Renew Resources

Posts Tagged ‘plant containers’

Making Green Homes Affordable

When it comes to construction projects, “green” often translates to “more expensive.” As a result, many working families, seniors and people with disabilities don’t have a chance to enjoy the multiple benefits of eco-friendly living: lower utility costs, healthier living spaces and the feeling that you’re doing the right thing for the planet.

That bothered Enterprise Community Partners, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for low- and moderate-income people through affordable housing and thriving communities.

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Originally posted by Sophia Bennet

Self-Watering Plant Containers for Your Garden

Most plants don’t need much to survive: Just dirt, sunlight, and water — although that last one can really trip you up if you’re a novice gardener, out of town, or just plain forgetful.

That’s where self-watering container gardens come in: You place your plants in an insert, place the insert in a reservoir of water, and let the plant soak up water as required.

Self-watering gardens are a cinch to DIY with almost any kind of container, from an empty soda bottle to an 18-gallon storage bin, but there are plenty of pre-made versions, too.

These nine options — from the basic insert to the DIY IKEA to the chic, cubist alternative — will help that basil, marigold, tomato plant and more flourish, despite your watering flaws.

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Originally Posted on Treehugger

World Changing:  Top Sustainability Trends of the Next Decade

World Changing created a list of the top sustainability trends they see occurring over the next decade:

Bike usage will continue to rise across cities worldwide: “Copenhagen residents use bikes for 37 percent of all their transit. But bikes in Europe represent more than utility; riding a bicycle with the Velib’s bikeshare program in Paris now easily competes (42 million registered users) with taking a spring walk along the Seine. Bike-sharing abounds in dozens of European cities as well as in Rio de Janeiro and Santiago, Chile. Look for North American burgs to continue their proliferation of bicycles-as-transit use and bike lane expansion (NYC bicycle use is up 61% in two years).”

Copenhagen UNFCCC meeting will eventually result in a set of targets for cutting GHG emissions: “The UN COP15 Copenhagen conference resulted in no binding treaty status among any of the attending 128 nations that attended for them to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. This year’s late fall gathering in Mexico City is likely to set national binding targets for greenhouse gas emissions.

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Originally posted by The Dirt

TAU’s Eco-Architecture Could Produce “Grow Your Own” Homes

Stable building structures are being built from living trees.

A bus stop that grows its own foliage as shade? A children’s playground, made entirely from trees? A shelter made from living tree roots that could provide natural protection against earthquakes in California?

“Eco-architecture” may sound like a Buck Rogers vision of an ecologically-sustainable future, but that future is now thanks to the guidance of Tel Aviv University Professors Yoav Waisel and Amram Eshel. The concept of shaping living trees into useful objects ­­­­ known as tree shaping, arborsculpture, living art or pooktre isn’t new. But scientists are now ready to use this concept as the foundation of a new company that will roll out these structures worldwide.

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Originally posted by Aftau

Infographic: Map of Pollution Levels in China’s Major River Basins

The seven major river basins, as a whole, have had steady improvements in water quality over the past decade.

The water quality of the Pearl River and the Yangtze River are the best among the seven major river basins. There have been few changes to the Hai River over the last decade, while there was a big increase in water classified as drinkable (Grades I-III) in the Yellow River. The Huai River has had a relatively stable improvement, but the Songhua River has experienced slow improvement from 2004 to 2007 (perhaps due to two catastrophic pollution accidents that occurred there in 2005 and 2006).

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Originally posted by Circle of Blue

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Tags: renew resources, enterprise community, novice gardener <BR/>

Today, it is safe to say vertical gardens are the new “Black” to any modern day green garden ensemble.  The genesis of the “Green Wall” garden dates back to 1988 when French botanist, Patrick Blanc fathered and debuted his concept for the Museum of Science and Industry in Paris, France.

Now, thanks to the green movement vertical garden designs are exploring new innovative coordinates for people to discover and use for individual self-sufficiency and artistic expression. But before you “Plant for success,” you need to consider the following 5 key vertical gardening factors–here we go!

 

SUNLIGHT

Plants are autotrophs, meaning that they make their own food. Specifically, they use sunlight, break it down through photosynthesis, inhale CO2 and release fresh oxygen for animals, you and I to breathe.

Ultimately, your vertical garden needs at least 4 hours of sunlight a day.  The best way to ensure this is to face your vertical garden south.

 

 

 

WATER

To start the germination process, your seed needs water. The term “Germination” is defined as the process where the new plant in the seed emerges from its shell.  Water activates enzymes in seeds and encourages swelling and softening, which give it enough punch to push through and grow.  A great reminder is to keep your vertical garden near a hose or local water faucet.

 

 

REUSE CONTAINERS

If you want to avoid wasting new resources, reuse/recycle old two litre bottles, milk jugs or cans for plant containers.

You can also research vertical gardening companies such as Urbio.  This is one of many companies who offer highly affordable vertical gardening pucks and inserts made out of recycled plastic for vertical gardens.

 

 

 

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO EAT?

If you are a beginner, start by planting something easy such as mint, chili or lettuce. If you’re looking for a challenge try purchasing broccoli, tomato or brussel sprout seeds.

You also want to consider the root depth. Carrots and beats require at least a foot and a half of soil to plant their roots while vegetables such as lettuce require a lower root depth.

 

 

 

PATIENCE IS MAINTENANCE

With all the excitement vertical gardening gives us it’s important to show discipline with garden maintenance. Make sure your vertical garden is bug free by planting natural plant flower pesticides, which will give you an enhanced visual beatification.

 

 

 

 

Summary

Vertical gardens are an excellent way to maximize your space at home while making a social statement.  Self-sufficiency is an art most Westerners have forgotten. To know how to garden is to know how to take care of you and your family–whether it’s vertical or horizontal.  Good luck!

Author

SC

Comments? Want to plant seeds of insight?  Leave a comment!

Tags: museum of science and industry, eco friendly, paris france, litre bottles <BR/>