Inside Urban Green International

Great Idea » Sub-irrigated Planters (SIPs) with Legs

Elevated sub-irrigated planters (SIPs) like these are a great idea for all adults but particularly for seniors and those dealing with physical handicaps at any age. We will see many more versions of this basic idea in the future.

The concept is already widely used around the world as taught by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). See this Flickr set. Most of the elevated planters are made from recycled wooden pallets.

Why isn't the USDA extension program promoting this highly productive and ecologically beneficial method of urban food production? It is a social injustice that they are not educating the public about these modern methods. Ask your political representatives at both the state and national levels why this is. You deserve an answer.

via www.instructables.com

It's Your Secret

The secret follows...

IKEA » A Modern Look Sub-irrigated Planter

Thanks to a link from reader Karen, here is a cool looking sub-irrigated planter - SIP (aka "self-watering).It is available in 6 3/4" and 8 1/4 in. sizes.

With all of my medical issues this year I have not been to IKEA Brooklyn in a long time. I will soon remedy that and buy one of these for sure. I just checked and they are in stock.

IKEA also has other well designed watertight containers (not necessarily meant to be planters) that can easily be adapted to SIPs or used for clay pebble hydroculture. I will see what they have. Stay tuned. 

via www.ikea.com

Birmingham, AL » Toxic Metals Soil Contamination Exposed

Side by side with Obama's birth certificate and Lindsay Lohan nonsense, stories about toxic metals soil contamination are in the news every day. I read articles about it from cities all across the country.

The obviously widespread problem does not seem to matter, however, to the extension program, over zealous urban farming and local food activists who ignore it. I read their gardening advice, guides and tutorials just about every day. There is not a word about testing your soil for toxic metals contamination before you plant. Is this omission due to a form of ideological bias or just plain ignorance? 

via www.cbs42.com

Birmingham, Ala (WIAT) A CBS42 investigation has uncovered serious problems in several Birmingham neighborhoods.

A potentially lethal cocktail of chemicals are rocking entire communities in North Birmingham. Families are just now learning about contamination of the soil their homes and schools are built on.

Sub-irrigated Crassula Golem Bonsai

This is a Crassula Golem (Jade plant) bonsai growing in a recycled soda bottle sub-irrigated planter (SIP) inside an IKEA ceramic cachepot. There is no drain hole. You can grow any terrestrial plant from Peace Lilies to Cacti in SIPs. You do not need to grow plants in containers with drain holes.

The need for drain holes is an urban myth perpetuated by the USDA extension program, houseplant growers and houseplant book authors who do not know any better.

This plant was installed back in August '07. Even though it was happier in the dry Mediterranean climate of San Diego it has stayed in good health growing on an east facing windowsill here in Brooklyn since the fall of '07. I staged it here under a CFL desk lamp for the photo shoot but you could grow it under artificial light this way.

Recycled Glass Bottle SIPs Update

These Spider plants (from unrooted offsets) were planted in these recycled glass bottle planters on February 20, 2011. No drain holes, no problem! The photo after the jump is from March 26.

New York City Lead Contaminated Soil » Better Pigeons Than Your Kids

David Handschuh/News = Rina Maguire from the Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine on Columbus Ave. says pigeons can help scientists track if there's high levels of lead in the environment.

Lead contamination in city soils is a widespread problem. The NY Times published an extensive report on it a while back and it has not by any means gone away.

Using pigeons to detect lead contamination in New York City soils seems like an idea worth exploring. However, there is no substitute for each citizens's responsibility to test the soil in their yard for soil contamination. It is the sensible thing to do to protect the heath of all family members.

With that said, I do not know of even one botanical, horticultural or food activist organization in New York City that is actively assuming the civic responsibility to deliver the message about the need to perform a toxic metals soil test.

Perhaps the pigeons will.

via www.nydailynews.com

Pigeons helpful in detecting dangerous lead levels in environment

USDA » For a Good Garden Workout, Pace Yourself

There's a much better and safer way to grow food Mr. Old-timer.

via www.illinoistimes.com

As the gardening season gets into full swing, we can be assured of a few things: flowers will bloom, weeds will grow and our bodies will ache. However, preventing some aches and pains is within our control.

Gardening could be viewed as a workout. Therefore, consult your doctor before starting an exercise program. Also discuss medications, some might cause hypersensitivity to the sun.

Here are a few tips to help avoid undue stress, aches and pains to your body:

Warm up and stretch the muscles for 15 minutes before beginning a garden chore. You will find that you can garden longer and better if you stretch. Follow stretching with non-strenuous activities and work your way up to more strenuous activities. Also stretch at the completion of garden activities. Read more...

Late Breaking News From the USDA » lockup2 HD

via www.youtube.com

According to YouTube I was the first and only viewer of this vital update from the USDA on the entire worldwide web earlier today. I am sure you will be comforted to know how diligent the USDA is in protecting our interests. Who knows what "lockup2 HD" means?

I had a feeling they were working in a dark, secure building somewhere. I belive there is a mushroom farm downstairs. Incidently, notice that even the USDA has people working in dark rooms with no plants. What a testimonial and how unsupportive of the interior plantscaping and houseplant industries.

Did someone forget to title this video and add a description? Was it your goof again commissioner? You can't blame this one on Shirley.

Be aware that your screen may go dark at any moment.

New York City Politicians Getting the Lead Out

Those of a certain age will understand the term getting the lead out

It is good to see this happening but it is only the tip of the lead contamination problem in city soils. We have a flood of neophyte gardeners who have no clue about the potential danger of toxic metal contamination of the soil in their yards or nearby communal gardens.

The unconscionable part of this is that the vast majority of "urban agriculture", "urban farming" activists are derelict in their public duty to warn the public in any and all "gardening guides" they publish. A recommentation for a toxic metals soil test should be mandatory and at the top of the list of things to do.

In my view, a fiduciary responsibility is inherent in the relationship between public information providers and recipients when public health is involved. This is particularly true when there are taxpayer funds involved.

In future consumer "website reviews", I plan to "out" those who have obviously broken this trust. These site reviews will highlight those who sweep the contaminated city soil problem under the dirt so to speak. Ignoring the subject of soil contamination should not be allowable under the guise of “excusable marketing spin” or claims of innocent ignorance.

via www.nydailynews.com