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green-curtain-goya-blossom-small

The weather in Tokyo seems to be getter hotter by the minute. Tsuyu (the rainy season) is set to finish shortly, and we’re preparing for the hot sunny days ahead. Unlike the energizing bright cool winter months, the summer sun paired with high humidity is wilting. Hoping to reduce our desire to run the air conditioner and inspired by a multitude of neighbors with lovely vines full of cool green leaves, we thought we’d grow a green curtain of our own!

Here is how we did it – from thought-process to equipment to construction – and, as usual, a few caveats. This “recipe” can easily be tweaked to suit any situation, but will hopefully be a good starting point for cooler summer days.

The Logic

Nets, vines, and pots abound at the moment in the city, and little tendrils of goya (Okinawan bitter melon), fusen (a flowering vine), morning glories, and even cucumbers wend their way upward. These often fruitful screens do double duty. Their shade prevents sunlight from heating up the space behind – whether for outdoor seating or a room in an apartment or a whole building – and sometimes provide something tasty for the dinner table, too. It seemed like a fun choice to help us keep our cool!

green-curtain-pot-small

Equipment

Pots - One big one, a couple medium-sized ones or medium-small plants for each individual plant. We used one big one set in brackets that hangs off our balcony. This allowed us to position the pot, plants, and netting where it would offer the most shade where we wanted it with room behind for access to the rest of the balcony. Make sure there are holes for adequate drainage in the bottom of the pots, too. Water is integral, but without drainage the plants will drown from the roots up.

Netting or a climbing structure – The plants need something to climb on that can be attached to or strung in front of a window, wall, or whatever area is to be covered. We chose netting, but many of our neighbors use a combination of netting and bamboo shades.

Dirt - We used a combination of bagged compost, old dirt from at-the-moment-unused pots, and bagged composted manure. If I had it to do over again, I’d also mix in a good dose of calcium (i.e. crushed seashells, etc.) to give the vines added strength.

Plants - Just about any vine or tall plant should work. I’d been given some seeds for goya and fusen, and I’m also trying out Jerusalem Artichoke. The latter should grow quite tall to make a leafy screen that doesn’t require netting or stringing up, and it’s also edible at the end of the season!

The Thought Process

Where is shade most desirable and how much is feasible?

Green curtains can cover just a window, a wall, or the entire side of a building. It doesn’t really matter. It simply depends on what you think you can reasonably create. The more shade you can create the cooler your summer months will be, but your neighbors may not appreciate your vines climbing onto their balcony. (Then again, they might!)

What to grow?

Green curtains can be made of anything, really. I’m a big fan of mixing edibles with ornamentals, because both are beautiful and extraordinarily complimentary, and growing your own food is perfect for all you locavores out there. Goya (Okinawan Bitter Melon) is quite popular, but if that doesn’t suit your taste buds try cucumber, squash, or watermelon. (Remember though, those hefty fruits of the latter two will require some support as they fill out.)  Morning glories, fusen, or cardinal climber, while not edible, are also excellent choices.

Vine Alternatives

If rigging up a net sound like more work than you’d like to do, give some thought to tall plants like sunflowers, jerusalem artichokes, or yacon (a Peruvian tuber). Each of these can get quite tall (be sure to make sure not to get a short variety of sunflower) with a number of leaves. All are edible, too!

Construction, Caveats and Confessions

Check out How to Construct a Green Curtain – Part 2 and read all about exactly how to build your green curtain and our caveats and confessions!

About the Author

Joan Lambert Bailey writes about her food and farming adventures at Popcorn Homestead and Everyday Gardens. To see what else she’s been up to, check out her other greenz posts, too!

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