Vertical Garden Toolkit by Juyoun Lim

Vertical Garden Toolkit

CONTENTS Introduction

Using this toolkit

Definition in sustainability

Benefits for society

Vertical garden types and methods

1. Vertical systematic planter

2. Fabric pocket planter

3. Wall planter

4. Trellis for creeper plants

5. Succulent wall frame

6. ETC: Open source design

What kind of plants you plant? 1. House plants that detox the air in your home naturally

18 18

2. House plants that are categorised by the amount of ligh 19 3. Succulents guide for easy vertical gardening Vertical garden checklist

22 26

Introduction

This toolkit aim for a sustainable livelihood in the city where there would not be enough clean air because of urbanization. Nowadays, intensive urbanization has diminished the quality of life whereas used to play a key role for economic efficiency. According to the UN, more than a half of the global population has already resided in urban area and they respect that the two third of world’s population will gather to the cities by 2050.[1] Over the past decades, this phenomenon has been accelerated and caused many unsustainable problems such as overcrowded dirty slums surrounding the city centre, expansion of the concrete areas which encroach the green spaces and increasing environmental pollutions. Forests, which are able to mediate the emissions of human activities, now have been reduced because of urbanization, logging industry, agriculture and stock-farming. After that, its function to absorb greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide have degraded. Hence, diminished green spaces in human territory and deforestation are threatening the planet’s destiny which includes both human being and the Earth itself. In addition, WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature)[2] explained the five effects of deforestation below; ▷Reduced biodiversity: Deforestation and forest degradation can cause biodiversity to decline. When forest cover is removed, wildlife is deprived of habitat and becomes more vulnerable to hunting. Considering that about 80% of the world's documented species can be found in tropical rainforests, deforestation puts at risk a majority of the Earth’s biodiversity. ▷Release of greenhouse gas emissions: Deforestation causes 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Of these, carbon dioxide emissions represent up to one-third of total carbon dioxide emissions released because of human causes. Find out more about climate change and deforestation. ▷Disrupted water cycles: As a result of deforestation, trees no longer evaporate groundwater, which can cause the local climate to be much drier. ▷Increased soil erosion: Deforestation accelerates rates of soil erosion, by increasing runoff and reducing the protection of the soil from tree litter. ▷Disrupted livelihoods: Millions of people rely directly on forests, through small-scale agriculture, hunting and gathering, and by harvesting forest products such as rubber. Deforestation continues to pose severe social problems, sometimes leading to violent conflict. Moreover, according to a study in Nature, 50% of carbon dioxide absorbing rate from the air in Amazon rainforest has been decreased since 1990s with raising concern about future climate change for forest.[3] To slower these effects, the vertical garden toolkit will be affordable tool to people to live sustainable lifestyle in urban area.

Using this toolkit I assume you are a person who is interested in gardening as well as natural environment which might be threatened by you. This toolkit can be used as a guide for green wall and stacked garden. This includes basic information of vertical garden and house plants easy to buy at a nursery. While you will get to know about the vertical gardening through this toolkit, you can be instructed to world of gardening. For more intensive vertical garden, you might need a local professional advice.

Definition in sustainability The definition of vertical garden is that an architectural structure for planting and can be an intervention for green space in urban area with low quality air condition. In addition, this is to minimize environmental impact for sustainable living space. In ancient time, it can be seen that vertical garden started from Hanging Gardens of Babylon.[4] From this, we can infer a fundamental concept from vertical appearance of them. Vertical Garden is also called as green wall, in addition, considered as a kind of green roof concept and it should be addressed with vertical farming at different angle. For that reason, vertical farming concept is for future food crisis on an extension line of urban farming whereas I think that vertical garden, aside from agriculture, should be approached for deforestation and urbanization problem as a small endeavor that can be carry on by a person.

Benefits for society

When we think the advantages of forest and mountain surrounded with trees, you could guess the effect of vertical garden. A city itself is not sustainable because of the attributes of physical factors. In other words, urban infrastructure and buildings are consisted with concrete and asphalt emits carbon dioxide and covered over soil for a flat footpath and road interrupt us from the nature perfectly. Given the situation, it could offer a green space as a small woodland in urban area. Effect of green nature has known through multimedia as basic human needs. BBC said that it improves mental and physical health. Beth Murphy, information manager at the mental health charity Mind, said: "For people living busy lifestyles in densely populated areas, being able to get outdoors and access green space is a great way to escape the stresses of day-to-day life.â&#x20AC;? "Our research has shown that 94% of people who took part in outdoors 'green exercise' said it benefited their mental health and can have huge impacts on physical health.â&#x20AC;?[5][6]

Vertical garden types and methods The benefits of plants are successful beyond just decoration. An idea that the greens as tools improve the environment has been engaged with society historically for a long time. Additionally, when we think the advantages of forest and mountain surrounded with trees, you could guess the effect of vertical garden. A city itself is not sustainable because of the attributes of physical factors. In other words, urban infrastructure and buildings are consisted with concrete and asphalt emits carbon dioxide and covered over soil for a flat footpath and road interrupt us from the nature perfectly. Given the situation, it could offer a green space as a small woodland in urban area. Effect of green nature has known through multimedia as basic human needs. BBC said that it improves mental and physical health. Beth Murphy, information manager at the mental health charity Mind, said: "For people living busy lifestyles in densely populated areas, being able to get outdoors and access green space is a great way to escape the stresses of day-to-day life.â&#x20AC;?[5][6] In this section, 5 major types of vertical garden will be introduced. These seem very common in the market.

1. Vertical systematic planter It is usually consisted with tilted containers and supporting structure. Each container works as a cell. (Ther roots are not interupted) To avoid the planters are exposed, it would be better to plant foliage plants It is available for both indoor and outdoor. It suites for commercial use. (If you would like to install this type of vertical garden, you should imquiry to a local supplier because it requires more professional installation work.) Water supply Water flow

Plant pot

SECTION Self-watering reservoir

Water tank & Motor INDOOR

OUTDOOR

2. Fabric pocket planter Pocket is consisted with flexible non-wooven felt Available to install indivisually and collectively Easy for general people to access and install No need a water supply pipe and electricity but it can use them for larger installations No need waterproof Suites for both indoor and outdoor Most product material from recycled plastics

Hanging anchor Fastener Automatic water supply Water barrier

Self-watering reservoir

3. Wall planter Similar with two former types of vertical planters More stable shape but can be installed by normal users Easy for general people to access and install No need a water supply pipe and electricity but it can use them for larger installations Waterproof itself with full plastic body Suites for both indoor and outdoor

4. Trellis for creeper plants A trellis is usually a latticework of wood and metal in different designs. Wooden or any other types of trellis can be used No need to hang or stack pots and planters Suites for both indoor and outdoor

WOODEN TRELLIS

METAL MESH TRELLIS

5. Succulent wall frame There is a redy-made product but a user made is possible General users can make easily by a guide Because of its complete verticality, not suite for large ornamental plants Both bracket and hanger are possible to be installed

Picture frame or timber Mesh cover Soil box Moss Soil Back panel

WALL FRAME VERTICAL GARDEN STRUCTURE

6. ETC: Open source design Suites for recyclable materials General users can make easily by a guide Because of its complete verticality, not suite for large ornamental plants Both bracket and hanger are possible to be installed

PALLETS

PVC PIPE

PLASTIC BOTTLES

SHOE RACKS

TIN CANS

What kind of plants you plant? Except for edible vegetables, you can plant any type of house plants. Some kind of plants in horticultural market are from abroad even Variegated Snake Plant usually used as house plant in the UK. Plants for green walls, indoor/outdoor gardens grow well anywhere although each plant has different growing environment because horticultural techniques can make an artificial growing environment. For example, plants with high temperature and humidity growing environment can grow at indoors and greenhouses. Also you can use electrical equipment which operate automatically. Thus, in this section, popular house plants which suite for vertical garden will be introduced and a few tips. They will be easy to grow for you as a general user.

House plants that detox the air in your home naturally[7][8]

Boston Fern

English Ivy

Lilyturf

Spider Plant

Chinese Evergreen

Devilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ivy

Peace Lily

Flamingo Lily

Variegated Snake Plant

Dumb Cane

Aloe Vera Plant

19 House plants that are categorised by the amount of light[9] High Light Distance from the window East/West 0 feet South 1-5 feet

Zebra Plant

Jade Plant

English Ivy

Baby Tears

Wax Plant

Pittosporum

Croton

Cactus & Succulents

Medium Light Distance from the window North 0 feet East/West 1-3 feet South 3-10 feet

Flamingo Lily

Coralberry

Asparagus Fern

Bird's Nest Fern

Begonia

Spider Plant

Grape Ivy

Ti Plant

Dumb Cane

Peperomia

Piggyback Plant

Wandering Jew

Low Light Distance from the window North 0 feet East/West 1-3 feet South 3-10 feet

Chinese Evergreen

Variegated Snake Plant

Parlor Palm

Zeezee Plant

Arrowhead Plant

Pothos

Peace Lily

Rabbit Foot Fern

Succulents guide for easy vertical gardening[10][11][12][13] â&#x2014;&#x2039; Compendium of succulents There are tens of thousands of succulents. It is just few of them which can be a compact compendium version. So you could find a proper plant from it more easily.

AGAVOIDEAE AGAVE

Agave titanota

Agave pumila

Agave angustifolia

Agave victoria-reginae

Argyroderma patens

Faucaria feline

Lithops karasmontana Marlothistella stenophylla

Aloinopsis setifera

Aloinopsis schooneesii

YUCCA

Yucca angustissima

Ycca aloifolia

MIXED

Fenestraria rhopalophylla

AIZOACEAE ALOINOPSIS

Aloinopsis orpenii

ASTERACEAE

Senecio haworthii

Senecio deflersii

Senecio kleinia

Senecio stapeliiformis

XANTHORRHOEACEAE GASTERIA

Gasteria exelsa

Gasteria baylissiana

HAWORTHIA

Haworthia viscosa

Haworthia coarctata

Haworthia bolusii

Aloe polyphylla

Aloe aristata

ALOE

Aloe vera

DIDIEREACEAE

Didiera madascareinsis

Didiera trollii

Aloe juvenna

Aloe africana

CRASSULACEAE AEONIUM

Aeonium tabuliforme

Aeonium leucoblepharum

Aeonium decorum

Adromischus herrei

Adromischus schuldtianus

ADROMISCHUS

Adromischus festivus CRASSULA

Crassula cv. buddha's temple Crassula cv. gollum

Crassula falcata

MIXED

Pachyphytum oviferum

Umbilicus rupestris

Cotyledon orbiculata

Sedum burrito

○ General tips for growing succulent Succulents from arid area that they have thick, fleshy leaves and stems that hold water for survival. Also they are good to grow both indoors and out because they are easy to maintain and can be a good way to invite some nature into your vertical garden.

Water Watering has not to be frequent because they do not like soaking wet soil as they absorb water from the air rather than from direct water. But you should water with a good soak and then try to dry out for a little while. General watering period is once a week. Sometimes in the hot summer you have to water more frequently because they dry out more quickly.

Soil Diatomaceous earth (aka: oil dry), coconut coir and porous are recommended. You can add pearlite or pumice to a standard potting soil with a 1:1 ratio. If you do use standard potting soil you will likely water less often than with a faster draining soil.

Light Because succulents are from arid climate, so they need a bit of light, but not too hard. The best place is a foot or two away from a window that receives bright light, preferably in the morning when it is not as hot. Being too close to a window that gets hot, direct light can actually cause the plant to sunburn. A succulent needs about 6 hours of indirect sunlight a day.

Temperature Succulents can grow in temperatures between 10°C and 32°C degrees. As long as they slowly adapt to the environment, they will thrive.

Fertilizer Fertilize as you would any other houseplant during the summer months. During the winter you can skip this step entirely as the plant basically “goes to sleep” and won’t be needing the nutrients.

Vertical garden checklist[14] CONSIDER: □ Available space. □ An inside or outside garden. □ Garden style (succulents, floral, ferny etc). □ Access to garden for ongoing maintenance. □ The amount of time you have to maintain your garden. □ The proposed location of your garden and its aspect, assess: - Sunlight. - Temperature. - Exposure to wind and frost etc. □ Changes to the plants themselves such as flowers, the colour of new growth, die back, deciduous behaviours etc. □ That a reasonably large and healthy green wall will create a micro-climate – you may end up with lizards and spiders but they will eat pests like mosquitoes. □ How far your plants will grow up and how far they will protrude out from the wall. □ That existing cold, dark sites will become cooler and darker. □ That you can make hot, exposed locations less extreme, but it will take some planning and work. □ That some plants that should grow in particular conditions. Experiment. □ Duration — will this feature be a permanent installation or something that needs to be moved? □ How long it will take for the plants to fill out your garden. □ Starting with fast-growing plants for an instant effect while slower-growing varieties become established.

TECHNICAL There are a range of basic structural support systems: □ Plants can grow from ground level and climb directly on the wall. □ Framework can be fixed to wall onto which plants climb. □ Standard types of pots sitting in a framework or hung on the wall. □ Pre-made structures and modular components fixed to walls into which plants are “plugged” and grow out of a completely vertical surface. □ Modular panels with mats of growing medium where a horizontal slash in the matting creates pockets of horizontal growing medium from which plants grow.

THE PLAN If your planned garden is smaller than the wall it will be installed on, or something other than a simple geometric shape, make a basic cardboard mock-up of your design, hang it in the chosen location and then make any necessary adjustments.

GROWTH MEDIA Most media will need replacing/topping up eventually, consider this as a part of maintenance requirements. Types include: □ Loose Standard potting mix. Light weight soil. Inorganic growing medium.

You should also: □ Ensure the size of your garden is in proportion with its location. □ Ensure the design complements the surroundings. □ Determine the type of support structure. □ Determine your design style, will it be geometric or organic etc? □ Decide on the level of complexity – lots of different plants/single species.

Where to start □ Either decide on plants first, then select the support structure suited to those plants or decide on a preferred structure then select plants to suit it. Consider: □ Drainage — water draining out of your garden may stain the wall below it. Use an old chain or rope to lead excess water to the ground, rather than allowing it to run down the wall. □ Runoff – excess water will need to be managed so it does not pool below your garden and cause damage. □ Materials - Wet timber rots and wet metals can corrode. Plastics are fairly hard wearing and require little to no treatment.

□ Matt Coir fiber or felt mats. □ Structural Growth medium blocks with features of both loose and matt media.

WATER AND FERTILISER □ Vertical gardens dry out faster than pot plants. □ The top of a unit will dry out faster than the bottom. □ Depending on conditions, you may need to water daily or install an automated hydroponic or drip irrigation system. □ Use microbe-rich fertilizers and spray with leaf-absorbed nutrients. SAFETY It is essential that you consider the impact of installing a green wall on your home and its surroundings. □ Consider all technical aspects such as the weight of your garden and the structure that will support it. Potting mix should be handled with care. Use gloves, wear a dust mask and follow manufacturer instructions. This information is general in nature and covers just a small amount of the information you will need to complete your specific project. Consult the relevant experts to get specific advice about your plans, and follow all manufacturer instructions. Your list of requirements will vary according to what you start with and what you’re planning to do. DIY can be a very dangerous business. Be careful, read and follow all instructions provided with the tools and materials you’re working with. Don’t take shortcuts, use and wear all appropriate safety equipment. Be very careful with older homes that may contain harmful substances like lead paint and asbestos. All the safety information essential for safe DIY is out there, read up and stay safe.

References [1] United Nations World Urbanization Prospects: the 2014 revision, highlights (UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2014 http://esa.un.org/unpd/wup/) [2] http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/about_forests/deforestation/ [3] http://www.scidev.net/global/conservation/news/Amazon-climate-change.html [4] http://navercast.naver.com/contents.nhn?rid=178&contents_id=64164 [5] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22214070 [6] http://www.conservation.org/what/pages/forests.aspx?gclid=Cj0KEQjw6tepBRDLqLnxouaY_pkBEiQAPIOiBgKZJ9OKLjQ201TfThtivHgKhKvb-uovLEGIrG3SO38aAj2f8 P8HAQ [7] http://holistichealthnaturally.com/26-house-plants-that-detox-the-air-in-your-home-naturally/ [8] http://butternutrition.com/detoxifying-indoor-plants-air-filters/ [9] http://www.buzzfeed.com/mallorymcinnis/thyme-to-garden?utm_term=.ouMW9kndQ&sub=3728463_5284490#.seMqKL2G4 [10] http://visual.ly/visual-compendium-succulents [11] http://premeditatedleftovers.com/gardening/5-tips-growing-succulents/ [12] http://mothersniche.com/basics-caring-succulents/#_a5y_p=2140079 [13] http://www.newprocontainers.com/blog/succulents-quick-care-guide/ [14] http://images-2.domain.com.au/file/2012/10/05/3691091/1_120921_VerticalGarden.pdf

Vertical Garden Toolkit

MA Design and Environment Sustainability Juyoun Lim

Introduction This toolkit aim for a sustainable livelihood in the city where there would not be enough clean air because of urbanization. Nowadays, intensive urbanization has diminished the quality of life whereas used to play a key role for economic efficiency. According to the UN, more than a half of the global population has already resided in urban area and they respect that the two third of world’s population will gather to the cities by 2050.[1] Over the past decades, this phenomenon has been accelerated and caused many unsustainable problems such as overcrowded dirty slums surrounding the city centre, expansion of the concrete areas which encroach the green spaces and increasing environmental pollutions. Forests, which are able to mediate the emissions of human activities, now have been reduced because of urbanization, logging industry, agriculture and stock-farming. After that, its function to absorb greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide have degraded. Hence, diminished green spaces in human territory and deforestation are threatening the planet’s destiny which includes both human being and the Earth itself. In addition, WWF[2] explained the five effects of deforestation below; “/Reduced biodiversity: Deforestation and forest degradation can cause biodiversity to decline. When forest cover is removed, wildlife is deprived of habitat and becomes more vulnerable to hunting. Considering that about 80% of the world's documented species can be found in tropical rainforests, deforestation puts at risk a majority of the Earth’s biodiversity. /Release of greenhouse gas emissions: Deforestation causes 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Of these, carbon dioxide emissions represent up to one-third of total carbon dioxide emissions released because of human causes. Find out more about climate change and deforestation. /Disrupted water cycles: As a result of deforestation, trees no longer evaporate groundwater, which can cause the local climate to be much drier. /Increased soil erosion: Deforestation accelerates rates of soil erosion, by increasing runoff and reducing the protection of the soil from tree litter.

/Disrupted livelihoods: Millions of people rely directly on forests, through small-scale agriculture, hunting and gathering, and by harvesting forest products such as rubber. Deforestation continues to pose severe social problems, sometimes leading to violent conflict.â&#x20AC;? Moreover, according to a study in Nature, 50% of carbon dioxide absorbing rate from the air in Amazon rainforest has been decreased since 1990s with raising concern about future climate change for forest.[3] To slower these effects, the vertical garden toolkit will be affordable tool to people to live sustainable lifestyle in urban area.

Benefits for society The benefits of plants are successful beyond just decoration. An idea that the greens as tools improve the environment has been engaged with society historically for a long time. Additionally, when we think the advantages of forest and mountain surrounded with trees, you could guess the effect of vertical garden. A city itself is not sustainable because of the attributes of physical factors. In other words, urban infrastructure and buildings are consisted with concrete and asphalt emits carbon dioxide and covered over soil for a flat footpath and road interrupt us from the nature perfectly. Given the situation, it could offer a green space as a small woodland in urban area. Effect of green nature has known through multimedia as basic human needs. BBC said that it improves mental and

physical health. Beth Murphy, information manager at the mental health charity Mind, said: "For people living busy lifestyles in densely populated areas, being able to get outdoors and access green space is a great way to escape the stresses of day-to-day life.â&#x20AC;? "Our research has shown that 94% of people who took part in outdoors 'green exercise' said it benefited their mental health and can have huge impacts on physical health.â&#x20AC;?[6][7]

Procedure I referred mainly the How-to-guide of vertical garden DIY article. After the articles were collected, I edited them according to a same subject like method of vertical garden, consideration. When I was researching about vertical garden, the research was concerned with general gardening. There are so much information that could not been organized during a few days. Thus, I intended to rely on visual information so that vertical gardens would be categorized as their shapes. When it comes to the house plants that suite for a vertical garden, I felt that I could not handle the immense volume of information because that might be within the academic disciplines. I used some articles of gardening experts. Hence, my toolkit for vertical garden could be a compact version.

Further research Because I interested in deforestation, I intended to research about vertical forest. But I thought that it would be better to study a few knowledge of garden that stand vertically. Through this toolkit study, I could understand the engagement between society and green space made by human. Environmental problem, especially deforestation, is declared with one accord that it is inevitable. The crisis might not be overcome because its scale of hyper-object by mass production. I heard that those cannot be solved by human endeavor. If really so, what if there is a hyper-object that gives a positive feedback to the natural environment? Or, could there be an aggressive solution for that? These are my question related with deforestation. Thus, I would like to research about vertical forest for Seoul.

References [1] The Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations (2014) World Urbanization Prospects. Available at: http://esa.un.org/unpd/wup/ (Accessed: 25 April 2015). [2]

World

Wide

Fund

for

Nature

(2015)

Deforestation.

Available

at:

http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/about_forests/deforestation/ (Accessed: 25 April 2015). [3] Tatlow, D. (2015) Amazon soaking up less carbon as tree deaths rise. Available at: http://www.scidev.net/global/conservation/news/Amazon-climate-change.html (Accessed: 25 April 2015). [4] Oh, K (2014) Vertical Garden. Available at: http://navercast.naver.com/contents.nhn?rid=178& contents_id=64164 (Accessed: 25 April 2015). [5] Woodward, C. (2011) The age of flower towers. Available at: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/03b0f876 -ea83-11e0-b0f5-00144feab49a.html#axzz3U7AIQ0R3 (Accessed: 25 April 2015). [6] BBC (2013) Green spaces boosts wellbeing of urban dwellers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; study. Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22214070 (Accessed: 25 April 2015). [7] Drummond, B. (2014) FORESTS. Available at: http://www.conservation.org/what/pages/ forests.aspx?gclid=Cj0KEQjw6tepBRDLqLnxouaY_pkBEiQAPIOiBgKZJ9OKLjQ201TfThtivHgKhKvbuovLEGIrG3SO38aAj2f8P8HAQ (Accessed: 25 April 2015).