Urban Agriculture in LA Backyards

Do you live in an urban area but crave the freshness of homegrown?

Well now, if you're an LA resident, Farmscape is here to help.  This new urban agriculture company is proving that there's enough of an appetite for residential farming to turn the proposition into a high-growth business. 

Home Grown tastes better!  (Photo via GOOD)

According to GOOD, "Projects range from a rooftop garden on a downtown Los Angeles highrise to small plots for families. An exciting project in the works is a three-quarter acre-sized farm for a restaurant in the West San Fernando Valley. And the diversity of the projects is echoed by the diversity of their clients. "When we first started, we expected that our clients would be of a higher income level and would be two-parent working families," says Rachel Bailin, Farmscape's marketing manager. Instead, Farmscape has been delighted to build gardens for preschool teachers, single mothers, and institutions and businesses that want employee gardens as perks."

An Urban Garden (photo via Farmscape)

So far they've installed more than 300 urban farms throughout the L.A. area and maintain 150 of them weekly.

Bailin says the challenges of farming in Los Angeles are manifold. "You have to account for  spaces that haven't had life or biodiversity for decades and then you kind of have to bring it back." The company uses raised beds to avoid contaminated soil and drip irrigation systems to provide water.

Read more at Good Magazine or on Farmscape's website.   

-Katie @KatieGMG
Garden Media

Organic Sector Still Growing

 According to Annie White of Inside Grower, the market continues to grow for organic food!

And that comes as good news for organic farmers and producers as the consumer-driven U.S. organic market surpasses $31 billion!

“With 94% of organic operations nationwide planning to maintain or increase employment in 2012, the organic sector will continue to fuel jobs, rural economies and consumer choice,” said Christine Bushway, executive director of Organic Trade Association (OTA.)

Annie provides a few findings from the 2012 Organic Industry Survey from the OTA:

• Organic sales of all products had a 9.5% ($2.5 billion) increase in 2011, while conventionally produced products (both food and non-food items) had a 4.7% increase.
• Organic food sales now represent 4.2% of all U.S. food sales, up from 4% in 2010.
• The fruit and vegetable category accounted for nearly 50% of those new dollars in 2011
• The organic food and beverage sector had sales of $29.22 billion in 2011, a 9.4% increase over 2010
• There are 17,600 certified organic farms, ranches and businesses in the U.S.
• Seventy-eight percent of U.S. families report they buy organic.
• More than half of parents surveyed report they have a high level of trust for certified USDA organic products.

Bushway adds, “Consumers are increasingly engaged and discerning when they shop, making decisions based on their values and awareness about health and environmental concerns. For them, it matters whether foods are genetically engineered, or produced using practices that are good for their families. Price is still an issue, but with the wide availability of private label products and many venues for organic products, they have many choices for where to shop and a variety of products from which to choose.”

And I agree, with the increase of Whole Foods stores and farmers markets, organic food no longer sits on the peripheral of the supermarkets.  It's here to stay.

 

 Katie @KatieGMG
http://www.gardenmediagroup.com

6 Tips to Add Social Media to Your PR

I read this article by Bill Miltenberg, in PR News about 6 Tips for Optimizing News Releases.

I thought I'd share them with you:

Here's what Bill had to say in his opening: "While the press release is not dead by any means, a plain-text version is quickly becoming an anachronism in the digital age.

"A well-written release packed with punchy quotes is still a fundamental way to tell your brand's story to the media, but it's when PR pros optimize their releases (and online media centers, too) for social media and search that they can really maximize their reach. Sally Falkow, social media strategist at Meritus Media and a speaker at the upcoming Social Media Summit/Taste of Tech event on June 21-22 in New York City, says it’s essential to integrate social media within press releases.

According to Bill, Sally says, “You want to make sure that you have sharing buttons on every piece of your content—videos, infographics, press releases, articles.”

It is all news content and should be treated as such. Below, Sally provides six tips for optimizing a news release for social media.

1.Include Photos: "Adding images and video increases views on your news content by as much as 77%, according to a PR Newswire study," says Falkow. However, this might not be the place to insert your brand's latest Instagram photos. Opt for more professional, high-resolution and standard format (typically JPEG) photos.

2.Provide Options: "Add more than one image, so that there is a choice for bloggers and journalists," says Falkow. This allows them to choose an image that fits their take on the story. Supply source codes and URLs for all images. Also consider including charts, slide decks, PDFs and infographics. If you're including an executive's take in the release—especially if they're quotes that Steve Jobs would be proud of—include their photo and add links to their bios and social profiles.

3.Keep Things Pinteresting: "Pin all images to a Pinterest board and link back to the press release in your newsroom," says Falkow. Pinterest is a great visual medium, an effective touch point for influencers, a valuable information aggregator and a perfect platform for sharing. (Not on Pinterest yet? Consider these 5 tips for kick-starting your efforts today.)

4.Add a short video: "85% of all media Web sites now use video, and many of them are looking for completed videos from an outside source," says Falkow. Supply the embed code for the video so that they can immediately embed it on their Web site or blog, and pin the video to the Pinterest board.

5.Highlight Keywords: "Tag all the content with the keywords that will make it easy to find in search or social sites to boost your SEO efforts," says Falkow. "Use words you think a journalist might use to search for when writing story on a topic."

6.Include Icons: Add icons that connect to all social content from the company and provide social sharing links so others can like your news on Facebook, tweet it right from your news release, post it to a host of other social sites or e-mail it to friendr.

Follow Bill Miltenberg: @bmiltenberg

Attend PR News’ two-day Social Media Summit/Taste of Tech event June 21-22 in New York City and learn more from digital leaders like Sally Falkow.

MAY GARDENING TIPS

 

May is the month when things really get going in full swing. Your gardening tasks will increase now but so will your pleasure of gardening as the warmer weather and more dry days make life easier.

The main tasks and priorities this month are:

• Due to the mild winter, there might be more garden pests than usual.  Keep an eye on the roses for signs of aphids and try non-chemical remedies like these from The Growers Exchange before resorting to chemical warfare.  Also, you can plant herbs like lemongrass and peppermint and to deter pests like mosquitoes and flies.
• Larger bulbs like daffodils will now be looking withered and dead, these leaves can be removed but make sure that any green foliage is left undamaged and watch the roots aren't damaged either, they will still be quite fresh at this time of the year.
• Seeds, both flowers and vegetables, started in the greenhouse should now be small plants and ready to be transplanted into the garden providing the weather is suitable. Seeds to be sown outdoors can be sown now, again if it's dry enough.

Find out more at Gardening Monthly and Happy MAY!

Katie @KatieGMG
Garden Media Group

Trees Matter

A recent article in the New York Times titles, Why Trees Matter, makes the case, once again, for planting trees.

Jim Robbins, writer and author of "The Man Who Planted Trees” says, "trees are on the front lines of our changing climate... and are a potentially major answer to some of our most pressing environmental problems."

Robbins goes on to explain how trees help clean the ocean, filter water, create a heat shield, clean the air, absorb toxic chemical and release beneficial ones. 

In Japan, he explains, it's daily practice to take "A walk in the woods."  This was the part that hit home the most- since we've been touting biophilia a lot this year.  Nature heals!

They say it "reduces the level of stress chemicals in the body and increases natural killer cells in the immune system, which fight tumors and viruses. Studies in inner cities show that anxiety, depression and even crime are lower in a landscaped environment."

So, in honor of Earth Month (or what I like to call Earth Lifetime...) get out there and plant a tree.  PLANT A TREE!

Robbins says California Redwoods are the super trees, but go ahead and just plant something!

Katie @KatieGMG
Garden Media Group

A Mild Winter Means Peskier Summer Insects

In case you missed #Gardenchat last night- here are some of the tips suggested by The Growers Exchange to help ward off pesky insects like ticks, mosquitoes, ants and termites... naturally!

Catnip 

Usually grown by cat lovers, catnip is proven to be ten times more effective at repelling mosquitoes and biting insects than the harsh commercial chemical DEET.

According to the American Chemical Society, the active chemical in catnip, nepetalactone, that drives cats crazy also repels mosquitoes. Plant regular catnip or lemon-scented catnip in full sun and keep it well pruned. Rub the leaves on clothing and skin as a protectant from biting insects. Basil Basil also keeps mosquitoes away, as well as repelling house flies, especially when planted near doorways. Whether in containers or mixed into flower beds, basil adds texture, beauty, fragrance, and most importantly a "no fly zone" to homes. Mint Both peppermint and spearmint are excellent deterrents to ants, flies and moths, but they can also keep lice and mice at bay as well. Planting either variety of mint around the foundation of a house makes a natural boundary that many pests won't go near. Use it near windowsills or beneath sinks, to keep sneaky insects from coming in to visit.
About The Growers Exchange	Planting natural herbal defenses against pests eliminates the use of harmful toxins, improves the local ecology in gardens, and provides benefits of many plants that double as culinary, medicinal or aromatic herbs. Make sure to choose the safe, sustainable insect repellents this summer and think of the garden before reaching for the toxic spray!

-Katie
Garden Media Group

Creating a Lifetime of ‘Black Magic’ for your Soil

Biochar has been improving soil for thousands of years. 

In 1541, Spanish conquistador Francisco de Orellana, led a famous expedition down the Amazon river.  He returned boasting tales of a massive golden empire and areas of rich, black earth.  

Check out those lush banks!

Expedition after expedition hunted for evidence of these Mayan civilizations, but each came up empty handed.  This ‘Legend of El Dorado'  was thought to be a myth, until recently.

Soil science has proven that de Orellana was not hallucinating. By burning woody biomass, creating a char-like substance, and burying it in the soil, these Indian farmers created extremely fertile soil.  Today, this char-like substance is called biochar.

In a recent article in GOOD, Sarah Laskow writes that "biochar can capture carbon and improve soil."

She goes on to explain, "Biochar doesn’t feed plants directly, but it makes soil a friendly environment for biological life. It helps soil retain water and communities of microbes that benefit plants. It keeps nitrogen—necessary for plant growth—from leaching into ground water. Overall, it’s been shown to raise crop yields. This isn’t a secret: Amazonian farmers used this techniques thousands of years ago to prepare thin soils for planting."

Leading the US industry in producing biochar for consumer use, Soil Reef™ is using proprietary technology to create a superior product for the garden. 

Soil Reef™ creates biochar with an age-old process called pyrolysis that bakes uncontaminated wood by cooking it at high temperatures with no oxygen in a controlled container. This process sequesters about half the carbon in the biomass and reduces it to pure biochar, one of the key ingredients in rich soil.

According to biochar pioneer Lopa Brunjes, Director for The Biochar Company, LLC and TEDx speaker, “Soil Reef ultimately increases crop yields, grows healthier plants that are more resistant to disease, and reduces annual dependency on fertilizers.

Soil Reef™ is now available at www.soilreef.com.

AND- if you're in Seattle and want to meet other biochar aficionados, make sure you check out this upcoming biochar stove workshop on March 31. 

-Katie
Garden Media Group

What’s Trending NOW

American Beauties Native Plants

Here we unveil four more green living trends to cultivate the good life, with the power of plants.     

Conscious Consumption. According to the 2010 Cone Survey, 83% of consumers still want to see more brands, products, and companies that support worthy causes. 

We finally moved from “me” to “we” and consider our earth and each other when we purchase 

Why use native plants? You can save your backyard with American Beauties Native Plants^®. This partnership with the National Wildlife Federation is an example of this mind shift. Buy an American Beauties’ native plant and a donation is made to NWF’s Certified Wildlife Habitat Program.

Occupy Local. People are “occupying” local farmers markets and joining CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture) for fresh produce, plants and products

Farmers markets are our new backyard veggie gardens and are becoming our local grocery store.

According to the U.S. Dept of Agriculture, sales of “locally produced food” reached $4.8 billion in 2008.They project that locally grown foods will generate $7 billion in sales dominated by fruit and veggies this year  


In Living Color. From Tangerine Tango, the new Pantone color of the year, to deep purples and soothing greens, colors are all over the landscape.

Create a technicolor summer with new Bloomtastic! Bambino Bougainvillea and multi-colored bougainvillea Patio Trees that add intense tropical color to patios, balconies and poolside.

Hines Growers Bloomtastic! bougainvillea

Costa Farms Tropic Escape Hibiscus

With rich, gem like colors you can create your own personal paradise. Tropic Escape Hibiscus from Costa Farms produces huge flowers that last twice as long as regular hibiscus and are perfect for decorating patios and landscapes.

Techno-Gardening. With the rise of smart phone technology, QR-codes, apps and Groupon, social living is bringing power to the people and consumers into the buying experience. Gardening is going digital with free e-zines. Costa Farms’ GrowingStyle digital magazine brings designer tips and the latest plant info from growers and designers in this free app.

The Havahart Motion Activated Sprinkler

Garden products are going high-tech, too. Now there’s a cutting edge way to rid your yard of unwanted critters. The new motion activated sprinkler repellents from Havahart® provide caring control solutions that safely rid unwanted animals from your yard. No toxic chemicals that can harm people, pets or the environment.

For more inspiration for garden and outdoor living from the 2012 Garden Trends visit our website www.gardenmediagroup.com. 



-Katie
Garden Media Group

Garden Superstars for Spring 2012

Low maintenance plants and sustainable garden products ensure garden success this spring. 

It's that time of year again, the top Garden Superstars for Spring have been released and the list includes new plants, products and the professionals to put it all together for gardening success. 

Here is the first in our line of superstars, BOLD colors from Hines Growers. Look in any fashion magazines and you will see that bold color palettes dominate.  

“Colors like purple and orange are showing up in many home gardens,” says Suzi. 

She likes the new Bloomtastic! dwarf butterfly bushes, Buddleia Lavender Veil and Purple Splendor, from Hines Growers. 

These compact, easy to grow, low maintenance plants are perfect in containers and hanging baskets or mass planted in the landscape. “The butterflies and hummingbirds love the profuse, richly-colored and very fragrant blooms.”

This Spring, choose plants that have lots of color, are low-maintenance and attract wildlife!

Spring has Sprung at terrain

Air Plants in these glass terrariums were everywhere

A Table set with natural and found objects

An overflowing old washbasin

Even the bathroom is awesome!

Spring is popping up all over the place, in our gardens and at terrain at Styers!

Visit terrain in Glen Mills, PA or online. 

@KatieGMG Garden Media Group

Replacing Concrete with Greenery? Get in line!

New York City's High Line

From Detroit's abandoned train station to Chicago's old train tracks, more and more cities are transforming their elevated railways, roads and viaducts into green spaces.  

The latest city to join this craze is Madrid! The park here, called Madrid Río, is more than six miles long, and it transforms a formerly neglected area in the middle of Spain’s capital.

Madrid resident, Pilar López, 73, has lived for more than a half-century in an apartment in a housing project nearby, suffering the fumes and noise from the highway.  She describes to Michael Kimmelman of the New York Times how this park has changed her life.

Madrid's Rio Park

“This is like new lungs for us. When the highway was here, I sat on my sofa and watched television all day. Now I feel healthy again because I walk with my friends in the park for hours.”

With the rising biophilia trend, It's no surprise that cities across the world are creating nurturing spaces from their residents to play, walk and enjoy.  It's a good way to foster human advancement on this finite planet.

@KatieGMG Garden Media Group