Growing Greens at Home

World Today

In recent years, rising living costs and food safety concern are driving more Chinese people to grow vegetables on their own. In Shanghai, residents start planting on their own balconies. One university in Shanghai is experimenting with a smart greenhouse lab, for what might be called in-house farming. Shi Wenjing checks out this home-grown trend. 

Growing Greens at Home

In recent years, rising living costs and food safety concern are driving more Chinese people to grow vegetables on their own

Wish you had a green thumb?  Believe it or not, you can grow these on your own balcony. All you need are these ordinary pipes and the know-how to use them. This project titled “Balcony Vegetable Garden” is expected to bring a greener life to local residents. An unexpected bonus–these gardens can also function as household humidifiers. And researchers have figured out what to plant so new urban farmers don’t have to wait too long to enjoy the fruits–or rather, vegetables–of their labor.

Technologies are helping beginners get instant guidance from experts. So far, about a thousand households in Shanghai have participated in the pilot program. The researchers say they are working on a new app on mobile devices to help the project grow even bigger.