Found Objects

I mentioned previously that there is alot of debris in the empty lot, left over from the factory that used to be there. As such there are always interesting things to find on the ground, including rusty rebar and thin strips of metal. These metal objects have a much nicer effect on the fence behind the garden than lying on the ground.

Urban Farm Boots & Supplies

During my recent trip to Japan, I bought a pair of Tabi boots in the hardware section at Tokyu Hands (the world's most amazing store that has everything one could need in one place). The boots are traditionally worn by farmers, construction workers and rickshaw drivers. They come in a steel toe variety as well. I have found these boots to be the perfect footware for this project. Lightweight, cool, durable, protective, I have been wearing them everyday to work in the garden, walk through the empty lot and ride my bike.

Trying to minimize the number of trips up and down the stairs from the lot site to my loft, I have tried to compile what I need while working in the garden. One of the functions of the Urban Farm Cart will be to provide storage for tools and supplies, etc. so I have been noting what the Cart should offer in terms of size and space for storing items. Hand tools, gloves, water bottle, sunglasses, hat, iPod, cell phone, bag for carrying out trash, notebook, pen, seem to be some standard supplies.

Week 2: Watering, Weeding & Designing

Each raised bed needs one large watering can and one small watering can of water a piece. This mean four trips up and down the stairs, down the hallway, down the alley, through the fence, and across the lot without spilling. There is no faucet to attach a hose to, so I have been thinking about other more creative ways to give the plants their daily drink.

Here is one really interesting design that collects water from the dew that falls overnight. Unlike the large community sized dew nets being used in remote mountainous areas to provide potable drinking water, this dew collector, designed by a graduate student, is small enough to meet the water needs of an individual. Or of a small garden, perhaps. http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/06/26/harvest-water-from-the-air-with-fog-dew-collectors/

More Soil, Home Depot and FINALLY Planting

Even after calculating the amount of soil I need to fill two approx. 3' x 4' raised beds, I underestimated. I had to get more topsoil, peat moss and sand. I went to the local hardware store rolling my dolley several blocks to get there only to find that they had just sold their last two bags of peat moss twenty minutes earlier. Determined to get everything planted today (the herbs couldn't wait another day to be put in the ground), I made the difficult decision to break my rule and drive a few blocks to the local Home Depot. Where, surprisingly, I got some really helpful gardening information and friendly customer service. I filled the car with several bags of topsoil, a bag of compost and some peat moss. (I don't have a cart big enough to hold this much dirt!)

I unloaded the variety of soil near the opening of the empty lot and carried/dolleyed the ten bags through the hole in the fence and across the lot to my garden site.

I moved the bed boxes from the loft and through the lot putting them in place on top of the two palettes that are serving as bases of the raised beds. I attached them with L-brackets to create a better fit.
After placing and mixing the dirt, I was finally ready to plant!

One of the boxes contains tomatoes, cilantro, and radishes. The other box houses lavender, basil (Siam Queen), dill, sage, and green onions.

After planting, I unrolled and cut chicken coop wire to attach to the top on the beds in order to keep unwanted visitors (and possible diners like raccoon, skunk, etc) out. Hopefully it works!

I watered the plants well and left them for the night.

Bikes & Carts & Oil

Pulling the bike cart through the neighbourhood, I attracted many looks and questions from people who were interested in the cart and wondering where they can get one. I'm studying the straightforward design of the cart's frame. I definitely want the Urban Farm Cart to have an optional bike attachment. As the price of gas continues to soar, this is an even more critical feature.

A new report released today by CIBC World Markets (CIBC is one of Canada's largest banks) predicts that by 2012 "there will be 10 million fewer vehicles in the United States than there are today. Average miles driven will fall by as much as 15%." CIBC economist Jeff Rubin "raised his target price for oil by US$20 per barrel to US$150 next year. He says oil will top US$200 per barrel by 2010, roughly two years earlier than he previously predicted. That will mean US$7-a-gallon gasoline for motorists within two years, he says." http://www.nationalpost.com/related/topics/story.html?id=616130

To the Garden Centre with a Bike Cart

I borrowed a cart from the bike shop around the corner. I'm used it to pick up the plants from the local garden centre. The cart is smartly designed - cut tubes that are bolted together making it lightweight and easy to steer. It uses standard sized bicycle tires and has a straightforwardness hitch attachment that bolts onto any standard bike's back fork.

I put my plants and seeds in the cart and drove it home through traffic. It was fun to drive around!

Bike with borrowed cart and plants in tow
in front of the empty lot and my urban farm site.

Transporting Dirt

I bought dirt today (topsoil and peat moss to be more specific) and made a few trips to get it from the local hardware store to the lot next door. Instead of using the car, I'm trying to use as many wheeled 'carts' as I can find to better understand their function and effectiveness. I used a folding, lightweight shopping cart to carry the topsoil but it wasn't strong enough to hold the weight of the bag of peat moss. I went back home to get a sturdier moving dolly and bungee cords in order to transport the peat moss.