Grow 1100 seedlings and 44 types of organic vegetables and herbs, including chard, chives, basil, chillies, green beans and edible flowers, inside an airport. It happens at O'Hare International in Chicago, where an urban garden has been created with the so-called "aeroponic" cultivation system, which, in addition to offering fresh and organic zero-kilometer products, to be used in the kitchens of the four restaurants housed in the structure, represents a unique opportunity of learning and relaxation for travelers, who can spend their time in a beautiful green oasis.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
Coltivare 1100 seedlings and 44 types of organic vegetables e herbs, including chard, chives, basil, chillies, green beans and edible flowers, inside a airport. It happens at O'Hare International in Chicago, where an urban garden was created with the system of so-called “aeroponic” cultivation", Which, in addition to offering fresh and organic zero-kilometer products, to be used in the kitchens of the four of the restaurants housed in the structure, represents a unique opportunity to learn and relax for travelers, who will be able to spend their time inside of a beautiful green oasis.
In short, once again the combination of nature and airports it turns out to be a successful idea, as happened in Berlin and Athens, where abandoned slopes have been transformed into unusual urban gardens. Or how it happened to the S.chiphol Airport in Amsterdam, where the first artificial park inside the airport was created. But this one from Chicago is, if possible, even more original. It is, in fact, an urban garden that combines eco-sustainability with an innovative design, that of aeroponic cultivation.
The aeroponic system is one extreme simplification of a hydroponic system, which provides for theabsence of substrate at the root level, with the roots hanging down so to speak, in which a mist of nutrient solution is sprayed directly on the root system allowing considerable savings in water, labor and fertilizers. This is how it is grown in O'Hare, where plants, once grown, come relocated on 26 columns, transforming the terminals into a vertical farming garden, which uses about two thirds less water than a conventional garden and offers superior plant yield, providing organic pesticide-free food.
"Water is used and recycled - explains Rosemarie Andolino of the Chicago Aviation Commissioner- it is the water itself that contains the nutrients that nourish the plants, so it is possible to use less soil, making them grow vertically, instead of horizontally ". The use of agricultural products from the airport directly in restaurants is highly appreciated by travelers, explains Andolino: "So you don't eat" airport "food, but really good food that you could actually get in any restaurant in the city. or elsewhere ".
The garden is located in a circular area that connects terminals 2 and 3 and is jointly operated by HMSHost and the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA). Andolino hopes it can become a relaxing oasis and rest area for weary travelers. But also an opportunity to cultivate and educate about sustainability. So, if you are traveling to the States, do not hesitate to visit this work of botanical engineering, or to taste the delicious goodness it produces.
