Page 21 - IFV Issue 5 May 2024

Gardening

ROOTED IN THE CITY:

Exploring the Beauty and Benefits of Urban Horticulture

U rban horticulture is a field urban and township environments. within the community, contributing

to sustainability and self-sufficiency.
integrating
on
focused
processes
production,
DIY or low-cost systems
added advantage of personal health
and the cultivation of horticultural Types of urban horticulture systems Participating members also enjoy the
plants — both food and ornamental • Container gardening: This system benefits.
— to enhance and sustain urban makes use of a variety of containers, • Adoption of land to improve
environments. It involves two primary buckets, old tyres, raised beds, window plant biodiversity: An alternative
components: the study of plants and boxes, kiddie pools, barrels, shoes, and approach involves collaboration
their ecological roles within cities, watering cans. Container gardening between the community, government
and the examination of the dynamic offers a convenient solution for space and various stakeholders to
relationship between urban dwellers limitations and by confining plants to rehabilitate degraded areas such as
and plants. containers, it conserves space, facilitates illegal dumping sites, by planting
South Africa has approximately 67% relocation and minimises the risk of soil- indigenous trees and other plants.
of its population residing in the urban borne pests and diseases. This initiative aims to transform these
areas with a projected increase to 80% • Hydroponic: Cultivating crops neglected spaces into vibrant green
by 2050. Whilst urbanisation is closely hydroponically involves nourishing areas that serve both ecological and
associated with economic growth and plants with mineral nutrient solutions in functional purposes.
development, it can have enormous a soil-free, controlled environment. The
environmental implications such advantages of hydroponic agriculture These types of activities and interventions
as habitat destruction, air pollution include the potential for higher yields of can and will assist urban communities to
(green gas emission), deforestation, fruits and vegetables and increased water enjoy improved health and well-being,
water pollution (due to the run-off of efficiency. This is due to the efficient use and make a positive contribution towards
chemicals and other sediments), heat of space, as hydroponic systems allow reducing the impacts of climate change.
island effect (high heat absorption due plants to grow densely in small spaces
to surrounding buildings) and loss of and rooftop gardens, compared to #BeWaterWise
agricultural land (land encroachment the land area required for traditional
that leads to the loss of fertile soil for cultivation. In addition, water used
agricultural activity). Many of these in hydroponics is re-circulated within
also contribute towards climate change the system, meaning it can be re-used FOR FURTHER
(directly or indirectly). Since 2021, multiple times before replenishment is INFORMATION ON WATER
over 828 million people in the world required; water is delivered straight to WISE, PLEASE CONTACT
US ON:
have been faced with hunger due to the plant roots, reducing water loss due 0860 10 10 60.
urbanisation. Many people in rural to evapo-transpiration.
areas, neighbouring countries and • Community gardens: These play a
poor communities have opted to move vital role in enhancing local food security.
to cities and townships to try and find By pooling resources and efforts,
better living conditions. Adopting urban community members cultivate crops
horticulture systems can serve as one together on shared land. This collective www.randwater.co.za
of the solutions to food insecurity and effort not only provides fresh produce
unemployment, while fostering the for participating families but also creates
development of sustainable, green opportunities to sell surplus crops

The Villager • Issue 5 2024 • 19