Online Reporter
Andrew Mangwarara
VISITING the Motsamai Guest Lodge in the Hillside suburb of Bulawayo was an enlightening experience.
Its name, which translates to “travellers”, is apt.
This hideout has a tranquil garden that features a beautiful swimming pool, a perfect place for guests to unwind.
This week, we are discussing urban gardening — its benefits and complexities in our fast-paced modern world.
Urban gardening is the practice of growing fruit trees, vegetables and other plants in cities. It involves utilising various spaces like rooftops, balconies, backyards, vacant lots and community spaces.
This can take many forms, including container gardening, hydroponics, aquaculture or even beekeeping and growing fruit trees.
Urban gardening offers numerous advantages:
Cost savings: It can significantly reduce grocery bills.
Environmental impact: It helps reduce air pollution and cools the city, which lowers air conditioning costs.
Community: It provides employment and green spaces, promoting a healthy lifestyle through exercise and good nutrition.
You can start an urban garden with whatever space and materials that are available to you.
If your space is limited, container gardening is an excellent option.
Containers are easier to maintain and require less water to keep plants thriving. You can also make use of vertical spaces; in this case, you create vertical gardens, which are perfect for areas with very little room.
For even smaller spaces, consider micro gardens placed on indoor or outdoor tables.
Community gardens are a concept that should be promoted in urban areas.
In this setup, groups of people can be licensed to use a vacant, open space to grow crops for the benefit of all.
These spaces can be leased for several years, with the community donating inputs and sharing the harvest.
Additionally, planting fruit trees can encourage a sense of community as the excess fruit can be shared.
Community gardens can be transformed into parks by adding benches and play areas for children.
This allows parents to work in the garden while their kids play nearby. Such setups offer immense benefits to low-income communities.
Urban gardening is most effective when people learn to make their own compost from community waste. This practice not only provides a natural fertiliser for the gardens, but also helps manage waste.
If you would like to be featured in our green-up campaign, contact us on the number provided above. Feedback: [email protected] or [email protected]
Online Reporter