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HomeGrown Nutrition Program - The Abundant Harvest Garden

The CAC's Abundant Harvest Garden

abundant harvest
The Abundant Harvest Garden is an innovative gardening system developed by CeluGro. The system consists of four components: lining, cells, semi-permeable fabric, and dimple board.

The entire garden is contained within a thin layer of recycled plastic that is the outer layer. This lining makes it so that the Abundant Harvest Garden can be used on bad soil, concrete, or on top of a dump, as is in Juarez.

Within the lining is a grid of cells. In each of the 72 cells (4x4 garden) one or more plant grows. The cells benefit plant growth in one general way. The cells create an environment such that growing a single plant in a cell is like growing the plant in its very own field. The cell walls divide the plants so that each plant may have its own unique environment. This also makes it very easy to transplant plants out of and into the Abundant Harvest Garden. The cell's oblong shape aslo prevent plant roots from strangling themselves.

Immediately below the cells is a layer of semi-permeable fabric. This fabric gives the soil and roots more time to absorb water that otherwise would have ran straight through the soil. With the semi-permeable fabric innovation and water spouts out the side for any water that gets past the fabric the Abundant Harvest Garden uses up to 70% less water.

cross section of the garden

Between the semi-permeable fabric and the outer lining there is a dimple board. The dimple-board acts as a road for two things. Any water that seeps through the fabric will travel along the dimple-board and out of the garden through drain spouts to be collected and used again. The dimple-board also allows air to travel inside the Abundant Harvest Garden and into the soil.

 

The CAC Abundant Harvest Garden

The CAC has purchased an Abundant Harvest Garden to use at the Center. As of December 12, '03 the CAC Abundant Harvest Garden is planted with

  • French Dandelions
  • Peas
  • Red Winter Kale
  • Ethiopian Kale
  • Russian Kale
  • Surinam Spinach
  • Green Chard
  • Okinawa Spinach
  • Moringa Tree
  • Bright Light Chard
  • Garland Chrysanthemum
  • Carrots
  • Radishes
  • Mix of Lettuces
  • Onions
  • Beets
  • Arugula
  • Broccoli
  • Parsley
  • Mustard Greens
  • Red Romaine Lettuce
See CAC Abundant Harvest Plant Map

Picture Timeline:

Three Weeks After Planting
three weeks after planting
Six Weeks After Planting
six weeks after planting