guide to setting up your own edible rooftop garden manual

8/8/2019 Guide to Setting Up Your Own Edible Rooftop Garden Manual

1/80

Guide o Seing UpYour Own Edie Roofop Grden

Published by Alternatives and the Rootop Garden Project


2/80


3/80

Guide o Seing Up

Your Own Edie Roofop Grden

Published by Alternatives and the Rootop Garden Project


4/80

Published by Alternatives and the Rootop Gardens Project3720, avenue du Parc, suite 300Montreal, QC

H2X 2J1www.alternatives.ca/www.rootopgardens.ca

Contributing AuthorsAmlie Germain, landscape architectBenjamin Grgoire, biologistIsmal Hautecoeur, landscape architectRotem Ayalon, urban planning consultantAndr Bergeron, engineer

Layout and Illustrations: Todd Stewart

CorrectionJulie Lanctt (French)Rotem Ayalon, Benjamin Grgoire (English)

Translation: Jamie Herd

Photography : Rootop GardensProject; Page 10: Anne Whiteside

Special thanks to Alex Hill, Jane Rabinowicz, Vanessa Reid, Sanou Issiaka, Megan Thom, Emmanuelle Brunet, SamMakgoka, Gerardo Sierra, Emily Doyle, Sarah Finley and many others or their inspired and inspiring involvement andtheir support or the project.

A warm thank you as well to our two ounding partners, Santropol Roulant and Maison de quartier Villeray (MQV)with whom we dream o turning the city into a vast garden, and to our institutional partners, Universit du Qubec,the Patro le Prvost, the Institut de tourisme et dhtellerie du Qubec (ITHQ), UQAM and McGill University wholoaned us their roos.

Finally, wed like to express our abounding gratitude to our community o volunteer gardeners, without whom our rootopgardening experiment, which lead up to the writing o this guide, would not have been so rich and stimulating.

This publication was realized thanks to nancing rom the Public Health Agency o Canada (PHAC).The opinions expressed in this publication are those o the authors and do not necessarily refect theocial standpoint o the Public Health Agency o Canada.

2008. Any reproduction, in part or in total, is desirable on the condition that the source is indicated.This document was printed on recycled paper with vegetal ink.

978-2-9809931-1-4

Legal deposit Bibliothque et Archives nationales du Qubec, 2008Legal deposit Library and Archives Canada, 2008


5/80

tablE OF CONtENtS

Prefce

Inroducion

Why garden on rootops in the city?Forgotten spaces rendered ertile or healthy communitiesWhy take up urban agriculture?

A simple source o joy and a socially engaged lie styleWhy did we create a guide?

A tool to encourage the spreading o rootop vegetable gardens

1. Dening Your ProjectWhere should we start in order to launch our garden project?

1.1 Describe the Roles and Goals o the Garden

1.2 Dene the Scale and Document the Project Site1.3 Select the Type o Garden1.4 Make a List o People Involved in the Project1.5 Evaluate the Project according to Accessible Resources

2. Choosing he SieWhat actors should be examined when choosing a site?

2.1 Loading Capacity2.2 Municipal Regulations2.3 Sunlight and Wind Exposure

2.4 Access and Security2.5 Specic Needs2.6 Other Options

3. Designing he GrdenTwo Possible Choices

a. Hire a design proessionalb. Do it yoursel

7

9

11

11

12121314

15

151616

171718

19


6/80

How do I design and construct a garden on my own?3.1 Prepare the Rootop or Setting up the Garden3.2 Imagine and Draw the Garden

a. Site Analysis Planb. Garden Usesc. Conceptual Pland. Development Plan

3.3 Build the Inrastructure and Lay out the Gardena. Building the core inrastructureb. Build Garden Featuresc. Construct Growersd. Put the Various Features into Place

4. Coordining he GrdenHow to coordinate a group o gardeners?

4.1 Find out about Group Gardening Models in Montreala. Two basic models Community Gardening

Collective Gardeningb. Leadership possibilities in the garden

4.2. Launch and Recruita. Form an organizational committeeb. Spread the word and mobilize

4.3 Ensure Good Communication throughout the Season4.4 Ensure horticultural ollow-up4.5 Multiply Garden Activities

5. Mking Hehy Choices

How to grow in order to eat well5.1 Gardening Ecologically5.2 Diversiying Edible Plants5.3 Putting Medicinal Plants in the Garden5.4 Understanding Risks Associated with Urban Pollution

a. Soil Pollutionb. Air Pollutionc. Water Pollution

6. Growing in Coniners on he Roofop: a technic Guide

How to choose, construct and maintain growers6.1 Traditional Container Gardening6.2 Classic Hydroponic Container

6.2.1 Recipe to Create a Venturi Hydroponic Grower6.3 The Grower with Water Reservoir

6.3.1 Recipe or a Bucket Grower with Water reservoir6.3.2 Recipe or a Hal-Barrel with Water Reservoir

1920

22

23

23

24

252525

27

27272828

31

3132

36


7/80

6.3.3 Choosing Plants6.3.4 Growing Mix and Compost6.3.5 Fertilization6.3.6 Mulch6.3.7 Closing the Garden in the Fall6.3.8 Next Spring

6.4 A Garden o Connected Containers6.4.1 Recipe or Constructing a Garden o Connected Containers

6.5 Collecting Rainwater6.5.1 Recipe or Constructing a Rainwater Collection System

6.6 Seedling Table with Water Reservoir6.6.1 Recipe or Building a Seedling Table with Water Reservoir

References

Annex A : Descriptions of Our Garden Projects

annex b : the Snropo Roun Grden Experience

annex C : Pmphe on he Roofop Grdens nd Green Roofs

annex D : Movee Pne Mode

annex E : Medi Coverge

50

55

58

61

63

66

71

72

73


8/80

Summer Team 2006Standing, rom let to right: Sanou Issiaka, Amlie Germain, Sam Makgoka, Alex Hill, Megan Thom and Rotem Ayalon.

In ront, rom let to right: Benjamin Grgoire, Ismal Hautecoeur and Emmanuel Brunet.


9/80

preface

PREFaCE

Ater ve seasons o gardening and experimenting, the Rootop Garden project team is happy to share the ruits o itslabor with you. The Guide to Setting up Your Own Edible Rootop Garden comes rom our wish to see new gardensand partners take root in the ertile soil o Montreal but also in other parts o the world.

By exploring new ways to interact with each other, with the built environment, the urban ecosystem and the oodchain, we have discovered that change can happen in a manner that is participative, pleasant and inclusive. This observa-

tion comes rom designing and participating in dierent rootop gardens with the community. Each garden is a uniquespace that is maintained with care by volunteers rom a meals-on-wheels program, meticulously cultivated by seniors, ex-perimented on and brought to lie by young urbanites or appropriated by amilies. Together, we strive or a better worldcities that breathe, a slower pace, sustainable management o resources and a more respectul and ecological way o lie

In our opinion, the renewed and innite amazement that edible gardening brings is an excellent starting point onthe path to that better world. The pleasure o discovering how the world that surrounds us works, how things like rainwind, sun, the seasons, insects, migrations and new varieties o plants are interrelated brings us closer to the land, evenrom the extraordinary heights o rootops. A greater understanding o urban ecosystems can only motivate us to culti-vate diversity and appreciate complexity.

We hope that our humble acts o planting, upkeeping, harvesting, eating and sharing will bring as much pleasureto you as they have brought to our community o gardeners.

Ismal HautecoeurProject Manager


10/80

The gardeners tool box, a garden in the making!


11/80

introduction 1

INtRODUCtION

Why grden on roofops in he ciy?Forgotten spaces rendered ertile or healthy communities

Gardening on rootops in ever-increasingly dense and sprawling cities is an original way to take back unused and

sterile spaces like rootops, patios and balconies and to transorm them into livable spaces that are lush, productiveand puriying. In addition to embellishing the urban landscape with ood-producing gardens at the tops o buildings andproducing resh ood, these new spaces or the community enable us to reduce the ecological ootprint o the houses andinstitutions o which we are an integral part. Recovering and decontaminating water, cultivating organic ood, compost-ing organic waste as well as ltering and cooling down air are all part o a mindset to make our established landscapemore sustainable. Thereore, in the current context o environmental degradation, over-consumption and junk oodculture, taking care o ourselves and our environment enables us to take a step down the path to healthy cities and com-munities.

Rootop gardening means taking up an inspiring, ecological and productive activity, and developing new links withthe ood chain, the seasons, the environment and the community. This utopias vision is to turn the city into a gardenand its inhabitants into gardeners.

Why ke up urn gricuure?A simple source o joy and a socially engaged lie style

The daily pleasures o gardening are simple, inexpensive and prooundly satisying: eating a head o lettuce that wascultivated with care among riends, taking in the morning perume o a fower clinging to the banister o a balconybiting into a strawberry warmed by the sun. Urban agriculture is a veritable way o lie and enables the population, col-lectively or individually, to take pleasure in new, green spaces that meet its needs or relaxation and leisure.

Far rom a marginal expression or an anachronism doomed to disappear, urban agriculture is destined to play anever greater role in eeding city dwellers. It currently eeds 700 million people, a ourth o the worlds urban population(FAO, 2005). It provides an answer to ood insecurity and an avenue or cultural expression and citizen involvement. Italso enables people get a taste o the pure enchantment o growing ood or themselves and or the community. In this

time o climatic changes and the multiple, harmul consequences o urban living on health and the environment, weneed to rethink the way we live. In light o this, urban gardening is a powerul agent or change.


12/80

12 guide to setting up your own edible rooftop garden

Why did we cree guide?A tool to encourage the spreading o rootop vegetable gardens

The Rootop Garden Project team presents this step-by-step guide to help you start and maintain your own ediblerootop garden both socially and horiculturally. This guide is or groups, individuals and institutions that wouldlike to set up an urban rootop garden or educational, social, therapeutic or environmental ends and do not have theground space necessary to do so.

The guide is divided into six chapters that cover the main actors to consider when developing a rootop garden

project: project denition, choice o site, setting up the garden, coordination o gardening activity, health choices and adetailed technical guide on rootop container gardening. Depending on your goals and your gardening experience, youmay be more interested in and nourished by the rst chapters than by the technical guide on container gardening andvice versa. In the annexes, you will nd descriptions o our gardens and some additional inormation.

Our goal is to make planting these oases o edible nature in the city easier so that more and more people will startgardening on rootops and discovering its benets.

A smile says a lot about the sheer joy o picking the rstbroccoli o the season on the roo. A way o lie to be cultivated!


13/80

defining your project 1

1. DEFINING YOUR PROjEt

The rst thing to do when you want to start a garden is to develop and rene the idea behind the project. This is thestep where we describe our intentions and expectations, choose the scope o the project, select the type o gardentarget the gardens community and partners and evaluate the project according to accessible resources. The ve steps sug-gested below may be carried out simultaneously. The refection necessary or one step can oten nourish or be nourishedby other steps. Heres to the beginning o a beautiul project.

Where should we startin order to launch our garden project?

1.1 Describe the Roles and Goals o the GardenYou should make an outline o your garden here. Think about its goals

and what actors motivate the project. There are many possibilities. For ex-ample, you can create a garden with aims that are:

social and community-based: Gardening avors contactsand exchanges and betters the quality o lie. For seniors,

gardens stimulate social encounters, physical activity. It canmean getting back to the earth or some and participating ina lively project that comes with various therapeutic benets.The community in contact with the garden will benet romthe eeling that comes rom helping others, commitment toa project and socializing with one another;educational: As a place or experimentation with nature,the garden can be a space or pedagogical and recreationalactivities that will reinorce scholastic materials or themesrom day camps (ecology, botany, health, alimentation,cooking, gardening, biology, etc.) and increase the spirit oinitiative, teamwork, patience, etc.;based on ood security: Gardening will avor the productiono ood or a meals-on- wheels program or a ood bank, oror personal use;economic : A rootop garden can improve a buildings energyeciency and increase its value or little cost by expandingthe useable space. Food cultivation also diminishes expensesrelated to acquiring ood;


14/80


environmental: Here, we are reerring o the improvemento air quality through the absorption o carbon dioxide andthe production o oxygen by plants. The consequent increasein humidity and evaporation will bring down the ambienttemperature, biodiversity will attract birds and insects; andplants will absorb ambient noise. Using rainwater to irrigateplants will reduce pressure on the municipal waterworks andcan be integrated in a system that uses household wastewater.Eating organic and local will reduce the quantity o chemicalproducts used to grow plants and to transport ood;horticultural: Experimenting with new gardening techniquesor developing a new model or urban gardening to spreadurban agriculture could be on the menu;personal: Te simple pleasure o gardening and being able tobenet rom a relaxing space at home will be the oremostmotivation.

Groups should clearly mark out their project goals when planning be-

gins to ensure that all the concerned participants have the same expectations.Plan discussion sessions. They will enable you to work eciently at building

the project. It is also recommended that you involve the team that will useand look ater the garden as early as possible to get their ideas, know theirneeds and stimulate their interest!

1.2 Dene the scale and document the project siteDetermining the project scale to be developed is important: a temporary

project, a project that will evolve over a ew years or a project that will put inplace permanently.

This decision may be infuenced by available resources (see section 1.5).Your site choice may also infuence the scale o the project, or it could be in-

fuenced by the scale i a decision has not been made yet (see Chapter 2).To help you document your site, examine the envisioned projects realconditions:

site characteristics (geographical situation, clientele, type oneighborhood, hardiness zone, etc.);description o the targeted building: height, access, barriers,type o roong, etc.; and o neighboring buildings: adjoiningareas, acade, back, alleys, streets, trac, etc.;implications and consequences o implementing the projectin the neighborhood.

1.3 Select the type o gardenRootop gardens may be designed in various ways. The most well-known

are green or vegetated roos as well as balcony gardening in containers. Greenroos, whether intensive or extensive (accessible or not), are covered with soilin which plants take root. Container gardens reer to ornamental and edibleplants grown in containers. The costs, ecological advantages and versatility ocrops dier according to each type o organization (see Annex C).

I am involved in the garden tomeet people that have interest-ing social values. I nd that it isalso a zen activity that does notrequire you to be productive as

in most types o work.Volunteer, age 41


15/80

defining your project 1

As this guide is based on our expertise, it deals mainly with gardens cul-tivated in containers. I you are interested in green roos, we suggest you getin touch with proessionals in green roo construction (see reerences).

1.4 Make a List o People Involved in the Projecta. Pick the team o gardeners (and the beneciaries)

Who will the project managersand participants be?

To start the project correctly, orm a design team (resource people)that will, i possible, bring together architects, landscape architects, struc-tural engineers, construction proessionals, roong proessionals, commu-nicators, etc.

Dene who will do the gardening: volunteers, beneciaries, residents, agroup o riends, neighbors, an organization, etc. You must know the size ogroup as it will infuence needs and garden organization.

Within the group, you should clearly determine who will tend the gar-

den and who will receive the harvests. These groups might be the same, orthey could be two dierent groups. You must also know the people who willtake care o the garden well. Are they specialists, amateurs or beginners ingardening? This will infuence how you coordinate gardening activity. (seechapter 4).

b. Determine who your partners are

Who should we contact?

When you dene the project, be sure to talk with the various partners

(site owner, management, community, beneactors, unions, employees, etc.).When you have to negotiate with a group, prepare good arguments ahead otime in order to sell the project. Be convinced and convincing; the potentialpartner must quickly understand the advantages to investing in such a proj-ect. When possible, nd an ally within the group you are negotiating with toget support.

The step can be laborious. Thereore, be prepared, patient andpersistent.

1.5 Evaluate the Project according to Accessible Resources

You should take inventory o your human, nancial and material re-sources. To accomplish this task, create a calendar o required resources orthe dierent project phases: setting up, beginning o activities, period o use,end o activities, winter clean up. Think o what is needed to get the projecton its eet and to set up and take care o the garden in terms o space, volun-teer labor, outside expertise, gardening equipment and material or cultiva-tion, or xtures, or nancial sources, etc.

Next, sort materials in order to make a list o resources in your posses-sion and resources you have to nd. You can then decide, according to the


16/80


groups energy, what missing resources can be ound easily (recovery, recy-cling, volunteer time, rentals, undraising, etc.).

Once inventory is nished, you may eel the need to upscale ordownscale the goals and size o the project. The goal is to launch a realisticproject that matches accessible resources. This will avoid disappointmentsalong the way.

I simply love being on the roo-top, gardening and learning newthings about gardening.

Volunteer, age 10.

Discover the great surprises hiding in the soil!

An extraordinary way to get in touch with nature in the city.


17/80

choosing the site 17

2. CHOOSING tHE SItE

Once the project has been well dened, you can choose the site. Several actors should be considered. The possiblesite or sites must be evaluated to veriy saety levels and to make sure gardening activities could be unctional andpleasant in the area. Keep your eyes open!

What actors should be examinedwhen choosing a site?

2.1 Loading CapacityThe rst step is to evaluate the roo s loading capacity, the load that the

roo can support. This is important as the weight o crops, equipment andpeople that the garden will take on must be considered.

To undertake this structural analysis, you must call on a structural en-gineer. You should inorm the engineer o the type (container or green roo)and surace area o the garden you would like to create. This will greatly infu-ence the structural needs.

The engineer can:determine the type o roo (fat or having dierent levels) andthe ramework used;determine the type o construction (wood, steel, concrete);evaluate the possibility o carrying out the project;determine the infuence o obstacles and the possibility ogetting rid o or moving them (vents, chimneys, vent ducts,etc.);study existing plans or make a survey sketch and map out thecurrent conditions;veriy the real load capacity according to the survey sketch or

plans provided.

Ater studying the situation, the engineer can either mark out certainparts o the roo where the garden can be set up or propose a ramework orreinorcement. The latter solution will undoubtedly mean costs that may leadyou to turn to another site. Thereore, proceeding with a structural analysis atthe very beginning o the project is recommended.


18/80


2.2 Municipal RegulationsBeore starting construction o a rootop garden, you must get inor-

mation on regulations rom your city. Regulations vary rom city to city andsometimes rom borough to borough.

In addition to building codes that regulate materials and ensure con-ormity to the building code norms, you must also check the zoning regu-lations or setbacks, use o space and maximum height o the building.Certain buildings may also be classied as historical monuments or as being

part o a historical sector, which also limits some types o possible actions.Get inormation concerning railing, access and security limits. Theseare important points you should pay attention. Very oten, railing must notbe visible rom the street at a distance equivalent to two times the heightrom the edge. Height rom the edge is also regulated. Access is oten regu-lated by re codes (emergency exits). You should make sure regulations donot require two exits or this particular project, in which case you may needto add a staircase. There may also be restrictions on fammable materialsand on the height o structures like pergolas and pavilions.

In certain cases, you may be able to request an exemption rom localauthorities that would allow you to carry out the project even i it is not ex-actly up to municipal codes. This will, however, add extra delays and costs,

and there is no guarantee you will obtain the exemption. Architects and architectural technicians are proessionals who are

qualied to do this research and veriy project conormity to norms andregulations in orce.

2.3 Sunlight and Wind ExposureSunlight

Light is a undamental need or plants. A study on the hours o sunlighton the roo must be carried out. As roos are elevated, they generally oersunlight conditions superior to most urban areas on the ground. Food culti-

vation necessitates long hours o daily sunlight, meaning ten hours a day orthe most heliophilous plants (e.g. tomatoes).Depending on the chosen plants and eatures you would like to incor-

porate in your garden (reading corner, composting area, etc. see section3.2), you should plan the garden in the area(s) (ull sun, part shade) that cor-respond to your needs.

I you observe a quantity o sunlight that is too great or the plantsyou would like to grow, you can decrease it by creating structures thatproduce lighter or darker shade: a shade wall, an arbor, a trellis, a row otall plants, etc.

WindWind is oten stronger at rootop heights than at ground level. A light

breeze is very pleasant or gardeners, but strong winds could seriously damageplants. Creating a wind breaker (vegetal walls, structures, canvases, etc.) isrecommended i there are strong winds or gusts o wind.

I the structure must be attached to the roo, you should make sure theparts o the rame are resistant. The structure must be sturdy but must notchange the roos water resistance or ramework.


19/80

choosing the site 1

2.4 Access and SecuritySeveral elements related to gardeners access and saety must be analyzed

beore choosing the site.

AccessPractical Access and Roo SaetyThere should be an ocial access to the roo (stairway, elevator) to

make the garden accessible to everyone. This access should be unctional or

transporting material to the garden.Access to Water or PlantsLike sun, water is a undamental need or plants. As rain does not al-

ways come on time, an access to municipal water is essential. You can alsoinstall a rainwater collection system by rerouting a gutter to a reservoir, orexample. This solution will create a heavy load o water on the roo at randomtimes, and the structural engineer should check the loading capacity in thedesignated place.

Access to ElectricityAn electrical source is very practical or construction work and develop-

ment or or the simple pleasure o listening to music in the garden.Access to a Storage Area

Plan an access to an area sheltered rom inclement weather to storeequipment, material and gardening tools.

SaetyPeripheral SurveillanceInormal (neighboring windows, passersby) or ocial (security guards,

security cameras) surveillance will ensure the saety o gardeners and helpavoid incidents in the garden (e.g. vandalism).

Installation o an Enclosure or a BanisterAn enclosure or a banister should be 42 inches (1067 mm) tall and

encircle the space designated as a garden. These protections must conorm to

regulations as mentioned in section 2.2

2.5 Specic NeedsI the gardens clientele has specic needs, you must account or them

rom the beginning. Easy access will be an important issue i the garden isdestined or elderly people or people with handicaps. Installing shady areas isrecommended i seniors or young children use the garden.

2.6 Other Options

Note that i you plan a garden somewhere other than a roo, such asa terrace or a balcony, you must consider the same actors but on a smallerscale.

A good start means having a structure that is up tonorms, a space that is sae and unctional and plentyo water and sun.


20/80


Dont orget to plant perennials in your garden!Theyll attract helpul insects.


21/80

designing the garden 2

3. DESIGNING tHE GaRDEN

Once the project has been dened and the site has been chosen, you can think about how to set up your garden.This step calls or the most imagination and creativity because your garden will take orm at this time. Get outyour pens and paper!

Two possible choicesa. Hire a design proessional who is part o an association or an order,such as :

LAssociation des architectes paysagistes du Qubec (AAPQ),www.aapq.org;LAssociation des paysagistes proessionnels du Qubec(APPQ),www.appq.org;LOrdre des architectes du Qubec (OAQ),www.oaq.com;LOrdre des technologues proessionnels du Qubec(OTPQ),www.otpq.qc.ca

Using the engineers plans and estimate, a proessional, such as a land-scape architect, can:

create an aesthetic and unctional development plan basedon the possibilities and constraints o the site, according toyour tastes, your needs, and your budget;advise you on the choices o fowering and ood producingplants;draw up plans and a labor estimate;supervise work that will be carried out by the proessionalo your choice.

b. Do it YourselI you would like to do this step yoursel, here are some notions to guide

you in creating your garden.

How do I design and construct a garden on myown?


22/80


3.1 Prepare the Rootop or Setting up the GardenI necessary, make a building plan (plans and general estimates) to pre-

pare the rootop or the garden and or gardening activities and to make cer-tain it ts your budget. As this step must conorm to certain building andsaety norms, we suggest you call on proessionals (see step 2).

The plan must be designed in direct relation to the raming plan. Thedistribution o weight should be approved by the structural engineer, whocan, i needed, identiy structural modications to be made. The raming

plan is oten completed by a short estimate that shows construction to be car-ried out, materials to be used and norms to be respected.As a general rule, heavy loads must be located near columns and beams

located on the existing roo plans as they were drawn by the engineer.Once the plans have been drawn up (terrace site, access, construction

details, location o equipment to be used, etc.) and approved by the structuralengineer or completed using separate plans by the engineer, you must obtaina building permit rom the city.

Get inormation rom your insurance company about changes to bemade to your home insurance.

Ideally, this step should be done simultaneously with step 3.2. Each phasewill give you ood or thought on the other.

3.2 Imagine and Draw the Gardena. Site Analysis Plan

On paper or using drating sotware, place the basic eatures as well aspossibilities or and constraints o the site: sun areas (ull sun, partial sun,shade), access to water and electricity, interior and exterior access, circulationareas, railing, special eatures related to saety, etc.

Step 2 will be useul or creating the site analysis plan.

b. Garden Uses

Make up a list o utilitarian and recreational uses that you would like tohave in your garden: ood production, relaxation and contemplation, gather-ings, storage, rainwater recovery, area or doing manual labor, composting, etc.

You can also use general concepts (permaculture, ecosystems, education-al garden) as inspiration or create thematic spaces (herbs, medicinal plants,children, horticultural experiments, First Nations, production, etc.).

c. Conceptual PlanOn the analysis plan, place dierent uses and thematic spaces you have

chosen or the garden by drawing and annotating areas or bubbles.Determine the size o areas according to your needs and priorities.Make sure that the nished product is unctional and, or course, inspiring.

d. Development PlanYou now have everything you need to give shape to your garden. On

a new drawing, copy the conceptual plan and draw the real shape and loca-tion o dierent spaces (production, relaxation and storage areas; butterfygarden, etc.) and eatures (benches, compost bin, pergola, etc.) in detail.


23/80

designing the garden 2

Conceptual Plan and Design Plan

Be creative! Think about the unityand balance o the garden, about how tohighlight eatures, about lines and orms,about textures and colors. You can createan overall theme or personalized spaces.

Work to scale. The most commonscales are: in. = 1 t. or 1:50 in metricvalues. You can use grid paper when youare doing the rough sketches to make thetask easier.

Leave sucient space around gar-den beds or containers to make garden-ing easier.

Take the location o a drain on theroo into account. It should be accessibleat all times to drain water rom the sur-ace. Water must not be obstructed rom

reaching the drain.Make several drawings while brain-

storming. Dont hesitate to work ingroups. Choose the most stimulating andmost unctional plan aterward. Keep inmind that you can always change the de-sign as things progress i necessary.

There is a wide selection o bookson landscaping and garden design. Visityour library or a local bookstore or in-spiration.

Conceptual plan

Avoid overdoing itYour garden can be developed in

dierent steps, spread out over severalmonths or years. Be careul not to over-estimate your time and energy. Keep inmind that gardening should be a sourceo enjoyment!

storage

relaxationarea

experimental

productionzone

composting area

seedlings

railing

climbing plants

gather

ing

area

circul

ation

garden

scent

ralwalk

way

oodproduction

area

hydro-ponicsystem

climbingplants

climbingplants

rainwaterrecovery

rows ogrowers

with waterreservoir

central

walkw

ay

garden oconnectedcontainers

seedlingtable

compost

gardenshed 2

gardenshed 1

pergola rainwaterbarrel

benches

climbingplant dome

rainwaterbarrels

wall coveredin plants

Development plan


24/80


3.3 Build the Inrastructure and Lay Out the Gardena. Building the core inrastructure

Start construction using plans approved by your city. I major work onthe access, the terrace or the railing is to be done, we recommend you hire abuilding proessional (a general contractor that will take care o all the con-struction). It is always preerable to request bids rom three contractors toensure you get a air market price.

I you do not have a contractor, look or a person with experience in

construction or someone who is handy that can supervise and coordinatevolunteers work.Sometimes it is very practical to establish a construction schedule so that

combined eorts converge on an opening date or the garden. Look out orlate work, delays, bad surprises, extra costs and other unexpected problems.

The inrastructure could be made o modular, detachable parts to allowaccess to the rootop at all times in case there is a leak or maintenance mustbe done. You will nd an example o such parts in Annex D.

To optimize use o materials and reduce costs, use recycled or reusedmaterials as oten as possible. For better longevity, use treated wood.

b. Build Garden Features

Using the development plan, start construction on structural eatures likea pergola, an arbor, benches, etc., as well as unctional eatures like compostbins and rainwater barrels. You can create them using technical designs youhave drawn or ound in construction manuals. You can also let your imagina-tion take over when the task is at hand. Several eatures can be bought.

c. Construct GrowersDecide what type o grower is suited to your needs. Here are some cri-

teria to consider:

dimensions (height, width, depth)shape

productivity (depth o growing mix according to plantchoice, water reservoir, dimensions, etc.)durability and maintenance o materialmobility (weight, wheels)aesthetics (color, style, material)

Build the number o growers needed according to your eeding needsand the available space.

See chapter six or models and or construction plans.

d. Put the Various Features into Place

With your development plan in hand, put the eatures into place andwatch your garden grow! It is sometimes useul to trace the lines o the draw-ing on the ground to transpose your plan onto the area. Strings or chalk areparticularly ecient.

Engineers VericationI the project calls or changes

to the structure or signicant addi-tions during construction, havingthe structural engineer check thecompleted construction is recom-mended to get his or her nal ap-

proval.This is particularly impor-tant i you install a pergola, a shadestructure or a wind breaker on ahigh roo because strong windscould blow the panels o makingthe installation dangerous.


25/80

coordingating the garden 2

4. COORDINatING tHE GaRDEN

How do I coordinate a group o gardeners?

There are several dierent ways to garden in the city. You can choose to garden by yoursel at home or with a groupGroup gardening involves special coordination and oers rich opportunities. Here are some ideas that will guideyou in this task.

I you would like a concrete example, see The Roulant Garden Experiencein Annex B.

4.1 Find out about Group Gardening Models in MontrealHere are some gardening and leadership models that might help you

cultivate techniques or managing a group in the garden.

A ew ideasa. Two Basic Models

Community GardeningA community space is divided into gardening plots o equal size that are

managed individually by a gardener or by a amily. Maintaining the plot and

harvesting are the gardeners responsibility. The gardener works during variedhours. Activities are subject to regulations and overseen by a committee.

Pros: autonomy o gardeners, fexible hours, materialprovided, possibility o keeping the plot or several years.Cons: rigid ramework o regulations, restricted choice ovegetables, little technical aid, dicult to personalize thespace, waiting lists, high maintenance.

Reference :Community Gardens o the City o Montreal,www.ville.montreal.qc.ca

Collective GardeningA group o people garden together during regular gardening sessions.

Harvests are divided in an equitable way and according to gardeners needs.In many cases, part o the harvest is distributed to a local organization (meals-on-wheels, soup kitchens, ood banks). A specialized leader sometimes coor-dinates gardening sessions.

Pros: creates links in the community, a eeling o solidarity,shared upkeep, strong eeling o belonging.

I told mysel that garden-ing might be an activity to do

with my 10 year-old daughter.I wasnt looking or anythingin particular, but gardening isa un activity that she mightlike and that is related to so-cial engagement and ecology.

The Rootop Garden Projectbrought together recreationalactivity and social engagement.

Volunteer, age 52


26/80


Cons: xed times, little continuity, rarity o available spaces,complex procedure to start new gardens.

References :Jardins collectis de la maison de quartier Villeray,www.mqv.qc.caAction communiterre,www.actioncommuniterre.qc.ca

b. Leadership Possibilities in the Garden

With social and environmental aims, leadership in the garden enableshorticultural knowledge to be passed on and energy to be injected in thegroup through social and recreational activities.

Leadership activities can have dierent goals and target dierent groups:therapeutic gardening or elderly people in institutions, educational garden-ing or young people in day camps and schools, a production garden andsocialization or a community, etc. Local, specialized organizations can oerdierent group workshops.

For more inormation on models, see our project examples in Annex A.

4.2. Launch and RecruitOnce your project has been dened and your site has been chosen, you

can organize your rst gardening season and mobilize the community. Hereare two steps that will help you get the season started o on the right oot!

a. Form an Organizational CommitteeCreate a small group that will take responsibility or the garden launch

or opening/inauguration and coordinating the gardening season: recruitment,coordination o group meetings, respect or rules, confict management, cal-endar, etc.

b. Spread the Word and Mobilize

Spread word about the garden project in the targeted community: inor-mational meetings, message boards, posters, emails in a network, advertise-ments or articles in a local newspaper, door-to-door visits, telephone calls.Oer fexibility in terms o involvement. Make a list o people who are inter-ested; then, organize the meetings to plan:

the choice o times or gardening sessions:you should consider the regular needs o plants, theconstraints o mid-day heat or plants and gardeners,availability o clients;

the garden launch, designing the garden (see step 3), thechoice o plants and ertilizers;how group work will unction;the management o harvest division;horticultural workshops and activities;and much more.


27/80

coordingating the garden 27

4.3 Ensure Good Communication throughout the SeasonYou will quickly notice that sustained and varied communication is es-

sential to maintain the energy and health o the garden community.

Determine the best way(s) to communicate within the group(message board, email, regular meetings, log, Internet site, etc.).Update inormation concerning the garden requently (upcomingevents, times, rules, contact lists).Avoid sources o confict by being clear on rules and by opening

a space or dialogue.Encourage social activities that avor group cohesion (see section4.5).

4.4 Ensure Horticultural Follow-upAs the garden is a place to produce ood, it is important to succeed in

producing harvests that satisy everyone. Here are ideas to help you:

encourage the sharing and transerring o horticultural knowledgein the group (in an inormal way and/or through workshops) inorder to obtain a harvest that is worthwhile or everyone and to

avoid errors, conficts and disappointment. When necessary, askor help rom expert organizations or hire an organizer.maintain an up-to-date horticultural log that inorms gardenerso the health and development o the garden: care given to plants,observations, harvests and things to do (watering, ertilizing,harvesting, pruning, treating, inspecting, etc.)prepare an annual calendar o tasks linked to the garden (romstarting seedlings to closing the garden) so as not to orget stepsand not to cause delays in the season.

4.5 Multiply Garden ActivitiesIn addition to providing a space or fora and auna to live, the garden isalso a social space. It can be a place or:

contemplation and observation o nature in the cityrecreational and artistic activities (mediation, creative workshops,outdoor cooking, making art objects, bird houses, kites, soaps,etc.)meetings and events (discussion and spreading inormation on

urban gardening, lm projections, harvest parties, BBQs andamily picnics)education and therapy, the garden is a privileged area or buildingawareness to nature, to ood and to healthy lie styles and also ordiscovering the physical and psychological benets o gardening.

Gardens open new spaces or the community. They are spaces or every-one to enjoy!

This project creates a space inmy lie where I let mysel playoutside in the sun while givingmy time to something biggerhelping one another within acommunity.

Volunteer, age25


28/80

Playing in the garden, something that is enjoyable every time!


29/80

making healthy choices 2

5. MaKING HEaltHY CHOICES

How to grow in order to eat well

Ahealthy diet coupled with the exercise o gardening is an excellent start or good health. For even more benets, youshould take several agricultural ideas into consideration to maximize the nutritional benets (or the body and thespirit) that you will take rom your harvests. Take time to think about all aspects o your garden, rom buying your seeds

and designing your garden at the beginning o the season, to ertilizing, treating diseases or controlling pests throughoutthe season.

5.1 Gardening EcologicallyI you are worried about the quality o the ood you are growing, you

can optimize nutritional value by gardening in an ecological way. To doso, you have to avoid using chemical ertilizers, pesticides and herbicideswhen taking care o the various problems in your garden. Instead, thinko solutions that are in harmony with nature (e.g. compost or ertilizer,companion planting to maximize yield and natural pesticides, or purins,

made rom ermented plants to keep harmul insects away). This is betteror your health and or that o the environment. You can also get certiedorganic seeds. Dont orget that in gardening or yoursel, you have theprivilege o controlling the quality o what you eat.

5.2 Diversiying Edible PlantsDiversication o plants in the garden is a guarantee or success in a

healthy and varied diet. In act, it will enable you to have access to a highernumber o nutritional elements as each ood has dierent characteristics. Youwill, thereore, have easy access to vitamins, bers and minerals.

The variety in your garden will certainly lead you to eat more ruits andvegetables and will increase your interest in them. This keeps with recommen-dations rom the Canada Food Guide, which suggests ve to 20 portions oruits and vegetables a day.

I you are looking or particular benets or your health or i you have aspecial diet, gardening or yoursel is a good occasion to ocus on oods that aregood or you.

Diversication o crops and o the oods you eat will also contribute toreducing certain risks or diseases and to maintaining ecological biodiversity.

Tomatoes are an excellent source o vitamins Aand C, potassium and ber.Green vegetables like spinach are a good sourceo vitamins A and E, olic acid, calcium, copperand iron.


30/80


5.3 Putting Medicinal Plants in the GardenIn addition to ruits and vegetables, think o putting medicinal plants in

your garden. For centuries, knowledge about the medicinal virtues o plantsand how to prepare them has been cultivated. Your grandmothers probablyhave a ew recipes! The therapeutic eects o plants are numerous and shouldbe rediscovered so that current generations can benet rom them. There isa wide range o books that you can nd in stores or at the local library thatdiscuss the benets o plants and o growing them.

This is also a way o bringing indigenous species rom our region andother orgotten wild species into the garden. Several ne herbs also have in-credible virtues. Inorm yoursel.

5.4 Understanding Risks Associated with Urban PollutionSeveral risks related to soil, air and water pollution raise questions about

the quality o ood cultivated in the city. Though there are currently ew stud-ies on this subject, container gardening makes an interesting alternative toavoid certain risks o contamination. In act, it will enable you to minimizethe possible negative consequences because its versatility oers greater leewayin terms o the medium or agriculture, site selection and choices in watersources.

a. Soil PollutionUrbanization and the changing use o soils in the city have led us to build

upon ground that has already been used or industrial activity and has neverbeen decontaminated. The concentration o heavy metals, a major contami-nant, above all in places where the population is in direct and prolonged con-

A Healthy Recipe!Succulent Ratatouille rom the garden:

A Recipe rom Santropol Roulant

A side dish requently prepared by the meals-on-wheels program at SantropolRoulant (see The Roulant Garden Experiencein Annex B). Serves 4.

Ingredients2 eggplants4 tomatoes2 zucchinis2 onions1 sprig o thymeSalt and pepper to tasteOil

Preparation1. Clean the eggplants, tomatoes and zucchinis. Cut them into small pieces.2. Peel the onions and cut them into small pieces.3. Clean and chop the thyme.4. Cook the onions on medium heat or 5 minutes.5. Add the other vegetables and cook them or about 1 hours on low heat.6. Season with salt, pepper and thyme.

Enjoy!


31/80

making healthy choices 3

tact with contaminants (residences, parks, schools, yards and playgrounds),is a considerable risk or human health. Eating vegetables grown in contami-nated soils could cause health problems because the plants generally absorbheavy metals in their edible tissues (Chaney, Sterrett et Mielke, 1984).

While waiting or the desired decontamination o our soils, containergardening shows itsel to be an eective solution to get around this problem.The gardener can also control the elements that make their way into thegrower. You can, thereore, avoid letting heavy metals make their way intoyour ood.

b. Air PollutionThe location o your garden can have an impact on the quality o the

ruits and vegetables that are produced. Gardens ound near congested thor-ough-ares or train tracks may be contaminated by air pollutants that comerom combustion. However, this risk has been greatly reduced since lead wasremoved rom uels.

I you are doubtul o air quality in the area where you garden, it is al-ways better to wash ruits and leaves with soap or a water and vinegar mixtureto remove most o the particles that are deposited on plants (Chaney, Sterrettet Mielke, 1984; Armar-Klemesu, 1999).

c. Water PollutionClean water should be used to irrigate plants. I you can collect water on

your roo, rainwater is the best source o water or watering plants; it reducesthe pressure exerted on the municipal water network. The temperature orainwater is naturally warm and will not shock the plants, contrary to coldwater rom the waterworks system. In addition, this water does not containchlorine, which inhibits plant growth.

I you choose to collect rainwater to irrigate your garden, make surethat you store it properly, i.e. in an opaque container with a mosquito net toavoid algae and mosquitoes. For more inormation, see section 6.5, Collecting

Rainwater.Sources :

Armar-Klemesu, Margaret. Urban Agriculture and Food Security, Nu-trition and Health, Growing Cities Growing Food International Workshop,Havana, Cuba, thematic paper no 4, 1999.

Chaney, Ruus L., Susan B. Sterrett and Howard W. Mielke. The Po-tential or Heavy Metal Exposure rom Urban Gardens and Soils. In. J.R. Preer(ed.) Proc. Symp. Heavy Metals in Urban Gardens. Univ. Dist. ColumbiaExtension Service, Washington, DC, 1984.

Chamomile fowers (above) can be used ortreating stomachaches and insomnia in chil-dren as well as or calming nerves. The teaalso has anti-infammatory properties thatwork against rheumatism and arthritis andantispasmodic properties that calm men-strual and intestinal pain. It also acts as amild laxative. A lightly steeped tea will com-bat cold symptoms, the fu, and allergies. As

a compress, it will calm skin infammations,burns and sunburns. Added to the bath, ithas relaxing properties.

Mint tea is known to help digestive problems,but also to combat ever, bronchitis, the fu,headaches, morning sickness, stomach painand other minor pains.

Sage tea makes an excellent antiseptic ortreating mouth sores and sore throats whenused as a mouth wash. Used as a compress, itsoothes cuts and wounds.


32/80

Take out your tools! Its time to build!


33/80

growing in containers on the rooftop: a technical guide 3

6. GROWING IN CONtaINERS ON tHE ROOFtOP:

a tECHNICal GUIDE

How to choose, construct and maintain growers

There are many dierent ways to garden on rootops depending on what type o garden you choose: in concrete orwooden containers or simply in growing medium spread on the roo that is irrigated by an automatic or manualsystem. Here, we give you the approach we chose or our Rootop Garden project, i.e. the construction o growers usingrecycled containers.

Over the years, we experimented with dierent types o growers and dierent gardening techniques that went romtraditional containers to hydroponic agriculture. We nally chose growers with a water reservoir, which became our avoritemodel. They are aordable, ecient in water autonomy, allow plants to be ertilized using homemade compost, movableand adaptable. These qualities make them an excellent tool or gardening on rootops, but also on balconies, terraces andany other urban area where it is normally dicult to grow plants. To make starting your garden easier and to inspire thosewho are not as good with their hands, the project team designed a pre-made ecological grower, our Ready-to-Grow kitsYou can communicate with us i you would like one (or more!).

Even though this technical guide ocuses on certain details related to choosing plants, composting and ertilizing growers with water reservoirs, it is not a gardening guide per se, but rather a collection o inormation and examples assembledto inspire you when you create your own above-ground gardening project. Each suggested type o agriculture responds to

a list o criteria (economic, ecological, lightweight, easy to build and maintain, water autonomy, and superior quality andyield) to help you make choices. The guide ends with detailed instructions related to connecting your growers to a commonwater system, collecting rainwater and setting up a seedling table!

6.1 Traditional Container GardeningEconomicEcologicalLightweightEasy to build and maintainWater autonomy

Superior quality and yield

This is where gardening at altitude starts. A container is perorated to ensuregood drainage and lled with potting soil enriched with compost and ertilizer.

Generally, the deeper and more voluminous the container, the more the gardenwill yield. On the other hand, a 20 cm depth o 20 to 40 L o growing mix will besucient or a determinant tomato. For lettuce varieties, a 15 cm depth o 6 to 10L o growing mix will guarantee great results.


34/80


Plants are irrigated at the surace until water overfows rom thedrainage holes so that the growing mix stays moist at all times. Given theheavy water consumption o vegetable plants, growers must be irrigatedevery day and sometimes twice a day once plants have come to maturity.Moreover, requent traditional watering washes away nutrients and is tir-ing or the gardener. This is where the idea to use water reservoirs camerom.

6.2 Classic Hydroponic Container

EconomicalEcologicalLightweightEasy to build and maintainWater autonomySuperior quality and yields

In hydroponic agriculture, roots develop in a nutrient solutionmade rom soluble elements that are directly available to the plant. These

ertilizers are generally synthetic, but there are organic versions that are,in comparison, expensive. Hydroponic agriculture reers to a mixture otechniques that vary according to the needs o cultivars and the agricul-tural environment in order ensure yield with optimal quality. This tech-nique also has potential as it is lightweight and has great water economy.However, it requires electricity, specialized parts and special knowledge.Hydroponic gardening is generally done in a controlled environment(cultivating room, green house, shade structure), but small amateur gar-dens can fourish i gardeners have a fair or technology!

Several hydroponic grower models are or sale in specialized shops.We, however, suggest you make them yoursel or a raction o the price.

Here are instructions or constructing a sel-irrigating grower that worksusing the Venturi system. This is a model that can be designed usingrecycled materials and built relatively easily. It is activated with an airpump rather than with a more costly water pump.

6.2.1 Recipe to Create a Venturi HydroponicGrower

This container will take the orm o a bucket with inert substratesuspended over a reservoir o nutrient solution. A small aquarium pump

will orce air into a tube that is submerged in the solution. When bubblescome up, they will transport small quantities o nutrient solution to thesurace. This solution will percolate through the substrate, eeding theplant with water and nutrients beore returning to the reservoir.

A little more water

A small reservoir can be addedto a container i it has not alreadybeen perorated. You can cut holesapproximately cm in diameter2 to 3 cm rom the bottom o the

container at 10 cm intervals. As thebottom o the container will be satu-rated with water ater rain or aterwatering, this technique only worksor demanding plants (such as toma-toes, eggplants, squash, etc.).


35/80


Drilling and Cutting Tools

Putting together the growers we propose requires using an elec-tric drill and, sometimes, even a jig-saw. I you have never workedwith these tools, ask a riend to show you how to use them saely. Tocut plastic with a jig-saw, use a blade or metal and wood that hassmall teeth. I you preer using a hand saw, chose a small hand sawused or cutting wood. Depending on the size o holes to drill, youcan use one o the ollowing drill bits:

Spur Point BitBits or wood are dierent rom bits or metal. The pointed

end stabilizes them in the material that is being drilled. They areavailable in all diameters up to in. Aordable and ecient, thesebits are ideal or making small holes in plastic. I you already havea set o metal drill bits, these will probably do the trick, but youwill have to pay careul attention when you start drilling as the bitwill tend to slide on the surace.

Flat Wood BitFlat wood or spade bits have fat heads that can drill larger

holes than spur point bits (up to 2 in. wide). In addition to thecentral spur, you should also make sure it has another point on thelet and the right sides. They are essential or cutting plastic. Onlyget the necessary diameters as fat wood bits are more costly thantwisted bits.

Make sure that the container to be drilled is solidly tied to thefoor. Ask a riend to help you i necessary. Keep the bit perpen-dicular to the surace you are drilling. Begin drilling gently until thepoints on the sides trace the holes diameter on the surace. Then,pick up speed near the end o the drilling. Let the bit go through thesurace completely so as not to damage it.

Hole SawYou can use a hole saw i you arent able to cut holes over 2 in.

using a utility knie. Available in ormats varying rom to 5 in.,these drill bits are oten very useul, but generally very expensive.Get a basic kit rom the hardware store or rent the largest ormatsrom a tool rental center. Use hole saws on a handheld drill ollow-ing the same guidelines as those or the spur point bit.

Hollow PunchI you dont want to use an electric drill, you can get a set ohollow punches at specialized hardware stores or at the cobblershop. With a hammer, these tools will allow you to make holes upto in. wide in fexible plastic less than 3 mm thick. Put the pieceon scrap wood, place the hollow punch at the desired spot and hitit with a hammer until it goes through the plastic.


36/80


Materials1 - 20 L (5 gal.) bucket1 - 8 to 12 L (2 to 3 gal.) bucket that will sit in the largerone1 aquarium air pump1 to 2 m o air tube or the pump1 rigid plastic tube, to 1 in. in diameter as long as theheight o the assembled buckets

1 m o black or very dark, fexible plastic tube,

in. indiameter1 - in., tee tting8 to 12 L o inorganic and porous substrate (expanded claypellets, volcanic rocks, etc.)4 small tie wraps (zip ties)Hydroponic nutrient solution

EquipmentDrillScissorsSaw

Utility knie

Drill a hole slightly smaller than the exterior diameter o the rigid plastictube close to the edge o the bottom o the smaller bucket.

Drill 20 to 30 drainage holes using a in. bit in the bottom o the littlebucket.

Sit the small bucket in the large bucket, and drill the overfow in the sideo the large bucket 2 cm rom the bottom to be sure there is an air spacebetween the two.

1.

2.

3.

The air pump.

overfow

substrate

small bucket

large bucket

tube


37/80


Cut the rigid tube 3 cm shorter than the level o the assembled buckets.

Cut one end at an angle to ease movement o water, and insert the tube inthe small bucket.

Insert the in. fexible plastic tube in the central end o the tee tting.Insert this tube in the rigid tube so that the tting is sitting on the fat end(not the angled one). Cut the fexible tube at the level o the angled end, andremove it rom the rigid tube.

Cut the end o the fexible tube at an angle. Careully make a small hole orthe air pumps tube at 2 cm above the angled end using a drill or a utilityknie.

Cut the end o the air pump tube at an angle. Insert it into the hole cut inthe fexible tube while keeping the interior passage o the fexible tube ree.

Careully attach the two tubes together at 2 cm rom the hole with a tie-wrap, taking care not to block the movement o air in the tubes. Attach thetubes in three more areas and cut o the excess.

Place the assembled tubes in the rigid tube in the bucket. Insert a supple in. tube in both ends o the tee tting so as to create a hoop a ew centimeterssmaller in diameter than the bucket.

Perorate it with irrigation holes measuring in. at 5 cm intervals on thebottom side o the hoop, acing the bucket using a drill or a utility knie.

Fill the small bucket with pre-washed substrate and the water reservoir bywatering the substrate at the surace. Connect the air tube to the air pump,and turn it on.

Careully wash the roots o a plantlet in water in order to remove any traceo soil. Put it in the substrate in the center o the band so that the roots gotoward the bottom o the small bucket.

Add soluble hydroponic ertilizers in the reservoir ollowing theinstructions.

To ll, prepare a nutrient solution in advance, and water the surace o thesubstrate beore the reservoir contains less than 5 cm o liquid.

Change the nutrient solution, and clean the reservoir with a brush oneto two times a month to prevent harmul accumulation o nutrients andpathogens.

6.3 The Grower with Water Reservoir

EconomicalEcologicalLightweightEasy to build and maintainWater autonomySuperior quality and yield

Adding a water reserve to a traditional container keeps gardening simplewhile considerably reducing the requency o watering. The perect solution ora hip balcony gardener!

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

Assembled tubes in the buckets rigid tube.

air tub

tie wrap

fexible tub

buckets rigidtub


38/80


A mature tomato plant can sweat out over 4 liters o water per daythrough transpiration. Capillary movement created by the sweating o leavestransports water and soluble nutrients in the plant. The constant presence owater optimizes the growth and the health o the majority o vegetable plantsas long as it does not keep oxygen rom being present in the soil.

The grower with a water reservoir is very simple. Allowing a small por-tion o the growing mix to be in contact with the water in the reservoir is su-cient to make the system work. A pot, a basket or a perorated tube installedbetween two containers and lled with potting soil acts as a wick that trans-ports water rom the reservoir to the roots. A simple overfow hole separatesthe water reservoir rom the growing mix, ensuring adequate air to roots at alltimes. The size and orm o containers is let up to your imagination, as longas the ollowing criteria are respected.

Building Details or a Grower with Water Reservoir:Percentage o the alse bottom to be in contact with the reservoir: 5 to 15 %Ideal (and maximum) length o the wick: 15 cm (20 cm)Irrigation radius o the wick: 20 cmMaximum distance between wicks: 40 cmAir space (distance between the overfow and the alse bottom): 1 to 3 cm

6.3.1 Recipe or a Bucket Grower with Water reservoir

Materials2 20 L (5 gal) buckets1 large tube or rigid container approximately 10 cm (4in.)in diameter and 15 cm long (reused ABS or PVC tubes areideal)1 pipe, 1 in. in diameter and 60 cm long3 tie wraps

12 L o potting soil10 L o compostOrganic ertilizer

overfow (water level)

lling tube


39/80


EquipmentDrillMarkerHand saw or jig-sawUtility knie

I necessary, cut the large 15 cm pipe using a saw.

Cut the end o the small tube at an angle.

Turn the bucket over, and center the large tube on the buckets bottom.

Using a marker, draw the interior perimeter o the tube and threeattachment points between the bottom o the bucket and the pipe.

At 2 cm rom the edge o the bottom, draw the exterior edge o the smallpipe.

Drill the attachment points in the pipe and to the bottom o thebucket.

Drill at least 20 drainage holes in the bottom o the bucket using thesame bit.

Drill the two circles drawn with the marker using a fat wood bit and ahole saw. I you do not have these specialized bits, drill a in. hole onthe two circles drawn on the bottom o the bucket, and careully cutthem out using a utility knie or a jig-saw.

Attach the large pipe to the bucket using tie wraps.

Place the perorated bucket into the second bucket, and insert the angledend o the small pipe in the hole that was made or it.

Drill an overfow on the outside o the bucket at 1 cm below the bottomo the inside bucket.

Fill the large tube with wet potting soil, and solidly compact it.

Fill the grower with 10 L o potting soil and 10 L o compost. Add cup

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

overfow(water level)

perorated bucket

lling tube

Ready-to-Grow Start-up Kit

To inspire citizens that are not as good with their hands togarden, the Rootop Gardens team designed a pre-made ecologi-cal grower, the Ready-to-Grow kit, made rom 95% recycledplastic. It has a 50 L growing mix capacity and its large 14 Lwater reservoir will enable you to cultivate superb vegetables on

your balcony despite your many weekends spent away in thecountryside.

Dont wait to start your garden, and support our project atthe same time!

Contact one o us now to get a grower.http://www.rootopgardens.ca


40/80


o dolomitic lime to the soil i you are placing a ruiting plant in thegrower (tomatoes, peppers, etc.).

Mix 1/3 cup organic ertilizer in the rst 10 to 15 cm o growing

mix.Transplant the vegetable plant o your choice and water the surace othe growing mix (do this only when you plant or i the growing mixdries over the summer because o a prolonged lack o water to thereserve).

Fill the water reservoir through the lling tube until the overfow spurtsout water to avoid washing away nutrient elements.

6.3.2 Recipe or a Hal-Barrel with Water Reservoir

Materials1 ood grade barrel1 8 to 20 L bucket4 large tie wraps2 50 cm long pieces o synthetic rope that is at least inch thick in diameter

14.

15.

16.

Tie Wraps

Tie Wraps (or zip ties) are indispensable tools or the builder-recycler.These small, nylon asteners enable you to assemble small parts in a solidand permanent way. Make sure to insert the correct end into the openingand rmly tighten.


41/80


I the barrel does not already have handles, 1 tube that is 1in. in diameter and the height o the barrel (optional)50 L o potting soil30 to 50 L o compost

MaterialsMeasuring tapeMarkerDrillJig-saw

Where to nd materials

BucketsScout streets and alleys the night beore or very early in the morning o recycling and garbage days. Favor

business streets or larger quantities. Pay particular attention to the residues in the containers. I they do not seemto be rom ood, leave them where you ound them!

I you arent up or a treasure hunt, ask restaurant owners or bulk dealers to keep their empty containers oryou. Once you have explained your project, they will probably be pleased to help you. We had a lot o successwith companies specialized in selling grape juice or wine-making. Visit them during the all, when they harvestgrapes.

Food Grade Barrels (Import Barrels)These ood-sae barrels are used to import large quantities o oils, sauces and bulk canned oods. Once the

barrels are empty, most bulk dealers give them to middlemen specialized in reselling the used containers andpalettes outside the city. I you have access to a car and travel regularly to the countryside, keep an eye out orpyramids o empty barrels on the side o the road. These companies will sell you the barrels or the modest priceo $10-$25 per unit.

On the other hand, keep in mind that there are oten barrels that get in the way o smaller bulk dealers

that dont have large enough quantities to interest a middleman. Look in your phone book or bulk ood storesnear you. Ask them to call you when they need to get rid o their barrels. They will probably give them to youor ree.

Specialized PartsThough you can nd the majority o parts or your growers in the hardware store, certain are more specic

and available only in stores specialized in hydroponics. These parts include: the foat valve, Carlon tubing (vinyltubing), ttings and through-hulls. Give them a call beore going to make sure they have everything you needin store.

overfow

lling hole


42/80


Remove the barrels lid.

Draw a line at hal the barrels height with a marker.

Drill a hole that is approximately in. wide at hal the barrelsheight.

Insert the blade o the jig-saw in the hole. Cut the barrel along theline.

Turn the top part over, set it inside the bottom part and push it down

as ar as you can.Measure the height between the bottom o the barrel and the openingor the lid. I the height is greater than 20 cm, cut the edge o thelower part o the barrel to reduce the height to 15 to 20 cm.

Cut the top o the small bucket i necessary to get the same heightas the distance between the barrels bottom and the opening or thelid.

Perorate the sides and the bottom o the small bucket at 5 cmintervals using a in. drill bit, and perorate our assembly holes atequidistance on the top edge.

Draw a 20 cm circle in diameter in the middle o the barrel lid.Drill a hole o approximately in. wide on the line, and cut thecircle along the line using a jig-saw.

Put the edge o the bucket in the middle o the lid, trace the outline,and mark the our assembly holes.

Remove the bucket, and drill a in. hole on each side o the line onthe lid acing the our assembly holes on the bucket.

Using tie wraps, solidly assemble the edge o the bucket to the topo the lid.

I the barrel has handles, measure and mark their place on the

barrel acing the bottom part and, thereore, the outside o thegrower. Take out the top part o the barrel, and drill a lling hole atleast in. wide in the bottom part o the barrel. Drill two, in.holes 15 cm rom each side o the lling hole. Drill two identicalholes on the opposite side o the barrel. I the barrel does not havehandles, drill a hole approximately 1 in. wide in the edge o thelid. Cut the other end o the optional rigid tube, and insert it inthe hole. Cut the other end o the lling tube i it is necessary andaccording to your preerence. Drill two in. holes 15 cm romeach side o the lling hole. Drill two in. identical holes on theopposite side o the barrel.

Make a knot at one end o the rope. Put the rope through one o the in. holes keeping the knot inside the barrel. Put the second endin the second hole, and knot it to create handle o the length youchoose. Install the other handle on the other side o the barrel.

Put the top part o barrel back in the bottom part. The bucket shouldrest on the bottom o the barrel while the two halves o the barrelhold it solidly in place.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

The little bucket with its sides perorated.


43/80


Fill the bucket with wet potting soil. Compact solidly.

Fill the grower with a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio o wet potting soil and compost.Add 1 cups dolomitic lime to the soil i the grower is or a ruitingplant (tomato, peppers, etc.). Mix 1 cup organic ertilizer in the top10 to 15 cm o growing mix.

Fill the water reservoir through the hole or the lling tube until watercomes out o the overfow.

Transplant the vegetable plants o your choice, and water the suraceo the growing mix (only do this when planting or i the growing mixdries out in the summer because o a prolonged lack o water to thereservoir).

Fill the water reservoir regularly through the hole or the llingtube until water comes out o the overfow to avoid washing awaynutrients.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

overfow

bottom part o the barrel

top part o the barrel

perorated bucket


44/80


Standing Funnel

Manually lling your growers water reservoirs will bea lot easier i you use a unnel. I you have several growers,make lie easier by building a sel-supporting unnel. Hoorayor simplicity!

Materials 1 large unnel with a narrow cylinder1 m o semi-rigid tube that is about in. wide(watering hose, Carlon tubing)1 wooden rod or sti bamboo around 1 mlong1 hose clamp3 or 4 sel-blocking asteners

EquipmentMarkerScissors

DrillSawScrewdriver

Determine the ideal height o the unnel on the rod, andmark that spot with a marker.

Cut the wood.

Drill two holes with the diameter o the tie wraps in themiddle o the piece o wood at 3 to 5 inches rom the end.

Insert the unnels cylinder in one end o the tube, and solidlyjoin them together using the hose clamp.

Attach the cylinder to the rod by placing the part o theunnel where the cone and the cylinder meet on the drilledend.

Insert a tie wrap in each hole, and pull them tight. I necessary,use extra wraps to stabilize the unnel.

Cut the excess o the asteners with the scissors.

To ll the reservoir, place the unnel tube in your growerslling tube. Fill the unnel using a watering can.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

6.3.3 Choosing PlantsA Few Selection Criteria

EnvironmentOpt or plants that will fourish in the conditions you give them. Pay

special attention to sunshine in your garden. Leay plants need at least sixhours o sunshine, and eight hours are recommended or ruiting plants. De-pending on the time o year you start your garden, it might already be too


45/80


late or certain varieties. For example, sun-loving plants (tomatoes, eggplants,peppers) must be started rom seeds inside at the beginning o April whereasonions and peppers should be started as early as the end o February! I youdo not have the time or i you are not yet at ease with indoor seedlings, dontworry. Many varieties o plantlets are available in public markets and garden-ing centers.

Space

Favor plants with high yield that take up less space to optimize availableresources. Think o the size o plants in relation to the expected harvest. Thus,tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and ne herbs might be avored, or example, oversquash, broccoli, corn or artichokes.

Choose dwar varieties whenever possible. Determinant tomatoes, orexample, will like your grower a lot more than their indeterminate cousins.Along the same lines, dwar beans and small summer carrots like the Nantesor Little Fingers varieties will win you over because they are extremely well-suited to container gardening.

Given that plant growth is limited by available space or roots, the biggerthe container, the better the harvest. Nevertheless, by planting ruiting plantslike tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers, melons and squash in growers with a

depth o over 25 cm, you will be rewarded with a satisying harvest. Thereore,growers that are 20 cm deep can be used to plant peppers, carrots, peas and neherbs, and those that are 15 cm deep can be used or lettuce, spinach, onionsand beets.

Thereore, a plant must be chosen according to the container, but itsneighbors must also leave sucient enough space or it to spread out. An over-crowded garden will produce ragile plants that are not as productive as pos-sible. Avoid making your little ones ght one another or ertilizer and sunshineby giving them enough space in the soil. Consult the table below to get a betteridea o the number o plants that a grower can host without compromisingtheir growth.

Type Variety Ready-to-grow kit

Bucket &reservoir

Hal-barrel& reservoir

Fruiting plants

Determinant tomato 1 to 2 1 3 to 4

Pepper 3 1 4 to 6

Cherry tomato 2 1 2 to 3

Dwar beans 4 1-2 6 to 8

Non-ruitingplants

Basil 4 1 8

Lettuce 6 to 8 3 10 to 14

Edible fowers 4 to 6 2-3 8 to 10

Fine herbs 4 to 6 1-3 6 to 10

Recommended Quantity o Plants or a Grower with Reservoir


46/80


AvailabilityFavor varieties o vegetables that are more rare and costly. Youll

maximize your savings and impress your riends with your extraordinarydishes. Think arugula, basil, chives, nasturtium, cherry tomatoes andpurple peppers!

TasteO course, dont orget about your personal preerences. Though a gar-

den allows you to explore new favors, there is nothing better than growingand harvesting your avorite vegetable.

6.3.4 Growing Mix and CompostGrowing mix is a lightweight alternative to soil sold in the spring at

gardening centers, hardware stores and supermarkets. It is comes in two cat-egories: garden soil and potting soil.

Garden soil is composed mainly oblack soil and is not recommendedor containers since it tends to get compacted. It is sold under the namesblack soil, miracle soil and peat moss.

Potting soil is a mixture o peat moss, vermiculite, perlite and compostthat is specially ormulated to ensure good water retention and good drainagein pots and containers. This product is also sold under the names potting mix,starting mix, growing mix or transplanting mix. Give priority to mixtures thatare very lightweight and do not contain chemical ertilizers.

Compostis a ertilizer made rom the decomposition o organic waste.Homemade compost or vermicompost is the ideal addition to your newgrower since it will allow you to complete the ood cycle at your own home.Make sure that the compost is ripe because a young mixture will absorb thenitrogen that is necessary or good plant growth. Many commercial varietiesare also available (shrimp, sea weed, sheep and cow manure, etc.), and all othem are eective. Compost should make up 50% to 30% o the mixtures

volume in order to ensure sucient ertilization in micronutrients. A smallquality o perlite (5 to 10%) can be added to guarantee good drainage i thecompost is very dense.

6.3.5 FertilizationThough plants get their energy rom the sun, their growth is subject

to the presence o a range o nutrients available in the growing medium.Compost provides most nutrient elements, but ruiting plants will need sup-plements o the major nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium andcalcium.

There are several quality organic ertilizers on the Quebec market. Themajor nutrients o ertilizing products are analyzed in laboratories and identi-ed by three numbers on the tag. The numbers stand or the percentage inweight o available nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, respectively. Prod-ucts with a higher nitrogen content stimulate lea growth while products richin phosphorous encourage root, fower and ruit growth. As or potassium, itensures vigorous growth and a healthy immune system.

I you are a beginner gardener, chose a balanced ertilizer or which thethree numbers are similar and register between 2 and 8 (e.g. 4-4-2, 5-5-5,


47/80


An Overviewo Composting at Home

The average Quebecer generates 1.5 tons o waste per year but transorms only 43% o it. About one third oresidential waste could be composted. In a sanitary landll, this biodegradable matter decays anaerobically, produc-ing greenhouse gases and toxic liquids capable o contaminating our sub-surace water tables. On the contrary, whenthese precious resources are composted, they are transormed into a quality supplement or your garden. Reduce

your ecological ootprint now by taking up the art o home composting.I you have access to ground space, learn about the subject beore talking with your landlord and other build-

ing residents. Then, get a garden compost bin rom your city, rom the hardware store, or make one yoursel usingeasy-to-build models that are available on the Internet. Keep brown organic materials (dead leaves, straw, shreddedcardboard, etc.) to mix with kitchen waste and green garden waste. Start the process with the help o one o themany guides on the topic. Keep in mind that the larger the mass o compost produced, the better the result will be.So, invite your neighbors to participate in this social project!

Composting can also be done on a balcony, but it requires more careul management to make up or the lacko microorganisms in the soil and drier climatic conditions than in a garden. The balcony compost bin essentiallyworks the same way as a garden compost bin, but it is generally smaller and has a alse bottom or collecting excessliquids.

I you do not have a back yard or a balcony, dont be discouraged. You can get worms to do the work in yourown kitchen! Vermicomposting transorms the years kitchen waste inside the house. Once the red worms have beenacquired and multiply to t your needs, this technique becomes very ecient, pleasant and odorless. You must,however, acquire special worms rom a vermicomposting riend, rom an exchange network or rom a companyspecialized in vermicomposting.

The worms are put in a bed o paper and moist compost in a container that is at least 30 cm x 40 cm andthat has air holes and drains or excess liquids. Once or twice a week, a quantity o waste equal to the weight oworms is added to the vermicomposter. For more details, consult the many resources available on the topic onthe Internet. Here is a challenge or enthusiasts: when your container is unctional and overfowing with worms,double or triple your capacity so as to compost 100% o your waste. The worms will rapidly multiply to reach yourvermicomposters capacity.


48/80


Type Variety Ready-to-grow kit

Bucket &reservoir

Hal-barrel& reservoir

Fruiting plants

Determinant tomato 2/3 cupertilizer at thebeginning othe season +1/2 cup permonth

1/3 cupertilizer atthe begin-ning o the

season +1/4 cup permonth

1 1/2 cupertilizer at thebeginning othe season +1/2 cup permonth

Pepper

Cherry tomato

Dwar bean

Non-ruitingplants

Basil2/3 cupertilizer at thebeginning othe season

1/3 cupertilizerat thebeginningo theseason

1 1/2 cupertilizerat thebeginning othe season

Lettuce

Edible fowers

Fine Herbs

4-6-8, 8-5-4). Generally, ertilizers richer in nitrogen are preerable or leayplants and growth that leads up to fowering or ruiting plants. On the otherhand, ertilizers with higher phosphorus and potassium contents are betteror roots and fowering, ructication and maturation o ruiting plants (i.e.,tomatoes, zucchinis, peppers, eggplants, etc.). Follow the instructions andthe quantities recommended by the supplier. Even though they come romorganic sources, these ertilizers can damage or even kill your plants i theconcentration is too high.

Fertilizing a grower with water reservoir using organic ertilizers can bedone in at least three ways: by adding dry ertilizers to the soil, by placing aertilizing strip on the surace and by adding a soluble ertilizer to the waterreservoir. Depending on the needs o the plants, these techniques may be usedalone or in some combination.

1. Dry FertilizersDry ertilizers cost less and last longer. They are generally mixed in the

growing medium and kept moist as their availability depends on the presenceo microorganisms that are able to break them down into nutrients.

Calcium

For ruiting plants like tomatoes and peppers, a calcium supplement atthe beginning o the season will encourage abundant ructication and willprevent stem rot. Dolomitic lime is made o minerals and adds noticeablequantities o calcium and magnesium to the growing without throwing thepH out o balance. In spring, mix to 1 cup o dolomitic lime or 25 L ogrowing mix beore planting and repeat once during the season.

Basic FertilizationAs a general rule, you should ollow the suppliers instructions or veg-

guide to setting up your own edible rooftop garden manual

Documents