The scarcity of land is a problem we have today, and is here to stay. The questions are: How do we use the little space we have, and ensure sustainable food production for the growing population densities? The land is diminishing fast due to the high population growth that is occupying land formally used for agriculture. The remaining agricultural land is being over-exploited leading to poor soils with low productivity, which cannot sustain the food required by the population.
This has led to the creation of alternative ideas for growing crops such as leafy vegetables, which are more reliable, cheap, and can produce food throughout in limited spaces, particularly in urban areas. Fortunately, technologies, such as vertical agriculture, offer an excellent way to meet these challenges and produce the food needed by the high population. Vertical wall gardening is trending at the top of the smart technologies.
Vertical wall gardening using plastic bottles
This is a creative idea of farming which is a hobby and fun for many people, particularly those living in urban areas. This gardening system is being deployed to produce food while helping to clean the environment. Are you an environment ambassador? Try these farming techniques, to help clean our surroundings.
Image _courtesy. Half-plastic bottle vertical garden on a wooden frame
For a long time, plastic bottles have become a problem for the environment. Since they do not decompose, continuous use leads to the piling of these bottles in the cities filling garbage while others are scattered on roads and land. This causes environmental pollution.
Establishing a vertical wall garden using plastic bottles can help mitigate this issue since it calls for collecting these bottles from the streets and converting them into an artificial garden. This is a cheap activity that is ideal for those families having limited space in their homes to do gardening.
How to grow plants in plastic bottles
Before you put soil in a plastic bottle, you’ll need to consider what your plants need to grow and survive. Regardless of which container you use, all plants need drainage, space for roots to grow, as well as access to sunlight and water. Before placing soil into the empty plastic containers, it’s important to make small holes throughout the bottom (or the side, depending on whether the bottle will lay horizontally or vertically) and cut off the top. Making small holes throughout the bottom will allow water to flow through quickly rather than pooling, which can create damage such as overwatering et al. (Garden Tabs published 10, 2019)
Watering and drainage
Image _ courtesy self-watering systems.
Advantages of Wall vertical wall gardening using plastic bottles.
1. It is a water-saving system.
2. It is time and labor-saving since no agronomic practices are required.
3. There is assured food production throughout the year.
4. This system can be carried out in urban areas.
5. It requires small spaces.
Vertical wall gardening using plastics is an environmental ambassador activity supported by green movements because it helps clean our surroundings. It helps save space, avoid pests and diseases, make harvesting easier, and add beauty to our garden. Let’s all be environmental ambassadors and start cleaning plastic bottles from the streets and converting them into income-generating activities and producing food for our families.
Sources
- https://gardentabs.com/vertical-garden-plastic-bottles/#:~:text=You%20need%20to%20cut%20openings,a%20plastic%20bottle%20vertical%20garden!
- https://www.ambius.com/global
- Image Credit: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.epicgardening.com%2Fawesome-vertical-gardening-ideas%2F&psig=AOvVaw3aYWiTyTV3bzXOT_DlMGkd&ust=1684247281954000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBMQjhxqFwoTCJDCoprE9_4CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE
