Randy's Self-sustaining Urban Oasis
Plot B2, City Sprouts @ Punggol
Introduction
Randy’s greenhouse is all about blending tech and nature! A full-time working mom, she’s turned her plot into a self-sustaining oasis where solar-powered fans and rainwater systems help everything thrive. Growing edibles like Japanese melon, tomatoes, and radishes, Randy has created a welcoming space to unwind, connect with nature, and escape the daily rush.
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Q: “Nice to meet you! Could you introduce yourself and your greenhouse?”
Hi, I'm Randy. Welcome to my space, my humble plot.
I grow edibles, vegetables, and switch plants. I'm a full-time working mom. Time is very limited, so I envision my plot to be a self-automated plot. Basically, to enjoy the space, instead of working, booting all the stuff and all that, everything will run by itself. I just come here, look around for pests, and just to make sure the plants are going well.
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Q: “Great idea! So what do you do here in your greenhouse?”
So, what we do is, basically, the appliances that we install here, which are the ceiling fans and the exhaust, they are all run on solar panels.
The exhaust fans will suck out the hot air during the hottest part of the day. And then the ceiling fan function, basically, is to provide air circulation. I also harvest rainwater.
So, you see all these pipes here on both sides? These are the trenches used to collect rainwater that is connected to the blue barrels there. And then rainwater will fill up this pond here. And then the pond will eventually help to irrigate my vegetables over here.
So, when the water level goes down, it will touch the sensor, then the sensor will automatically rebuild the space.
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Q: “Wow! It’s almost like a circular economy and very sustainable! How else do you practise this here?”
I try to get recycled materials. The raised beds here and the tables here, these are all made from recycled pallets. My husband is the one who did all the hands-on installation. I just gave him the idea, and then we just set it all up. My husband likes to rear fish.
That's why we can work together in this plot.
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Q: “How about your plants— bring us around!”
I do have a few crops that I'm very proud of. I have a Japanese melon. And then also another one is my tomato plant. I have some of the corn as well. And I have some radishes here. And some white radish. The best part is the process. The process of growing edibles, growing plants. Yeah, it's very satisfying when you see that you can harvest what you grow, eat what you grow.
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Q: “What inspired you to open this space?”
I will say this space to me is…To me, it's a me space. You know, a space for me to relax, you know, to immerse myself into nature, and also to release some stress. Because it's a very stressful life in Singapore.
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Q: “Thanks for sharing! Any last words to share?”
Yeah, one last thing. Just don't give up. One day, you might just get the, you know, the spot on things to grow your plants and vegetables. Yeah, just keep trying!
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Watch the full video on our Instagram: @city_sprouts
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