"Urban farming"

Urban farming / Green Building & Sustainable Home Renovation Information & Advice

Landscaping

Which are the best bee-friendly & Eco-friendly alternatives to grass lawns in backyards?

...urban water infrastructure, especially when we consider that one of the results of climate change is a greater frequency and intensity of summer droughts. The addition of chemical fertilizers. It pollutes the water table, the rivers, the air and the soil. With regular use, the soil is damaged and kills the microbes, r...

Landscaping

Urban Farming turns beautiful gardens into a grocery store!

...Urban farming: Any food we produce at our homes is food that isn't part of the agricultural industry, which is a huge consumer of natural resources. If you have a bit of space, urban farming is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and your food costs. Not only that, it's often healthier and even tastes better. A...

Greenhouses and Sunrooms / Solariums

How to build a greenhouse in a cold climate

...farming and the distribution of saffron and paprika. Greenhouse construction: In order to expand the family business, Teasdale and Bachand bought an old metal greenhouse structure from a retired farmer in the area. The greenhouse they purchased was longer than required, and therefore was split into two independent stru...

Greenhouses and Sunrooms / Solariums

Solariums in cold climates won't heat your home

Solariums have been gaining in popularity over the last 20 years, as many homeowners have found them to be a very enticing solution to brightening up a long winter. They are made even more appealing by the many manufacturers who offer solariums at very attractive prices - especially when compared to adding a home exten...

Landscaping

Avoiding invasive species when landscaping

...urban wildlife by linking green spaces with each other (some plants may be sought by visiting species of birds and butterflies); Local plants improve biodiversity and create a local seed pool; They are less likely to consume large swaths of land allowing no other plants to thrive. Disadvantages: You are more limited ...

Roof coverings

Living green roofs: the secrets to success

Commercial Green Roof Case Study AB Canada Nestled in the Oldman River valley in Lethbridge Alberta, the green roof on the Helen Schuler Nature Centre (HSNC) has been attracting local and international attention from visitors and living roof enthusiasts since its completion in 2013. On the roof of the building, a 200m2...

Architecture and plan design

Are shipping container houses environmentally friendly & good or bad to live in?

Shipping container homes are gaining popularity globally, especially as Tiny Houses, as they can be seductively attractive with their modern looking lines, colours and shape - but one question we've been asked consistently is: "Are shipping containers Good or Bad as homes - and for the Environment?" Like many great id...

Food production

Grow food at home: 8 great tips for growing food in small spaces

...urban garden. Lettuce planted on vertical trays, what a great way to brighten up an ugly outside wall in an urban yard Which edibles lend themselves to vertical gardening you may be wondering; well I'm happy to report that the list is long. Here are just a few to get you started: Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes in particu...

Landscaping

A guide to growing edible perennials.

...urban farming, growing food in small spaces, hydroponic bottle gardens and all about sustainable landscaping in the Ecohome green building guide pages, or find the definition of terraponics here.

Landscaping

Hydroponic bottle gardener launches kickstarter campaign

...urban farming to counteract the heavy ecological footprint of industrial agriculture. However, there are very few options for the increasing number of people wishing to get involved but who don't necessarily have the time, the means, or the expertise for the more commonly practiced forms of urban farming. To meet this...

Greenhouses and Sunrooms / Solariums

7 key principles for an abundant greenhouse

As a native Californian transplanted into a much cooler climate (Western Quebec), I find myself mourning the loss of fresh local seasonal fruits and veggies all year long, which I understand is a first world problem on a few different levels. All that to say, that I often get to dreaming about and researching what's po...