sharing knowledge

Today 5 cubic meter compost arrived, which Hilary had ordered from ECOROTT, a company who transforms food waste from households in Bolzano into compost, http://www.ecorott.it .

In discussion with Thomas we built a model bed of 2 x 2 meters. Revitalizing urban land needs certain techniques that are locally adjusted. In our case there were not many trees yet, but mostly strong grasses, which all need to be taken out where there will be the planting areas - Erika believes. According to Thomas, in Bolzano where the climate is drier than in Berlin it was possible to simply build on top. Half of the first bed was constructed according to a Berlin practice - a hard work, especially with 38 degrees in the shade - the rest and a second bed was built without cleaning. We will see what happens. We did not examine the soil, but believe it is not polluted. So we put 40 cm compost on top; by the time this will shrink to 30 cm planting space. We used the system of upper beds, which were fixed with wooden planks, wood and metal sticks. The beds can be divided so that everyone can start planting with one square meter each. There is enough wood and compost for four upper beds 200 x 200 x 40 cm.

We tested and discussed different layouts for the garden and placements for the upper beds.

Other elements in the garden were the found butterfly bush, which became part of Antonio and Irene's herb and flower spiral, areas with found Artemisia, little Elm trees, and a young maple leaf ash tree at the entrance to the park; as well as planned terraces with flowers and vegetables along the axis of an artificial hill from rubble of demolished houses. A service area with water and compost is planned to the right, close to the park entrance.

A documentary filmmaker commissioned by Summer Drafts visited the garden project.

suggestion: documenting different gardening practices in a garden diary or blog will work like a manual or guide book for all participants. A garden blog, which inspires us is: http://prinzessinnengarten.net , of Prinzessinnengärten in Berlin, a neighborhood garden off Moritzplatz in Kreuzberg. In a blog or open diary you can put down intentions, thoughts, and practices, and see developments. Documenting them as an open source will inform others about the garden who might want to join, and helps those who are interested in starting an urban garden themselves; they can learn from this example. Good public relations are important for maintaing the garden, for receiving funds, donations, and support. Local radio and television stations should be contacted to report about the urban garden project so that more people become aware of it. ...................................................click on "Older Posts" below for continuing.