Out-of-the-Box Thinking!
Are you not
amazed by all the new ideas that are emerging to do with gardening
and ecology, energy and water use – all those factors that can be
seen as opportunities and not merely as problems. Did you read about
the barge in the Hudson River near Manhattan that is replete with
two greenhouses, solar panels, a biodiesel generator and a small
wind turbine? Called the Science Barge, it grows tomatoes, lettuce,
peppers, strawberries and peppers.
This barge
enterprise is actually a prototype cum learning experience that will
aid in developing roof gardens on top of three of New York City’s
schools. Roof gardens are popular as a temperature regulator for the
building itself, which saves on the heat and air-conditioning costs,
and to absorb rainfall. But what a wonderful world it opens to the
children privileged to visit those roofs.
When I read
about vertical gardens, truly plants growing at eye level right
smack dab out of the wall, I’ll admit it made me dizzy. Like
tomatoes dangling from overhead bags of soil, I find the idea
discomforting. Somehow I want plants rooted in the ground. But
vertical gardens are being tried in Germany. Large glass cylindrical
towers use a conveyor system to pull the plants into the sunlight as
the sun shifts around the tower. Wouldn’t it be easier to mount the
greenhouse on a revolving platform to follow the sun?
Actually there
are greenhouses that move, greenhouses that can be rolled about to
cover whichever plants need that boost of warmth at the time. There
are lots of new ideas to promote gardeners’ abilities to grow food
for the table both earlier and later. Part of the success depends on
the plant breeding that helps the plant survive a wider temperature
range and the other factor is the beloved ‘American Tinkerer’
talent. We are returning to our heritage as we realize that we need
to make the essential ‘things’ in our lives more energy efficient,
more economical, and more environmentally sustainable.
Change comes
slowly in those areas where there is considerable investment in
current practices. More than ten years ago I read of a sort of
paving that would permit rain to soak through rather than scoot
pell-mell down the drive. (Another ‘huh’ moment). There is an
article in the June 2009 Virginia Gardener about permeable paving, a
system that allows rain and snowmelt to pass through and benefit the
water table. Patches of asphalt and concrete are not problematic in
rural areas since there is sufficient undeveloped acreage to absorb
the runoff. However where hardscape is greater this permeable paving
is an important improvement for patios and driveways in new
subdivisions as well as for parking lots in new commercial areas.
It may not be
possible to lessen population pressure but the impact could be
ameliorated if towns and counties investigated and adopted ‘best
practices’. Throughout Virginia farmers have been diligent in
managing their acreage to protect Chesapeake Bay but the continued
growth of sprawl has nullified any real improvement.
Cabbages & Kings
Virginia Tech
does not endorse commercial products, but in speaking to the
Gloucester Master Gardeners on June 1, Debbie Dillion, Program
Associate, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Loudoun County
Demonstration Gardens, related the loss of their demonstration peach
crop to a fungus and their subsequent application of a product
called “Surround” to successfully protect the peaches the following
year. This is powder that is mixed with water and sprayed on the
tree’s foliage and fruit, leaving a protective powdery residue.
Sunlight penetrates the powder to continue vital photosynthesis but
bugs and other ills do not. ‘Surround’ can be found in the Gardens
Alive catalog of “environmentally responsible products that work”.
According to the catalog ‘Surround at Home’ crop protectant forms a
film barrier that keeps plant surfaces cooler, increases plant
vigor, and may increase crop yields. If you have ever tried to sell
fruit that is not picture perfect, no matter how delicious, you
might like to try this product just to increase the profit yield.