Recycle Your Walk

A while ago we discussed walk-ability. We talked about litter being a hindrance to a city's walk-ability. Litter causes many problems, including pollution. Did you know that litter also can end up directly in our streams and waterways? This can add to pollution, affecting our drinking water and eventually our health.

Have you noticed this in your city? What can you do about it? Well, if you want to be a part of the solution, recycle while you walk. Sounds strange? Not really. I do it all the time. While you are on your daily walk, look for littered bottles or cans to recycle. If you live in an urban area, they wont be hard to find. Take a look:

I normally collect 4 or 5 each walk. When I carry a bag with me, I collect much more. I have become a Walking Recycler and you can too. I started a few years ago after a friend asked me to join her in neighborhood cleanups. This progressed to my participation in UnLitter Us as a Business Ambassador. My office is in a Litter Free Zone.

Become a Walking Recycler. Join in, walk AND recycle for your health. You wont regret it.

My Home Urban Garden and Farm: A Beginning

Before I build my window box, I need to choose what to plant, preferably a plant that can grow without much difficulty since I am not an experienced gardener. If you have experience successful planting, then you should have no problem. I have always been a fan of home gardening however, in the past, I have attempted to plant at home with limited successes. But as my mother always says: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." (Frederick Maryat) So I will try, once again.

Since it's late in the season, it's important to know what will grow successfully this late in the year. I had to do some research.

The following vegetables can be planted in September and will be available in approximately one month:

• Bunching Onions
• Radishes
• Broccoli
• Lettuce
• Mustard
• Spinach

Source: Fall & Winter Vegetable Planting Guide

I haven't made my choices of vegetables yet, I will start with something easy, herbs. Many people grow herbs in the home with little difficulty. Since I am an "urban dweller", I need to make the least difficult choices for my garden. Herbs can be a great addition to a home garden and are useful in flavoring food and drinks.

Easy herbs to plant in the home:

• Mint
• Spearmint
• Basil
• Oregano
• Dill
• Chives

I decided to plant basil, since I had a planting kit for basil given to me from the recent Brownfields Conference.

The seeds were fairly easy to plant.

Tips to produce a successful crop of herbs:

• Choose a sunny window
• Plant in a pot that can drain easily
• The temperature should be approximately 60 degrees F

I placed the pot on a window sill to receive good sunlight. Now all I have to do is watch them grow!

 Source: Growing Herbs At Home

Next, more planting and the window box design. If you are working on your own, be sure to send in your updates!

Add A Windowbox

Previously, we discussed being a part of the solution by adding an urban garden to your home. An easy and quick way to accomplish this goal is to add a window box.
Why a window box?

Because the benefits are substantial.

The Benefits of Adding the Window Box:

 A Simple Window Box

• They add natural beauty to your homes facade
• They help the environment by adding oxygen producing plants that help clean the air
• Where no garden is available, they can be useful for planting vegetables
• Plants are above ground, away from soil that maybe polluted in some urban areas

Add Beauty To your Home

How to make your own window/plant box:Materials:
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Wood,
3/4" thickness
2 pcs-2'x6"
1 pc-2'-1-1/2"x71/2"
2 pcs-6 3/4"x7 1/2"
(avoid pressure treated as it contains chemicals)
Suggestion: cedar
1 1/2" screws
Plastic lining
Soil
Seeds
Brackets
Bolts
Stencil, for design

I am going to be a part of the solution. In the upcoming weeks, I will design and build my own and update you on the progress. If you want to join me, build your own and let's compare notes. I am looking forward to sharing this fun task with you!

Photoblog: Greener, Cleaner Cities. It is possible.

 Greener city? In a way, yes. Walkable NO! Please, mow so we can stay health by walking and not driving. Areas like this are also prone to collect litter, which leads to polluted streams and waterways.

@ Ferry Station, Camden, NJ

Add flowers to surround a tree. It instantly becomes an urban garden. This easy task beautifies the neighborhood and adds greenery.

 Photo: Summer Street, Downtown, Boston, MA

 You can add green almost ANYWHERE!

Photo: Downtown, Boston, MA

Urban Garden, Camden, NJ

Photos by Kayla Middleton

Stay tuned for more photos!

Send your comments and your own photos.

Urban Gardening and Urban Farms

Urban gardening and farming is generally practiced for food-producing activities, recreation or beautification.  Urban farming contributes to food security and food safety by increasing the amount of food available to people living in cities, and makes fresh vegetables and fruits available to urban consumers. An urban garden promotes energy-saving local food production and adds to a more sustainable environment.

Start your own urban garden and produce food. Here are the basics of what you'll need to get your garden seeds started:

1. Location - Choose a neighborhood lot or your own yard. 
2. Containers - Your choice could be a purchased pots or flats or a recycled container. Some examples include soda bottles, egg cartons or yogurt cups. Used pots can be cleaned and disinfected by soaking in 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. 
3. Potting Mix - Choose a potting mix from your local hardware store. 
4. Seeds - Choose either vegetables or flowers. Both help the environment and sustainability. 
5. Labels/markers: Choose markers and labels to help you remember and identify what you've planted. Another choice can be to tape the seed package to a stick and place it in the pot. 
6. Covers - Choose a plastic cover in the winter to trap warmth and humidity where the seeds need it.
7. Water - You can water your garden with a rain barrel, or with the garden hose. 

 

8. Lighting - If you don't have a bright window, you will a florescent or a plant light. 

9. Fertilizer: Choose to Compost or use a store purchased fertilizer to help promote growth.

10. Other Urban Gardening/Farming Ideas (See future blogs on these topics): 

• Build Your Own Greenhouse.
• Add A Windowbox.
• A Citizens Introduction To Green Walls.
• Add Hanging Pots.

      Place plants on a windowsill or an area that receives at least 8 hours of bright light.

·    

·      Your plants will need to be moved into larger pots that will take up even more space. 


Be a part of the Solution: Add green space to your community with gardening. It's easy!!!

Source: http://gardening.about.com/od/seedstarting/a/SeedStartingFAQ.htm

Walkability

When I think of the cities I love most: Philadelphia, New York and Chicago, I think of the characteristics that I love about them. Besides buildings, of course, I think of the city's walkability.

What is walkability?

To me, Walkability is to be able to walk from one destination to another with little difficulty or obstructions. Sometimes obstructions can include traffic, sidewalks, litter and safety.
the ease of access to mass transit, businesses, etc. is also an important aspect of a walkable city.

Recently, the top-ten walkable cities (in order) included New York, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Seattle, Washington, D.C., Miami, Minneapolis and Oakland. (walkscore.com)

Walkable cities can provide for better health, environment, finance and community. Communities have a better opportunity to exercise, interact and save money on gas.

Camden, NJ, a city that I have walked 7 or more miles in this week and will walk many more in the weeks to come has a walkability score of 54. I believe that this city can be more walk-able!

How can we increase the walkability of a city?

1. Walk
2. Communicate with your neighbors
3. Get involved in neighborhood cleanups
4. Make your city and neighborhood a more pleasant place to walk in.

Get involved! How? Join us as we "clean and green". Our team will help clean up and provide a greener place to live. Tune in for more details in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, join in on your block and help pick up litter. Become a part of the solution.

Where Do We Go, What Do We see? What Do We Do? Let's Make a Difference.

We go out into our city daily. We walk around our neighborhoods. We observe. What do we see? Most often trash, empty, abandoned buildings and lots, vandalized cars and graffiti. I ask you to look again. Harder. Take a second look.

Look at the trees, open spaces that sit as palettes for an artist to display the beauty expressed through nature. Look at the future farms. Future gardens. Buildings that will soon become day care centers, restaurants and stores.

When you see this potential, take action. How? Pick up trash. Do not litter. If you are not a part of the solution, you become a part of the problem. People will see your actions and may think again about littering. Organize a neighborhood clean up. Clear the debris and help clear someone's mind.

Become an Urban Greenie. Join me in the fight to “clean and green” urban neighborhoods. I have been doing it for a long time but now is the time to step up my game. I am forming a team and taking action. Watch the transformation...

I am an Americorp Volunteer, serving my community and my country. I am working to create healthier, greener urban environments, one greenspace at a time.