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

...urban coop Sustainable waste management: manure and composting Regional adaptations: keeping chickens in cold climates In brief: urban backyard chicken coops Urban chicken keeping: legal and community requirements The first and most important step for any homeowner planning an urban flock is to verify and understand ...

...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...

...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...

...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...

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, espe...

...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 ...

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...

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 ideas...

...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...

When beginning to think about permanent edible landscape design and forest gardening, taking in the general concepts of Permaculture can help tremendously.  Edible forests feature a number of natural layers Fruit and nut bearing trees can create a canopy, dwarf trees shrubs and vines can create a natural under layer an...

...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...