By Cindy Naas

Earlier this summer, UGC writer Vanessa Richins wrote about some lovely wall gardens designed by artist Patric Blanc.

His beautiful creations are living works of art.

A non-profit group, Urban Farming, has taken the vertical growing idea and run with it.

A series of four walls in L.A. have been turned into urban farms in a collaborative effort between Urban Gardening and Cal Poly students. 180 growing panels were planted up with organic veggies and herbs and installed in the four designated areas.

The produce was donated to area food banks. One wall was tended by residents of a low-income apartment complex and the food was Read the rest of this entry »

By Vanessa Richins

Plants really are amazing and versatile.

My friend Andy sent me links about the creations of French botanist Patric Blanc. He specializes in creating vertical wall gardens.

The results are beautiful.

The website for Echo Studio states that “These growing tapestries provide insulation, help filter rainwater that flows across its surface, create a cooling effect, and lend an often surprising visual interest in places one wouldn’t expect to see plants.”

Take a look at his website. I wondered how they were able to grow them so well vertically. For the Musée du Quai Branly, they used a combination of felt and plastic layers as anchors for the plants. These are layered on top of a metal frame, which provides some breathing room Read the rest of this entry »