedlings are ready for the great outdoors. Another great way to reuse is to purchase gently
Many farmers and gardeners find one of the worn clothing, furniture, kids toys and other
smartest (and simplest) things to reuse is water. items instead of buying new. Hit some local
Cool pasta-cooking water and use it to water out- garage sales, consignment shops and resale
door plants, collect water from the dehumidifier stores. Most of the stuff youll find there is in
to wash the dog, and save your veggie-washing terrific shape, the prices are always good, and
water for the houseplants. theres never any packaging to throw away. Dont
For an even greater impact, collect rainwater. forget to complete the cycle by taking your used
One inch of rainfall on a 1,000-foot roof yields items and reselling them at the same stores.
about 500 gallons of watermore than enough to Online resellers are another option for eco-
water the average garden. There are many types of friendly shoppers, though shipping the items uses
rain barrels available, ranging from fancy models to fuel energy and requires some packaging. Ebay
plain, old 55-gallon plastic drums. You should (www.ebay.com) and Craigslist (www.craigs
expect to pay $40 to $150 per barrel, depending on list.org) are terrific sources for previously loved
its composition and the accompanying extras. items as well as great places to unload what you
There are even green rain barrels made from no longer want. You can find, sell, trade and give
recycled plastics or used oak wine barrels. Most away items through the websitesfrom strawberry
models have built-in spigot connections at the plants to designer jeans to swing sets. You also
bottom, and some have overflow outlets that allow might want to check out The FreeCycle Network
you to connect several barrels. Positioning your (www.freecycle.org), an online listing of all kinds
barrel (or barrels) 1 foot or so above ground level of free, used items right in your hometown.
improves water flow by utilizing gravity. Listing your own excess items on these websites
Budget-conscience folks can fashion their own keeps the cycle going strong.
rain barrel from food-grade storage drumsbe sure
they never contained chemicals or petroleum prod- AND FINALLY ...
ucts. (Get instructions to make your own at Recycling allows new products to be made out of
www.hobbyfarms.com/rainbarrelproject.) used materials. Not only does recycling keep use-
Whatever model you choose, secure the top to ful materials out of landfills, it reduces the need

CLOCKWISE: JESSICA WALLISER, TERRY WILD, RHODA PEACHER, TERRY WILD
Clear-plastic, clamshell-type containers are easily

repurposed into mini-greenhouses for rooting plant Old boots make great planters for succulents.
cuttings.
Free is better: Use branches and twigs instead of metal

Instead of buying (and hauling) mulch in bags, have plant stakes to prop up perennials and vegetables.
bulk amounts delivered in a truck.
for new raw materials and the resulting pollution newspaper needs to be collected in a paper bag vs.
created in processing them. Critics argue that in being tied with a string, then do it. Whats the use
some instances, more energy is used in the recy- of recycling if you arent going to cooperate with
cling process than in the creation of new items, the company thats making it all happen?
but theres no argument about recyclings ability Though you cant turn a plastic soda bottle into
to keep certain items out of the landfill. a ketchup container by yourself, you can turn a
Recycling glass, aluminum, steel, plastic and substantial amount of your homes garbage into a
paper is mandatory in some communities, and useful, recycled product. Yard and garden waste
following the rules and regulations of your recy- accounts for up to 19 percent of the waste stream
cling processor is essential to keep the whole according to the EPA. Leaves, grass, plant trim-
process rolling along smoothly. If bottles need to mings and light brush are not trash and should
be rinsed and their lids removed, then do it. If not be taken to the curb. Instead, they should be
URBAN FARM 2009 81

No one uses pantyhose for much these days except
Broken tool handles serve as sturdy tomato stakes.
as plant ties in the garden.
thats used to mulch gardens, amend soil and

feed plants.
How long this procedure takes depends on the
amount of effort devoted to it. Its possible to have
finished compost ready to spread on your yard and
garden in as little as two months, but even casual
composters can create it in a year. First, decide
where youd like to compost your yard waste. There
are a variety of commercial bins and compost
tumblers on the market. Because turning your
compost can make it decompose up to 50 percent
faster (it introduces much-needed air to the
microbes), have your bin located somewhere thats
easily accessible. Theres also the pile-it-up-in-the-
Plastic knives make great row markers. corner-and-wait method. It takes a while for the
materials to break down, but it sure is easy.
No matter where you do it, just like cooking,
composted. Many communities and, in some composting requires attention to the ingredients.
cases, entire states (including West Virginia and The perfect compost pile has a 30-to-1 carbon-to-
Florida), now mandate yard waste be recycled nitrogen ratio. This means that youll want roughly
instead of landfilled. three times more dried, brown ingredients (carbon
sources) than fresh, green material (nitrogen
BLACK GOLD sources). This will keep your piles moisture content
Making compost is easy and thrifty, and there are a just right and keep it decomposing at a good clip.
lot of ways to do it. Anything that once was living This ratio will also keep the piles temperature
will eventually turn into compost; its the result of around 160 degrees Fperfect for rapid decom-
insects, bacteria, fungus and earthworms devouring position and the safe breakdown of any pathogens
and processing the materials. Eventually, all this present. Green materials include grass clippings,
yard waste is processed into finished compost kitchen scraps (no meat, oils or dairy), weeds,

plant debris, fresh trimmings, many eco-friendly options, the more smaller, your budget gets wiser, your
manure (not from dogs or cats) and we ask for them, the more widely land gets richer and, perhaps most
over-ripe veggies. Browns include available theyll become. importantly, your life gets deeper. uf
hay, straw, autumn leaves, shredded
Jessica Walliser is the author of Grow
newspaper, corrugated cardboard, A BETTER HOME
Organic: Over 250 Tips and Recipes for
unbleached napkins and paper towels. By following the reduce-reuse-recycle
Growing Flowers, Veggies, Lawns and More
Chopping or shredding these ingredi- mantra, your urban farm becomes a (St. Lynns Press, 2007). She lives and
ents before adding them to the pile better place. Your footprint gets gardens in Pennsylvania.
encourages speedier production, but
even whole sheets of cardboard will
eventually decompose.
Two more ingredients are needed to
keep the pile cooking: moisture and
oxygen. The oxygen is provided every
time you turn your pileideally once a
week. Long is lucky enough to have a
helper turn his compost pile: Our
Jack Russell terrier goes after the - Incubators - Range Feeders
- Brooders - Egg Racks
occasional chipmunk in the compost
- Coops - Egg Scales
pile, thus tilling it up and turning over
- Laying Nests - Egg Cartons
large amounts of soil to get to the
- CHick BOxes - Poultry Books
chipmunk. Its a win-win situation! If
- Feeders - Poultry Health
your canine isnt up for helping, turn - Waterers - poultry feed
your pile with a pitchfork or shovel. As
for the moisture, the ideal content FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS
should make your working pile feel like OVER $150 Coupon Code: hobby
a wrung-out sponge. Rainwater is usu-
ally adequate if your pile is open or
Free Catalog Available Call 1-800-624-4493 !
your bin has holes in the lid. Of course,
you can also add water from the hose
or rain barrel, if necessary.
Unfortunately, many horticultural
plastics, like nursery pots and flats,
are not recyclable in most states,
though some nurseries will take them Egg Incubators Brooders Waterers Egg Cartons
back for sterilization and reuse.
Lampl suggests only buying plants in
pots made from biodegradable mate-
rials. Containers constructed of rice
hulls, composted cow manure, peat
moss and pressed paper pulp are all
good options and can be planted in Laying Nests Poultry Health Feeders Poultry Coops
the ground with the plant. Assert
your convictions to nurseries and Order Toll Free 1-800-624-4493
Store Hours: M - F
garden centers to supply plants from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Order @: FlemingOutdoors.com
growers that use biodegradable pots CST Order By Fax: 1-334-562-9000

www.FlemingOutdoors.com
and cell packs, Lampl says. As with
URBAN FARM 2009 83

84x91.preserve 11/12/09 4:43 PM Page 84
Squirrel away your backyard

produce to enjoy local food year-round.
BY CHERYL MORRISON
Hoarding the Harvest

I
ts the end of a good growing Preserving food from the harvest
season: The cabbages are doesnt have to mean spending the
bigger than a rock stars head, end of summer in a steamy kitchen
the tomato vines are so heavy sterilizing scores of jars and filling
with fruit that the stakes cant them from bubbling pots; although,
hold them upright, and the zucchini canning is still one of the three most
just keeps on coming. What to do with popular food-preservation methods,
this overabundance? And what do you along with freezing and drying. Which
eat six months from now, when the method to use depends on several
only fresh produce in the stores lost factors: What kind of produce you are
much of its flavor as it was shipped preserving, how long you want to keep
from the other side of the world? it, how you intend to use it, and the
Fortunately, the produce you amount of time and effort you want to
grow, pick or buy from local farmers expend. All food-preservation methods
can be preserved for months or even have the common goal of killing
years. A bumper crop need never go or inhibiting the growth of bacteria
to waste, and the strawberries that and other organisms that spoil
perfumed the spring air at the local food. Ideally, this is done without
farmers market can still be savored destroying the foods flavor, texture
in December. or appearance.
The idea of putting food by conjures Food plants acquire bacteria from
images of rural life in times past. the soil in which they grow. Most
Indeed, the same methods your great- soil-borne bacteria are harmless or
great-grandmother might have used to even beneficial, but others can pose
store a winters worth of food for an health hazards. Foods can also pick-
extended family can be adapted to suit up airborne spoilers as well as those
busy professionals living in city apart- that can flourish on kitchen counters,
FOODANDDRINKPHOTOS.COM
mentsor any situation in between. sinks and cutting boards. All it takes
Whats more, todays food preserva- to put food by safely is common
tionists have access to modern tools sense and strict cleanliness. With
and techniques that could have light- any preservation method, follow
ened Grannys workload considerably. these guidelines:

URBAN FARM 2009 85

Where to Put It All? storage for up to eight months, and frozen fruits can be
kept for up to one year with little deterioration. Food
The shelf life of foods depends a lot on how theyre stored. stored in most refrigerator freezers, which cannot maintain
Old farmhouses typically have attics, pantries and root cellars subzero temperatures, will deteriorate faster.
that can easily accommodate preserved food under ideal Proper storage conditions are also required for fresh
conditions, but most urban farmers must be creative about foods. Its wise to keep a thermometer in the refrigerator
finding food-storage space in tighter and check the temperature often, espe-
quarters. Dont overlook places that cially in hot weather. According to the
arent usually associated with food. You American Egg Board, the ideal condi-
might find unused spaces where you can tions for eggsorganic or otherwise
install racks or shelving in closets and are temperatures that dont exceed 40
under stairwells, for example. You can degrees F with a relative humidity of 70
also stash dried and canned foods in to 80 percent.
boxes under beds, stairs or computer Refrigeration slows the spoilage
tables, on bookshelves, or behind desks. of fresh vegetables and fruits.
Any locale will do if it provides the right Wrapping greens in moisture-proof
conditions. bags will prevent wilting.
The easiest preserved foods to store Potatoes, onions and other root
are dried fruits and vegetables. They will vegetables dont require refrigeration,
maintain their quality for months in any but they keep best in a well-ventilated
place where they can stay clean and dry. place at 50 to 60 degrees F. Carrots,
Caution: If youre storing plastic con- radishes and beets stay firm longer if
tainers of dried food any place where you remove their tops to slow the loss
rodents or insects might be present, of moisture.
stow them in metal cans with tight lids. Refrigeration can rob some fruits
Food that youve canned keeps best when its away from and vegetables of their flavor. Tomatoes, for example,
heat (which destroys vitamins), light (which causes color continue to ripen after theyre picked and should be kept at
loss) and moisture (which corrodes jar lids). If the only room temperature.
space you have is in kitchen cabinets, stack the jars on A trove of food-storage information, including recom-
shelves as far as possible from the stove and the sink. mended storage times for fresh and preserved foods, is
Frozen foods should be kept at temperatures of zero available at www.fda.gov/food/resourcesforyou/
degrees F or lower for long-term storage. Foods vary in how consumers/default.htm. You can learn more about preser-
DAVID CAVAGNARO
long they will keep their shape, taste and texture in the vation and storage at www.hobbyfarms.com/canningsteps
freezer, but most frozen vegetables last well in subzero and www.hobbyfarms.com/canningfood.
A small house Start by wiping counters and cutting In addition to the recommended safety meas-
means limited boards with a 1-to-9 solution of bleach and water. ures, these guidelines will help ensure successful
storage space. Soak the fruits and vegetables in small lots, food-preservation efforts:
Get creative. with several changes of tap water, to remove any Preserve only fresh produce that is ripe but
soil. Lift them from the water so that that the dirt still firm.
you remove stays behind. Preserve no more than you can use before it
Use the hottest water possible to wash equip- begins to deteriorate. Most frozen foods start to
ment such as cutlery, spoons, ladles, funnels and lose texture and taste after a few months, and
rigid containers. If youre canning, sterilize the jars even canned goods and dried foods dont keep
and lids in boiling water just before you fill them. their appeal forever.

CLOCKWISE: DAVID CAVAGNARO (2), ROB CARDILLO
Clockwise: You
can purchase
or build a
dehydrator for
drying your
food in limited
space.
Choose a preservation method thats well-

suited for what youre storing. Some fruits and You can never
vegetables lend themselves to a variety of methods, keep up with
but others are more particular. Berries, for basil by trying
example, can be frozen with beautiful results, but to consume it
they shouldnt generally be canned unless theyre all fresh. Dry
first made into jams or other cooked preserves. it, and use it
year-round.
DRYING
The oldest and simplest way to preserve food is to
dry it. If homemade granola or trail mix has ever You can leave
tickled your taste buds, you know how delicious beans in their
dried fruits can be. Unlike other preservation pods to dry, or
methods, removing the water from fruits and veg- shell and
etables concentrates their sweetness and flavor as spread them
well as their nutrients. full of canned peaches or a dozen containers in out.
Dried foods also require less storage space than the freezer, and the flavor of the dried fruit will be
canned or frozen produce, which is an important more intense.
consideration for urban farmers who dont have Peaches, plums and other stone fruits are
attics, pantries or root cellars. Removing the excellent candidates for drying, as are apples,
water from fruits and vegetables may reduce its tomatoes and herbs. Cabbage, green beans, broc-
volume by as much as 80 percent. A bag of dried coli and other vegetables can also be dried safely,
peach halves will hold as much nutrition as a shelf but the results can be brittle or tough; theres a
URBAN FARM 2009 87

CLOCKWISE: RHODA PEACHER, SHARON FIBELKORN, DAVID CAVAGNARO

Clockwise:
Store frozen
fruit in
labeled, plastic
freezer bags.
Window
screening can microwave). If you live in a dry, sunny place thats
be fashioned far enough from highways and other sources of air
into outdoor pollution, you can even let outdoor sunshine do
drying trays. the work. The dehydration process takes longer
than other preservation methods, but it requires
about the same amount of effort as freezing and
Any location less effort than canning.
will do for Before drying most fruits and apples, remove
storage, as their stones, pits or seeds. (For tomatoes, seeding
long as it is optional.) Slice apples into rings, and cut toma-
provides the toes in half. Plums, pears, nectarines and other
right large fruits should be halved, quartered or cut
conditions. into smaller wedges. The smaller the pieces, the
reason that the traditional name for string beans faster they dry. For cherries and other small
hung from attic rafters to dry is leather britches. fruits, no cutting is needed. Beans can be dried in
Dehydrating food successfully requires moving their pods or shelled and spread out to dry.
air that is dry and warmbut not so hot that it Apples, peaches and pears can turn unattrac-
cooks the food. A well-ventilated attic provides an tively dark when exposed to air. To prevent this,
ideal atmosphere for drying food, but you can soak them first in a solution of 6 tablespoons of
also purchase or build a dehydrator or use the pickling salt and 1 gallon of water or 2 table-
oven on your gas or electric range (not a spoons of ascorbic acid and 1 quart of water.

1 2
3
To oven-dry
fruit:
1: Remove
stones, pits or
seeds from
fruit and slice.
You can dry tomatoes and many other fruits 2: Slice apples
and vegetables by spreading the pieces on racks in rings, and
and putting them in an oven at its lowest setting quarter, wedge
for four to 12 hours. Use an oven thermometer to or halve
monitor the temperature, which must not exceed plums, pears,
145 degrees F. Unless your oven is vented, leave nectarines and
its door slightly ajar to permit air circulation. other large
Salting vegetable pieces before drying, which is fruits. Place
optional, adds flavor and shortens the drying time on an oven
by drawing out moisture. At the end of the rack for four
process, the produce should be pliable. overnight, or use a heavier covering at night so to 12 hours at
If you live in a warm, sunny, dry climate, you that dew doesnt collect on the fruit. the lowest
dont even need an oven for drying food. Place With any drying method, occasionally check setting.
fruit pieces on a new, sterilized window screen or for doneness. When done, the pieces should be
framed plastic screen, skin-side down for toma- soft and pliable but not moist. When you think 3: Check for
toes and unpeeled fruits. Drape cheesecloth over the drying is done, cut in to one piece; if its center doneness:
them to protect against insects; arrange the cloth is still moist, more drying time is needed. Fruit should
so that it doesnt touch the fruits and stick to Storing dried fruits and tomatoes requires only be soft and
them. Place the fruit in the sun, but keep the that you keep them clean and dry. You can store pliable but not
frame off the ground so that air can circulate dried produce in plastic bags, rigid plastic con- moist.
under it. Sun-drying takes a few days, but bring tainers or jars. As long as theyre clean and dry,
the frames inside before sunset and keep them in their quality will be maintained for months.
URBAN FARM 2009 89

Left: Canning
doesnt have
to be an
exhaustive
exercise. It
can be done
in small,
manageable
batches.
Right: Store
dried fruits
LEFT: TERRY WILD, RIGHT: KAREN K. ACEVEDO

and vegetables
in rigid plastic
containers or
glass jars.
Dried fruits add flavor to muffins and quick discoloration, dip the pieces in an ascorbic-acid
breads. Theyre essential in homemade granola, solution before packing.
and they can serve as the basis for chutneys. Dried Exposure to air can cause freezer burn, which
tomatoes can be cut finely and added to salads or makes food dry and unappetizing. You can keep
reconstituted with water or oil for use in cooking. air away from food by immersing it in liquid. If
youre using rigid containers, add wads of crum-
FREEZING pled wax paper (which can compress as the food
For berries, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, okra, expands during freezing) to keep the food from
and many other fruits and vegetables, freezing is bobbing to the surface.
the best way to preserve their flavor, texture, shape Freezing foods as rapidly as possible will help
and color over time, and freezing is safer than maintain their quality by preventing large ice
canning for low-acid vegetables such as peas and crystals from forming in them.
carrots. In other foods, including potatoes, celery Frozen foods last longer at zero degrees F or
and cucumbers, freezing produces undesirable lower, which requires a free-standing freezer.
changes in texture. Refrigerator freezers are opened too frequently to
When freezing produce, guard against enzymes maintain subzero temperatures, so theyre only
and air as well as bacteria. Enzymes break down good for short-term storage. Rule of thumb: A
the flavor and color of food, but blanching cut freezer is cold enough for long-term food preser-
produce in boiling water or steaming and then vation only if it keeps ice cream too hard to scoop.
plunging them into ice water will inactivate the You can pack fruits for freezing with or without
enzymes before packing and freezing. (Blanching liquid. Wet-packing in the fruits own juice or
in a microwave oven does not inactivate all simple syrup works better for halves or slices of
enzymes and is not recommended.) peaches, plums and other large, moist fruits.
Some foods, including peaches and other Vegetables are generally packed dry for freezing.
fruits, can turn brown in the freezer. To prevent With wet or dry pack, its important to remove as

Always write the date on food packages

before putting them into the freezer, and use Log on and
discover great tips
the packages with the oldest dates first. for living green
and more
much air as possible before sealing you dehydrate. Still, many foods are sustainably.
the container. better preserved by canning than by
Before freezing strawberries, blue- other methods, and canned foods
berries, blackberries, currants and
other small, stone-free fruits, wash
them gently and drain. After removing
keep their quality far longer than
frozen foods.
A favorite reference for many
UrbanFarmOnline.COM
stems and leaves, spread the fruit on a home canners is the book Putting Where you learn how to
baking sheet in a single layer and put it Food By, by Ruth Hertzberg,
in the freezer uncovered. When its Beatrice Vaughan and Janet Green
live a sustainable life
frozen solid, transfer the fruit to heavy (Plume, 1992), first published in
plastic freezer bags and return it to the 1973 (Stephen Greene Press) but
freezer. This flash-freezing method, updated several times since. It pro-
which preserves the shape of the vides detailed instructions and com-
berries, can also be used for rhubarb prehensive information about
thats been cut into 1-inch chunks. canning as well freezing and drying.
Always write the date on food pack- It also covers other food-preservation
ages before putting them in the freezer, methods, such as pickling, curing and
and use the packages with the oldest root cellaring. Another go-to
dates first. If you dont know how long reference is Ball Blue Book of
food has been frozen, smell it when it Canning and Preserving (Alltrista
thaws; the nose knows when foods Consumer Products; 100th
been kept too long. Anniversary Edition, 2004).
Freezing suspends the activity of Although many canners measure
bacteria but doesnt kill them; their their yearly output in scores of jars,
activity resumes when the food canning can also be done in small It doesnt take a farm
thaws. Fruit that thaws prematurely quantities that urban farmers can
to have the heart of a
in a power outage, for examplecan be manage in small kitchens, after work
farmer. Now, due to
refrozen safely, but refreeze vegetables and on weekends. In the introduction
only if their packages still have ice to her book Well-Preserved, Eugenia
a burgeoning
crystals throughout. Spoiling bac- Bone says she has found that small- sustainable-living
teria can spread more rapidly in batch canning is manageable in the movement, you dont
vegetables, which generally contain limited kitchen space of her Manhattan have to own acreage
less acid than fruits; when in doubt, apartment, with a busy schedule. You to fulfill your dream of
throw them out. dont need a big country kitchen, or
raising your own food.
an orchard out back, to can with
CANNING enthusiasm, adds Bone. (To read
Canning requires more work and more about Bones book, see Urban VISIT us
equipment than the other preserva-
tion methods, and the output takes
Feast on page 92.) uf TODAY!
Cheryl Morrison is a writer who lives in UrbanFarmOnline.com
up more storage space than produce
New York City and Dover, Vt.
URBAN FARM 2009 91

92x95.urban feast 11/12/09 4:44 PM Page 92
Getting fresh in the kitchen

URBAN FEAST
reason to freeze
BY KRIS SHERER
i
n her new book, Well-Preserved, title a standout.
Eugenia Bone muses that she might Bone packs each
be the only person in SoHo with a basic recipe with
chest freezer. That she lives in a rent- flavor, then parlays
ed, gardenless apartment in New York the preserves, months later,
and does her harvesting in greenmar- into gourmet fare. In one series, a jar of
kets are among a series of revelations that cherries in spiced wine stars in a beef tender-
make her an unlikely devotee to food preserv- loin, a seared duck breast and a dessert soup.
Kris Sherer writes
ingthat homey art that conjures up images Let yourself mentally savor an all-local, mid-
about food, cooking of root cellars and ruralness. And as a working winters meal of chicken piccata with pickled
and agriculture. She mother powering through the supermom life, asparagus, for example, and you may become
lives and gardens in
free time is scarce. But can, cure and smoke convinced that food preserving, much like
the small city of
Lancaster, Pa. this author does, and her witty, comprehensive gardening itself, is worth the effort.
guide on the topic will be irresistibly inspiring
to urban gardeners. Well-Preserved: Recipes and Techniques for
Its the recipeswhich constitute roughly Putting Up Small Batches of Seasonal Foods,
by Eugenia Bone (Clarkson Potter, 2009)
three-quarters of the bookthat make this
American
Kitchen uses a
green biodegrad-
able substitute in
place of PFOA. American Kitchen
Eco Satin Cookware
Stuck in a perfluoroocatanoic acid (PFOA) rut?
American Kitchen uses a green biodegradable
substitute in place of the PFOA chemical in
its Eco Satin nonstick system. The stainless-
steel set includes two covered saucepans, a
covered stockpot, a covered saut pan and
two frying pans.
www.americankitchencookware.com
262-626-2121

UF CHEF Planetary Picnic

When planning your next outdoor-
dining soiree, forgo the paper and plastic.
Biodegradeable and compostable cutlery,
cups and tableware made from sugarcane
RoliRoti takes the stress out of tossing disposable

goods and lets the planet breath a
When you think of grabbing healthy sigh of relief.
fast food from a roach coach greenpaperproducts.com
along a city sidewalk, you 216-990-5464
probably dont expect organic
and locally sourced foods. For
those people who want
to satisfy their grumbling
stomachs as well as their
sustainability sensibilities,
though, chef and rotisseur
COURTESY ROLIROTI
Thomas Odermatt offers his

RoliRoti mobile rotisserie.
Serving only sustainably
farmed meats and in-season,
local produce, RoliRoti has been feeding farmers market goers
and catering parties in the San Francisco area since 2002. By
serving the farmers market audience, Odermatt is already
positioned in front of people who appreciate his businesss Reynolds Wrap,
values and are seeking out simple comfort foods.
Odermatt grew up in the Swiss Alps and learned farming Recycled
and cooking from his father, Otto (pictured at right), a Swiss
metzgermeister (master butcher), and his mother, Maria, Next time you open the kitchen drawer
whose spice rub he still uses for seasoning RoliRotis grilled and whip out aluminum foil, you could
chicken. My father had a farm that we silently operated be giving your food and the planet a pat
[non-certified] organically. I went into the study of farming. on the back. For pennies more, Reynolds
... I can walk into a field at a farm, and when [farmers] talk Wrap offers foil made of 100-percent
about the soil structure, about the problems they have, I can recycled aluminumeven the box
relate and sometimes even give advice. and core are made from 100-
That has brought me where I am now and why I believe we percent recycled materials.
should consume local, sustainable and, if possible, organic Foils come in standard and
ingredients, Odermatt says. heavy-duty strengths.
Throughout the summer, as w w w. rey no ld s
much as 95 percent of the recycled.com
ingredients offered by RoliRoti
RoliRoti are organic. During the winter
months, dont expect to find
510-780-0300 tomatoes or cucumbers on the
www.roliroti.com menu, because theyre not
grown locally that time of year.
URBAN FARM 2009 93

Double-duty:
Herb-based Marinades
For foods destined for the grill, the best marinades do double duty.
They add new layers of flavor, sure, but they also contribute moisture
that offsets the drying effect of the grills intense heat. These two mari-
nades, which pull in bunches of herbs from your garden, do both.
PHOTOS BY FOODANDDRINKPHOTOS.COM
With either marinade, place the foods to be marinaded in a nonreactive
baking dish. Sprinkle meats lightly with salt on all surfaces; do not salt
vegetables. Add the marinade, turn foods to coat, seal with plastic
wrap, and refrigerate. Vegetables will absorb flavor and moisture quickly,
needing no more than one hours marinating time. Proteins benefit
from a longer soakseveral hours to overnight.
Recipe Recipe
Mint Mojo Anise-scented

This mojo goes a step beyond the traditional Marinade
Central American condiment with mint, Taking its cue from the south of France, this
which adds a pleasant, sprightly note to the marinade is at once light and lusty, perfect
finished dish. Try it as a marinade for ribs, for chicken, shellfish, fennel, zucchini and
pork chops, chicken breast or yucca, and other firm-fleshed vegetables.
consider making mojitos part of the menu.
INGREDIENTS
INGREDIENTS 112 cups tarragon
6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped 1 T. thyme
2 cups cilantro leaves 1 cup parsley
1/2 cup oregano leaves 1/3 cup finely chopped shallots
1 cup peppermint leaves 1 T. anise seeds or fennel seeds, crushed
1/2 tsp. ground cumin with a mortar and pestle or coarsely
ground in a spice grinder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup dry or off-dry white wine
juice of 2 limes
1/2 cup olive oil
PREPARATION PREPARATION
In a blender or small bowl of a food processor, Chop the herbs together, using a mezzaluna, if
process all ingredients into a chunky pure. available. Combine with other ingredients.
Makes about 112 cups marinade, enough Makes about 112 cups marinade, enough
to season about 3 pounds of food. to season about 3 pounds of food.

From Tree to
Ideas for
7 Table
FOODANDDRINKPHOTOS.COM
Cucumbers
KOREAN-STYLE PICKLES
M aybe its because their flavor is subtle. Maybe its because

they arent traditionally cooked. Whatever the explana-
tion, the fresh-tasting cucumber can challenge a cooks
resourcefulness. Beyond tea sandwiches and tzatziki, though,
awaits a realm of globally accented possibilities. Here are seven
quick ideas for what to do with your end-of-summer cukes:
and grapefruit spoon, hollow
PICKLE THEMthe
1 Korean way. Salt paper-
thin slices of cucumber,
into boats. Fill with tuna,
salmon or chicken salad.
then rinse thoroughly after THROW THEM INTO A

30 minutes. Marinate in a
mixture of one part rice-
5 SALSA. Stir together
diced cucumber, diced
wine vinegar to five parts tomato, minced red onion,
water, sugar, a chili or two, chopped cilantro, a dash of
and several garlic cloves for hot sauce, a squeeze of lime
20 minutes. and salt.
INFUSE VODKA. To a
2 glass jar, add one sliced
cucumber and vodka. Let
6 FREEZE INTO A
GRANITA. Pure about
4 cups of chopped, seeded
stand at room temperature cucumbers with tarragon
two to three weeks, tasting leaves, 3/4 cup water, 1/2
periodically. Strain. Store in cup sugar and a pinch of
refrigerator.
From tree to table to Earth: In
salt. Freeze mixture in a
baking dish, breaking up India, VerTerra Dinnerware gathers
WHIP UP A CHILLED
3 INDIAN SOUP. Pure
until smooth seeded cucum-
with a fork every hour or
so, for about four hours. fallen palm leaves that would
ber, plain yogurt, milk, MAKE A THAI SLAW.
curry powder, ground 7 Combine cucumber and
otherwise be burned, then steams
coriander, a pinch of carrot matchsticks, cilantro, and presses them into handsome,
chopped garlic and salt. and chopped, roasted
Chill for several hours. peanuts. Separately, whisk chemical-free dinner plates.
together lime juice, Asian
WHITTLE SERVING Composted, the plates biodegrade
4 DISHES. Peel cucumbers
and cut in half lengthwise.
fish sauce, a liquid sweetener
(such as mirin) and a dash of within two months.
chili oil. Dress the slaw just
Using a sharp paring knife
before serving. www.verterra.com uf
URBAN FARM 2009 95

96x101.com garden 11/12/09 4:45 PM Page 96
Growing Communities
Urban community gardens provide more than just fresh, healthy
food for residentscommunity pride grows there, too.
BY CHERIE LANGLOIS
B
arbara Lafitte-Oluwole has rarely met security into their own green-thumbed hands by
a fresh vegetable she didnt like. As an growing gardens to help sustain themselves, their
avid gardener who grew up on a farm, families and communities. Out of the burgeoning
she knows from experience a sun- number of beautiful community gardens and
ripened tomato plucked from the vine innovative gardening programs blossoming
tastes superior to the insipid ones sold at most throughout the United States, the following three
grocery stores. As a mother and grandmother, she caught this gardeners fancy.
also believes nutritious food free of chemicals are
healthier for our children. But for Lafitte- City Slicker Farms
Oluwoleand for more than 23,000 other,
WEST OAKLAND, CALIF.
mostly low-income residents of West Oakland,
Calif.zipping over to a local supermarket to buy n Monday mornings, even though she has
produce of any kind is no easy task.
West Oakland has no supermarkets, says
Barbara Finnin, executive director of City Slicker
O two chickens of her own to feed (a gift
from City Slicker Farms), Lafitte-Oluwole
volunteers to care for the City Slicker flock before
Farms, an organization dedicated to creating she heads to her job at Oakland Community
organic community market farms and backyard Organizations. Freshly gathered eggs from these
vegetable gardens in the area. Theres no access happy hens go to a City Slicker farm stand not far
to real food thats affordable and good for you, the from her home, where each Saturday, Lafitte-
big one being produce. Oluwole shops among an abundance of fresh pro-
Across the United States, residents of under- duce grown by sustainable methods on six
served inner-city communities like West Oakland community market farms in West Oakland. The
face the same predicament: With genuine grocery potatoes, carrots, greens, tomatoes and other veg-
stores relegated to more well-to-do neighbor- etables she obtains here will supplement the har-
hoods and suburbs, the most accessible foods, vest from her own vegetable gardenwhich, by
courtesy of fast-food restaurants and pricy con- the way, also came courtesy of (you guessed it!)
venience stores, often come laden with unhealthy City Slicker Farms.
fats, sugar, salt and chemical additives. The Were about growing and distributing afford-
results: slimmer wallets, larger waistlines and a able organic food, explains Finnin. City Slicker
range of health problems arising from poor nutri- differs from other community garden programs
tion. We have a lot of issues with diabetes, stroke in that its not a community garden where every-
and asthma, Finnin says. one has their own plot. We use biointensive farm-
Spurred on in part by this sorry situation, ing on six different plots and sell the produce at
urban gardeners have been taking matters of food the farm market specifically for West Oakland

Clockwise:
Barbara
Lafitte-Oluwole
tends the two
chickens given
to her by City
Slicker Farms.
City Slicker
Farms grows
and distributes
affordable
organic food.
City Slicker
uses biointen-
sive farming
on six plots
and sells the
City produce at the
Slicker farm market

specifically for
Farms West Oakland
residents.
On designated
days of the
CLOCKWISE: COURTESY BARBARA LAFITTE-OLUWOLE, JULIE PLASENCIA, COURTESY CITY SLICKER FARMS, JULIE PLASENCIA
week, commu-
nity members
volunteer at
the plots to
get dirt on
their hands.
URBAN FARM 2009 97

Clockwise:
Built in 1975,
the Danny
Woo
Community
Garden sprang
from seeds of
change
planted during
the turbulent
1960s.
Built from a
blackberry
bramble, the
garden took The
thousands of Danny Woo
hours of International
volunteer work
District
Community
to clear and
CLOCKWISE: COURTESY TOM IM, RHODA PEACHER (2)

Garden
terrace.
Approximately
105 individual
garden plots
range from
100 to 250
square feet in
size.
can afford, according to a three-tiered sliding
scale. Within the first tier, called Free Spirit,
produce is free; the second, Just Getting By,
asks customers to pay conventional prices, and in
the third, Sugar Mama/Daddy, folks pay a pre-
mium to help subsidize the other two tiers.
As you can imagine, giving food away doesnt
make a profit, and in fact, City Slicker Farms is a
residents, particularly low-income people. Weve non-profit organization running on a shoestring
found it to be a really good strategy. budget. The group has a board of directors; a tiny
On designated days of the week, community paid staff (executive director and program assis-
members and volunteers arrive at the plots to tant); three farm apprentices who work for a
learn about farming, share gardening informa- stipend plus room and board; and a slew of volun-
tion and get some good, old garden dirt on their teers generously giving their time, muscle power
hands. Their collective harvest goes to the Center and gardening expertise. Finnin stresses that the
Street Farm stand, where shoppers pay what they organization relies heavily on donations,

especially from local businesses. For example,

they acquire material for the raised beds from a
local wood recycler, and West Oakland carpenters Growing a
build the boxes for free.
Ironically, while the six market farms increase Community Garden
food security in the community, they themselves
are land-insecure. We own two of the properties To grow a community garden, you need to do much more than
and have a memorandum of understanding with find an empty patch of ground and plant a bunch of seeds. Here,
the others, but the owners could decide to develop our sources pass along their advice for growing a thriving com-
the plots, and then wed have to move, Finnin munity garden that will last.
explains. Their answer to this dilemma: The The first thing is finding the land and making sure theres
Backyard Garden Program, where City Slicker water and power. You might have an empty plot, but where do
Farms helps people grow organic food right where you get your water? Come up with a plan, and make it a collabo-
they live. Every Saturday we go into a West rative community effort. Know your neighbors and ask what they
Oakland residents backyard and transform a dirt would likeand have liability insurance. Barbara Finnin,
patch into a beautiful vegetable garden. executive director of City Slicker Farms in Oakland, Calif.
One of those backyards belongs to Lafitte- I think the first step is identifying the demand (or need)
Oluwole and her husband, Olu. They helped us in the communityhow many people want a community
prepare the land in one day: dig up weeds, build gardenand then identifying a piece of land that can satisfy, or
the beds, fill them with soil, plant the seeds and come close to satisfying, that demand. Then its probably
seedlings, she recalls. They asked me what veg- working with the municipality to help come up with funding for
etables I liked, provided me with starts, and gave the project. Other people have just developed vacant properties
me instructions on watering and care. The garden [into gardens] without permission of the city and/or owners of
was totally successful! those parcels; however, as you can imagine, there are complica-
tions with this method. Tom Im, community planner with
The Danny Woo InterIm Community Development Association in Seattle, Wash.
International District You need to identify those who want to be leaders in the
community, give them the training, and then you plant the
Community Garden garden ... What we found out years ago was that in order for a
SEATTLE, WASH. community garden to be successful, it must be organized
externally and internally. The external things are what take place
visit to Seattles International District feels
A
in the garden: planting and harvesting at the right time, identi-
like a trip to a faraway land, minus the fying problems and challenges. But if it isnt organized internal-
interminable plane ride and disorienting ly, where you have a set of officers dealing with challenges that
jet lag. Oriental characters grace the exteriors of come down, it wont last. Bobby Wilson, president of the
diminutive shops selling fragrant teas, American Community Gardening Association and coordinator for
mysterious herbs and Buddha statues; the Atlanta Urban Gardening Program in Georgia.
restaurants rumble with rolling dim sum carts and
dangle cooked ducks in their windows; and a short
stroll uphill brings you to a place where
elderly gardeners tend terraced plots filled with during the turbulent 1960s, when many families
lush Asian greens, crisp bok choy and other tradi- and business owners in Seattles Chinatown/
tional crops. In an urban district suffering from a International District found themselves displaced
dearth of open space, this garden on a sun-kissed by the construction of Interstate 5. We were an
day in summer shines like a rare and precious jade. underserved communityfrom health and
Built in 1975, the Danny Woo Community various social services to city services like public
Garden sprang from seeds of change planted safety, says Tom Im, a community planner with
URBAN FARM 2009 99

Clockwise:
The Atlanta
program cleans
up neighbor-
hoods, beauti-
fies the urban
environment
and gives
community
members green
spaces to play
and relax.
Atlantas urban
gardeners
are fortunate Atlanta
to have Urban
Bobby Wilson Gardening
coordinate the Program
Atlanta Urban
Gardening
Program.
Wilson stresses
PHOTOS COURTESY BOBBY WILSON

that a commu-
nity garden is
not so much
about growing
food, but
about building
a healthy
community. students did little but protest. Long story short,
the activists decided to build a community
gardena challenging proposition in the crowded
district. Fortunately, Uncle Bob Santos, one of
InterIms leaders, knew a philanthropic restau-
InterIm Community Development Association, rant owner named Danny Woo who owned a
the nonprofit organization that manages the gar- swath of open space in the community. Woo
den and works to revitalize the district. The busi- rented the parcel to the neighborhood for a mere
ness owners wanted to gather their collective $1 a year, and his family eventually donated it to
money to improve the community, so they the organization. The land was basically a black-
formed this organization [InterIm]. berry bramble patch, and it took thousands of
When student activists took control of InterIm hours of volunteer work to clear and terrace it,
in the early 1970s, Im says they garnered some says Im. Building the garden for the elderly in
criticism from business leaders who thought the the neighborhood gave InterIm credibility

especially after the business leaders saw how $400 to $600 worth of fresh vegetables a year,
much work they put into it. says Bobby Wilson, a cooperative extension agent
Today, where an unruly tangle of blackberries with the University of Georgia and president of
once crawled, the Danny Woo Community the American Community Garden Association.
Garden consists of approximately 105 individual This figure is based on one of our gardeners
garden plots ranging from 100 to 250 square feet growing for a whole year, and were fortunate that
in size. The gardeners who come to tend their we can grow something all year-round here.
flourishing plots are primarily low-income Atlantas urban gardeners are also fortunate to
women over the age of 60, many of Chinese and have Wilson coordinate the Atlanta Urban
Korean heritage. Before immigrating to the Gardening Program, working with low-income
states, most of these hard-working gardeners residents in poorly nourished inner-city commu-
came from agrarian backgrounds but now live in nities to create bountiful community gardens.
small, socially assisted units, studios or one- According to Wilson, the program has been
bedroom apartments, with no gardening space of pretty successful at establishing gardens in the
their own. Along with providing wholesome food, areamore than 250 altogether and some 25 of
the earthy act of gardening lures residents out- them just this past summer. Not bad considering
doors to do something physical and enjoyable. many citiesAtlanta includedlost all or part of
Whats more, it gives them an opportunity to net- their government funding for urban gardening,
work with other gardeners and create a commu- he says, sometime in the late 1990s.
nity among themselves, Im says. In ACGAs Growing Community Workshops,
Like City Slicker Farms, InterIm counts on the Wilson educates gardeners about the complete
generosity of its volunteers. Students from the cycle of gardening for food: how to plant, care for,
University of Washington and Seattle University, harvest and consume vegetables, and what to do
Americorps volunteers, and others tackle projects with the surplusshare it with others, sell it or
ranging from weeding and litter pickup to the on- preserve it. However, he also stresses that a com-
going replacement of rotting railroad ties with munity garden is not so much about growing
concrete retaining walls. A paid garden manager food, but about building a healthy community. weblink:
maintains pathways, cares for the perennials and The program cleans up neighborhoods where
farms.com/communitygardentips
community garden, visit www.hobby
For an easy checklist for starting a
fruit trees, and oversees allocating the free garden vacant lots harbor drug and prostitute activity
plots. Low-income elderly residents have priority, and serve as convenient dumping grounds for
followed by other community members, low- garbage. It beautifies the urban environment with
income folks outside the district and then vibrant vegetables and flowers, giving community
everybody else. members green spaces to play and relax. It offers
leadership training programs to help create good
Atlanta Urban community leaders and feeds 350 hungry home-
Gardening Program less people once a month.

For the gardeners themselves70 percent of
ATLANTA, GA. which are over age 60the gardening program
also offers important therapeutic benefits. The
ith mild winters and hot, humid sum-
W
time it takes for them to walk to the garden, weed
mers, AtlantaGeorgias largest cityis and interact therethats the majority of their
a paradise for community gardeners who exercise and social interaction, explains Wilson.
want (or need) to grow a steady supply of nutri- My gardeners [also] look forward to our monthly
tious vegetables, from cool-season collard greens gardening and leadership training programs ...
to heat-hungry peppers. In this area of Georgia, this is the biggest event for them. uf
weve found that in an average-sized raised bed
Cherie Langlois is a freelance writer who gardens,
(4- by 16-foot), we can produce anywhere from
bakes and raises livestock in rural Kapowsin, Wash.
URBAN FARM 2009 101

102x105.terrarium 11/12/09 4:49 PM Page 102
B Y P. A L L E N S M I T H / P H O T O S B Y H O R T U S LT D .
Bring the outdoors in with an easy-to-build

terrarium full of your favorite houseplants.
need to make a confession: I dont have apothecary jars, hinged-lid boxes and candy
I many houseplants. That may sound strange

coming from someone who designs gardens
for a living, but I have to say that indoor plants
canisters. Thats part of the fun; you can use almost
any type of container to put together a combination
of plants that look like a miniature landscape.
never captured my imagination as much as those There are three basic types of terrariums:
I could combine into colorful, outdoor settings. A closed or lidded container thats sealed
When I started creating miniature gardens under so moisture stays inside. The best plants for this
glass, however, I had a change of heart. style are small tropical plants that prefer warm,
My first terrarium was a science project in junior moist environments.
high. It was a fun, interactive way to learn about An open container with sides as tall as the
the water cycle. We put plants into an old plants they contain and no lid. A range of plants
aquarium, stretched plastic wrap across the top, can be used in an open container.
and watched over the next several days as the A dish garden in which the container has
water vapor condensed inside and dripped back sides lower than the plants, so that the entire
into the soil to water the plants. Once my report planting lives in the rooms conditions. Plants
was turned in, I didnt think about making that are semi-arid such as cactii and succulents
another terrarium until a few years ago when I that dont require much water and are tolerant of
was trying to come up with an activity I could do bright sunlight are good for this type of terrarium.
with my niece and nephew. It was a dreary,
January afternoon. They were bored, and I was BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN
itching to get my hands in the dirt. By the time we To create your own terrarium, just follow these
were done, we had created a Land of the Lost basic steps:
terrarium complete with tropical plants, craggy STEP 1: SELECT A CONTAINER For easy access,
rocks and dinosaur figurines. pick a container that has a wide mouth. A fish-
Since then, Ive put together many terrariums for bowl, candy jar or old aquarium are all good
myself using all kinds of containers, including glass choices. If your container doesnt have a lid, you

can cover it with clear plastic wrap, a piece of

Plexiglas or a sheet of glass.
STEP 2: ADD GRAVEL Add about 1 inch of pea-
sized gravel or rock chips to the bottom of the
container. To avoid insects and disease, wash the
gravel with hot water, drain and pat dry. Gently
add the gravel so you dont crack the glass. If the
neck of the container is narrow, use a paper funnel
to direct the gravel to the bottom.
This step is optional: If the container will be
closed, you can add 1/2 inch of activated charcoal
over the gravel. The charcoal filters the water and
air to keep it fresh. You can buy activated charcoal
at any pet shop that carries aquarium supplies. If
youre making an open-top terrarium, you can
skip this step.
STEP 3: ADD SPHAGNUM MOSS A layer of
sphagnum moss on top of the charcoal acts like a
filter and prevents the soil in your terrarium from
settling into the pebbles.
URBAN FARM 2009 103

To remove any insect hitchhikers, spray the

plants with an insecticidal soap, following label
directions. Then slip the plants from their nursery
pots, remove the soil, and trim any roots that may
be pot bound. Snip off yellowed or damaged
leaves before planting the plants in the terrarium.
I like to place the taller plants in the back, mid-
sized plants in the middle and low-growing
plants, such as moss, toward the front. Keep the
foliage away from the sides of the container, as
water will drip on the leaves and promote decay.
Give an old STEP 4: ADD SOIL Top the moss with 2 to 3 STEP 6: ADD ACCENTS Add some fun accents.
fish tank new inches of good-quality container soil mix. Avoid Depending on the style of your terrarium, stone,
life as a using dirt from your yard. A bagged soil mix has colored pebbles, sea shells, glass marbles, fig-
terrarium. been sterilized and is better suited for terrariums. urines and even small mirrors (to look like water)
If youre using cactii and succulents, you can use a give your design some personality.
planting medium with more sand and pebbles. STEP 7: WATER THE SOIL Once you have the
STEP 5: PLANT THE LANDSCAPE Now comes the plants and accents in place, lightly water the soil.
fun part. Choose plants that have the same growing If the container is closed, dont put the lid on it
requirements for light, water and humidity. Buy until the water on the foliage has dried. Then
small plants that match the scale of your container. place the lid and put the terrarium in a bright spot
Within that group of plants, vary the size and tex- with indirect light, not a sunny location. Even an
ture to make the design more interesting. Slow- open terrarium can get too hot in full sun.
growing varieties work best for the restricted Open terrariums need watering occasionally,
space in a terrarium. Ive also found that the but not as frequently as other houseplants. A dish
design of the terrarium looks best when there is garden, unless its the desert type, will need to be
some open space between the plants, so try to not watered when the soil dries. But since there is no
jam them together. drainage in a terrarium, water lightly so moisture
doesnt accumulate around the plants roots. If
your mini garden is in a container with a tight lid,
you may only need to water once every few
Birth of Terrariums months. The key is to keep an eye on the container.
If theres no condensation, water the soil very
The man generally credited with bringing the art of the ter- lightly. If theres heavy condensation, remove the
rarium to the public is N. B. Ward. In the 1830s, Ward was lid to allow the terrarium to air out a bit.
studying a sphinx moth emerging from the chrysalis he buried As the plants grow, trimming quickly brings
in soil in a closed bottle and was amazed to see a that a them into bounds and often promotes side shoots
seedling fern and some grass had sprouted inside. He watched that fill-out plants. Pinching out tips before plants
them grow for four years, during which time not one drop of become too tall results in better growth than
water was added, nor was the cover removed. In 1842, Ward severe cutbacks. Be sure to remove all trimmed
published a book called On the Growth of Plants in Closely vegetation from the terrarium floor. uf
Glazed Cases, which led to the development of Wardian
P. Allen Smith is a professional garden designer, host
caseslarge, enclosed containers for growing delicate plants
of two national TV programs, a regular guest on NBCs
in the home or transporting precious plants over long
Today Show and author of P. Allen Smiths Living in the
distances. The terrariums most often used today are small, Garden Home (Clarkson Potter, 2007) and other books
ornamental versions of the Wardian case. in the Garden Home series.

1: Select your
container
and gather
supplies.
2: Add gravel
gently. If the
neck of the
container is
narrow, use a
2 3 paper funnel
to direct the
gravel to the
bottom.
3: Add sphag-
num moss on
top of charcoal
(optional).
4 5 4: Top the
moss with 2 to
3 inches of
container soil
mix.
5: Choose
plants that
have the same
requirements
for light, water
6 7 and humidity.
6: Add some
fun accents
like natural
stones.
7: Lightly
water the soil.
URBAN FARM 2009 105

106x107.storefront 11/12/09 4:49 PM Page 106
urban STOREFRONT Innovations for sustainable living
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106x107.storefront 11/12/09 4:49 PM Page 107
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URBAN FARM 2009 107

108-109.uf connects 11/12/09 4:50 PM Page 108
uf CONNECTS Links and local events
U R BA N GA R D E N I N G Farm Folk/City Folk Locate products made with or packaged in recycled

A nonprofit society that works to cultivate a local, plastic. www.americanchemistry.com/s_plastics
American Community Gardening Association sustainable food system. www.ffcf.bc.ca (Click on Learning Center, then Recycled Plastic
A nonprofit organization that promotes and supports Products Directory)
community food- and ornamental-gardening. Green America
www.communitygarden.org A not-for-profit organization that works to educate the California Integrated Waste Management Board
public and create an environmentally sustainable soci- Information, resources and directories for recycling in
Boston Natural Areas Network ety. 800-58-GREEN www.greenamericatoday.org California. 916-341-6000 www.ciwmb.ca.gov
Preserves and improves urban open space in the
Growing Home
city. www.bostonnatural.org Compostable Organics Out of Landfills by 2012
Promotes and demonstrates organic agriculture as a
Community Roots Urban Gardens vehicle for job training, employment and community A national initiative to keep compostable organics out
A neighborhood-supported agriculture model in development in Chicago. www.growinghome.org of the landfill. It provides tools, models, presentation
Boulder, Colo., that brings local food production and materials and public-policy suggestions for commu-
Indy Tilth nities across North America. www.cool2012.com
distribution into urban settings. The website offers All types of community gardening information for
workshops and resources for becoming an NSA beginners and pros. www.indyurbanfarm.org Earth911
model. www.communityrootsboulder.com
All you need to know about reducing, reusing and
Cooperative Extension System U R BA N FA R M I N G recycling. www.Earth911.com
Agricultural and home-economics information Growing Power, Inc.
provided by the nationwide network of land-grant Find a Composter
Creates a healthy and safe way of growing food by
universities. www.extension.org Online database to help you find composters in your
offering training, demonstrations, outreach and
area. www.findacomposter.com
Cornell Universitys Vegetable Varieties assistance in communities throughout the United
for Gardeners States. 414-527-1546 (Milwaukee) 773-486- The Freecycle Network
A compilation of information from fellow gardeners 6005 (Chicago) www.growingpower.org Offer your used items and find ways to reuse other
about what grows best. vegvariety.cce.cornell.edu Seattle Tilth Association recycled items. www.freecycle.org
A nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and
Denver Urban Gardens Sustainable Architecture, Building and Culture
educating people to garden organically and con-
Operates and assists with the creation and manage- Explores the relationship between ecology and sus-
serve natural resources. 206-633-0451
ment of more than 80 metro-area community tainability, and offers products and resources for
www.seattletilth.org
gardens and small parks. www.dug.org making eco-conscious lifestyle choices.
Spin-Farming www.sustainableabc.com
Hyperlocavore Information on non-technical and inexpensive ways
Find or start a yard-sharing arrangement in your to farm and still earn income from land that is less Tree Hugger
town. hyperlocavore.ning.com than 1 acre in size. www.spinfarming.com Green news, solutions and product information.
GreenNet Urban Farm School www.treehugger.com
A coalition of organizations that share information Information on farming urban and suburban lots;
and resources about greening Chicago and improving U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
providing consultation and design services.
open space in the city. www.greennetchicago.org Information and resources to help protect the envi-
www.urbanfarmschool.com
ronment. www.epa.gov
National Gardening Association
Information, publications, lessons and grants for big or LOCAL FOOD
small gardens. 802-863-5251 www.garden.org Community Food Security Coalition
CHICKENS
Portland Yard Sharing Project A non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring American Bantam Association
Provides resources to Portland, Ore., residents to grow affordable, nutritious and local food is available to A national organization that represents bantam
fresh, local food and develop stronger communities. everyone. www.foodsecurity.org breeders. www.bantamclub.com
www.yardsharing.org Just Food
A non-profit organization working to develop a sus- American Poultry Association
Sharing Backyards
tainable food system by presenting information and The APA publishes the American Standard of
Links people with yard space to those looking for a
food-growing opportunities in New York City. Perfection with breed and variety descriptions for all
place to grow food. www.sharingbackyards.com recognized fowl. 724-729-3459
www.justfood.org
www.amerpoultryassn.com
Urban Gardening Help Local Harvest
An all-around guide to gardening in the city. Find farmers markets, family farms and other Backyard Chickens
www.urbangardeninghelp.com sources of sustainably grown food in your area, Information for keeping and appreciating chickens
Worldwide Directory of Garden Coaches including CSA opportunities. www.localharvest.org in any backyard. www.backyardchickens.com
Find a professional to help you tend your backyard Slow Food USA
garden. www.gardencoachdirectory.wetpaint.com Urban Chickens
Information, programs and products for creating A blog, forum, photos, tips and resources for urban
dramatic and lasting change in the food system. chicken-keepers. www.urbanchickens.org
U R BA N FA R M N E W S 877-756-9366 www.slowfoodusa.org
weblink:
City Farmer News

Stories from Vancouver, Canada, and information to
GREEN NEWS & RESOURCES Tell us! If you know of a resource that
should be listed here, let us know at
help urban dwellers plant vegetables, herbs and fruit American Chemistry Councils Recycled Plastic www.urbanfarmonline.com
in backyards everywhere. www.cityfarmer.info Products Directory

108-109.uf connects 11/12/09 4:50 PM Page 109
CALENDAR SEPTEMBER 19-20 Fort Collins, Colo. own jar of organic sauerkraut; 603-786-2366;
Sustainable Living Fair: Interact with vendors and www.dacres.org
SEPTEMBER 2 Pendleton, Ore. Residential learn from workshops, food contests, a recycled OCTOBER 22-24 Bordentown, N.J. Bee-ginners
Basics of Going Solar: Learn the basics of solar fashion show and more activities at this 10th annual Beekeeping: Designed to provide information for new
energy in Oregon, from solar systems to tax credits, event; 970-224-FAIR; www.sustainablelivingfair.org beekeepers to start and care for a Honey bee colony,
in this free workshop; 503-231-5662; SEPTEMBER 22 New York, N.Y. Canning the the course covers bee biology, hive management,
www.solaroregon.org Fruits of NYC Trees: At Brooklyn Botanic Garden, purchasing queen bees, honey extraction, candle-
learn techniques to preserve your harvest all year making, hands-on sessions and more; 732-932-9271;
SEPTEMBER 5 Hopland, Calif. Biointensive www.cpe.rutgers.edu/courses/current/ae0401ca.html
Gardening: In this workshop, learn the basic principles long using mason jars, a hot-water bath and your
and skills associated with biointensive gardening delicious, homegrown vegetables; 212-645-9880; OCTOBER 22-24 Fairfield, Iowa. Grow
growing more food than you ever dreamed of in a www.justfood.org/cityfarms/workshops Biointensive Sustainable Mini-farming Workshop:
space smaller than you ever thought possible Heres an exciting opportunity for gardeners of all
SEPTEMBER 25-27 Unity, Maine. Common levels to gain an understanding of John Jeavonss
including tool selection, bed preparation, plant propa- Ground Country Fair: Come on down East for the
gation and more; 707-472-2450; www.solarliving.org Grow Biointensive philosophy and techniques; 707-
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Associations
459-5958; www.johnjeavons.info
SEPTEMBER 7 Zanesville, Ohio. The Ohio 33rd annual gathering. Organic farmers from all
Green Living Fayre: This annual grassroots event over Maine, vendors, exhibitors and demonstrators OCTOBER 23 San Francisco, Calif. Organic
celebrates the communitys identity rooted in the share knowledge about sustainable living; eat deli- Beer, Wine and Spirit Tasting: Join CCOF at their
principles of sustainability. Workshops and vendors cious, organic, local food; buy and sell Maine crafts; fourth annual event to sample a range of organic
focus on alternative building and energy, sustain- and compete in various activities; www.mofga.org beer and wine and chat with the winemakers and
able food and agriculture, sustainable living, and brewers; www.ccof.org/ccoftastingsanfrancisco.php
wellness and healing; www.ohiogreenliving.org/? SEPTEMBER 26-27 Sturbridge, Mass.
Natural Living Expo: More than 135 exhibitors and OCTOBER 24 Chestnut Ridge, N.Y. Preparing
page_id=22 Hives for Winter: Chris Harp will explain the latest
professionals in natural medicine, green living, and
SEPTEMBER 12 New York, N.Y. Fall Harvest personal and family wellness will put on workshops sustainable methods for beekeepers, beginner to
Fair: Gather at the Garden of Happiness to celebrate and activities; 508-278-9640; www.spiritofchange. advanced, who are searching for ways to preserve
community gardens and urban farming with three org/expo and enhance the health of Honey bees; www.pfeiffer
workshops as part of the New York Botanical center.org
Gardens Edible Gardening workshop series; 212- OCTOBER 3-4 Asheville, N.C. Backyard
Sustainability Workshop: Get an intro to the tricks of
OCTOBER 31 Hopland, Calif. Mushroom
645-9880; www.justfood.org/cityfarms/workshops Cultivation at Home and in the Garden: This work-
urban homesteading. Learn what it takes to raise
SEPTEMBER 12 Hopland, Calif. Sustainable chickens, shiitake mushrooms, Honey bees and red
shop will cover boosting plant yields with mycor-
Beekeeping: In this introductory course, gain the rhizae fungi, indoor and outdoor growing tech-
worms; work with fish ponds, graywater and rain
basics associated with starting and managing a niques, the mushroom lifecycle and functions,
catchment; and more; 828-225-8820;
sustainable bee hive, from concepts and terminology medicinal properties of certain mushrooms, and
www.ashevillage.org/avi/index.php
to ensuring your hives success; 707-472-2450; much more. Youll leave with the knowledge,
www.solarliving.org OCTOBER 4 Covington, Ga. Field of Green resources and enthusiasm to grow your own mush-
Festival: This event brings together locally grown rooms; 707-472-2450; www.solarliving.org
SEPTEMBER 12 New York, N.Y. Cooking in the
food, live music and green-living education spon- NOVEMBER 6-7 Asheville, N.C. Rainwater and
Moment: Greenmarket Cuisine: Forge a culinary
sored by Slow Food Atlanta; 770-601-0110; Greywater Catchment Workshop: Learn the art of
connection with the Union Square Greenmarket and
www.whippoorwillhollowfarm.com catching, storing and using rainwater, greywater
its farmers with this program from the Institute of
Culinary Education, billed as part walking tour, part OCTOBER 10-13 Des Moines, Iowa. and stormwater resources in passive rain gardens,
cooking class; www.iceculinary.com Community Food Security Coalitions Annual tanks, ponds, canals and tubs; 828-225-8820;
Conference: Fifty workshops, a food film festival, www.ashevillage.org/avi/index.php
SEPTEMBER 12 Middlebury, Vt. Sustainable
Garden and Landscape Design: Judith Irven will field trips, business meetings, a trade show and NOVEMBER 11-12 Phoenix, Ariz. Greenbuild
show you how with blueprints for a sustainable more will focus on farm-to-cafeteria programs, food International Conference and Expo: This is the place
garden, an examination of sustainable plant-garden access in rural and urban communities, food poli- to learn how green can grow your business with
communities and a visual celebration of every tics, labor and immigration in community food sys- 1,900 exhibit booths showcasing innovative prod-
season; 802-434-4122; www.nofavt.org tems, international food security, local foods, food ucts and services, more than 100 educational ses-
access in underserved communities, and more; sions, workshops and tours; 866-579-8413;
SEPTEMBER 12-13 Norway, Iowa. I-Renew 503-954-2970; www.communityfoodconference.org www.greenbuildexpo.org
Energy & Sustainability Expo: The expo features
workshops, speakers and demonstrations on OCTOBER 11 Throughout Maine. Open NOVEMBER 12-13 Little Rock, Ark. Arkansas
renewable energy, sustainable living, green building, Creamery Day: Twenty cheese makers and cream- Farm to School Conference: Heifer International
energy-efficient technology, renewable fuels, alter- eries invite the public to watch their craft and taste hosts this event for Arkansas farmers, school nutri-
native transportation, advocacy, energy technology their wares; www.mainecheeseguild.org tion directors, nutrition educators and related pro-
and related topics; 319-338-1076; www.irenew.org fessionals to network, learn from Farm to School
OCTOBER 12-13 Ukiah, Calif. Intro to Off-grid experts and develop plans for making Farm to
SEPTEMBER 13 Phoenix, Ariz. Build your own Systems: This workshop provides an introduction to School a reality in Arkansas; 501-907-2856;
Rain Barrel: Convert a 55-gallon drum into a rain off-grid solar, wind and hydroelectric systems; 707- www.farmtoschool.org/AR/upcoming.htm
barrel. Bring your own barrel or purchase one at the 472-2450; www.solarliving.org
class to convert into a water harvester with a tap DECEMBER 4 San Fransisco, Calif. Green
and overflow; www.phoenixpermaculture.net OCTOBER 12-13 Asheville, N.C. Urban Careers: At this interactive workshop, youll gain
Aquaculture Workshop: Learn about aquaculture as insight and practical knowledge in the new world of
SEPTEMBER 19-20 Asheville, N.C. a way to cultivate local, high-protein foods, such as green jobs and careersfrom career self-
Permaculture Design Course: Get introduced to the tilapia, bass, red clawfish and aquatic plants, while assessment to green-job-hunting strategies and
principles and practices of permaculture. This course recycling and purifying rain water; 828-225-8820; resources, youll be able to develop your new action
has an urban, neighborhood and residential focus www.ashevillage.org/avi/index.php plan; www.greenbuildingexchange.com uf
and includes principles and ethics of sustainability,
creating integrated and regenerative human eco- OCTOBER 17 Dorchester, N.H. The Art of
weblink:
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URBAN FARM 2009 111

112.why uf 11/12/09 4:50 PM Page 112
why im an URBAN FARMER
Why are we urban farmers?
Because we like food that tastes better

than the materials its packed in.
COURTESY ERIK KNUTZEN
Kelly Coyne & Erik Knutzen, authors of The Urban Homestead (Process, 2008)

Living
HOBB
FA R M H Y
Enjoy True Country i s n o wO M E
a va il a b
s u b s c rip le b y
t io n !
Youll get 6 bi-monthly issues,

each filled with wonderful
ideas for far m living:
Cook fresh recipes
from your harvest
Learn traditional
country crafts
Discover new techniques for
farm house dcor
Get ideas for country
entertaining
Find out the latest news and
products for animals around
the farm
Subscribe Today! Visit us at

HobbyFarmHome.com/Subscribe
Or call 1-800-937-9467
Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your first issue. E906TTT

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PREMIERE

Turn Your LAWN

Urban Farm Chicken Coops

Overall size is 48" W x 56" L x 48" H

Eat Local: Hire a

PREMIERE 2009 VOLUME 1 NUMBER 1 Urban Renewal

features 84 Hoarding the Harvest

Mini Gardens Under Glass

32 Chicks (& Goats)

Beekeeping in the Burbs

Where Urban Meets Farm

Rules of Containment 110 Marketplace

UF Newsfeed: If you have a news item Contributors Collateral Sales

2 URBAN FARM urbanfarmonline.com

by karen keb acevedo

URBAN FARM 2009 3

uf NEWSFEED News and views for urban farmers

Pedal to the Mettle

Clickin & Cluckin

4 URBAN FARM urbanfarmonline.com

URBAN FARM 2009 5

PHOTOS COURTESY AMERICAN COMMUNITY GARDENING ASSOCIATION

When your desire for homegrown foods has outgrown your

Grease Is the Word

COURTESY COFFEE CREEK CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

URBAN FARM 2009 7

concerns are finally spilling into the mainstream

8 URBAN FARM urbanfarmonline.com

Post-World War II generations in this country

URBAN FARM 2009 9

CLOCKWISE: RHODA PEACHER, JOHN IVANKO, JEFF MARTIN

10 URBAN FARM urbanfarmonline.com

than conventional incandescent bulbs while

URBAN FARM 2009 11

CLOCKWISE: RHODA PEACHER (2), JEANMFOGLE.COM

12 URBAN FARM urbanfarmonline.com

URBAN FARM 2009 13

14 URBAN FARM urbanfarmonline.com

LEFT: CHERIE LANGLOIS, RIGHT: JEANMFOGLE.COM

URBAN FARM 2009 15

BACK TO BASICS Maximize your lands growth potential

as you see the possibilities before you for feeding

Ecology Action (EA), a research and education

16 URBAN FARM urbanfarmonline.com

URBAN FARM 2009 17

The way station between your

Use up to 50 percent less

Use 94 to 99 percent less energy

Substantially increase yields

Create a 100-percent increase in

PHOTOS BY JESSICA WALLISER

an ongoing learning experience for us all, and the

I f you feed and nurture the soil, it will feed you.

18 URBAN FARM urbanfarmonline.com

method of deep soil preparation in which the soil By starting

deep with a spading fork.

For full details, see How To Grow More

URBAN FARM 2009 19

anaerobic and becoming very smelly. You may

C lose planting protects the microbes in the soil

Top: Close and hold moisture). An example of dry, mature

20 URBAN FARM urbanfarmonline.com

If you have a small growing area

If you have a very small growing area (200