“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need"
Cicero
Let me begin
today’s post by sharing you this video:
Given this blog
title is ‘From the Field…’, it feels strange to me on how little of the
agricultural sector (i.e. the field) we see in Singapore, strategically placed
away from the residential and CBD areas. Listening to Ron Finley’s inspiring story of
creating a food garden movement in his city, I felt compelled into writing my
views on the potential of food gardens within our neighborhoods, whether it is
possible to begin with and the challenges we might face.
Singapore
has a rather friendly environment to grow food and spices, given our
agricultural history. Think about Orchard Road, Singapore’s shopping street,
but named for previously housing plantations for nutmeg, pepper and other
spices. We are in a geographical favorable location for biodiversity. While we
lack seasons, our tropical climate and lack of environmental hazards such as
floods and drought (Rosenzwelg and Parry, 1994), allow for a multitude
of vegetables and fruits to grow, such as kang kong and tomatoes.
Orchard Road - from agricultural hub to shopping promenade
(Source: Singapore Philatelic Museum)
(Source: Singapore Philatelic Museum)
What about
the costs of planting your own fruits / vegetables then? Beyond the investment
of time (weeks, sometimes months) required to tend the plant(s), gardening can
be a rather cost-efficient activity too. A gardening shop in Singapore would
sell seeds at $5 for a pack of 50 seeds and gardening tools can be purchased at
a hardware store such as Home DIY. There is also a need to consider for compost
and fertilizer, but you can always DIY that with your food scraps (if you
cook). Just go to YouTube or Google to search for countless of methods. Here’s one which utilizes egg shells which I found fascinating!
You don’t necessarily
have to have to own a plot of land to begin growing your own food either. There
are many groups around Singapore that have a keen eye for gardening, and this
is further supported by the National Parks’ Board ‘Community in Bloom’ initiative, which allows Singaporeans to
contribute to the green ambiance in Singapore’s neighbourhoods (NParks, 2013). Below
are some resources to learn more about gardening in general and food garden
projects currently existing in Singapore.
“Edible 'Garden City' Project” -
One of the most prominent groups championing the 'Grow Your Own Food' movement in Singapore. They conduct consultations for F&B outlets and homes, as well as workshops on how to grow your own vegetables
One of the most prominent groups championing the 'Grow Your Own Food' movement in Singapore. They conduct consultations for F&B outlets and homes, as well as workshops on how to grow your own vegetables
“Green Culture SG” -
A forum to for local gardeners to share their knowledge and discuss about gardening. (link goes to the sub-forum on Edible Plants)
NParks' very own resource list comprising of videos, websites and tips on Gardening
The hard
truth is that we will not be able to get everything out of these gardens, and
the role of markets will remain central in the lives of Singaporeans as a way
to get a bulk of their cooking ingredients. Nonetheless, food gardens can have
multiple purposes as well, becoming a new recreational space for communities, and
more importantly provide an opportunity to bring the public closer than ever to
appreciate food coming straight from the field, rather than off the shelf.
Just last month, over 350 community-run gardens under the Community in Bloom Programme were awarded prizes during the Singapore Garden Festival. Featured above is from Woodlands Zone 2 RC, a Platinum and Diamond award winner. Their food garden grows plants such as pandan and chilli which are condiments in cooking
(Source: Zachariah, 2014)
(Source: Zachariah, 2014)
Gardens can be beautiful. Why not eat off them every now and then too?
References
NParks, 2013. Community
in Bloom. [Online]
Available at: http://www.nparks.gov.sg/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32&Itemid=145
[Accessed 7 September 2014].
Rosenzweig, C and Perry, M. (1994). Potential impact of climate change on world food supply. Nature, 367(6459), pp.133—138
[Accessed 7 September 2014].
Rosenzweig, C and Perry, M. (1994). Potential impact of climate change on world food supply. Nature, 367(6459), pp.133—138
Zachariah, N. (2014).
Green plots for young and old among Community In Bloom award winners. The
Straits Times. [Online] Available at: http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/home-garden/story/green-plots-young-and-old-among-community-bloom-award-winners-20140705#5
[Accessed 7 September 2014].