"Urban farming"

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

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

Can you build a solarium in a cold climate? 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 - esp...

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 ...

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

7 key principles for an abundant greenhouse

Grow food in a greenhouse - the basics on how to get started 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,...

Lifestyle, location and commuting

Creating a farm and building a resilient lifestyle

As founder of the Resilient Design Institute, Alex Wilson is an internationally renowned authority on resilience in home design. Beyond just homes, 'resilience' can in a way describe a lifestyle, or perhaps a life philosophy. Sure, 'green' homes can help save the planet, but some of them may also save the individual. ...

Food production

Growing vegetables in the shade

If you're like me and you love to grow your own food but have limited access to all day sun, do not fret - a bountiful harvest is still well within your reach. Just like the gardeners that grow them, many vegetables will actually appreciate a little respite from the sun during the hottest months of the growing season. ...

Food production

Growing food in urban cores with the Urban Farm Unit

...Urban Farm Unit Urban Farming using the UFU Aquaponics, Hydroponics, Pisciculture and Urban Farming combined - the UFU Now you know about urban farming. Find more pages about sustainable construction below and in the Ecohome Green Building Guide pages. Which vegetables grow well in th...

Food production

Growing food indoors

Introducing BioCity's indoor vertical veggie garden. This beautiful installation made with reclaimed wine bottles allows you to grow arugula, chard, strawberries, cherry tomatoes and more all year round in your very own home. Thanks to the craftsmanship and innovation of the folks at Montreal based company BioCity, gro...

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...