This assortment of planters was on the front stoop of a Bay Ridge, Brooklyn row house last summer.
All of them are drench and drain planters. None of them are sub-irrigated (aka self-watering) planters.
The productivity of these planters would be up to 100 percent higher if they were sub-irrigated and properly fertilized.
They would also use less water and save the owner time by requiring less watering.
It makes so much sense. Why, you ask, didn't the owner use sub-irrigation? It is my firm opinion that it is a lack of information, rather than a lack of intelligence.
The fault lies with our institutions that should be teaching these methods but are not.
The Center for Urban Greenscaping has a top priority to hold free public education sessions.
If you live in New York City and have a meeting venue, I will do my best to arrange a consumer education session to fit your audience.
Bob Hyland
aka Greenscaper
UrbanGreenscaper [AT] gmail.com