Urban Sustainability Project, Creative Essay Example

Urban Gardening

Vegetables: Selected on Nutrient Value and Ease of Care

Broccoli

Nutrients

• High calcium, iron, and magnesium
• Good source of Vitamin A, B6, and C

Tips

• Allow sufficient spacing between plants
• 12 to 16 inches deep soil
• Look out for butterflies that will lay eggs and give your cabbage worms

Tomatoes

Nutrients

• High fiber, iron, magnesium, niacin and potassium
• Good source of Vitamin A, B6, C, and antioxidant lycopene

Tips

• Allow sufficient spacing between plants
• 8 to 18 inch deep soil depending on variety
• Look out for tomatoes worms, caterpillars

Carrots

Nutrients

• high fiber, manganese, niacin, and potassium
• Good source of Vitamins A, B6, and C

Tips

• Can be high in sugar
• ONLY 2 or 3 inches between plants!
• Harvest before they get too mature

Remember to provide ample sunlight for your garden. Irrigation for our design is intended to use rain as a primary water source. It does have a water storage layer in case of little rain, but you should water your plants every few days too make sure. Be care not to over water your garden, or you will drown your plants. You should not water most plants much more than a ½ cup each day.

Garden Cross-Section

• Vegetation is our plants.
• The growth medium should be about a foot deep or better for most vegetables.
• The drainage, aeration, water storage and root barrier serves as runoff and irrigation.
• Insulation keeps the roots from getting too cold.
• Membrane protection and root barrier keep the garden from damaging the surface beneath.
• Roofing membrane further protects the surface.
• Structural support is the roof or patio itself.