Urban Farm Cart Part 1

Here are some images from my early design ideas for the Urban Farm Cart. I imagined it as part of a larger network, where each cart could 'plug-in' to a city-owned and maintained Urban Farm Cart station. These stations, powered by solar photovoltaic panels and would provide electricity and water hook-up for urban farmers wishing to use them in order to sell their produce. The designated locations would be chosen by the city and community as the best spots for commerce, safe and efficient traffic flow and optimal sun exposure for the solar collectors.

As I worked on this early stage of the project, I focused on Little Village, a neighbourhood located in the City of Chicago. This is a predominantly Mexican community that is vibrant but in need of more economic opportunities; it is feeling the effects of the ailing U.S. economy and the current immigration policy that is forcing undocumented workers further into the informal sector. I saw thus network of Urban Farm Carts, Farmers and Farm Stations as an opportunity to create sustainable business opportunities for the residents as well as a way to turn empty lots and underutilized backyards and rooftops into create healthy green spaces.

Urban Green Space = Good

Being out in the empty lot next door to water and look at the garden is refreshing. Despite the man-made rubble that lies beneath, it's amazing to observe the life that thrives there - the wild flowers and plants, butterflies and dragonflies. The city breeze that moves through the space is different than the breeze that usually moves along concrete, brick and pavement. It is sweet-smelling and unobstructed. It's too bad more people can't enjoy it. I'm one of the few who has this view because I climb through the fence each day.

It's important for people to see things growing and thriving in the city. It seems to awaken something good in us. The people passing through the alley that runs next to the garden stop while I am there to say hi, to ask me what I am doing and tell me they are glad to see someone doing something positive in the vacant lot. These two small boxes of a few herbs and vegetables have a power that I did not anticipate - to start conversation, to create community and to show to others the potential that lies in a place that has been empty and fenced off from the neighbourhood for so long.

Is Anything Growing Yet?!

I went out and watered today. I think things are growing but I'm not certain yet!

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.