City and nature - for most people this does not go together. When cities began to spread all over the world, there was no more space for nature, and greenery was mostly replaced by gray buildings. However, the concept of urban gardening gives nature back its place in cities.
Although urban gardening seems like a new trend, it originated in ancient Egypt and was an extremely important food producer in Germany during World War 1 and 2. Recently, urban gardening has been experiencing a resurgence. But what exactly does it even mean and how does it work? In general, urban gardening can be divided into two areas: the container garden and the rooftop garden. Let's take a closer look at both concepts.
Container gardening
Container gardening is a great option when there is not much space available. That's why it's perfect for the city. It got its name because instead of planting the plants or flowers in the ground, they are placed in different containers or pots, which makes container gardening very mobile and space-saving. It is also good for our environment because old containers are reused while our wallet is saved. Another advantage of container gardening is that because it is mobile, a garden can be planted wherever it is desired. Urban birds will thank you because they are attracted to the pots, especially if they contain berries or other plants that provide nectar and seeds.
Gardening on the roof
Many houses in cities have a roof terrace, people began to make greener. Traditionally, rooftop gardens are created for planting vegetables by attaching soil and garden beds. For this to work, at least four layers are required to prevent damage to the structure of the building: An anti-root layer, a drainage layer (which allows water to pass through but not the soil), an impermeable layer, and an insulating layer.
Why do horticulture in the city?
The Danish capital Copenhagen has made green roofs mandatory with the goal of being emission-free by 2025. Green roofs can reduce CO² emissions by filtering certain substances from the air and converting CO² into oxygen. But that's not all. They also lower the temperature by absorbing sunlight, creating a cooler and more comfortable climate in the city. A side effect of this is that air conditioners are used less frequently, reducing energy consumption. Urban gardening also has a positive impact on our health and social life. Gardening brings people together, it is a natural stress reliever, and it makes us happy. The list of benefits for us and our environment goes on and on, making it clear that gardening is not just for people in the countryside.
The benefits of gardening in the city are undeniable, and it's so easy to do with little effort.