They are called SIPs (Sub-Irrigation Planters) and these DIY garden boxes if you will are being touted as the laptop/ipad of urban gardens. You cane construct one for as much as $9 using a plastic tote box (think Rubermaid bins for storage) and some old milk cartons (1/2 gallon) and a water bottle.
In judging the picture you need:
.jpg)
-5-1/2 gallon milk bottles
-1 water bottle
-a plastic tote and a lid
-and some container mix (NO TOP SOIL)
-and you used the plastic bag from the container mix as a mulch cover for the whole that is required to be cut out from the lid...
-obviously seeds, etc.
I think that communinty development corporations in Cleveland neighborhoods could reach people not involved in direct urban gardening with these little plant-growing units. It brings satisfaction and a sense of achievement in growing your own little portable food device, especially in areas where most people live in apartments or other environments that are not too conducive to self-food production. One thing comes to mind: workshops for people in neighborhoods in food deserts where they can learn to make these things, and even better, these workshops could integrate SIPs with other components of urban gardening like composting, etc. This is one small yet big way for Cleveland to promote food more local than City Fresh. With the food coming out of a plastic tote! I think the City of Cleveland's Sustainability Department could find some $$$ to fund workshops so residents in food deserts can get a green thumb. I know the City has spent money on rain barrels for residents in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood
This seems like it is just as worthy of a cause. I wonder...
Here are some working SIPs:
No comments:
Post a Comment