This is the latest update of the sub-irrigated rain gutter garden on a boat dock in Nashville. It belongs to Larry Hall's brother Steve. This could be anyone's deck, patio, rooftop or back yard garden.
It is also an ideal method for making school gardens on paved surfaces. Following are work-in-progress photos of the rain gutter garden we are building at PS 133 here in Brooklyn. The garden project is coordinated by Frieda Lim of Slippery Slope Farm in Gowanus.
This application of the rain gutter system is to support the installation of existing planters with traditional drain holes. There is a polyester fabric wick installed through the drain hole of each planter. It wicks water from the rain gutter reservoir below. Float valves will be installed to automate the irrigation of the planters. There will also likely be a rainwater harvesting system attached to one of the building's rain gutters.
Note that this two-track rain gutter system accomodates very large planters. There are also window boxes installed between them. The ultimate planting design is yet to be finalized. This photo will at least give you an idea of the basic planting configuration.
Stay tuned. There is much more to this garden and there will soon be many more photos to see as I upload them to Flickr.
via www.youtube.com