Roof Top Gardens flourish from Hong Kong to Philly

Green roofs are springing up from Hong Kong to Philadelphia as more and more cities and communities realize the benefits green roofs provide for people and the environment.

From growing edibles to planting colorful perennials and natives that attract beneficial wildlife, green roofs provide a relaxing escape from the noise and pollution of city life. As an added benefit, roof top gardens reduce rainwater runoff that contributes to flooding and pollution, and help cool buildings by absorbing heat.

With so much to offer, even big corporations like Philadelphia based PECO Energy have jumped on the green roof bandwagon.

They partnered with  PHS (Pennsylvania Horticulture Society), known for the prestigious Philadelphia International Flower Show, to design and maintain PECO's 45,000 square foot green roof  perched eight stories high above the crowded streets.

PHS provides plans, plants and maintenance, and conducts walking tours where visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the city along with areas that feature large planters filled with a variety of native grasses and perennials.

This fits nicely with PHS's green initiatives to educate and grow stronger communities by supporting urban farming and community gardens, restoring vacant land, planting trees and more.

Around the world, rooftop farms are springing up on top of skyscrapers like in Hong Kong, where urban dwellers of the modern asphalt jungle grow fresh fruit, veggies and herbs for better health and wellness and the incomparable fresh taste of homegrown food.

From walking tours to a peaceful escape from a harried day, nothing beats the simple pleasure of enjoying Mother Nature where green meets blue.

Let us know if your city is planning to add rooftop gardens and if not, why not? Cost to build and maintain? Or not enough interest?

Lynne
Garden Media Group
photos credits: NYC Rockefeller Center rooftop gardens by David Shankbone, Wikipedia Commons

Urban Gardens: A "right" for everyone?

There is no doubt that urban gardens are growing on us. But should it be a "right" accorded to everyone who wants and NEEDS to grow fresh food? Free community gardens?

Perhaps the desire is simply seeking the sheer pleasure of digging in rich earth and connecting with friends, neighbors and building bridges within communities. Or finding peace and contentment.

From Oakland to Brooklyn, communities are growing gardens in plots of empty land, transforming food deserts into colorful green spaces. Young and old work side-by-side, digging in the earth, planting, learning, experimenting, and sharing the joy of gardening.

For many children who live in blighted urban areas, and don't have access to fresh produce on a daily basis, growing gardens and tasting fresh picked lettuce and tomatoes they planted can be a life-changing experience.

"People are realizing that greenspace and the environmental services that plants provide can be just as important to the overall health of a metropolis as its infrastructure. The interest and demand for public growing space is growing across the country. Advocates say that community gardens provide new opportunities for residents to learn and connect with each other and the city around them, while agencies and city planners see them as a way to beat back the entropy that has come to define declining cities, bringing a welcome respite from the concrete jungle."- text, Enrique Gili, MNN 

And so I posit again: Is access to public growing space a "right"? A natural solution to providing fresh, wholesome produce that's accessible and affordable for EVERYONE?  A green oasis of beauty and sustainablity that nourishes the belly as it soothes the soul?  

Share your thoughts- love to hear from you.

Check out these 12 urban gardens; they're inspiring odes to ingenuity and creativity: Mother Nature Network (MNN)

Lynne, Garden Media Group
photo: West End Community Gardens, West Chester, PA

'Occupy local': Farmers Markets and CSA's!

No matter your political stance, we can all rally around a  heap of ripe cantaloupe and fresh-picked veggies as we 'occupy local' and support our local farmers market.

According to our own Susan McCoy, trendspotter and garden expert, "Farmers markets are our new backyard veggie gardens and are becoming our local grocery store. 'Occupy local ' means chickens in your own backyard, buying produce at the local food shed and CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture) and gardening with a purpose."

Although it's technically still winter, some winter farmers markets are open and provide year-round fresh produce and local specialties. Check 'em out!

The USDA is actively engaged in developing partnerships with farmers markets via their initiative: Know your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative. In 2011, they've counted over 7,100 operating farmers markets in the nation and over 170 food hubs. And Local Harvest has a great list of organic food grown closest to you. Their tag line: Real food. Real farmers. Real Community seems to say it all.

Tell us what market you prefer, fabulous finds, and whether you'll be joining a CSA this year.

And "occupy local" to support your local farmers and CSA's for better tasting, healthier, fresher food with a nod to a more sustainable future and a "happier" Mother Earth.

~Lynne

GMG 
photo credit: Garden Media Group
Kennett Square Farmers Market

Greening our Cities one plant at a time

Earth Day is just around the corner. It's a chance for all of us to make a positive impact on the environment by changing a few habits: (like remembering to turn off unnecessary lights, use energy efficient light bulbs, wash your laundry later in the evening, and more.)

But more than cultivating a few "eco-habits", we can influence and help our communities, towns and cities get onboard the green train to help protect and restore our infrastructures and natural resources.

Our GMG office is located southwest of Philadelphia, home of the Liberty Bell and historical treasures. Philly also boasts the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), known for the world-class Philadelphia International Flower Show.

A little known fact is that PHS has been around since 1827 and is the oldest continuously running horticultural society in the U.S.

But PHS also has a wonderful program, Philadelphia Green, that's been in existence for over 30 years and uses horticulture "to build communities and improve the quality of life."

Besides revitalizing parks and green space and reclaiming abandoned land, PHS has recently partnered with three states for the campaign "Plant One Million." Plant what? Trees... in the Greater Philadelphia region, and in southern New Jersey and Delaware.

The U.S. Forest Service Chief, Tom Tidwell, attended the recent launch and revealed plans for the creation of the first Urban Field Station to help improve the environment in the Philadelphia area.

Tidwell said that the intent is to "increase tree canopy cover in the Greater Philadelphia region and improve the environment, create jobs, strengthen communities and improve air and water quality."

A tall order. But with the support of Mayor Michael Nutter's shared vision of "Philadelphia becoming America's greenest city," through this PHS initiative, as well as urban renewal projects with community gardens and vacant land restoration, the dream may very well become a reality, one plant at a time.

Green on, Philly.
photos courtesy of PHS: Love Park & Phila City Hall; South Philadelphia & community initiative; Aspen Park before/after; and school initiatives

Lynne, GMG

GreenThumb GrowTogether on March 20th in NYC!

The 26th Annual GreenThumb GrowTogether will be held at Hostos Community College, Saturday March 20th, 2010.

As the largest community gardening program in the country, GreenThumb is proud to support community gardens in New York City. They have over 600 member gardens serving 20,000 city residents. Since 1978 they have been committed to providing support to help strengthen gardens, strengthen gardener skills, and strengthen communities. GreenThumb's services take the form of materials and technical assistance, including educational workshops.

Register for this great event by visiting the GreenThumb website.

For more garden information, visit Garden Media Group's website!
-Karen