Rani Jacobs has transformed her small back yard into an urban farm, planting perennials along with the food crops to create an inviting landscaped look. Mulching and composting are vital for keeping the soil in prime condition to grow food crops. Rani uses a shredder to recycle plant material back into the soil in the form of compost. A drip irrigation system is in place under the mulch as well as a canalling system for catching and recycling water. Even the roof is used for growing food (figure A). (Before you plant on the roof, check with a structural engineer to find out how much weight the roof can bear.) To save weight, corn and squash are grown in plastic grow bags instead of conventional containers.
The grow bags hold a light soil mix made from compost and straw that's well suited for growing vegetables. The bags are inexpensive and adapt to whatever surface they're set on. After filling bags with potting medium, set them in place, water well, and eliminate air pockets from the soil before planting.
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