Page 10 I N CITIES ACROSS AMERICA and the UK there are an increasing number of covert activists intent on leaving their mark on society. They are the urban warrior gardeners, a growing group of individuals whose mission is the ‘greening’ of our cities, turning pockets of derelict or untended land into oases for wildlife and creating visual respite from some of our dusty, rubbish strewn, concrete wasteland. The current energy crisis has had scientists and politicians clamouring for land on which to grow bio-fuels. The knock-on effect of this has been less food production leading to an increase in the cost of corn, wheat and other staple foods. Genetically modified crops are also being hailed, by some, as the answer to all problems in spite of insufficient long-term proof that they won’t upset the balance of nature and harm the environment. As the cost of fuel increases, so does the cost of transporting food to the supermarkets and shops and, with less wheat, corn and essential grains available, prices continue to spiral upwards. As a result, more and more people are looking at their gardens, courtyards and even balconies with new eyes. Demand for allotments is at an all time high in England and, in the last year alone, major seed companies Marshalls and Suttons state that sales of vegetable seeds have exceeded those of flowers, with Suttons now selling 70% vegetables to 30% flowers. Suttons emphasises the health, wealth and happiness benefits of ‘growing your own’ with a speedy seed range of vegetables that can be grown quickly and in very small spaces which are ready to eat in 1–3 weeks. They also sell a range of baby vegetables that are ready to eat in 6 –12 weeks and, for novices and busy people, there are seed mats for growing herbs, tomatoes, peppers and chillies that can be started indoors on the windowsill. There are over 3,000,000 gardens in Greater London and the London Wildlife Trust is running a campaign to highlight the importance of the capital’s gardens to wildlife and people. Not only do urban gardens provide vital habitat for wildlife and a corridor along which species can move freely, but they also provide shade, absorb carbon, soak up flood water and, by retaining water, help to cool the city, thus reducing the impact of climate change. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, believes that the gardens make life more pleasant for millions of people, and has pledged to “protect our gardens from being eaten up by developers”. Add into the equation the current concerns over global warming and its many effects and we have more to concern us. Scientists predict that temperatures will increase by an average of 3-4% in summer with rainfall reducing by 20-40%. This is the equivalent of Britain moving south by 600 miles. Warmer temperatures will affect the types of plants that will thrive in these conditions so we are likely to be growing more Mediterranean style fruit and vegetables in the future. “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford”. Samuel Johnson 1777 Team members of the Thai Floating Market by the Long Waters of Hampton Court Palace during the 2008 Flower Show. HEALING TODAY November 2008 HT No. 114 14/11/2008 10:43 Page 10
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INCITIES ACROSSAMERICA and theUK there are an increasing numberof covert activists intent on leaving
their mark on society. They are theurban warrior gardeners, a growinggroup of individuals whose mission isthe ‘greening’ of our cities, turningpockets of derelict or untended landinto oases for wildlife and creatingvisual respite from some of our dusty,rubbish strewn, concrete wasteland.The current energy crisis has hadscientists and politicians clamouring forland on which to grow bio-fuels. Theknock-on effect of this has been lessfood production leading to an increasein the cost of corn, wheat and otherstaple foods. Genetically modifiedcrops are also being hailed, by some, asthe answer to all problems in spite ofinsufficient long-term proof that theywon’t upset the balance of nature andharm the environment. As the cost offuel increases, so does the cost oftransporting food to the supermarketsand shops and, with less wheat, cornand essential grains available, prices
continue to spiral upwards. As a result,more and more people are looking attheir gardens, courtyards and evenbalconies with new eyes.Demand for allotments is at an alltime high in England and, in the lastyear alone, major seed companiesMarshalls and Suttons state that sales ofvegetable seeds have exceeded those offlowers, with Suttons now selling 70%vegetables to 30% flowers. Suttonsemphasises the health, wealth andhappiness benefits of ‘growing yourown’ with a speedy seed range ofvegetables that can be grown quicklyand in very small spaces which areready to eat in 1–3 weeks. They also sella range of baby vegetables that areready to eat in 6 –12 weeks and, fornovices and busy people, there are seedmats for growing herbs, tomatoes,peppers and chillies that can be startedindoors on the windowsill.There are over 3,000,000 gardens inGreater London and the LondonWildlife Trust is running a campaign tohighlight the importance of the capital’s
gardens to wildlife and people. Not onlydo urban gardens provide vital habitatfor wildlife and a corridor along whichspecies can move freely, but they alsoprovide shade, absorb carbon, soak upflood water and, by retaining water,help to cool the city, thus reducing theimpact of climate change. The Mayor ofLondon, Boris Johnson, believes thatthe gardens make life more pleasantfor millions of people, and has pledgedto “protect our gardens from beingeaten up by developers”.Add into the equation the currentconcerns over global warming and itsmany effects and we have more toconcern us. Scientists predict thattemperatures will increase by anaverage of 3-4% in summer withrainfall reducing by 20-40%. This is theequivalent of Britain moving south by600 miles. Warmer temperatures willaffect the types of plants that willthrive in these conditions so we arelikely to be growing moreMediterranean style fruit andvegetables in the future.
“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life;for there is in London all that life can afford”. Samuel Johnson 1777
Team members of the Thai Floating Market by the Long Waters of Hampton Court Palace during the 2008 Flower Show.
HEALING TODAY November 2008
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At the 2008 RHS Hampton CourtPalace Flower Show, many of thedisplay stands and gardens reflectedthe perceived need to prepare forclimate change and its effects and thetrend among gardeners to grow morefruit and vegetables. Many of the mostvibrant and colourful gardenscombined edible plants with flowers togreat effect, including the overallwinner of the show, The DorsetCereals Edible Playground. The purpose of this enchanting andeducational garden was to encourageschools to develop a small kitchengarden, thereby providing children withthe means to learn how to growdifferent crops and enjoy the fruits oftheir labour! Wheat, barley and oatswere part of the planting scheme so thatchildren could make the connectionbetween the bread and cereals they eatand the crops themselves. Judging bythe response from the many schoolchildren ‘experiencing’ the garden itcertainly stimulated great interest. Asee-through compost heap caught theimagination of some, while others werefascinated by the use of eggshells ascontainers to sprout edible seeds likealfalfa and mung beans. Another garden that caught the eyewas the ‘Send A Cow’ garden for its useof space and raw materials. It offered a
practical approach to gardening in afuture where global food shortages andenvironmental challenges are likely. Itsdesigner, John Marshall, has created agarden that provides a sustainablesource of food, fodder and fuel for theunpredictable weather conditions likelyin the future. The keyhole garden isbased around a compost basket thatcontinually feeds the garden as it grows,using kitchen waste. At approximately1m high with a radius of 1.5m there isplenty of space to grow a great selectionof vegetables.The ‘bags for life’ are multi-storeyvegetable gardens in a sack and are idealfor small and/or arid spaces. Jute sacks,with a central column of stones fordrainage and aeration, provide acolumnar garden. Holes can be cut atvarious levels of the bag (think
strawberry pots) for smaller plants,while those requiring deep roots aregrown from the top of the sack. Even ifyou have a paved courtyard garden it’spossible to grow plenty of fresh producein these jute bags.In contrast, the ‘Living on the Ceiling’roof top style garden provides a flexibleoutdoor living space for the growingnumber of city dwellers desiring a greenspace of their own. Carefully designedto reduce the weight on a roof, theplanters offer privacy as well as a safebarrier. Noise from traffic on the streetsbelow is reduced by the sound of watercascading from wall- mounted plantersthat also provide a cooling effect to thegarden. Lightweight furniture for diningand relaxation can be stowed awaywhen not in use.Gardens aren’t only havens forrelaxation or spaces to grow flowersfruit and vegetables, but can also besanctuaries for those suffering fromstress or depression. ‘Breathing Space …Thinking Place’ was the title of theimpressive garden designed for theSamaritans. The UK’s only 24/7emotional support service, their aim isto promote better emotional health inthe community. One of the designers,Catherine Kenny explained how thegarden was created to encapsulate theSamaritan experience. “The frontsection represents busy lives, stress andthe sort of things that might lead
Close-up of a keyhole garden at the Send a Cow site, showing access to the central compost area which, when watered,feeds the entire garden.
A section of the Dorset Cereals Edible Playground, overall winner of the 2008 Hampton Court Flower Show.
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HEALING TODAY November 2008
someone to feel they need to ring theSamaritans. The next section,delineated by a curved steel archwaywith two beautiful facing seats overreflective pools, representscommunication, unloading andspeaking your mind. Then, after thecommunication, you go through to thethird section, a wilder, softer freer arearepresenting a place of quiet reflectionwhere you can think through theprocess.”Another charity, Thrive, whose aim is
to research, educate and promote theuse and advantages of gardening forthose with a disability, made its debut atthe Flower Show. According to a recentsurvey, commissioned by Thrive, threeout of four people believe thatgardening has benefited their health,while one in five claim that it has helpedthem through a time of mental orphysical ill health. Thrive helps peopleof every age and ability to achieve,through gardening, better physicalhealth, a sense of purpose andachievement, the opportunity toconnect with others and a chance togain new skills.
With the emphasis on growing edibleplants, the show included a GrowingTastes Marquee, highlighting the best inseasonal produce from amateurgrowers, with a stunning display ofedible produce. The National Farmers’Union staged an impressive andcolourful display composed of British-grown flowers, fruits and vegetables,while an equally delightful display,celebrating the Year of Food & Farmingwas designed to fire young children’simaginations as to the source of thefruit and vegetables they eat.
The Growing Tastes Kitchen Gardenhigh-lighted three fruit and vegetablegardens inspired by Asian,Mediterranean and traditional Britishcuisine. The Mediterranean garden,enhanced by fig, olive and peach trees,displayed a colourful array ofartichokes, aubergines, fennel, radicchioand romaine lettuces, while the Asiangarden featured herbs and suchvegetables as Chinese celery andJapanese turnips under a canopy ofloquat and persimmon trees. Manyfamiliar varieties of vegetables,including swede, beetroot, leek andpotato were on display in the Britishgarden, intermingled with vibrantperlargoniums, marigolds andnasturtiums. The aim of the UK’s leading gardeningcharity, the Royal Horticultural Society(RHS), is to encourage everyone,whatever their age, to reap the benefitsthat gardening can bring. The charity isrunning a ‘Grow Your Own Veg’campaign with some intriguingsuggestions as to how you can growhealthy produce in very little space:lettuce in an old piggy bank, springonions in discarded wellington boots,beetroot in an unused drawer andcarrots in an old bucket, not forgettingtomatoes in a hanging basket.
A close-up of some jute sacks at the Send a Cow garden
Elevated dining at the Living on the Ceiling stand.
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Their ambition is to help 80% of UKprimary schools provide their pupilswith hands-on learning opportunitiesby 2012, using school grounds to growplants and garden sustainably. Childrenare encouraged to enjoy healthyphysical activity while learning todevelop social skills such ascommunication, teamwork, patience,caring and respect. By inspiring,motivating and stimulating thechildren, thus making learning morerelevant and enjoyable, schools canexpect an improvement in academicachievement, a reduction inbehavioural problems, and betterattendance.There are many benefits to be gainedfrom growing our own fruit andvegetables. Even those with tinygardens or balconies might be surprisedat how much can be grown in a limitedspace. Gardening is a natural form ofexercise that calms the mind, gives us agreater connection with Nature andexposes us to fresh air. Home grownfruit and vegetables are fresher, cheaperand generally taste better thansupermarket bought produce and thenutritional benefits from eating freshlypicked produce are many. Leafyvegetables can lose between 30-60% ofvitamins within 8 hours of harvesting sothe ‘fresh produce’ we buy in shops isless beneficial than locally grown,recently harvested food. If you are
concerned about carbon emissions youare cutting down on food miles and, ifyou choose to grow pesticide andchemical free crops, the benefits to yourhealth and the environment are evengreater.Whether you believe in globalwarming or not the last two summersin Britain have certainly raised somepeople’s awareness of changing climaticconditions. The UK has seen monsoon-like rainfall leading to extensiveflooding again this year. India, Chinaand Bangladesh have suffered extremesof weather, while parts of the Caribbeanand the USA have been battered bysuccessive hurricanes. The world’s tenwarmest years have occurred since1995 and many scientists now believethat global warming is already here,
predicting that Britain will seem morelike the South of France within 80 years.With the fears of financial meltdownthroughout the European and USAstock markets very much on people’sminds perhaps now is the time toconsider what we, as individuals, can doto help our environment as well asourselves?◆
For further information visit:www.wildlondon.org.uk for the London WildlifeTrustwww.rhs.org.uk/vegetableswww.edibleplayground.co.ukwww.sendacow.org.ukwww.warkscol.ac.uk for the Living on the Ceiling(no more room down there) gardenwww.samaritans.org www.thrive.org.uk
Suellen Raven has worked as an accreditedJourney™ practitioner since 1999 and qualifiedas a Cognitive Hypnotherapist and a MasterPractitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programmingwith the Quest Institute in 2003.She is also a ‘Project You’ Life Coach and aWordweaving ™ practitioner. Prior to becomingan alternative therapist Suellen spent 20 yearstravelling/living in such diverse locations asGreece, Borneo, Germany, Belize, The FalklandIslands, Hong Kong, Gibraltar and Cypruswhere she worked as a freelance writer/photographer. Her travels inspired in her alove of wildlife and the natural environmentand she believes that the health of our planetwill be reflected in our health.
A magnificent display at the Year of Food and Farming South East stand entitled School's In - School's Out.
An aspect of the Homebase garden showing how attractive herbs, fruit and vegetables can look in a garden.
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