Page 24 - Green Builder Magazine Nov-Dec 2017 Issue

Mature trees will always be the focus of a home’s foundation. They a vibrant farmhouse ripe for entertaining. They can also produce a
keep properties cool during the heat and create windbreak barriers particular strain of “garden envy.” Once one neighbor gets the outdoor
in the cold weather. They filter pollutants out of the air. bed bug, it tends to spread through the community like wildfire.
Native plants that are self-sustaining can be cost effective to Because city dwellers are glued to their devices and pretty
maintain. They also provide a sensational aesthetic to a home’s much only see the sun when they’re racing from A to B, good old-
line of sight. Lose the greenery, and property heating and cooling fashioned fresh air is usually now taken for granted as its own
systems tend to be higher, validating that the pleasant appearance healthy attribute. Making a conscious effort to head to the gym or
of a great garden is also a natural cost reduction to the homeowners. put on those sneakers for a run can be rebutted by any excuse to
Additionally, large trees and perennial native plants sequester carbon reject real exercise. But regular nurturing of an edible garden offers
into the soil, literally pulling pollutants out of the air and storing a way to get outside and burn calories while connecting mentally
them in the ground. and physically with the land.
It’s common for homeowners to work side by side with the farmers,
BRINGING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER and learn a thing or two about radish picking. An hour later, they
Urban gardens are also resulting in a natural gravitational pull for are savvier on seasonal crop changes and the positive environmental
busy, tech-dependent urbanites. Edible beds can turn a home into effects of urban farming, and they have done something good for

THE LIVING WALL GROWS UP

BY GREEN BUILDER STAFF
For some gardens, “onward” means “upward.”
The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
in Pittsburgh has unveiled a display of living
walls to demonstrate how vertical gardening can
be a viable way to grow produce in urban areas.
According to Michael Bechtel, Phipps’ display horticulturist,
limited space poses a significant challenge for urban
gardening. The green walls also provide the conservatory—an
environmental vanguard in Pittsburgh since 1893—with a way
to study, evaluate and learn about growing edibles on space-
efficient vertical gardens. “We’ll be able to offer education
and assistance to homeowners, schools and community
organizations on the planning, installing and maintenance
of their own green walls so that they can benefit from fresh
produce,” Bechtel says. CREDIT: PHIPPS CONSERVATORY
The 10-piece display was created by Spring Lake,
Mich.-based LiveWall, which specializes in practical and
sustainable living wall system solutions for vertical gardening.
Phipps tested the first LiveWall Inspire Living Wall Panel in Looking on up. Green walls transform existing structures into vertical gardens
2015 on the south-facing wall of its production greenhouse that families and community groups can use to grow their own fresh produce.
facility. It has since installed nine more. Each panel is 4’ wide by 7’4” tall Homegrown, its outreach program dedicated to increasing community
and has 24 molded plastic modular planter boxes. access to fresh produce, promoting better food choices, and improving
There’s a two-season planting cycle. In the spring, beets, carrots, collard the overall health of families. Since 2013, the program has established more
greens, kale and kohlrabi grow on the green walls. Summer plantings include than 200 vegetable gardens in urban and underserved neighborhoods. GB
basil, rosemary, thyme, celery root and various peppers.
Bechtel notes that the display correlates with Phipps’ various adult and ■ ■ The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens,
youth programs, classes and events to educate visitors about the benefits www.phipps.conservatory.org
of greener gardening and healthy eating. In addition, Phipps sponsors ■ ■ LiveWall LLC, http://livewall.com

22 GREEN BUILDER November/December 2017 www.greenbuildermedia.com

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