Food and Flowers

Urban agriculture

Urban agriculture offers residents the opportunity of vegetable production within the busy city. This results in a shorter food chain and greater awareness about the origin of food.

Urban agriculture strengthens social cohesion in a neighbourhood. It contributes to the health and well-being of residents, which can contribute to appreciation for the neighbourhood. Urban agriculture can provide employment.

The use of public space for local food production is potentially useful for greater food security and partial self-sufficiency. City dwellers who do not have a garden (or are on the waiting list for an allotment) can grow vegetables for their own consumption. That’s one way to get access to good quality and fresh food.

Local food production in public spaces can take place in shared courtyards, city parks, and allotment complexes. To this end, allotment parks can be (partially) made accessible to a larger public. Collective and smaller gardens can also be created, in addition to the usual allotments.

Outdoor spaces with edible plants are on the rise for restaurants, businesses and healthcare institutions. They want to encourage healthy behaviour among their guests, staff, and patients.

Food from a wall

Climbing fruit, espalier fruit, and other frameworks can grow along facades and walls. They take up little space. By responding to differences in sun orientation, a varied planting can be realised around the facades of buildings, city walls and other structures.

Edible roofs

Herbs, vegetables, and fruit can be grown on many rooftop situations. An edible school garden on the roof, is very suitable as a place of learning and offers teaching and learning materials.

Food forest

A food forest is a natural system (created by humans) that is aimed at sustainable food production. It consists of plants, trees and shrubs with a large number of edible species, such as walnut trees, fruit trees and berry bushes.

At the basis of a food forest is a multi-layered design with different layers of vegetation, inspired by the structure of a natural forest. An example of the different layers of planting: canopy layer of tall trees (walnut), an intermediate layer (hazelnut), shrub layer (raspberry), herbaceous layer (fern), ground covers (strawberry), climbing plants (grape), root and tubers (Jerusalem artichoke), fungal layer (mushrooms) and water layer (arrow wort).

A food forest has longevity and permanence. After design and planting, it may take some time before the optimal production capacity is reached due to natural crop cycles. Some herbs are ready for harvest in the first few years, while fruits and nuts take eight to twelve years to mature. When creating a food forest, planting material is a major cost item, but this is only a one-off item, in contrast to the usual forms of food production with annual investments.

A food forest is climate-proof and completely self-sufficient. A few years after installation, virtually no maintenance is required. Permaculture principles are applied in the design, construction and maintenance. Through clever combinations, plants do not compete with each other, but stimulate each other’s growth. ‘Weeds’ are green manure and ground cover in one.

More and more municipalities are open to plans for food forests. Edible trees and shrubs can also be planted in streets and parks as an alternative to standard planting. Consider fruit trees, hazelnuts, sweet chestnuts, walnuts, herbs, and climbing plants. This leads to a shorter food chain, cleaner distribution, less waste and more biodiversity.

Placemaking with greenery

Urban agriculture is often a good way to give a (new) meaning to places in the (re)development of an area or building. It can attract and connect people when a location is used temporarily. Urban agriculture promotes the involvement of local residents, education, businesses, and visitors.

A vegetable garden contributes to an active attitude and a sense of community. In healthcare and education, a vegetable garden is a meaningful design of the outdoor space and a place for activities.

Many flowers from trees, perennials, vegetables and herbs are edible (if unsprayed). These can be incorporated into cocktails, salads, and other dishes.

Edible flower mixtures are possible with annual and perennial plants and with native and non-native species. Please note: not all parts of a plant are edible or equally tasty.

Flowers

Flowering plants, shrubs, and trees can be used for in design for the experience of shape, scent, and colour. Flowers provide a seasonal experience with their blooms. They offer an interesting change in the outdoor space throughout the year.

Many edible plants have flowers with great ornamental value. Edible plants can be combined with other plants in parks and public gardens. Flowering plants may have a positive impact on the control of diseases and pests by providing food and habitat for beneficial insects. A green professional can provide more information about this.

Plants with edible flowers and flowers for picking can combine well with other plants. Design themes that have create an experience, such as picking gardens, picking routes and fragrant flowers, appeal to many people.

Experience

Greenery can create a sense of welcome arrival to a city, at a village roundabout, on a parking lot, square or shopping area, and contribute to a green and sustainable image. Flowering plants are particularly welcoming.

Flower verge

Flowering verges can be very attractive and contribute ecologically as a food source for butterflies, bees, and other pollinator. Ecological commitments can often be met for the same investment.

More along the way

Along embankments and on slopes and roundabouts, ready-made mats of flowering ground covers (such as vinca, waldsteinia and geranium) can be applied quickly and easily. These require minimal maintenance.

Sedum mats can provide a varied image in a (median) reservation if you choose species that vary in colour, leaf shape and flowering time. Most varieties flower for about five to six weeks. Sedum is also resistant to heat, drought, sun and wind.

Green noise barriers are perceived as more pleasant than noise barriers made of hard materials. Combine these with flowering plants and facilities for small animals and birds for more biodiversity.