In a nutshell, "urban gardening" is an innovative form of agriculture that goes hand in hand with gardening and urban planning. City Farmer plots do not have to occupy huge areas, as these do not exist in the city centre. The strength of the City Farmer concept is that it enables a customised solution for each individual location and thus creates its own narrative as a natural space that can be experienced throughout the seasons, especially in places where one would not actually think it possible for anything to grow and survive. Whether on the shady, cool northern sides of buildings, the glowing hot southern façades, in the swampy water of the sponge city areas or on windswept, dry roof surfaces - city farming is possible everywhere. And edible. Because of course you should be able to enjoy the fruits of your labour as a city farmer. Lots of delicious nature in the heart of the city.
At the same time, city farming also functions as an experimental space: the aim is to test which plant species manage to survive under special and difficult conditions and which fruits can be harvested and eaten. How much resilience do these plants have and to what extent do they increase the biodiversity of their environment? When selecting plants, the initial surprise is that some forgotten native wild plants turn out to be true climate plants. Many can thrive in the right locations under changing climatic conditions. The native plants are of course complemented by plants from all over the world that provide a livelihood for our native insects and are not invasive at the same time
Joerma Biernath Realised city farming projects in Hanover's city centre
In Hanover, Joerma Biernath, garden, landscape and sponge city planner, has been creating a series of City Farmer areas for years in order to test plant resilience with a wide variety of growth and environmental factors. For example, there are native cornelian cherry trees on the roof of the GOP Varieté as a wild fruit plantation, as well as a travelling garden in the sculpture courtyard of the Sprengel Museum. A fig plantation is also growing on a wasteland in the northern part of Hanover and wonderfully unruly vinegar trees are thriving on the roof of the Astor cinema. And last but not least, the terrace of the Garden Hall at the New Town Hall is home to a mobile kitchen and flavour garden.
What this small selection shows is that there are many places and areas where urban gardening is possible. Whether companies or housing associations, supermarket chains or DIY stores with their car parks, public spaces, schools or private balconies and small terraced house gardens - any unsealed area can be used in a biodiverse way. And really anyone and everyone can practise city farming. A lot is possible with a little support and know-how. Incidentally, it doesn't take long to implement. It's simply a matter of choosing the right plants depending on the site conditions and you can usually harvest and enjoy them in the same year.
More info about Sustainability in Hanover
