Why dont we use the surface area of the built environment to grow plants? for example, why dont we copy the example of all those beautiful ivy-covered houses? lets think about this one:
BENEFITS:1- We could use climbers such as beans and vines (in hot countries) to help provide food and enrich the soil (bean plants fix nitrogen into the soil) without taking away much land space.2- It would help mantain a more constant temperature in the house3- Plants act as reservoirs of water, transpiring throughout the day and playing a part in causing rain to fall. This has all sorts of benefits, especially in places like the southwest US or Mediterranean or Australia, where rainfall needs to be encouraged.4- Buildings covered in ivy or any other plant look wonderful.5- I cant think of anymore, please post some up!
DRAWBACKS:1- Climbers such as Ivy have a reputation for compromising the structural integrity of the surface they climb on. I dont know to what extent this is true, but im just putting it out there.2- Perhaps pests such as rodents and big tropical centipedes (you know, those shocking ones you see on tv that eat small animals and birds) can climb in to the building via these plants?3- I cant think of anymore, please post some up!
Thank you!
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Great Idea. If your homes is designed poorly for your site, summer sun will enter your home windows and over heat. A shading trellis of some sort could be added. While some vines climb brick easily, and siding not so well, but glass windows - impossible? With vines covering south facing windows, most heat is shaded, but a support structure - strings? is needed.
If the vines have flowers (morningglory), it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies which can be seen through the windows. Later at night if you open the windows for cool air, the fresh perfume from the flowers comes inside (petunias).
Some vines may even have edible flowers. You pick them from your windows and add as garnish to salad and desert.
If cucumber vines are used, you have one more crop to harvest. Hops is a very tall plant which is dried and used for beer.
For 2nd and 3rd storey windows where vines do not reach quickly before peak summer sun, old fashioned window boxes or upside planters can be suspended to provide growing space.
At the end of the season, dried vines are pulled down so that you can harvest the beans ( chili ) and allow winter sun to heat your home.