"Portable raised garden beds for the urban square foot gardener."

I don't think I've ever written such a long blog title, but it works!

 

It's exciting to be able to present some space efficient options for those of you who are short on yard space but big on dreams of growing your own food.

One of the most important characteristics of all the raised container gardens presented here is that they are all portable!

When you live in an apartment or townhouse it's helpful to have portable gardens so that you can use your patio or balcony more efficiently.

If you are entertaining and need more space for furniture, roll your gardens out of the way!

Temporarily, of course.

 

Let's take a look at some  gardening options for apartment and small space gardeners.

 

1. The Home Allotment Planting Bags by Burgon & Ball

Don't let the beautiful willow basket fool you! Soil will not bleed through the wicker slots because there is a "grow bag" inside the basket.

 

The planting bags come in three sizes for different plants: Herb Planting Bag, Salad Planting Bag, Vegetable Planting Bag & Potato Planting Bag.

You guessed it, the potato planting bag is the deepest.

 

I recommend that these allotment planting bags be set on top of a 1 or 2" inch layer of pea gravel to lift the bottom of the baskets away from standing water.

A less expensive alternative to this stylish system is to grow your vegetable directly in an open bag of soil or even a potato chip bag!

Yes, you can even grow tomatoes with their deep root systems this way.

The roots will spread laterally.

 

 

2. Self-Watering Stacking Planters by Nancy Jane

 

These sturdy stacking containers can be stacked up to 10-tiers high.

That's a lot of planting space and the system is self watering for extra appeal.

Excess water from the top levels drain to lower levels where the water is caught in a removable tray.

I appreciate the rolling casters on these stacking planters so the garden can be moved around.

Vertical gardening is a smart approach when lateral space is at a minimum.

 

 

 

 

3. Eleanor's Garden ("Just Add Water") Raised Container Gardens

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What sets Eleanor's Garden apart from the other two is this container garden comes with the soil and seeds!

The "gardener," (and I use the term loosely), just has to water the instant vegetable garden.

Eleanor's Garden is a complete, compact and portable garden kitchen that is delivered to your door.

 

Anyone can assemble the garden bed in less than an hour and the proprietary drainage system lets you garden in a variety of locations.

 

 

If you are into  modern or contemporary design, the clean lines of Eleanor's Garden may appeal to you.

 

Here is some more information on this instant garden as presented on Eleanor's Garden website:

The beds are made of durable, lightweight plastic and can be moved depending on the amount of sun your fruits, vegetables, herbs or flowers need. Eleanor's Garden Basic Kit comes complete with:

• 1 garden bed  24 x 24 x 8" that provides 4 square feet of gardening space
• 1 Quick-Start Guide  Instructions for quick and easy assembly
• Coconut Peat growing medium – No need to drag bags of soil home from the nursery
• 2 square foot dividers  provide a total of 4 individual square feet of gardening space
• 4 packets of vegetable seeds. Plant a different vegetable in each of the 4 square feet
• 4 legs  Makes raised bed gardening easy
• 1 drainage field mat Made from non-woven 100% recycled plastic, the lightweight mat creates even, thorough drainage and allows oxygen to reach the vegetable roots.No need for rocks!
• 1 drain outlet.  Allows recycling of water. Collect the runoff and use it again for your next watering
• 1 watering cup.  Makes it easy to water individual square foot sections as needed
• 1 drainage connector. Allows you to connect the drainage systems of separate boxes
• 3 drain plugs. Let you control which side of the box your water will drain. Great for balconies so you won't flood your neighbors below

Eleanor's Garden is available for purchase at independent garden centers across the USA.

 

 

This is a system that I like because of the planter design itself.

 

The square foot grid appeals to me!

 

 

Everyone should thank Mel Bartholomew, author of the "Square Foot Garden Book."

 

Mel invented the "square foot  gardening" system that allows one to plant in square foot grids to maximize crop yield.

 

Now the whole world is "square foot gardening!"

 

 

 

Visit the Garden Center TV website and community to preview new garden products from around the world and share your opinion about them!

This week’s new Garden World Report show is taking a fun turn for garden enthusiasts!

Oprah does a yearly show around this time of the year where she presents her favorite products and does a giveaway.

Oprah is not doing a “Favorite Things” show this year, but I am!

 

“Shirley’s Favorite Things For the Garden” showcases my top 4 “must have” garden products and guess what?

I’m giving out garden products to some lucky Garden World Report viewers!

I’ll explain later in this post how to win!

 

 

Also on this week’s show, I’m showcasing three amazing “garden heros” who are making the world a better place through gardening and helping to improve other’s lives.

 

 

Watch for:

Kylee Baumle, garden blogger of Our Little Acre presents the mastermind behind an award winning children’s garden, Louise Hartwig .

Louise helped to create the  ”Smiley Park Children’s Garden” in Van Wert, Ohio.

You will be inspired! I was.

 

 

The online garden store, Gardener’s Supply honors a special gardener who brought a garden paradise to the concrete jungle of the Bronx, New York and unified his community at the same time!

Jose Soto is their “2009 Urban Renewal” winner.

Watch Jose on the Garden World Report show.

 

 

“ECHO” stands for “Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization” and this organization is spotlighted as an international garden hero.

ECHO trains future “garden ambassadors” who go throughout the world to underdeveloped countries and teach other’s how to be self sufficient by growing their own food!

Check out ECHO’s headquarters on the Garden World Report. I can’t believe they are in the USA. (Florida, actually).

 

 

Social media expert, Jean Ann VK teaches garden bloggers how to take advantage of some basic “SEO” or “search engine optimization” so that Google and readers can find your blog posts!

Jean Ann always presents easy to understand tips for navigating the online world. Follow her series on the Garden World Report and listen to her podcast, Good Enough Gardening, she’s great!

 

 

Suzi McCoy, garden media expert of the Garden Media Group contributes a second installment to her series, “Garden Trends for 2010.”

Suzi is talking about “multi-purpose gardens,” or gardens that serve other functions other than just looking pretty!

I like that…double duty!

 

The highlight of the show for me, is the debut of my “Shirley’s Favorite Things” for the garden!

I’m even giving away garden products.

 

Here’s the lowdown:

Watch the show and email me afterwards.

The first person to email me and request one of the particular products, will win that product.

Now, I’m not Oprah, so I don’t have thousands of items to giveaway.

Please request only one of the products that I showcased and the first request will win!

 

Email: Info@GardenWorldReport.com

You can select from:

1. Eco-Lawn : a bag of seeds will cover approximately 1000 sq feet. This is the “granddaddy of drought tolerant lawns” made of seven different fine fescue seeds.

2. Ups A Daisy: Planter inserts that are a much more clever solution than using “packing peanuts” to minimize the area in containers for soil. Drainage holes also promote great aeration for plant roots.

3. Potlifters: An ergonomic strapping system to help you lift up to 200 pounds in the garden. Move oversized pots and other  odd-shaped things like boulders, logs and more.

4. “Easy Bloom” Plant Sensor: A high tech, but easy to use tool that takes the guesswork out of planning appropriate plants for the garden. Easy Bloom also helps to diagnose water and climate problems for failing plants.

 

Start watching the Garden World Report Show!

It’s fun, I promise.

Go, what are you waiting for!

Watch the “Garden Book and Blog Awards Show now!  You can also watch the show on a larger player at GardenWorldReport.com

I have a feeling if you are reading this blog post:

1. You are interested in gardening to some degree

2. You are searching for some garden and landscape design ideas

3. You want to be entertained and learn something at the same time!

You’ve come to the right place!  I invite you to watch the latest segment of the  Garden World Report, “Garden Book and Blog Awards Show with co-host Billy Goodnick.

Shirley’s Garden World Report Show, is a weekly, online Garden TV talk show.

Billy Goodnick, the witty blogger  at Fine Gardening will be my co-host. There is a reason why he goes by the name “GardenWiseGuy” online, so tune in and watch as I defend myself!

We will be presenting the “Garden Book and Blog Awards” as presented by the Garden Writers Association and Blotanical.com, an online garden blog community.

Billy and I are jokers so don’t expect a stuffy show, think “parody.”

Are you curious what book was named “Best Book” or what blog was honored with the distinction of “Blog of the Year?”

No, it’s not “Eden Makers”...this year!

We even have “video acceptance speeches!”

Also on the show:

Find out what honor was bestowed on the Garden Conservancy organization this week.

The “garden angel” (donor) is revealed for last week’s premiere episode of “Garden Angels.”

Garden Angels is a micro mini web series  where school and community gardens ask for help and from our viewers, comes a hero!  Find out who came to the rescue.

“Garden TV Stars, Where are They Now? is another original series of the Garden World Report.

Each week we profile a popular garden TV personality and find out what they’re doing and where you can find them online.

This week: Joe Lamp’l of PBS “Garden Smart.”

Musical guest appearance by Billy Goodnick (my co-host ) and Owen Dell, co-hosts of  local garden TV show, “The Garden Wise Guys” with their breakout music video hit, “Taking Out the Lawn!”

That’s all I’m sharing with you about Sunday night’s show. You’ll have to watch to find out the rest!

Leave us your comments and subscribe to Eden Makers for updates on new posts.

Find your sustainable garden design ideas, edible gardening, drought tolerant plant selections, landscape solutions and much more on Eden Makers Blog!

Don’t believe your eyes! These kids are not “working” in the garden, they are doing a lab experiment for biology class!

(Photo courtesy of  Theresa Loe)

Time is flying by. I can’t believe  my kids are in their 5th week of school already.

How about you?

Anyone  out there have the “cajones” to venture into the thrilling and sometimes mad world of school and community gardens?

I have been there, done that and am crazy enough to keep volunteering! I’ll be redesigning the front landscape of my son and daughter’s school this fall.

(What a great excuse to keep an eye on my kids!).

This Sunday evening on “Shirley Bovshow’s Garden World Report” online garden TV talk show, I’ll be presenting the “hot garden news of the week” and focusing on school gardens as well.

Who are the “mover’s and shaker’s around the country who are digging in, helping to organize and  fund school and community gardens?

It is not an easy job, so you know that these people have to be a little crazy!

I found one of these people and  his name is Mud Baron. When he isn’t playing with his pal “Daisy,” a pig who lives in the North Hollywood high school garden grounds, he inspires would-be horticulturalists with his zany but brilliant teaching style!

Mud also leads the country’s largest  public school district, ( Los Angeles) in it’s fundraising efforts for school gardens. He’s  a fundraiser extraordinaire who can teach a social networking expert a thing or two about  harnessing the power of  Twitter!

Check out a taste of Mud’s energy on the “exciting scenes” from this Sunday’s premiere of the episode titled, “School Gardens.”  Theresa Loe shares the screen.

Also in this show, look for Katie Elzer-Peter’s useful tips on our “Be a Better Garden Blogger” series. Katie is young, fun and isn’t afraid to “school us” in the english language.

“Oh please don’t visit my blog with your red pencil Katie!”

Premiering on Sunday night’s show is a new series called “Garden Angels.”

Garden World Report is inviting video submissions from school and community gardens who need a little help with tools, soils and plants. Each week we choose a “plea” and the next week we announce the “Garden Angel” who has come to the rescue!

This week’s plea is from a school in Woodland Hills, California. Their soil is DIRT!

The school needs soil amendments  to transform  their weed infested plot into a  viable fall vegetable garden.

Can your project use some help?

I can’t wait for Sunday night’s show. You can watch it here on my blog, EdenMakers or on a large video player on my host site at www.GardenWorldReport.com

I don’t care where you watch the show, just watch it!!

We are going to have a great time, don’t miss the party.

To receive updates about the Garden World Report show or to continue gleaning  sustainable garden design ideas, edible gardening tips, garden makeovers and much more, subscribe to my blog, EdenMakers.

Los Angeles is experiencing an ongoing drought, but you wouldn't know it by the looks of the  lush Edens I saw this weekend at the "Mar Vista Green Garden" tour.

Living and gardening in Los Angeles is a year-round pleasure for those of us with a taste for  decadent, verdant gardens and the ability to create them on a "small water budget."

 

Over 44 gardens were open to the public, all incorporating such green vanguards  as lawn-replacing ground covers, low water plants, edible gardens, drip irrigation, rain barrels, recycled materials, green roofs and much more.

 

The public was encouraged to walk or bike the 5.5 mile tour loop, but I drove because I'm not a local.

Good excuse, huh?

Those who self-propelled themselves through the tour were well rewarded with gorgeous, low water, organic and very green gardens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silver, creeping Dymondia,  carpets the crevices of the flagstone walkway while pink Oneothera spills into the foreground.

The garden is designed by Sarah Herman and also features feathery Nasella, "Mexican feather grass," red and yellow Anigozanthus, "Kangaroo Paws," Carex comans, Cercis and more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The parkway is planted with easy care Dymondia and  toffee colored Libertia peregrinans that looks like it's breaking through the ground.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Nasella grass dances to the chorus "umber waves of grain!"

There were plant-driven focal points including:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Majestic Matilija Poppy resembles a fried egg without the calories and cholesterol

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An edible artichoke takes center stage in this front yard garden.

 

It takes a few years to be rewarded with edible fruit after planting an artichoke, once a strong root system is developed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This "lawn-less" front yard boasts succulents, wildflowers, grasses and a dry river bed to soak up the water when it  rains. 

 

This garden has "zero-tolerance" for water runoff!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green hardscaping was also on display.

This decomposed granite and pea gravel stepping stone entry walkway was designed by Paula Henson and made to absorb rain water instead of sending it to the public sewer system.

The driveway is also a pervious floor created with gravel and granite tile blocks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This rain barrel is strategically placed in the corner of the yard where rainwater falls from the roof. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The red Cercis Redbud tree adds a lot of color to this water-wise garden.

 

Other plants include Pelargoniums, Aeoniums, Salvia chaipensis and Euphorbia x "Martini"

Design by Johanna Woollcott.

 

I'll post some more photos of this idea-filled tour later this week!

You now have the choice between leaving a conventional comment or a video or photo comment.

 

Have fun!

Shirley

 

 

 

I had Chicago all wrong!

Chicago IS a model for sidewalk garden urban chic and a shining example of urban renewal.

I was expecting downtown Chicago to be another congested, concrete jungle, as is the case with many high profile cities.

As a Los Angeles native, born and raised downtown, I had low expectations for Chicago based on my experience here.

 

The Chicago streetscapes  along Michigan Avenue in Chicago's famed "Magnificent Mile" area are jaw-dropping beautiful!

 

Apparently, the taxes  there are outrageous, but many of the merchants  contribute and fund these gardens that beautify storefronts, restaurants, hotels and offices.

Great example of someone else's sacrifice for my enjoyment!

 

Entrance to the Independent Garden Center trade show

 

I was in Chicago to report on the latest gardening products showcased at the Independent Garden Center Show.

But, I have to admit, I was a little distracted.

 

To my surprise,  there was a proliferation of neat and tidy curbside gardens everywhere, even in the parking lots!

 

I was so busy scoping out the gardens, I didn't pay attention to the "A-List"  fashion stores along the boulevard.

There's nothing like free entertainment and this garden lover enjoyed it in spades!

 

Check out these fashionably coordinated gardens and garden art installations along Michigan Avenue and some lesser traveled side street gardens.

 

I wish my Los Angeles urban areas looked like this:

 

Chicago's Magnificant Mile Gardens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Umbrella garden" dress with  tropical coleus and impatiens plants.

 

 

Recycled bottle cap dress and pink begonias

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coca cola dress in lush garden

 

 

Fake flowers never looked so fashionable!

 

 

Pristine lawn and flower beds with red impatiens and sweet potato vine to enjoy from behind an iron fence.

 

 

Re-purposed shower curtain dress on a mannequin used as focal point in this garden.

 

 

Recycled table cloth dress on mannequin in small garden surrounded by box hedge and filled with white impatiens.

 

 

For more information on this garden walk, check out:  www.TheMagnificantMile.com

 

 

Just another "median strip garden"  filled with red fountain grass, purple salvia, red begonias and yellow marigolds  in Chicago.

 

Downtown Chicago is a premiere garden destination!

 

 

This curbside dining oasis was shared by at least four different restaurants.

 

The small gesture of placing dining tables behind simple, white picket fence panels transfomed a humble sidewalk into a dining destination!

Add container gardens and you have "Eden-esque" dining.

I didn't even notice the cars!

 

 

 

This is my kind of bus stop. I wouldn't mind waiting here for an hour!

 

The sound of water trickling from this stone fountain creates enough white noise to distract and muffle the sound of traffic for the weary traveler.

I was so absorbed by it, I missed the bus!

 

 

Cordyline, coleus, sweet potato, impatiens, red begonia….a little color in downtown Chicago

 

 

 

This is the best dressed fire hydrant I've ever seen!

 

Even the dogs show  respect for it!

It's cool how the red fire hydrant takes on a sculptural role in this small curbside garden.

 

 

 

Croton madness!

 

This red monochromatic planting scheme was hanging on a brick wall in front of a hotel.

Downtown Chicagoan's tuck their plants everywhere.

 

Garden enthusiasts will be thrilled by the "free garden tours" in downtown Chicago.

Make a point to visit to the Chicago Botanical Gardens while you are there.

Don't miss it!

Extreme lawn makeovers, or "xeriscape landscaping" is the use of low water plants to save water in the landscape.

 

Water is a precious commodity these days and in my work as a landscape designer, I'm known for replacing  thirsty lawns with colorful low-water gardens.

I understand its tough for homeowners to rip out their lawns because once the grass is gone; there is a large space to fill.

The decisions can seem daunting, from what plants to use to how to install a new drip irrigation system.

 

In my show, "Garden Police" on the Discovery Home Channel, my partner, Michael Glassman and I performed an "extreme lawn makeover" on a tiny front yard and replaced it with a xeriscape garden that became a model for the wise use of water in their neighborhood.

I hope it will give you some inspiration as well.

 

Before- A dull and dry lawn does nothing for the curb appeal of this house

 

After- The new low water garden plants attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

Free entertainment!

 

Tall berms and a dry stone river along the bottom helped to" break up" the deep void left after the lawn was taken out.

We used a 70/30 soil blend that incorporates 70% topsoil and 30% organic amendments to keep the berm from "deflating" after watering.

Medium sized boulders punctuate and accent the gardens.

 

 

Yellow, "gold coin" groundcover will knit together and contrast with the burgundy Phormium.

We used weed cloth underneath the entire garden to insulate the soil and retard weed growth.

 

 

 

The plants were selected for bold architectural appearance and contrasting foliage that would keep this garden looking interesting the year round.

Clockwise from top, juniper, Tolson's weeping juniper, Cotinus, "Little Olie" (dwarf olive), Vitex and Plumbago.

Drip irrigation supplies water to each plant.

 

 

The shutters and door were painted a warm terra cotta.

The gray concrete walkway was acid stained a golden sand color for an inexpensive and fast color infusion that compliments the gardens.

 

 

We top-dressed the garden with 3" of mulch to retard weed growth and preserve soil moisture.

Mulch is a finishing detail every garden should have.

 

The Plant List for your consideration: (Most plants suitable for Sunset zones 15-24)

Trees: "Tolson's Weeping Juniper"

Shrubs : Cotinus, Dwarf Barberry,Festuca glauca, Plumbago,Phormium tenax,Olea "Little Olie," Pennisetum-(red fountain grass), Lantana camara "yellow," Salvia sinaloensis, Verbena bonariensis, Vitex

Ground Covers: Erigonum "Santa Barbara Daisy," Sedum sieboldii. Asteriscus maritimus-"gold coin"

 

Other Resources on Xeriscaping Around the Country

"Garden Transformations" on LawnReform.org ( I'm a founding member!)

"Xeriscaping Plants: Drought Resistant Plants"

Sunset Magazine's "Lose the Lawn" Ideas