Welcome

The Waterpod team has created a living systems department to spearhead the organizing and designing of the 70’ x 40’ area that will include fruits vegetables, herbs and flowers as well as a 20’ x 20’ domed greenhouse. The role of the living systems is instrumental in the formation of an active and reliant system for developing and nourishing self-sufficiency.

Considerations for the following details are managed into the planning, care and maintenance of the garden areas.
· Using local, Hierloom seeds and supporting seed banks
· Thoughtful, efficient low watering needs
· Introducing diversity and native plants to encourage local pollinators
· Companion planting for pest management
· Run-off prevention as a city/environmental responsibility
· Xeri-scaping low water/green roof plants for education
· Enhancing garden nutrients with waste decomposition

Using local, Hierloom seeds
· Collecting clippings and cuttings from local Botanical Gardens
· Purchasing Seed Bank Seeds from Ulster County organization
· Bringing in local lore from featuring historical species
· Encourage non-gmo selections

Thoughtful, efficient Low watering needs
· Watering at night and early morning to decrease evaporation
· Mulching to prevent absorptions
· Enhancing garden nutrients with waste decomposition
nutrient/fertilizer to increase the soil’s absorption:

Fertilizer options
· chicken poop
· compost (made on site)
· seaweed
· fish bones


Each living area will carefully use collected Grey water, black water, desalinated water.
Water collection will include the following:
· Water collection tanks will collect water from the rooftop
· We will use gravity to install water tanks at least 5 feet high, to allow for a 5 foot gravity drop for practical use and lifting efficiency
· Thoughtful location of the water catch systems being within 50 feet of the garden area

Introducing diversity and native plants to encourage local pollinators by planting
· flowers
· Herbs
· Native plants

Companion planting for pest management
Companion planting encourages a wide and plentiful range of fruit, vegetable and flower species so that little to no pesticides are needed.

Run-off prevention as a city/environmental responsibility
· 2 feet deep soil beds
· plastic under-lining
· hay wall
· high organic matter soil to increase absorption
· low and fibrous root system plants locking soil into place

Xeri-scaping low water/green roof plants for educational purposes
· sedum, vines ect..

Accessibility/workability
· Main wooden plank walkways (possibly wide enough to be handicap accessible)
· hay working aisles