Research & reports

Andrew Koval · Educational Media Reviews Online · United States (New York City)

The 27-minute documentary film "Brooklyn Farmer" (2014) covers organic urban rooftop farming as a business. The film offers perspectives on the cost of farm labor's exposure to pesticides versus the increased cost of organic vegetables, citing aesthetics, supply chain reduction, and human health as benefits of urban farming. While noted for its informative text and enhanced production value, a stated limitation is that it should have featured farmers in a more traditional vegetable production capacity to provide a diversity of opinion concerning the market.

Zhongqi Cheng, Anna Paltseva, Ireyena Li, Tatiana Morin, Hermine Huot, Sara Perl Egendorf, Zulema Su, Roxanne Yolanda, Kishan Singh, Leda Lee, Michael Grinshtein, Ying Liu, Kayo Green, Win Wai, Bushra Wazed, Richard K. Shaw · Soil Science · United States (New York City)

This study analyzed trace metal concentrations (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb) in 1,652 soil samples from 904 gardens in New York City. It found that many soils exceeded New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Soil Cleanup Objective (SCO) limits for Pb, Cr, As, and Cd. Specifically, about 21% of community garden samples and 71% of home garden samples exceeded SCO limits for Pb and As, and less than 3% of all samples met criteria for unrestricted use.

Benjamin Shepard · Palgrave Macmillan US eBooks · United States (New York City)

This paper describes a guerilla gardening action that took place in August 2012 at a vacant lot at 181 Stanton Street in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York City. Activists dismantled a fence, cleaned the lot, and planted flowers, transforming it into a community space. Within weeks, community support led to the passage of a resolution supporting a green-thumb lease for the garden, named Siempre Verde.

Karinna Vernaza · · United States

This paper describes a semester-long, community-based service learning project at Gannon University's First-Year Seminar in Engineering, utilizing the university's community garden. Projects included designing a rainwater collection system and vertical planters to engage first-year students in the engineering design process. Students' self-reported data indicated increased appreciation for engineering design and understanding of societal engineering solutions.

Luciene Rodrigues, Maria Antônia Carniello · Cadernos de Agroecologia · Brazil

This study aimed to document the use and agricultural management practices of tuberous plants by residents in urban backyards in Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil, using semi-structured interviews. Nine species were recorded, including Manihot esculenta, with carrot, sweet potato, ginger, and saffron cited for medicinal use (8.3% to 16.6%). Planting followed seasons and lunar phases, and soil fertility was corrected with organic fertilizer and sawdust.

Bill Musser · · United States (Iowa)

This is an announcement for the CBHL 2015 Annual Meeting, hosted by Seed Savers Exchange (SSE) in Decorah, Iowa, United States, on June 16–20, 2015, during SSE's 40th anniversary year. The conference theme reflected growing public interest in creating edible landscapes.

René Tijerino · · Mexico

CASA UNAM, a multidisciplinary university project from Mexico's UNAM, was installed at Ciudad Universitaria after winning an award at an international competition held the previous year in Versailles, France; among its recognitions, it won the right to be installed beside the Universum Butterfly House at the Museum of Sciences. The structure consists of three modular living units adjacent to an urban garden that includes a medicinal-plants section, to be monitored for 12 months and open to the thousands of visitors Universum receives annually. Built as a modular, lightweight, customizable construction system with photovoltaic panels for power generation and a system for efficient wastewater disposal, it is presented as a strategy for making use of unused urban spaces in high-density areas of Mexico City such as the Vicente Guerrero housing complex in Iztapalapa. The project involved a multidisciplinary team from the schools of architecture and engineering, the Institutes of Engineering and Biology, the National School of Social Work, and the faculties of Chemistry and Arts and Design, which had won first place in the Engineering and Construction category at Solar Decathlon Europe 2014.

Clare Sullivan, Thomas Hallaran, Gregory Sogorka, Kallie Weinkle · Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems · United States

This study compared crop yields, quality and labor input for subirrigated planters (SIPs), a sack-garden variant, and two conventional raised beds over one season at one location, growing cayenne pepper, cherry tomatoes and kale. Both the SIP beds and conventional beds with a soilless growing medium were more productive than conventional beds with a topsoil-and-compost mix, and tomato yield in the SIP without a root barrier exceeded both conventional beds. Most of the higher-cost beds generated a positive revenue stream in the first season, suggesting that investing in SIPs or in soil suitable for raised beds is worth the higher initial cost.

Mabel Hernández Osorio, Ana Lid del Ángel Pérez, Carlos Nahin Castro José · Revista Biológico Agropecuaria Tuxpan · Mexico

This study in Veracruz, Mexico, identified insect pests associated with urban cultivation of vegetables and aromatic species in two types of recycled containers. Daily ethological monitoring revealed five insect pests: whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum), red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae C.L.Koch), leaf miner (Liriomyza sp), thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis), and aphids (Myzus persicae). The findings aim to inform preventive actions and biological control strategies to reduce pest presence in urban container vegetable production.

Annie Christian · eCommons (Cornell University) · United States

This project tested two fencing methods—heavy woven wire with chicken wire, and heavy black plastic with hex mesh—to exclude deer and woodchucks from gardens. Master Gardener volunteers and CCE staff recorded material costs, participated in installation, and monitored effectiveness weekly. The project also provided IPM education to the public and schools through tours, workshops, and an instructional video.

Jessica Chen, Shawn DiPardo, Yuliana Hermanto, Amy Jennermann, Lyviana Mananta, Sharon Lee, Alanna Jean Schroeder · cIRcle (University of British Columbia) · Canada

This student project at the University of British Columbia focused on expanding the LFS Garden to enhance organic production, provide food, and offer interdisciplinary learning opportunities. The group reviewed literature and consulted stakeholders to devise a business proposal for the garden's development, covering aspects like management, layout, and educational integration. The project also designed a garden layout and established a garden management committee.

Rohit Kumar Singla, Jeremy Lord, Jorden Hetherington · cIRcle (University of British Columbia) · Canada

This report conducted a triple-bottom line assessment of the environmental, economic, and social feasibility of using waste heat from a microbrewery at the University of British Columbia as an energy source for a rooftop greenhouse. The investigation was based on academic research and ongoing communication with the primary stakeholder. The project was found to be economically viable, with social benefits outweighing drawbacks, and environmentally feasible.

Laura Wright, Brent Black · Digital Commons - USU (Utah State University) · United States (Utah)

This fact sheet describes how to use fruit trees and berries in your landscape in Utah to maximize space, minimize water use, and grow produce in the process.

Kit Yieng Chan, Michelle Chan, Oi Yan Chan, Thomas Y.K. Chan, Tsz Mei Chan, Sharon B. Chang, Kenrick Chau, Tarik Chelali · cIRcle (University of British Columbia) · Canada

Research at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Canada, investigated whether rooftop gardens could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and food transportation carbon emissions. While edible landscapes could potentially assist with climate goals, they require careful selection of crops, buildings, and resources. Preliminary calculations indicated that rooftop and community gardens would do very little to reduce the UBC campus's dependency on imported food.

M. Ubarevicius · · United States (New York City)

An architectural project for urban agriculture was developed on the East River waterfront in Manhattan, New York City. Advanced simulation techniques and computational methods were used to optimize building organization and shape for efficient natural resource use, including greenhouses generating energy from river water and a building shape optimized for wind concentration. The building also integrates food production with storage, processing, distribution, education, preparation, and service functions.

Laura Chan, Jeff Friedrich, Katie Garthwaite, Sundeep Khakh, Sarah Morrison, Meredith Seeton · cIRcle (University of British Columbia) · Canada

This student project developed a strategy to enhance food sustainability within the residences of UBC's proposed University Boulevard Neighbourhood, specifically through rooftop gardens integrated with residential commons space. The strategy was based on an analysis of UBC's development plans, eco-villages, and permaculture design concepts. Recommendations included that UBC Campus and Community Planning develop standards and a framework for implementation, and that future student projects work with stakeholders to develop an action plan and indicators for food sustainable planning.

Susan J. Algert, Aziz Baameur · The FASEB Journal · United States (San Jose, California)

A study in community gardens in San Jose, California, from Spring to Summer 2012, evaluated a method for quantifying crop yields and cost savings. Eighty-three community gardeners completed a background survey, and a representative subset of 10 gardeners measured produce output from their plots over a four-month growing season. Results indicated that community gardens produced 0.75 lbs of vegetables per square foot, exceeding conventional agricultural practices at 0.60 lbs/sq ft. Gardens averaged 2.55 lbs per plant and resulted in $435 in cost savings per plot for the season.

Mike Fillon · JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute · United States (Birmingham)

A feasibility study for "Harvest for Health," an at-home gardening intervention, was conducted in 2011 with 12 adult and child cancer survivors in Jefferson County, Alabama. This year-long pilot study measured how cancer survivors responded to the intervention, specifically its effects on their diet and exercise behaviors, health-related quality of life, biomarkers of successful aging, intestinal health, and physical functioning. Participants, supported by master gardeners, planned and planted three gardens for fall, spring, and summer, engaging in harvesting and rotation.

David R. Koenig · BIOS · United States (Sacramento)

This research project, conducted at the University of California, Davis, aims to understand how elevated soil lead levels may affect urban gardening activities in Sacramento, CA. The study investigates the distribution of soil lead levels in the city and how knowledge of this information impacts the local community. Elevated soil lead levels are identified as a potential barrier to urban gardening.

Benjamin Shepard · Theory in Action · United States (New York City)

A case study of Time's Up!, a New York City environmental group examined over its 25-year history from 1987 to 2012. Rooted in New York's squatter movement, the group built a DIY approach to environmental activism advocating nonpolluting transportation and sustainable urban living, supporting community gardens and group bike rides, and reclaiming public space through direct action as its guiding principle, linking social networks to community-building outside institutional channels.

Gail Hansen · EDIS · United States

This 4-page fact sheet presented details to ensure the success of edible ornamental landscape design. Gardens with plants that change considerably with seasons rely more on an organized yet interesting layout, appealing support structures, functional pathways, and colorful containers and planters to provide interest and beauty when plants are not taking center stage. Twelve important ideas to consider when creating a successful edible ornamental garden are outlined.

Austen Moore, Amy Harder, Norma Samuel · EDIS · United States

This 7-page fact sheet provides a guide for individuals or groups interested in starting urban community gardens. Community gardens are used to grow vegetables and flowers, produce food for local consumption or sale, and teach gardening and other skills. The guide includes information on how to identify garden sites, build partnerships, engage community members, and develop a project overview.

Leslie Gray, Patricia Guzmán, K. Michelle Glowa, Ann Drevno · Local Environment · United States (California)

This article examines La Mesa Verde, a home-gardening program in San Jose, California, to assess if home gardens offer similar financial, health, and community benefits as community gardens. The research explores the potential of home gardens to foster broader social change, cultural preservation, and self-determination, especially for recent immigrants.

Shelly Errington · Gastronomica The Journal of Food and Culture · United States (California)

This research article is by Shelly Errington, focusing on visible and audible aspects of culture. The author is in the Department of Anthropology at the University of California at Santa Cruz and uses her kitchen garden and edible landscape to imagine being part of the farm-to-table crowd.

Marlene Wurfel · Earth Common Journal · Canada (Edmonton)

This article presents a case study of the Parkallen Community Garden in Edmonton, Canada, which began its first growing season in Spring 2012. The garden transformed an unused strip of lawn into a communal "edible food forest" and won the City of Edmonton's top community gardening award in its first year. The study details how the permaculture design was implemented and interpreted within the gardening community.