Windows as living walls. Are farms in the window a good idea?

Image: Martha Stewart website.

Window Farms is a term used to describe hydroponic growing systems (made from recycled materials) that are sited within a buiding’s windows.

A type of living wall – except that its a living window.

The farms were developed as a technique to allow city folk who lived in small spaces the ability to grow and eat their own food.

An interesting idea but I would never give up views or prevent light streaming into my living room just so I could grow some veggies. Designing a vertical gardening system to sit in an apartment window seems odd to me .

If I can not afford a house with a garden I am highley unlikely to have a house with loads of windows. And if I only have a few windows I would be very very reluctant to loose any of those windows to vegetation – no matter how organic the vegetation may be.

Placing an object in front of a window needs very careful consideration.  Evenmore so where space is limited.

Windows are about views and light. Windows can assist in creating an illusion of space – borrowing outdoor views is a great design trick if space is limited.

Surely the most depressing interior arrangement is to block windows?

Can these farms sit perpendicular to the window? If the vegetables need more light than the adjacent wall can provide perhaps just a row of plants on the windowsill may be a good compromise?

This enviornmental design solution seems to be solving one issue whilst creating a few other problems.

I support this type of thinking – its great. But the solution may need some design tweeks.  Thankfully the designers are into crowd sourcing –  For further details on this project check out http://www.windowfarms.org/

Raised planters are like walking sticks and wheelchairs – grow your own edibles up high

‘Grow your own’ is rising trend and there are planters that are addressing this phenomena. One of these products is a raised planting bed that is at table height – great easy reach vegetable growing.  Plus what better way to ensure the local bunnies do not eat your edibles.

But there is a slight problem. It seems to me that this concept has not dawned on the design community. While some of the following raised planter beds may be OK for the cottage garden aesthetic  in aint my cup of tea.

Table height planting beds are kinda like walking sticks and wheelchairs. They are for the disabled and elderly so product designers tend to give them little consideration.

Here are some examples that are currently on the market.

However don’t be put off by my aesthetic judgement. They serve a very functional purpose. Contact details in order of appearance.

http://www.VegTrug.com

http://www.hi-grow.co.uk

http://www.Veg-TableLtd.com

Growing your own vegetables may be dangerous. Gardens are failing the EU soil contamination tests in old industrial areas

Various garden trade magazines have been reporting that products which promote Grow your Own Vegetables are doing very well for garden centres at the moment.

This is great of course – everyone is getting back to basics and learning how to grow a turnip or two.

Meanwhile I am reading other articles that are reporting another trend. More and more gardens are being identified as being contaminated from old industrial uses. Allotments are also at risk.

Local  Authorities are now requiring more soil testing to occur on residential properties before the sale process of a property can be finalised or when a planning application is made for home renovations.

It seems that some residential properties that were deemed safe for residential use last year are no longer considered safe this year. In other words some gardens may have soil that is not suitable for growing foods .

According to Toxic Land Check this requirement is due to a regulation that was introduced in 2000 but is only beginning to be enforced by government now.  The regulation is Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and came about with the UK’s membership to the European Union.

The regulation requires more rigourous soil investigations (than has previously been required) to determine if a site is suitable for residential use. But unless you decide to move or extend your home you may not be aware that your land is potentially contaminated.

So are these two trends worth mentioning  – well I think so but I don’t want to be overly alarmist. But it appears to me that if you live in an area that was once industrial (often referred to as a brownfield site)  it may be prudent to contact your Local Authority and see if your property has been identified as potentially contaminated. Apparently 10% of all UK residential properties fail the new requirements.

A part from ingesting your own garden vegetables these contaminants can also affect children and pets if they are playing with the soil .

For further information on soil testing refer to Toxic Land Check. This organisation also has a blog and several useful links on its site.