Like many Midwest cities, Des Moines faces a growing challenge: food insecurity. With urban development encroaching on arable land and the increased frequency of flooding, traditional farming methods are becoming less viable. However, innovative solutions like floating garden boxes offer a promising way to address these issues while enhancing community resilience.

Flood-Prone Land as an Agriculture Opportunity 

Flooding is a significant concern in Des Moines, particularly in low-lying areas near the many rivers and lakes. These areas often become unusable for traditional farming or community gardens due to waterlogging and soil erosion. Floating garden boxes from Schwig’s Garden Boxes, float on water bodies like retention ponds and lakes, allowing communities to cultivate crops in areas that would otherwise be unproductive. These modular systems are anchored to prevent drifting and support a variety of vegetables, providing a sustainable food source even during flood events.

Enhancing Soil Quality and Crop Yield

Soil quality is a critical factor in agriculture, and floating garden boxes offer a modern solution. Instead of relying on often-degraded or chemically treated urban soil, floating planters offer a way to use nutrient-rich water and organic materials to fertilize plants naturally. In regions like Bangladesh, similar floating gardens constructed from aquatic vegetation have yielded high-quality crops without synthetic fertilizers. The decomposing organic base of these systems continually nourishes the plants, making them highly efficient and eco-friendly. 

Des Moines is seeing early-stage adoption of these concepts. Initiatives like the Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS) Agrihood project are already implementing floating planters as part of their urban agriculture strategy. By producing fresh food onsite for local shelters and food-insecure populations, CISS is turning innovation into impact.

Leveraging Lakes and Waterways for Urban Agriculture

Des Moines’ many lakes, ponds, and rivers offer untapped potential for agriculture in the city. Instead of letting these bodies of water remain underutilized, floating garden boxes can transform them into productive growing spaces. This turns flood-prone or recreational-only lakes into dual-purpose areas that also support food sovereignty. For private landowners, agrihoods, and local neighborhood associations, it’s an opportunity to enhance both the beauty and the utility of waterfront properties.

Community and Organizational Impact

Floating garden boxes aren’t just for nonprofits. They are valuable tools for community centers, schools, shelters, churches, and neighborhood groups. Projects like the CISS Agrihood demonstrate that floating planters can empower community members by creating local food sources, training opportunities, and jobs. The process of growing food together helps strengthen local connections and reduces dependency on external food systems.

These systems also promote environmental sustainability. They reduce the need for land clearing and can even help stabilize water ecosystems by adding oxygen and shade.

Floating garden boxes are more than an agricultural innovation—they’re a new lifeline for food-insecure communities, a solution for flood-prone land, and a step forward in climate-resilient farming. For Des Moines and cities facing similar challenges, these systems represent a practical path to a more secure and sustainable food future.

Interested in bringing floating garden boxes to your community organization, agrihood project, or private lake property? 

Reach out to Schwig’s to learn how floating planters can transform your water spaces into thriving sources of fresh food. Whether you’re managing a nonprofit, a school program, or your own backyard shoreline, Schwig’s team is ready to help you grow.