Every now again you’ll read about vertical urban farming, but as far as I know these designs are all still designs and none of these vertical farms have been built yet.  Here’s one example of a vertical farm idea, for New York City, from the EcoFuss blog.

Being as we’re not there yet with the vertical farm idea, it can all seem a bit far fetched, a bit sci-fi, or even unlikely, regardless of the fact that we’re need to grow more in our neighbourhoods rather than out in the country, and that we’re running out of space as we spread ourselves across the face of the planet.

Here’s a suggestion for getting used to the idea.  Start your own vertical garden, because you can do it whether you have a garden or not, outdoors or indoors, on a balcony or in a tiny courtyard.  Check out this idea by Suzanne Forsling who lives in Alaska and grows her vegetables in gutters on the wall of her house.

Really, why not get some of your own food growing on the walls?  You’ll save money, eat locally, seasonally and lower your carbon footprint.   Looks like those vertical farms are closer that we thought.

We’ve all heard about food miles, right?  The miles that your food has to travel to get to your dinner plate.  The fewer miles your food has travelled, the better it is for the environment and the lower your carbon footprint.  So it follows that growing your own vegetables, in your own garden, is the eco-friendliest way to eat.  But it doesn’t stop at growing your own food, because you can be even greener by growing organically.  Not using pesticides and fertilisers that will harm the earth, get into the water table or poison the earth’s creatures will boost your green lifestyle credentials in a big way.

Here are some alternatives to the harmful chemical fertilisers that are so widely used, these are fabulous products that you can trust to deliver the goods without harming your environment.

There’s not much I prefer to sitting in my garden after the sun has set, with a balmy breeze blowing, sipping some lovely local ale and eating a meal prepared from my home-grown fresh produce.  Of course this is even better with good company, and with some pretty garden lighting.

You can make your own atmospheric lighting by reusing or recycling stuff you already have at home.  Check out this video for how to make gorgeous garden lanterns from a pierced-tin cans, or turn saved brown paper bags into “luminarias” by filling half-way with sand and then putting a candle in them.

If you’re looking to buy some pretty lighting for your garden, please consider the environment and choose an option that will save energy, like these solar lanterns from John Lewis (pictured above).  Perfect for on an outside table or placed elsewhere in the garden.  The lantern has an LED light bulb and needs to be charged in full daylight before use.

The beginning of the English summer holds so much promise.  Tiny green things are coming up everywhere and there’s so much potential to make your lifestyle greener too.

Get out into the garden and plant yourself some food (you can do this even if you don’t have a garden), or even a tree.

Equip yourself with a homemade recycled tyre trug,

Light your garden with the power of the sun.

Install a water butt.

Start composting.

If you don’t have a garden, why not find out about getting an allotment?

Growing your own food can save you loads of money every month.

Photo credit: Robert S Donovan

Nothing says springtime like flowers, and these hi-tech solar flowers will brighten up your garden, even after the sun has set.  In fact, they’re at their best after the sun has set.  The flowers magically transform into a spectacular lighting display, with the fibre optic strands fading from one colour to another.   Lovely for garden parties and powered by the sun, so there is no extra strain on your electric bill.

The flower does not have to be in direct sunlight to function because it has a moveable solar panel.  And it’s durable, made from materials that can withstand all weather conditions.   So once summer is over again, you can enjoy the display all through the winter too.

Available in Pink and Red, at £7.99 from Amazon.

With it getting to that time of year when our thoughts turn to our gardens and what we’re going to be doing with them this summer season, perhaps you’d like to check out these easy-install Slate Step Stone Lights from the Smart Solar range.

Each of these small solar-powered lights is set within a 200 x 200mm natural slate stone tile, to demarcate path edges and offer accent and safety lighting for gardens and allotments.  They are sold in packs of two and should be flush fitted into paths or walkways for the best effect.

Slate Stone Step Lights use the free power of the sun via a solar panel within the top of each tile, that charges the rechargeable battery included within each light.   The lights automatically illuminate when it becomes dark and gives around 8 hours of soft lighting each night. No wires, no maintenance, water-proof and compact, the Slate Step Stone Lights have a 2 year manufacturers warranty. Nice.

If you live in England or Wales (except for inner London) you can make a formal application to your local authority for an allotment.   Any group of six adults listed on the electoral role make an application together in writing to their local authority asking for allotment land, the authority has to, by law, provide it. There is no formal rule as to how and when the authority must respond, but they do have to.  You can get more information on how to go about getting an allotment from the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners.

This is the perfect time of year to be planning next summer’s vegetable garden.

Help our little feathered friends through winter by feeding them.  Now that there isn’t much natural habitat left for birds, there is also not enough food for them.  You will be rewarded by having lots of eager visitors to watch in your garden.

Buy a bird feeder or two (more if you have a bigger garden) and fill them full of bird seed and peanuts.

Make a bird feeder
Treat your local birds to this simply and sleekly designed “open bar”. All you need is some wood, a hook, some wire and a glass bottle with a screw cap.

Be sure to hang your bird feeder somewhere peaceful, sheltered and away from cats.

Full instructions for the bird feeder can be found at esprit cabane.

bird feeder [esprit cabane]

Share and share alike

Birds are quite partial to a bit of Christmas dinner, so here’s one way to get rid of the leftovers. Here’s what to share and what not to share, according to the RSPB:

• Fat. Only from unsalted cuts of meat, i.e. not from a ham. Put it out in a large piece for the little birds to pick at, and be sure to anchor it down to be sure that a large bird doesn’t make off with it. Nail it down if necessary.
• Roast potatoes. Once they’re cool, cut them open for birds to enjoy the fluffy insides.
• Vegetables. Cold brussels sprouts, carrots and parsnips are popular. Don’t put out more than what can be eaten in one day or you may attract rats.
• Fruit. Excess or bruised apples, pears or other fruit. Cut up and leave out.
• Pastry. Cooked or uncooked are both good bird food, especially if made with real fats.
• Cheese. Small pieces of hard cheese, but nothing to strong and no blue cheese.
• Dried fruit. Raisins, sultanas and currants are all good.
• Biscuits and cakes. Stale cake and crumbs from the bottom of the biscuit tin are all full of fat and good for getting birds through the winter.

There is something so satisfying about heading off into the woods to collect bits and pieces for your wreath, and then coming home and binding it all together into a festive wreath for the front door.   It’s bringing nature to your front door, and expending some creative energy to boot.  It’s better for the environment than artificial wreaths too.

If you don’t know where to start, check out Creative Decor & Crafts - Flower Arranging: Year-Round Wreaths, a DVD that can give you some pointers.

If you want to make something more urban and contemporary, check out these wreaths from Country Living for ideas.

There are a few more wreaths to see at Country Living.

Make Your Own Holiday Wreath [Country Living]

For husbands, fathers and brothers who enjoy gardening, this is a lovely, inexpensive gift that will make their day.  The Duchy Originals Gardener’s Organic Ale Set contains 2x 500ml bottles of organic ale, a box of organic biscuits, and a handy bag with miniature gardening tools.