Productivity, resource efficiency and financial savings: An investigation of the current capabilities and potential of South Australian home food gardens.

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  • Author(s): Csortan G;Csortan G; Ward J; Ward J; Roetman P; Roetman P
  • Source:
    PloS one [PLoS One] 2020 Apr 14; Vol. 15 (4), pp. e0230232. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 Apr 14 (Print Publication: 2020).
  • Publication Type:
    Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Language:
    English
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Public Library of Science Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101285081 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1932-6203 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 19326203 NLM ISO Abbreviation: PLoS One Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: San Francisco, CA : Public Library of Science
    • Subject Terms:
      Income*; Food Supply/*economics ; Gardening/*economics ; Gardens/*economics; Humans ; South Australia
    • Abstract:
      As the dominant form of urban agriculture (UA) in Australia, existing home food gardens potentially represent a significant resource in the context of future urban food security and sustainability. However, a severe lack of in-field data has hindered our understanding of the form and function of home food gardens which in turn may hinder innovation and improvement. We investigated the productivity, resource efficiency and potential financial savings of home food gardens in South Australia. A group of 34 citizen science participants measured and recorded inputs and outputs from their gardens. Inputs included time spent on various gardening activities, financial costs, and water use. Outputs included crop yields, from which retail value and nutritional content were then derived. The paper outlines a field-demonstrated, comprehensive methodology for continued and consistent data collection for all forms of UA. We found smaller gardens to be more intensive than larger gardens, requiring higher inputs, but also returning higher outputs per unit area. Both productivity and resource efficiency varied among the gardens, and labour requirements were significantly lower than previously estimated. Water use efficiency of the gardens were calculated and found to have comparable water use efficiency to commercial horticulture. Of the gardens involved, we calculated that 65% should break even in five or less years and save money. After applying a minimum wage almost one in five gardens were financially viable. The results represent the most comprehensive measurements on home food gardens to date, and allow practical, evidence-based recommendations for diversification, time saving and smart irrigation practices to improve garden productivity and enhance the viability of UA.
      Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
    • References:
      J Environ Qual. 2013 Sep;42(5):1283-94. (PMID: 24216408)
      J Acad Nutr Diet. 2014 Jul;114(7):1072-6. (PMID: 24751664)
      Am J Public Health. 2016 May;106(5):854-6. (PMID: 26985621)
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20200415 Date Completed: 20200629 Latest Revision: 20200629
    • Publication Date:
      20240104
    • Accession Number:
      PMC7156066
    • Accession Number:
      10.1371/journal.pone.0230232
    • Accession Number:
      32287267