Giving Urban Gardening a Try at The Bartlett Building
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Two months ago I finally decided to try my hand at growing a few herbs and vegetables in containers on our rooftop.
Inspired by all the gardens popping up on balconies and the popularity of green rooftops, I thought the plants could be a perfect fit for a small portion of the common space at The Bartlett Building.
I really don't have a green thumb at all. In fact, everything I have grown inside my loft has died, including a 9-foot King Palm tree I got for a housewarming gift nearly four years ago. Sorry Sylvia!
My garden started off small: just a few tomato plants and a container of basil. But miraculously the tomatoes and basil finally started to do well, and I decided to keep adding more plants.
Fast forward two months and my mini garden with its enviable Downtown skyline view has mint, basil, chives, onions, dill, lemon sage, oregano, majoram, three varieties of tomatoes, lavender and rosemary. I use most of the herbs for cooking, am planning on drying the lavender for sachets and keep looking up recipes for the other herbs I never used before.
At some point, our building may build a few raised beds for lettuce and other vegetables but for now I'm happy with how things have turned out.
It looks like a lot of sun and water is really all you need to make plants happy. Now if only I could figure out how to make it work inside my loft.
Jasmijn on June 21, 2009, at 10:18AM – #1
You do have a beautiful garden, both in terms of happy plants and gorgeous view! Keep it up and good luck. What a great plan.
BonAmi on June 21, 2009, at 12:57PM – #2
When good vegetables go bad: Last summer, I cleaned all my vegs that went bad in the fridge and I planted them in some empty pots I had on the patio. Typical, normal clay pots. Regular dirt left over from prior houseplants (that went the way of your palm tree).
As of today, I have harvested tomatoes, peppers (bell and jalapeno), and potatoes. In May, a small orchard of peach trees emerged. I have about 8 of them waving in the wind.
My small balcony appears to face the same direction as your garden. I applaud your use of space. Good job and keep it up!
Juanito on June 21, 2009, at 04:14PM – #3
Unless you get the peach trees grafted (when they are sizeable enough), they will not produce fruit.
Better to get a miniature variety from a nursery if you want to harvest your own peachy produce.
Ashley Zarella on June 22, 2009, at 08:04AM – #4
Beautiful! The Sustainability Committee of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council has been finding a lot of people such as yourself interested in growing their own food. We're working on developing workshops and educational outreach to help others take on small-scale rooftop container garden projects like this (I too do not have a green thumb but like my salad). Downtown is a perfect venue for rooftop gardens and there is nothing quite like fresh herbs! Congratulations on your successful garden.
Jeannine on June 22, 2009, at 08:28AM – #5
Thank you so much for all the kind words ; ) I am definitely hooked and plan on planting more. Besides herbs and tomatoes what are the best veggies to plant in containers that get a lot of sun? Any ideas?
Juanito on June 22, 2009, at 07:55PM – #6
Try Red Leaf Lettuce, but not Romaine, which is always bitter. Ironic because one can sometimes get Romaine in the market that is outright sweet.
Don't mix any manure or fertilizer into soil for carrots. Just use a good loam soil with compost mixed in. Fertilizer will make carrots do WEIRD things.
Try the Brandywine variety of heirloom tomatoe.
Try planting Spinach seeds in September. It prefers the cooler months, rather than the spring and summer. Do you cook with Shallots? Better nurseries have bulbs/sets.
beenee on June 22, 2009, at 09:56PM – #7
how woderful but may i ask where did u get those yellow tubs? it is metal or plastic?
Jeannine on June 22, 2009, at 10:28PM – #8
I got the yellow tubs for $6 each at the Big Lots on 7th Street. They had a lot so I'm sure they still have them...and the tubs are plastic. I drilled a few holes in the bottom for drainage. I liked them because they were bright.
beenee on June 23, 2009, at 04:25PM – #9
thanks! i will look for them at hollywood's big lot. i like them too and they look bright and pastel!
beenee on June 23, 2009, at 04:37PM – #10
also, re:Jeannine
If you have left-over or old potatos, you can put them in a bowl or cup and let them germinate. it's a wonderful tabletop, bathroom, or kitchen counter- top house plant.
It's very inexpensive and cute, no guilt houseplant.
organdonor on July 27, 2009, at 03:15PM – #11
too bad they took this stuff off the roof, I actually liked it. havent seen it since i saw the note in the elevator. you get your plants back?
rachell on October 04, 2010, at 12:46PM – #12
This garden looks quite lovely, i haven't thought about raising vegetables in my balcony so far but i hope it's not too late to start doing it from now on. I love roses though, i am a huge fan and i could never give up on my shrubs, hopefully they will look good beside tomatoes...