ROOFTOP HYDROPONIC GREENHOUSE

I love the concept of growing your own food and doing so in spaces where there is no land to garden in.  That is why hydroponic gardening has become so popular.  It allows you to grow without needing soil.  As long as you have some hard surface to put the hydroponic system in then you are can pretty much grow anywhere.  I was intrigued by this theory and even more so by a company called Gotham Greens.  They basically grow lettuce, kale, bok choy, arugula, basil and various other produce in their hydroponic rooftop green house in New York and Chicago.  They then sell what they grow to local restaurants and retailers.  So essentially those who eat their product can do so without feeling guilty about what they are feeding themselves.  As they say their food is "responsibly produced".  Not to mention it is a part of rooftop gardening and creates endless possibilities.  The below video is an interview (not by me) done with the founders that explain more about their business and how it works. 



As I talk about hydroponics I wonder if any of you have some sort of hydroponic system in your gardens?  If you do then comment on here and share you stories.

TOP 5 WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR WASTE

The holidays are nearing and it's easy to generate lots of waste and end up with things that you may not ever really have use for.  I would like to propose the idea of giving experiences rather than gifts.  Think about it...  Someone can give me a shirt for Christmas but I probably won't remember that in 5-10 years more than I will if that person gives me the gift of time and experiences.

Other things you can do to reduce your waste is to buy package free and locally as much as possible. Use materials that are better than the traditional toxic chemicals that are out there such as the ever so toxic Clorox.  Clorox products even smell toxic.  It bleaches nicely, but what bleaches even nicer and is non toxic is baking soda.  Instead of using a plastic toothbrush consider a bamboo.  There are many alternatives to the traditional toxic products we use.  Choose and think wisely.  This video goes into more detail.

GROWING CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS WITH HERS EXPERIMENT

Can California native plants grow in the same pot as herbs?  Well this is an experiment that I am trying.  On the one hand I love the idea of growing California native plants but on the other hand I also love the idea of growing herbs that I use often in cooking.  Since my garden is only 100 square feet, I have to get creative.  It is also a no land garden.  Meaning that there is no land to plant in.  No matter what I do, it will have to be in pots.

I have three pots.  A 15, 12 and 10 inch that bought at Plant Depot.  The plants are from Tree of Life Nursery and Green thumb Nursery.  In one 12" pot I planted some Ceanothus concha with a Dudleya and Yerba Buena.   In the 15" pot I planted a Pacific Wax Myrtle with a Dudleya and some Cilantro.  In the 10" pot I planted a Japatul Cleveland Sage with a Dudleya and Chives.  Watch the video to learn more about this experiment and to see a sneak peak at my patio garden.