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Prepared by: Brandon Barth, Fall 2023
In recent years, many researchers have been focusing on the benefits of edible landscapes throughout the world.
In recent years, many researchers have been focusing on the benefits of edible landscapes throughout the world.
Edible landscaping offers an intimate interaction with nature, and social engagement with other members of the community. It has been linked to a number of different physical, mental, and social benefits for those who are participating.
Edible landscaping offers an intimate interaction with nature, and social engagement with other members of the community. It has been linked to a number of different physical, mental, and social benefits for those who are participating.
Edible landscaping can be used to transform gardens from conventional landscaping beds into elegant gardens filled with unique vegetation which can be harvested and utilized for healthier diets. This is especially helpful in areas experiencing the affects of food insecurity.
Image Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edible_garden_at_Pixie_Hollow.jpg
Image Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edible_garden_at_Pixie_Hollow.jpg
Urban Beautification
Urban Beautification
Aside from the many agricultural benefits, urban edible landscaping can also help beautify the surrounding landscape, making it a more peaceful and enjoyable area. Increasing vegetation throughout urban, and rural, areas can increase the overall biodiversity of plants, animals, and insects leading to healthier air and water, while naturally reducing carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions. Edible landscaping is not just about cultivating crops, rather it is intended to utilize edible crops in association with natives and pollinator species to form a more cohesive landscape with more significance and substance. A recent study, conducted by ANS Global, found that urban greening can also reduce the overall heat island effect, resulting in a temperature reduction of more than 6 degrees and contribute to a 30% decrease in overall energy usage. Through edible landscapes, communities can become more agriculturally independent, while also increasing the aesthetics and overall health of the surrounding area.
ANS Global. (2023, April 14). The importance of urban greening: Outdoor living walls. https://www.ansgroupglobal.com/blog/importance-urban-greening
Benefits of urban vegetation. Benefits of Urban Vegetation | Cool California. (n.d.). https://coolcalifornia.arb.ca.gov/benefits-of-urban-vegetation
Food insecurity is a major issue plaguing a large portion of the population across the US. Edible landscaping can be used to combat this issue, as the landscapes will offer the opportunity to grow and harvest their own fruits and vegetables to supplement their diets.
Image Source: https://eurolatinstudies.com/laces/announcement/view/132
Image Source: https://eurolatinstudies.com/laces/announcement/view/132
Increased Food Security
Increased Food Security
One of the most prevalent issues affecting many people around the world is the problem of food insecurity. According to a recent USDA report (Oliveira, 2015), more than 39 million people across the United States were enduring hardships related to low income and low access to food. A major solution to this growing issue is edible landscaping, which can assist in bringing healthy, fresh, organic, and affordable food to everyone’s home.
Gardening can also help empower people to take control of their diets, and their health, leading to healthier and more connected communities of people. A report published by California Agriculture (2016), shows that over 42 million homes nationally are participating in gardening, showing an increase of 17% since 2008. The study also showed that there was a major increase in the amount of younger families gardening, with an increase of 63%. The majority of these households are also consuming their cultivated crops, leading to healthier diets and individuals. This can help foster community connections between the leaders and general population, while teaching residents how to start growing their own produce, reducing the overall effects of food insecurity.
Oliveira, V. (n.d.). The Food Assistance Landscape: FY 2015 annual report. USDA ERS. https://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/pub-details/?pubid=44062
Algert, S., Diekmann, L., Renvall, M., & Gray, L. (2016, June 9). Community and home gardens increase vegetable intake and food security of residents in San Jose, California . California Agriculture. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8m63670p
Edible landscaping, and the cultivation work that it requires, can greatly benefit the health of individuals involved. Along with the physical benefits of fresh organic produce, patrons will also experience a stronger connection to the community and many mental benefits.
Image Source: https://www.pxfuel.com/en/free-photo-qbvih
Image Source: https://www.pxfuel.com/en/free-photo-qbvih
Social and Mental Health Benefits
Social and Mental Health Benefits
Landscaping, in general, has been proven to have beneficial effects on both the physical and mental health of visitors and patrons. A study conducted by Charles Hall, a professor in the College of Agriculture at Texas A&M University, found that plant-related hobbies, such as gardening, have the potential to provide the users with a much more positive outlook on life. These studies found that being surrounded by vegetated green areas, or even just peering through a window at one of these areas can reduce stress and anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, mitigate symptoms of PTSD and dementia, and lead to increased level of creativity and productivity.
Gardening can also offer a sense of satisfaction and pleasure to those who get to cultivate a crop and watch it grow into fruition. Doing this as a community, will help foster relationships between everyone, leading to a more interconnected community.
Sources:
Sources:
Victoria, E. (2021, February 4). How edible gardening can benefit your mental health. Food from Home. https://foodfromhome.org/2021/02/05/feel-good-gardening-how-edible-gardening-can-benefit-your-mental-health/
Zheng, Z.-W., & Chou, R.-J. (2023, June 16). Promoting the development of edible landscapes in suburban areas with place branding-A case study in Taiwan. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/6/1237
Schattenberg, P. (2022, May 16). The positive effects of gardening on Mental Health. Texas A&M Today. https://today.tamu.edu/2022/05/18/the-positive-effects-of-gardening-on-mental-health/
McCauley, D. (2023, February 21). Urban agriculture combats food insecurity, builds community. Eos. https://eos.org/articles/urban-agriculture-combats-food-insecurity-builds-community
Beck, L. P. (n.d.). Growing food security: The benefits of Urban Gardening: Natural Awakenings Magazine. Natural Awakenings. https://www.naturalawakenings.com/2021/06/30/359568/growing-food-security-the-benefits-of-urban-gardening
Papanek, A., Campbell, C. G., & Wooten, H. (n.d.). SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS AND LIMITATIONS OF URBAN AGRICULTURE. FCS3378/FY1517: Social and community benefits and limitations of urban agriculture. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FY1517
Celik, F. (n.d.). The importance of edible landscape in the cities. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316429675_The_Importance_of_Edible_Landscape_in_the_Cities
Oliveira, V. (n.d.). The Food Assistance Landscape: FY 2015 annual report. USDA ERS. https://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/pub-details/?pubid=44062
Algert, S., Diekmann, L., Renvall, M., & Gray, L. (2016, June 9). Community and home gardens increase vegetable intake and food security of residents in San Jose, California . California Agriculture. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8m63670p
Benefits of urban vegetation. Benefits of Urban Vegetation | Cool California. (n.d.). https://coolcalifornia.arb.ca.gov/benefits-of-urban-vegetation
ANS Global. (2023, April 14). The importance of urban greening: Outdoor living walls. https://www.ansgroupglobal.com/blog/importance-urban-greening
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