BroadwayBK

Windowfarms Urban Garden

These things are pretty awesome - Windowfarm is a vertical, hydroponic system that makes gardening in your window completely simple.

It's really cool how the water actually moves upward to keep all the plants hydrated, and it's only about $35 to put the whole thing together.

My current apartment is a bit small and crammed with stuff (my roommate's stuff, to be exact), so I'm going to have to wait a while before I can get started with this, but I'll keep you all posted on how it works out.

Anyone have their own apartment garden? Any tips and tricks for those of us who don't have the best light in our tiny NYC apartments?

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BroadwayBK Jan 22, 2010

Oh, and here is the link for the Windowfarm project: http://windowfarms.org/

uptowngirl Jan 22, 2010

@BroadwayBK had a look at that demo video. fascinating stuff love having plants in my apartment which is located on the east side and does happen to get a lot of sun. However because I tend to travel a lot my plants don't survive even my lucky bamboos tend to die and they are supposed to be incredibly hardy. Some of my neighbors actually have window boxes where they grow flowers like pansies which bloom during the spring- summer months and look so pretty.

BroadwayBK Jan 22, 2010

It's actually pretty self-sustaining. The only thing you really have to do is make sure that the water reservoir is full... not sure how long the reservoir lasts but it's pretty great for people like me who always forget to water their plants! http://our.windowfarms.org/2009/07/30/how-to-build-a-reservoir-system-window-farm/

hhusted Jan 22, 2010

I've seen some tenants with flower boxes. They have them sitting on their fire escape. It is nice to see such greenery around in the city.

Uraniumfish Jan 28, 2010

@Broadway BK apparently you can get orchids to grow pretty much in the air, you don't need soil, and when orchids thrive, the colors are amazing. Can be grain for small apartment situations. Only trick is, you have to have a certain orchids thumb. For some people they thrive, and other people under the same conditions can't get them to grow at all. Prissy plants, but maybe you have The Talent, and can get soemthign really beautiful out of them.

BroadwayBK Jan 29, 2010

@Uraniumfish I actually used to have a lot of orchids, until a friend orchid-sat and killed them all off in a matter of a week. Apparently they didn't like her, but you've got it right about them being rather particular.

uptowngirl Jan 29, 2010

@BroadwayBk wow you got orchids to grow in NYC or was it when you lived in Florida? My mother in law who lives in London and is an enthusiastic gardener ( she has two huge bushes of cala lilies in her garden) is forever trying to get her orchid plants to flower. On one of her visits to NYC I took her to the NY Botanic garden in the Bronx for their annual orchid show where she bought orchid food for her plants back in London in an effort to get them to flower. She hasnt had much luck till date.

Uraniumfish Jan 29, 2010

There's something about them orchids, either they like you or they don't. Everyone I've ever talked to about growing them has had similar stories.

hhusted Jan 29, 2010

Interesting topic about orchids. I find the discussion stimpulating. I grew up on a semi-farm. When I was growing up, we grew fruits and vegetables. Because we lived in a small farm area, I know a lot about growing plants, so maybe I'll have a crack at growing orchids.

uptowngirl Jan 30, 2010

@Uraniumfish do you think I would dare tell her that her orchids don't like her?:) :)

ajadedidealist Jan 30, 2010

That's fantastic! I think flowers and windowboxes really add something to a building...

hhusted Jan 30, 2010

Yes, ajadedidealist, I think having windowboxes and flowers on fire escapes add a little touch to the building.

Uraniumfish Jan 31, 2010

@Uptowngirl Ha ha, yes, better let her believe it's something with the temperature or the watering... :)

BroadwayBK Jan 31, 2010

@uptowngirl I was a master of orchids in Florida. But I grew them indoors, so I am guessing I would be just as talented at growing them in a temp-controlled NY apartment? Perhaps one day I will find out.