Cattle Trough Rooftop Planters

This rooftop garden is also in San Francisco. It's a valid question to wonder why these cattle troughs were chosen for a family housing project. 

Rooftop Planters (metal troughs approximately 30” deep and 6’ long) lined with filter fabric. Drains run to a sediment filter system.

They are oversized for the job leading to potential over watering. Note the hose watering in the top photo. Anyone here have a soil probe? Probably not. 

There are many other sub-irrigated planter options that would be far more productive, easier to maintain, be more relevant to the building occupants and cost much less. 

Once again, my belief is that a lack of education is the cause. Landscape architects should be experts in all types of planters including sub-irrigated boxes, beds and buckets but they aren't at this time. 

Via: Bay Localize 

Brief Description
The Curran House is an affordable family housing project located in the Tenderloin Neighborhood in San Francisco with a Rooftop Garden which is tended to by its residents!
Location
San Francisco, CA
Date Completed
2005
Project Type/System
Rooftop Planters (both edible and decorative, possibly transitioning to all edible)
Media
Rooftop Planters (metal troughs approximately 30” deep and 6’ long) lined with filter fabric. Drains run to a sediment filter system.
Size/Dimension
3,000 sq ft
Soil Depth
About 24”
Soil Composition
Standard potting soil
Plant/Vegetables Grown
Permanent Planters: Vines, citrus, other plants. Resident Planters: Resident’s choice, primarily vegetables
Cost
$30-40 sqft ~ $90,000 (the project took into consideration the fact that most residents at the Curran House can’t afford a car and public transportation is easily accessible from the Tenderloin Neighborhood. Not having to pay for the cost of parking facilities left thousands of dollars in the budget for other valuable building components such as the green roof).

Comments

[MrBrownThumb]

Wow, those things are huge. I'm guessing they chose them because of their sheer size. Good height though for those with mobility issues but who want to garden.

[Greenscaper]

Good point about the height MBT. However, I think there are more elegant & productive ways to do it. Sub-irrigated grow boxes are also portable (dolly or hand truck), a significant benefit. It looks like you'd need a forklift to move these big hunkers.

[Marianne]

Hi, does anyone know where you can buy these cattle troughs? I searched the web and could not seem to find any place.

[Kara]

Can you tell me where to purchase troughs like these? I need a really large one about 6' long, 2-3' wide and 3' high.
Thanks!

[Jeff]

Did you ever find out where to purchase these troughs?

[Greenscaper]

Google search - cattle troughs for sale
http://www.google.com/search?q=cattle+troughs+for+sale&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a