Difference between revisions of "Green garage gardens"

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* Our overall strategy was "Right plant in the right place."
 
* Our overall strategy was "Right plant in the right place."
 
* Our design process:
 
* Our design process:
−
** We explored the land that our building is on: the front and back, parking lot and alley. We measured possible garden space and made note of the [http://www.greengaragedetroit.com/index.php?title=GG_Garden_Club#Site_Data dimensions] on our wiki.
+
** We '''explored''' the land that our building is on: the front and back, parking lot and alley. We measured possible garden space and made note of the dimensions.
 
** We decided on our '''site realms''', or what individual outdoor spaces we had to work with.
 
** We decided on our '''site realms''', or what individual outdoor spaces we had to work with.
 
*** We studied each realm, particularly with regards to sunlight.
 
*** We studied each realm, particularly with regards to sunlight.
 
*** Site realms included:
 
*** Site realms included:
 
**** [[front garden]]
 
**** [[front garden]]
−
**** [[parking]]
+
**** [[parking lot gardens]]
−
**** [[alley garden]] and [[green alley garden]]
+
**** [[green alley garden]]
 
**** [[backyard garden]]
 
**** [[backyard garden]]
 
**** [[greenhouse plants]]
 
**** [[greenhouse plants]]
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**** [[Plants for permeable pavers]]
 
**** [[Plants for permeable pavers]]
 
*** '''[[Master Index of Plants for the Green Garage]]'''
 
*** '''[[Master Index of Plants for the Green Garage]]'''
−
*** We included '''other design elements''' in our overall plan, including:
+
** We included '''other design elements''' in our overall plan, including:
−
****wrought-iron fence
+
***wrought-iron fence
−
****bench or table
+
***bench or table
−
****flagpole
+
***flagpole
−
****notice kiosk
+
***notice kiosk
−
****trellises
+
***trellises
−
****rain barrels
+
***rain barrels
−
****permeable pavements
+
***permeable pavements
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*** We took all of the plant lists and put them up on our Google Docs [http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=poIdcdytevB8nsFkm7xF8Qw '''Master Plant List''']. That way, we could order our ideas in whatever way we wanted.
+
** We took all of the plant lists and put them up on our Google Docs [http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=poIdcdytevB8nsFkm7xF8Qw '''Master Plant List''']. That way, we could order our ideas in whatever way we wanted.
−
*** We took sketches of the front and backyard, blew them up, and placed pictures of our plant/tree selections on the diagram, ordered by bloom times.
+
** We took sketches of the front and backyard, blew them up, and placed pictures of our plant/tree selections on the diagram, ordered by bloom times.
  
 
<flickr>3597593511|thumb|center|Plants mapped out on sketch of front of building </flickr>
 
<flickr>3597593511|thumb|center|Plants mapped out on sketch of front of building </flickr>
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* We ran our ideas by Susan McBride of the Detroit Historic Commission to make sure we had approval from her organization.
 
* We ran our ideas by Susan McBride of the Detroit Historic Commission to make sure we had approval from her organization.
 
* We began the search for plant sources, and narrowed it down primarily to [http://www.wildtypeplants.com/ Wildtype Plants] in Mason, Mi., and [http://www.nativeplant.com/ Native Plant Nursery] in Ann Arbor, MI.
 
* We began the search for plant sources, and narrowed it down primarily to [http://www.wildtypeplants.com/ Wildtype Plants] in Mason, Mi., and [http://www.nativeplant.com/ Native Plant Nursery] in Ann Arbor, MI.
−
 
−
== Maintenance ==
 
−
* Maintenance involves:
 
−
** watering regularly
 
−
** weeding
 
−
** picking up garbage
 
−
** splitting plants and planting sprouts elsewhere
 
−
** keep record of plant health
 
−
** deadheading and otherwise cutting some plants down when blooms are done
 
−
** cleaning out and refilling bird bath
 
−
** managing rain barrels, if necessary
 
  
 
== Selecting Native Plants ==
 
== Selecting Native Plants ==
  
−
* Supporting science: We used a number of resources to check which plants were indeed native. Our primary resource was ''Landscaping with Native Plants of Michigan'' written by Lynn M. Steiner. The author defines native plants as "...what was growing here naturally before European settlement." Other resources we used are below. We decided that if one source listed a plant as native to Michigan, that was good enough for us. It is especially important to use local suppliers for native plants. These growers will have plants that have the right genetics to be adapted to local conditions. They are also a very good source of information.
+
* We used a number of resources to check which plants were indeed native. Our primary resource was ''Landscaping with Native Plants of Michigan'' written by Lynn M. Steiner. The author defines native plants as "...what was growing here naturally before European settlement." Other resources we used are below. We decided that if one source listed a plant as native to Michigan, that was good enough for us. It is especially important to use local suppliers for native plants. These growers will have plants that have the right genetics to be adapted to local conditions. They are also a very good source of information.
 
** [http://www.sustainablesites.org/ Sustainable Sites]
 
** [http://www.sustainablesites.org/ Sustainable Sites]
 
** [http://www.mnppa.org/docs/mnppa_source_guide.pdf Michigan Native Plant Producers Source Guide]
 
** [http://www.mnppa.org/docs/mnppa_source_guide.pdf Michigan Native Plant Producers Source Guide]
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** Hortech (for ground covers)
 
** Hortech (for ground covers)
  
−
=== Materials / Suppliers ===
+
== Maintenance ==
 +
* Maintenance involves:
 +
** watering regularly
 +
** weeding
 +
** picking up garbage
 +
** splitting plants and planting sprouts elsewhere
 +
** keep record of plant health
 +
** deadheading and otherwise cutting some plants down when blooms are done
 +
** managing rain barrels, if necessary
 +
* ''A note on maintaining permeable pavers'': One of our biggest time-consumers is the maintenance of the permeable pavers. Because they enclose plant material within a small square of cement, they tend to form tiny micro-climates that can dry out plant material if exposed to too much sun. As a consequence, the groundcovers in the pavers need to be watered more than the plants in the beds. In addition, they do tend to attract weeds, and require hand-picking of the weeds (as opposed to the use of the hoe in the beds), which is quite time consuming. If we had to do it again, we would use more pea gravel in the pavers instead of the groundcovers. The permeability would be the same, and they would require a lot less weeding.
 +
 
 +
== Materials / Suppliers ==
  
 
'''Plants'''
 
'''Plants'''
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* [http://www.wildtypeplants.com/ Wildtype Plants] Mason, MI
 
* [http://www.wildtypeplants.com/ Wildtype Plants] Mason, MI
 
* [http://www.nativeplant.com/ Native Plant Nursery] Ann Arbor, MI
 
* [http://www.nativeplant.com/ Native Plant Nursery] Ann Arbor, MI
−
 
−
==Design Studio==
 
−
 
−
===Site Data===
 
−
 
−
* We started by trying to gather '''data'''. First, we measured the space for our potential gardens:
 
−
** '''Front, strip between truck well and patio''':
 
−
*** length, from drainpipe to sidewalk: 16 ft, 3 in
 
−
*** width: 1 ft
 
−
*** length, drainpipe back to building: 32 ft, 7 in
 
−
*** width: 1 ft
 
−
** '''Full front of building''':
 
−
*** length: 64 ft, 7 in
 
−
**** left of door: 18 ft, 7 in
 
−
**** right of door: 43 ft
 
−
**** door: 3 ft
 
−
*** width: 8 ft, 1 in
 
−
** '''Alley'''
 
−
*** length (to our property line): 135 ft, 2 in
 
−
*** 3 ft and 5 ft beds
 
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** '''Back of building''':
 
−
*** length: 122 ft
 
−
*** width: 9 ft to our property line
 
−
** '''Back of building wall''':
 
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*** 4 window openings
 
−
*** 2 ft, 8 in between windows (4 sections)
 
  
 
== Resources ==
 
== Resources ==
 
* [http://www.stepables.com/ Steppables]
 
* [http://www.stepables.com/ Steppables]
 
* [http://www.premiumplants.net/ Hortech, a Michigan ground cover supplier]
 
* [http://www.premiumplants.net/ Hortech, a Michigan ground cover supplier]
 +
* [http://www.wildtypeplants.com/ Wildtype Plants] Mason, MI
 +
* [http://www.nativeplant.com/ Native Plant Nursery] Ann Arbor, MI
 
* [http://www.sustainablesites.org/ Sustainable Sites]
 
* [http://www.sustainablesites.org/ Sustainable Sites]
 
* [http://www.mnppa.org/docs/mnppa_source_guide.pdf Michigan Native Plant Producers Source Guide]
 
* [http://www.mnppa.org/docs/mnppa_source_guide.pdf Michigan Native Plant Producers Source Guide]
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* C. Alexander - A Pattern Language (garden related sections)
 
* C. Alexander - A Pattern Language (garden related sections)
 
* C. Watts - Eco-yarding
 
* C. Watts - Eco-yarding
−
* Michigan Native Plants - book
+
* Michigan Native Plants - book  
−
* Parking Lot Design
+
−
** [http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/cms/groups/pan/@pan/@sustainableblding/documents/web_informational/dpdp_016989.pdf Seattle Parking Lot]
+
−
** [http://www.tvaed.com/sustainable/parking.htm TVA Sustainable Parking]
+
−
** [http://www.metrocouncil.org/environment/Watershed/BMP/CH3_RPPImpParking.pdf Minnesota Parking Lot Native Plant Design] includes excellent native plant list.
+
−
** [http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm?action=factsheet_results&view=specific&bmp=89 EPA Green parking Analysis]
+
−
** [http://www.georgiastormwater.com/vol2/3-3-8.pdf Porous paver Analysis from Georgia]
+
−
** [http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/ultraurb/3fs15.htm FHWA Porous Pavement Guidelines]
+
−
[[Category:site index]]
+
−
* [http://www.metrotimes.com/arts/story.asp?id=13259 Artful Beekeeping] Metro Times, Sept 2008. Developing apiaries and beekeeping on vacant lots in Detroit. (move to rooftop farm)
+
−
* [http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/09/25/garden/20080925-ROOF_index.html Green Roof Living NYT]
+
 
* [http://www.northbranchnursery.com/ North Branch Nursery] More about [[North Branch Nursery]] including directions (american elm)
 
* [http://www.northbranchnursery.com/ North Branch Nursery] More about [[North Branch Nursery]] including directions (american elm)
−
* [http://www.wildtypeplants.com/ Wildtype Plants] Mason, MI
 
−
* [http://www.nativeplant.com/ Native Plant Nursery] Ann Arbor, MI
 
−
* [http://www.altnature.com/jewelweed.htm jewelweed]
 
−
* [http://www.eartheasy.com/grow_lawn_alternatives.htm#b/ About clover as a ground cover]
 
−
* [http://www.evergreenseed.com/ Possible clover seed supplier]
 
 
* [http://www.wildtypeplants.com/invasive.html/ Michigan invasive species list]
 
* [http://www.wildtypeplants.com/invasive.html/ Michigan invasive species list]
 
* [http://www.mipn.org/ Midwest Invasive Plant Network]
 
* [http://www.mipn.org/ Midwest Invasive Plant Network]
−
* Fencing
 
−
** Reclaimed wrought iron fence [http://www.recyclingthepast.com/Wrought_Iron_Inventory.asp?SubCatID=33 NJ Supplier of reclaimed wrought iron fence].
 
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
−
* [[green alley garden]]
 
 
* [[green alley]]
 
* [[green alley]]
−
* [[alley garden]]
 
 
* [[Rooftop Farm]]
 
* [[Rooftop Farm]]
−
* [[Urban Native Gardens]]
+
* [[Urban Native Gardens]] (original gardens design page)
 
* [[Urban agriculture]]
 
* [[Urban agriculture]]
 +
 +
[[Category:site index]]
 +
[[Category:As Built]]

Latest revision as of 19:36, 2 November 2012

The Green Alley in 2011.

Intro

  • When we bought the building, the property was surrounded by cement on 3 sides. The backyard consisted of weeds and trash. See photos.
  • We wanted to make the ground surrounding the building as permeable as possible to avoid water going down the storm sewer, co-mingling with the raw sewage during rain events, then heading out to our lakes and streams.
  • We developed gardens in 5 main areas around the building:
    • the green alley
    • the back yard
    • the front yard and parking lot
    • the rooftop farm
    • the interior greenhouse

Goals and Design

Sustainability Goals

  • Our goal was to develop garden areas around the perimeter of the building (parking lot, front, back and alley) that contained at least 90% native species. (We are referring to plants that are native to Southeast Michigan). We also wanted to add appropriate plants (low-light) to the interior greenhouse that connected us to the alley.

Strategy and Design

  • Our overall strategy was "Right plant in the right place."
  • Our design process:

Flickr Error ( Photo not found ): PhotoID 3597593511

Flickr Error ( Photo not found ): PhotoID 3598400504

  • We ran our ideas by Susan McBride of the Detroit Historic Commission to make sure we had approval from her organization.
  • We began the search for plant sources, and narrowed it down primarily to Wildtype Plants in Mason, Mi., and Native Plant Nursery in Ann Arbor, MI.

Selecting Native Plants

Maintenance

  • Maintenance involves:
    • watering regularly
    • weeding
    • picking up garbage
    • splitting plants and planting sprouts elsewhere
    • keep record of plant health
    • deadheading and otherwise cutting some plants down when blooms are done
    • managing rain barrels, if necessary
  • A note on maintaining permeable pavers: One of our biggest time-consumers is the maintenance of the permeable pavers. Because they enclose plant material within a small square of cement, they tend to form tiny micro-climates that can dry out plant material if exposed to too much sun. As a consequence, the groundcovers in the pavers need to be watered more than the plants in the beds. In addition, they do tend to attract weeds, and require hand-picking of the weeds (as opposed to the use of the hoe in the beds), which is quite time consuming. If we had to do it again, we would use more pea gravel in the pavers instead of the groundcovers. The permeability would be the same, and they would require a lot less weeding.

Materials / Suppliers

Plants

Suppliers

Resources

See also

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