======================================================================
= Foodscaping =
======================================================================
Introduction
======================================================================
Foodscaping is a modern term for integrating edible plants into
ornamental landscapes. It is also referred to as edible landscaping
and has been described as a crossbreed between landscaping and
farming. As an ideology, foodscaping aims to show that edible plants
are not only consumable but can also be appreciated for their
aesthetic qualities. Foodscaping spaces are seen as multi-functional
landscapes that are visually attractive and also provide edible
returns. Foodscaping is a method of providing fresh food affordably
and sustainably.
Differing from conventional vegetable gardening, where fruits and
vegetables are typically grown in separate, enclosed areas,
foodscaping incorporates edible plants as a major element of a
pre-existing landscaping space. This may involve adding edible
plantations to an existing ornamental garden or replacing traditional,
non-edible plants with food-yielding species. The designs can
incorporate various kinds of vegetables, fruit trees, berry bushes,
edible flowers, herbs, and purely ornamental species. The design
strategy of foodscaping has many benefits, including increasing food
security, improving the growth of nutritious food, and promoting
sustainable living. Edible landscaping practices may be implemented on
both public and private premises. Foodscaping can be practiced by
individuals, community groups, businesses, or educational
institutions. There is a lot of misconceptions about what constitutes
Foodscaping and it is often confused or equated with urban
agriculture. However they are not to be confused as they have
different purposes Urban Agriculture can happen anywhere parking lots,
rooftops, and inside buildings. “Yet the purpose of Foodscaping is to
grow edible plants in urban landscapes that are designed to be
aesthetic and functional for the purpose of the community that is
typically in parks, roadsides, or community gardens.” alt=
Foodscaping is believed to have gained popularity in the 21st century
for several reasons. Some accounts claim that the rise of foodscaping
is due to the volatility of global food prices and the 2008 financial
crisis. However, other accounts suggest that the spike in foodscaping
popularity is linked to urbanization and increasing concerns for
environmental sustainability.
Historical precedents of foodscaping
======================================
Edible landscaping techniques practiced in different historical
cultures and periods can be seen as ancestors of foodscaping. In
Ancient Rome, Roman villa gardens were often both productive and
ornamental, though agricultural production was the primary purpose of
earlier villa gardens. Archaeological research suggests that these
Roman gardens took on various forms such as large vineyard landscapes
or small herb gardens. Kitchen gardens, vineyards, and orchard played
an important role in the lives of ancient Romans, whose diets were
largely based on fruit and vegetables.
In Mesoamerican culture, elaborate gardens and horticultural gardens
were a pleasure of Aztec elites. Flowering, fragrant and medicinal
plants were believed to be "perquisites of the lords". According to
historical letters written by Aztec nobles, impressive gardens often
included bright flower beds, fruit trees, herbs, and sweet-smelling
flowers. Groves, orchards, and water gardens were sometimes
incorporated into the designs of the more elaborate gardens.
Another ancient precedent to foodscaping can be found in Mesopotamia.
Babylonians and Assyrians created gardens throughout cities and in
palace courtyards that were a representation of Paradise. These
featured fragrant trees and edible fruits. Archaeological evidence
suggests that, in roughly 1000 BCE, Assyrian Kings developed a
naturalistic landscape style in which streams of water ran through
gardens that grew plants such as junipers, almonds, dates, rosewood,
quince, fir pomegranate, and oak.
During the Renaissance era, villa and chateau gardens in Europe often
yielded fruit and vegetables to sell locally. The profits were used to
support the villa's or chateau's maintenance costs. Some of the common
kinds of plants integrated into the elaborate Renaissance garden
designs included figs, pears, apples, strawberries, cabbage, leeks,
onions, and peas.
It is believed that village workers created English cottage gardens
during Elizabethan times as a personal source of vegetables. Flowers
were also planted within these gardens for ornamental purposes.
Urban growth
==============
As a result of rapid urbanization seen in recent decades, methods of
food production have undergone significant change. According to the
United Nations, the Earth's urban population has "grown rapidly from
746 million in 1950 to 3.9 billion in 2014". These accelerated trends
in urbanization and population density during the late 20th and 21st
century have placed stress on the availability of agricultural land
and contributed to growing food insecurity. As a result, there has
been an increased desire to re-introduce food growth into urban
environments. The ongoing rise in the human population, as well as
international goals to reduce hunger and malnutrition, have further
escalated the demand for food nutrients.
It is believed that these factors have increased the number of people
adopting foodscaping strategies.
Food security
===============
Foodscaping is widely accepted to increase food security,
availability, and accessibility. The instability of supermarket prices
can affect food availability. As "self-sufficient food systems",
edible landscapes can help decrease a household's dependence on
imported food. Foodscaping provides these households with access to a
sustainable food source, even when faced with unpredictable
circumstances such as the inability to procure food from commercial
stores or periods of low financial income.
Depending on the premise's size and scale, significant financial costs
can be involved in the initial design and creation of edible
landscaping. However, it is still generally accepted that foodscaping
can help to lower food costs once the products of the edible plants
have been harvested.
In increasing the quantity of locally grown and consumed produce,
foodscaping also promotes local food sustainability. It is also
believed that foodscaping can help to address the demand for food
within the context of global issues such as overpopulation, an
unpredictable climate and waning energy resources.
Energy and waste management
=============================
Large-scale agricultural premises typically require large amounts of
energy, such as the use of diesel, propane, and electricity to carry
out farming operations. The practice of edible landscaping often uses
less energy and produces less waste than traditional methods of food
production. This is because the food products cultivated from edible
landscaping usually involve little processing, packaging or
refrigeration.
Foodscaping can also help reduce food miles by decreasing the need for
long-distance transportation of food. "A grocery store has on average
1,500 miles per product", says horticulturalists and foodscaping
advocate Brie Arthur. These ships and trucks emissions leave a harmful
carbon footprint, which could be reduced through the practice of
growing edible plants at home instead of buying fresh produce.
Foodscaping can further allow participants to help reduce the use of
fossil fuel-based pesticides and fertilizers which negatively impact
the environment.
Health and nutrition
======================
A common motivation behind foodscaping is the desire to grow, cook,
and consume foods of high nutritious content. In a 2014 research
survey conducted by the Australian Institute, 71% of surveyed
foodscaping households in Australia were incorporating edibles into
their gardens for access to fresh, healthier produce. It is generally
accepted that homegrown fruits and vegetables are fresher and more
nutritious than supermarket produce, which is sometimes sold multiple
days or even weeks after harvesting.
In recent years, increasing concern has been expressed towards the
health effects of the chemical additives and preservatives in
commercially grown fruit and vegetables. Foodscaping has been
considered a way to reduce exposure to chemically modified produce.
Edible landscaping allows participants to increase fresh food
production in urban areas. In these areas, the most accessible kinds
of food are typically processed kinds, which can lead to greater
dietary intakes of sugar, sodium, and fat. Many academic studies have
inferred strong links between urban gardening and healthy lifestyle
choices. The gardening practices involved in foodscaping are believed
to increase participants' fruit and vegetable consumption and the
value of preparing nutritious meals.
Research has also demonstrated that creating green spaces (created via
methods such as foodscaping) can increase an individual's overall
mental health in addition to physiological health benefits. This is
achieved through its positive impact on socioeconomic factors such as
community attachment, reduced crime, and socialization.
Input
=======
Depending on the scale of the edible landscape, foodscaping may
require extra time and manual labour to maintain, unlike a regular
garden or landscape. This is as the aim of foodscaping is to yield
edible returns while also remaining aesthetically pleasing, which may
involve added watering, fertilization, pest control and pruning. A
lack of time and unsuitable conditions such as climate and
insufficient shade can be significant deterrents for people wishing to
create edible landscapes. However, maintenance requirements can be
reduced by choosing plant species that are suited to the geographic
location, climate, and conditions of the area to be foodscaped.
Harvesting
============
During certain times of the year, monitoring the ripeness of food
production is a requirement for successful foodcaping. If fruits are
not harvested at the correct time, they may rot and become visually
unappealing within an edible landscape. This may also attract
undesired pests or vermin.
Plants
======================================================================
Plants in foodscaping designs are typically chosen for their aesthetic
and edible appeal. Many vegetables can add colour to foodscaping
spaces. Swiss chard, cabbage, and lettuce species come in many
colourful varieties, making them a popular choice for foodscaping.
Edible flowers, such as carnations, marigolds, cornflowers and pansies
can also be used to add decoration and brightness to an edible
landscape.
Garden writer Charlie Nardozzi suggests that lemon, apple, plum, and
cherry trees can serve as edible alternatives for ornamental trees. He
also proposes that blueberry, elderberry and gooseberry plants can
substitute popular decorative shrubs such as roses, hydrangeas and
privet hedges. Alpine strawberries and chives have also been suggested
as suitable replacements for non-edible flowering plants.
Edible landscapes generally consist of a combination of annual and
perennial plants. When planning an edible landscape, it is important
to know that certain plants require particular environmental
conditions. One should also consider the seasonality of the edible
plants being used, meaning the time of the year during which a certain
species will grow best. Cool season crops require lower temperatures
for growth and seed germination, whilst warm season crops are plants
that thrive in higher soil and air temperatures. In hot climates, the
ideal plants for foodscaping are those that require little water, such
as beans, spinach and broccoli. Whilst certain fruit trees, berries
and rhubarb are suitable for cooler climates, root vegetables,
cabbages and peas are examples of plants that cope well in extremely
cold conditions.
Examples of plants used in foodscaping
!Plant Family !Examples
|Amaranthaceae |Chard • spinach • quinoa • beetroot • glasswort
|Apiaceae |Carrots • celery • cilantro/coriander • cumin • fennel •
parsley • parsnips • anise • chervil • dill • anise • parsnip •
caraway
|Asteraceae |Artichokes • chamomile • cardoons • tarragon • lettuce •
endive • dandelions • chicory • calendula • golden rod • chrysanthemum
• cornflower • echinacea • elecampane • feverfew • mouse ears •
mugwort • stevia • pansy • bellis perennis • blessed thistle •
groundsel
|Brassicaceae |Broccoli • kale • cabbage • cauliflower • Brussels
sprouts • mustard • collard
|Ericaceae |Blueberries • huckleberries • rhododendron • Azaleas
|Lamiaceae |Sage • rosemary • thyme • oregano • basil • catnip •
lavender • marjoram • white horehound • peppermint • spearmint
|Liliaceae |Garlic • asparagus • chives • shallots • onions • leeks •
Tulips • fritillaria • lilies
|Rosaceae |Strawberries • cherries • raspberries • blackberries •
pears • apple • plums • peaches • apricots • quinces • almond
|Solanaceae |Tomatoes • tomatillos • capsicum/bell peppers • potatoes
• eggplant • chili peppers
File:Beetroot Bettolo Capel Manor Enfield London
England.jpg|alt=Beetroot (beta vulgaris)|Beetroot ('Beta vulgaris')
File:Cabbage plant.jpg|alt=Cabbage (brassica oleracea var.
capitata)|Cabbage ('Brassica oleracea var. capitata')
File:Tomatoes on the Vine (Unsplash).jpg|alt=Tomato vine (solanum
lycopersicum)|Tomato vine ('Solanum lycopersicum')
File:Capsicum annuum var. Fiesta - MHNT.jpg|alt=Chili peppers
(capsicum annuum)|Chili peppers ('Capsicum annuum')
File:Salvia rosmarinus (10-04-2020), vue en gros
plan.jpg|alt=Flowering rosemary (salvia rosmarinus)|Flowering rosemary
('Salvia rosmarinus')
File:Plums.jpg|alt=Plum (prunus domestica)|Plum ('Prunus domestica')
File:Single raspberry on bush.jpg|alt=Raspberry (rubus
idaeus)|Raspberry ('Rubus idaeus')
File:Calendula flower orange-yellow.jpg|alt=Calendula flower
(calendula officinalis)|Calendula flower ('Calendula officinalis')
File:Tagetes-Marigold-Flower 04.jpg|alt=Marigold flower (tagetes
erecta)|Marigold flower ('Tagetes erecta')
File:Chamomile@original size.jpg|alt=Camomile flower (matricaria
chamomilla)|Camomile flower ('Matricaria chamomilla')
File:Cornflower.jpg|Cornflower ('Centaurea cyanus')
File:Viola tricolor pansy flower close up.jpg|alt=Pansy flower (viola
tricolor var. hortensis)|Pansy flower ('Viola tricolor var.
hortensis')
People
========
Landscape designer and author Rosalind Creasy has frequently been
named the "pioneer of edible landscapes" in gardening-related media
and publications. Since the 1970s, she has written over twenty books
on edible landscaping. One of her most influential works in
foodscaping is her book 'The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping',
published in 1982.
Brie Arthur is an American professional horticulturalist who has been
noted as a public advocate for the practice of suburban foodscaping.
In order to challenge the idea that ornamental landscapes can't
involve edible plants, she has spoken publicly at schools, worked with
television programs, and been involved in various horticulture-related
associations. Her debut book titled 'The Foodscape Revolution, Finding
a Better Way to Make Space for Food and Beauty in Your Garden' was
published in 2017.
Public projects
=================
Based in Iowa, Backyard Abundance is a non-profit organization founded
in 2006 that aims to educate more people about edible landscaping.
They encourage community residents to take part in creating
transformative landscapes that can help to reduce human impact on the
environment.
Founded in Kansas, 2006, Edible Estates is a foodscaping initiative
that works with local art institutions and community garden groups in
different cities worldwide to create productive edible landscape
designs.
Edible Landscapes London is a non-profit organization that creates
productive forest gardening spaces that integrate fruiting trees and
herbs. They created the first-ever accredited course that trains
people in forest gardening practices. According to Lindsay Oberst in
an article on Food Revolution Network, Edible Estates "strives to
inspire others to look at underused or misappropriated green spaces in
a new light, highlighting new contexts for food production and
connections to the natural environment".
NYU's Urban Farm Lab is a collaborative urban agriculture project
promoting the integration of edible crops into urban environments.
They have implemented foodscaping techniques in many spots around the
university's campus.
The Eden Project is a sustainability project in Cornwall, England,
which attracts over a million yearly visitors. The 15-hectare site
features large domes and a food garden, with edible produce
incorporated into the landscaping design.
The Food Forest is a property in Adelaide, Australia, which grows 160
varieties of organic fruit, nuts, wheat, and vegetables on 15 hectares
of land. The owners educate visitors on how ordinary families can grow
their food at home by creating productive foodscapes.
The Netherlands' first "roof field" was created on top of a large
office building near Rotterdam's central station in 2012 by Binder
Groenprojecten. The 1000m2 "roof field" is used to grow vegetables,
fruits, and Herbs, and also houses honeybees.
Wayward is a landscaping, art and architecture firm based in London
that combines creative food growing with contemporary art and
architecture installations.
Potential Limitations
======================================================================
Although Foodscaping has the potential to reduce Carbon dioxide
emissions, promote food security, and reduce food miles there are also
limitations to Foodscaping. There are many questions about the
biosafety of Foodscaping especially since public urban greenery is
used for recreational purposes by communities due to lack of nature
oriented places. There are biosafety concerns since they are in public
spaces where humans and animals are frequently there there, it can
lead to an incorporation of a hazardous components into the landscape.
Due to their position in public spaces there is a prohibition of
pesticides and fertilizers for the public plants as they might be
harmful to visitors. It can also affect the plants in the garden if
they are exposed as they might cause harm to visitors.
License
=========
All content on Gopherpedia comes from Wikipedia, and is licensed under CC-BY-SA
License URL:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
Original Article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foodscaping
