Page 23 - Green Builder Magazine Nov-Dec 2017 Issue

The knowledge to implement great crop rotation on a small residential scale

has been honed over 17 seasons and via more than 700 projects so during

maintenance, farmers can educate the residents about seasonal crop cycles.

DESIGNING THE GARDEN a landscaper that regularly prunes and preens the land, Farmscape’s
Just as how a customer would seek out a landscaper to remake their urban farmers will maintain the crops. But instead of just watching
yard, urban farming ventures like Farmscape—the nation’s largest— the gardener while they work away, residents are encouraged to
works with the homeowners, views the site and begins to develop nurture their crops.
a design for a dream home edible garden. Many factors go into
developing the perfect design. BUILDING THE GARDEN
Location is key. A vegetable garden requires eight hours of sun, After a design is complete, a licensed landscape contractor (such
year round, for maximum success. To confirm this, sun measurements as Farmscape) can install each project. Installation can include
are taken to ensure the eaves of the home and trees will not block demolishing an existing landscape, heavily pruning overgrown trees
the space. and shrubs, and retrofitting or replacing the irrigation system.
The same goes for the trees’ location: The garden needs to be Responsible landscapers unanimously agree that drip irrigation
placed 10 to 20 feet away from major root systems. Otherwise, tree is the appropriate method for environmental purposes and plant
roots could invade a heavily composted garden and suck out all the health. Drip emitters deliver water deep into the soil, protecting
water and nutrients, especially in the drought-parched southwestern it from the evaporation that overhead spraying incurs. Also, drip
United States. emitters don’t spray the sides of houses or sidewalks. Finally, drip
Also, designers must take into account the specific microclimate irrigating encourages tree roots to grow deep into the soil, producing
of each property. What works on the East Coast will not work in sturdier, longer-lived plants.
California’s central valley. Proper garden design is a huge contributor Another key factor of installations is choosing an appropriate soil
to the success of any project, and there are many environmental blend. For raised beds, a good mix of organic planting compost and
factors to consider. potting soil will help create a loamy soil that delicate root tips can
How big should the garden be? Among the questions that push through. Every month, it is wise to amend this blend with a
homeowners must consider when it comes to design: How much balanced organic vegetable fertilizer. On a seasonal basis, this is to
food do they want to eat? Farmscape’s raised beds generally bear 2.5 be topped off with fresh compost to feed next season’s plants.
pounds per square foot annually, meaning a 100-square-foot garden Finally, good structure has to be employed to support vines and
will yield 250 pounds a year, or roughly five pounds per week. This stalks to grow tall and spread out. For example, tomatoes can grow
could be a lot of food for a one- or two-person household, but for a to be five feet tall and produce until October in California, if they
vegan family of four, this barely scratches the surface. are properly supported. Peppers and eggplants must be staked to
Budget is a huge factor. Raised beds, with organic soil, drip keep them from getting top-heavy and falling over. Beans and peas
irrigation, trellising and untreated wood frames, are $70 to $100 need 5-by-5 trellises to reach their full potential. Without proper
per square foot, and hardscape (decomposed granite, flagstone, etc.) support structures, plants will contract diseases from laying in a
starts at $10 per square foot. Having a realistic budget going into jumble on the soil, and all the hard work put into producing them
the visual process helps the design team create a vision within [a will be for naught.
specific] price range.
One of the most affordable design elements are dwarf fruit trees, ORGANIC MAINTENANCE
which max out at eight to 10 feet but can be pruned much smaller. Homeowners and property managers (for multi-family dwellings)
Bare root trees, which are less than one year old, are great to dot work with Farmscape’s team to determine the crops for each season.
through a landscape, as they provide much beauty and visual interest Every few months, residents can expect to see lettuce beds replaced
on their way to delivering 100 to 200 pounds of produce a year. And, with tomatoes or carrots taking over the cabbage section. The
they are extremely cost effective. Generally, purchasing, planting knowledge to implement great crop rotation on a small residential
and irrigating a bare root tree will cost around $150. Once the tree scale has been honed over 17 seasons and via more than 700 projects
is mature (year two to four), it will pump out hundreds of dollars so during maintenance, farmers can educate the residents about
of organic fruit. seasonal crop cycles.
After considering all these factors, Farmscape draws the design In addition, farmers and homeowners will trellis, prune, harvest
plans with crop suggestions for all viable seasons. The time to build and handle pest issues without using chemicals. Doing so requires a
the gardens varies on the size they’re working with, as well as whether lot of hand-removal of damaging insects like aphids, use of beneficial
additional accents such as orchards or vineyards can be included. plants like marigolds which repel insects, and organic pest control
The same goes for price: Even though the fees are comparable to a items like Sluggo (iron pellets) or B.T. (a naturally occurring soil
landscape gardener, the long-term cost benefits are higher. As with bacteria that decimates larval insect populations).

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