How Does Your Garden Grow?
Living with limited land and being mindful of water conservation no longer mean you have to forgo having a garden of your own when it grows vertically.
Sarah Shmerling | Malibu Times
With patented aeroponic technology, L.A. Urban Farms’ garden fits in even the tiniest of places, whether on a balcony, rooftop or driveway, where you can grow your own organic crops of food, herbs or flowers or if you just want to grow your own garden no matter the space.
Co-founder Wendy Coleman works closely with Tim Blank, inventor of the vertical garden—an innovative and sustainable modular growing system—on a range of projects that help provide communities with access to healthy, locally grown food. The garden uses 90 percent less water than conventional gardening; it doesn’t need soil or harmful chemicals and grows a faster yield than traditional gardens. Within 30 inches, you can grow 44 different crops.
A reservoir at the base of the garden holds up to 20 gallons of water infused with a nutrient solution. A pump pushes water up through the center of the unit, where it is then absorbed by hanging roots. The same water continues to circulate
until fully absorbed by the plant. (The website—laurbanfarms.com—is full of facts for the science buffs.)
Google Cafeteria, Chicago O’Hare Airport, Giants Stadium, Malibu Farm on Malibu Pier and Cafe Vida in Pacific Palisades are all growing their own food. Other users include Jessica Alba, Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern. Because most of the produce grown in the aeroponic garden can be harvested in 28 days, you can have greens, herbs, watermelons, strawberries, tomatoes, edible or ornamental flowers and more ready for that dinner party at the end of the month.