EarthBoxes on rooftop deck, (May 22, 2009) originally uploaded by Cook County Master Gardeners at Museum of Science and Industry.
EarthBoxes on Rooftop Deck, (May 22, 2009) originally uploaded by Cook County Master Gardeners at Museum of Science and Industry.
These photos of EarthBoxes at the Smart Home on the grounds of the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago are from early May this year. These are immature plants only starting their life of abundance and productivity.
I will soon post photos that are more recent. They will clearly demonstrate the robust growth of the EarthBox plants and the bounty of fresh vegetables they produce with so little effort. Do not attribute these extraordinary benefits to the EarthBox alone. They are generic benefits of sub-irrigated planters (SIPs) including those that are home made.
Even those of low income can access the benefits of SIPs. All it takes is education, which is currently in short supply. We desperately need competent educators in the field of modern urban greenscaping.
We can thank The Growing Connection (a UN FAO organization) for donating the EarthBoxes, the Cook County Master Gardeners and the leadership of University of Illinois cooperative extension agent Ron Wolford for these valuable photographs. While Chicago has a long way to go, it is clearly on the right path. It is arguably the urban greenscaping leader of the United States.
I will not stop asking the question of why this same type of modern urban greenscaping is not taught to people of all ages, all across the country. It is particularly disturbing that horticultural institutions in my home city of New York are essentially mute on the subject.
In my professional view, it is malpractice of high order. Unfortunately, there is little or no peer review within the system. On the surface, it appears to be a cabal of mediocrity if not incompetence.
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