Keep calm and garden on

Published in Nature Cities, several researchers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland and France compared the carbon footprint of large conventional fruit and vegetable farms with urban agriculture producers. I was immediately skeptical because the term “urban agriculture” is so broad as to be almost meaningless. The study indicates that researchers define urban agriculture as home gardeners, community gardeners and commercial fruit and vegetable producers who produce within city limits.

Why are we comparing apples and oranges? Why is it necessary to compare commercial horticulture with backyard gardening or with community gardens? It’s no surprise that home gardeners and community gardeners produce less efficiently than their commercial counterparts.

Professional fruit and vegetable farmers have the benefit of training, economies of scale and business longevity. Also, a big difference arises in the methods of growth. Home and community gardeners often grow vegetables in raised garden beds to prevent back pain from bending over. Raised bed infrastructure has been considered more carbon intensive than growing fruit and vegetables in the ground.

A fairer comparison is achieved by comparing professional fruit and vegetable growers growing in rural areas versus within city limits. The study in question showed that the two groups on average produced similar amounts of carbon.

Without a doubt, researchers have tried to argue that home and community gardeners can be more sustainable. Don’t argue this. However, we must recognize the value of the social, psychological and health benefits of home and community gardening.

Many of the Extension Master Gardeners I have trained are involved in community gardening efforts in the region. They teach the art and science of gardening to new gardeners, work side by side and share the wealth. I could argue that the sense of community that is produced more than offsets the carbon inputs of raised garden beds and garden houses.

Children are more likely to try fruits and vegetables when they grow up. For years, my daughter hated tomatoes. One day she worked up the courage to try an heirloom tomato and was deceived!

While I agree that we should be aware of our gardening inputs, the results are just as important – namely appetizing vegetables, improved diets, physical exercise, social connection and the satisfaction of eating itself.

The above study is getting a lot of publicity, but its comparisons are irrelevant. Keep calm and carry on.