Urban gardens

When most of us think of gardens, we envision rolling hills of flowers and greenery surrounded by the sounds of stiff breezes swaying through the trees, and far-off bird calls.  We may not envision rumbling engines, blaring car horns, and the chatter of multitudes of people within a relatively confined space, but this is, increasingly, the environment that matches many of our agricultural spaces.

Why is this?  With seven billion people to house and feed, agriculture takes a tremendous toll on a planet with decreasing space.  Competition arises for water and energy, and pollution is a nasty side effect.  Hence, the need for creative solutions.  Urban farming is at the forefront of the problem-solving.

Rooftop and balcony gardens around city dwellings have the potential to make our food as "local" as possible. By growing what we need near where we live, we decrease the "food miles" associated with long-distance transportation. We also get the freshest produce money can buy, and we are encouraged to eat in season.

Another benefit of urban farming is that it adds greenery to cities, increases shade, and reduces harmful runoff. Garden plots can help people reconnect with the earth, and gain a greater appreciation for where our food comes from.  They also play a crucial role in supporting urban biodiversity, and residential zones can account for more than 60% of urban land area. Consequently, private gardens may represent a significant proportion of green space in a city, enhancing the natural world around us, and our own mental and physical wellbeing. 

Urban gardens will never act as substitutes for many semi-natural habitats, however, neither are they 'wildlife deserts'. Gardens can offer a rich variety of resources--a broad range of microclimates, plant species, and vegetation structures. They can also provide habitats, such as ponds, that may be increasingly rare elsewhere. The potential diversity of wildlife is illustrated by the long-term study of one suburb in Leicester, England, in which a city garden was designed with wildlife in mind: more than 2200 animal and plant species were recorded. Another study recorded more than 95 species of wild plant in a single garden. And gardens are not inhabited only by common species. The juniper pug is an example of a scarce moth whose natural food source is rare, but which successfully exploits ornamental junipers in domestic gardens. 

 

Then there's the most enjoyable aspect of urban gardens: they create peaceful places for relaxation and contemplation--a haven from the everyday hustle and bustle of city life. This is true for not only residents, but for visitors.  Well-planned garden spaces can attract tourists—(see my previous post about New York City's High Line Park), providing urban farming jobs to underserved and depressed urban areas.

Perhaps one day we will see soaring vertical farms that will eventually produce most of what we need within a short walk from home. According to Brian Clark Howard's article in the National Geographic, "The downside is that land in cities is often expensive, especially since gardens tend to contribute to gentrification and rising rents. Urban soils can be loaded with lead, arsenic, and other toxins, requiring remediation or replacement before planting can be done safely. Cramped conditions can limit yields, and getting enough water and sunlight can be concerns. Still, if the right combinations of new technology, community support, and economic incentives align, it's possible we may soon be munching on skyscraper scallions and avenue arugula. An early example is the rooftop garden on the InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel, which includes an apiary. The Midtown bees produce honey used in the hotel's kitchen, and they fly to pollinate plants as far as five miles away."

Working with nature for individual profit? Now, that's what I call "going green" in every way possible.