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Crop diversity and plant–plant interactions in urban allotment gardens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 January 2016

Matthew E. Woods ,
Rehman Ata ,
Zachary Teitel ,
Nishara M. Arachchige ,
Yi Yang ,
Brian E. Raychaba ,
James Kuhns  and
Lesley G. Campbell
Matthew E. Woods
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
Rehman Ata
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
Zachary Teitel
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
Nishara M. Arachchige
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
Yi Yang
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
Brian E. Raychaba
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
James Kuhns
Affiliation:
Toronto Urban Growers, http://www.torontourbangrowers.org/ Centre for Studies in Food Security, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
Lesley G. Campbell*
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
*
*Corresponding author: lesley.g.campbell@ryerson.ca
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Abstract

Allotment food gardens represent important sources of food security for urban residents. Since urban gardeners rarely receive formal agricultural education and have extremely limited space, they may be relying on readily available gardening advice (e.g., seed packet instructions), inventing cultural strategies that consider inter-specific competitive dynamics, or making poor planting decisions. Knowledge of garden crop diversity and planting arrangements can aid in designing strategies for productive urban gardens and food systems. We surveyed 96 individual plots in 10 allotment gardens in the Toronto region, assessed crop diversity within gardens and recorded planting practices used by urban gardeners by measuring the proximity of individual plants relative to similar or different crop species. We also compared planting densities used by urban gardeners with those recommended by major seed distributers. Collectively, Toronto urban agriculture contributes substantially to urban plant diversity (108 crops), but each plot tends to be relatively depauperate. Carrots and lettuce were three to five times more likely to be planted in clusters than intermingled with other crops (P < 0.05); whereas gardeners did not appear to use consistent planting arrangements for tomatoes or zucchini. Gardeners tended to plant tomatoes and zucchini 56–62.5% more densely than recommended by seed distributers (P < 0.001), whereas they planted 147 times fewer carrots in a given area than recommended (P < 0.05). Furthermore, neither crop planting density nor crop diversity changed with plot size. The planting arrangements we have documented suggest gardeners using allotment plots attempt plant densely in extremely limited space, and are employing cultural strategies that intensify competitive dynamics within gardens. Future research should assess the absolute and relative effect of altered cultural practices on yield, such that any modifications can be prioritized by their impact on yield.

Keywords

crop diversitydomestic gardensintercroppingplanting densitypolycultureurban agriculture
Type
Research Papers
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 31 , Issue 6 , December 2016 , pp. 540 - 549
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2016 

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