While home gardens provide nutritious, convenient and tasty food, they are also a valuable resource that can boost household food security. In areas where resources are scarce and population pressures are high, home gardens are increasingly viewed as a resilient food system. In the Peruvian capital, home gardens have contributed to the availability of fruits, vegetables, and carbohydrates. A recent study shows that nearly half of the food consumed at home originates from these gardens. Home gardens are also an important source of income, generating around one-third of the total food sold in the market.
Developing countries are experiencing a thriving food economy, thanks in large part to home gardens. There are many studies that describe and analyze home gardens. Home gardens are perpetual small-scale subsistence agricultural systems, with the goal of growing food for the household. As a result, home gardens can be diversified to provide multiple benefits and multiple uses, including indigenous medicine, home remedies for certain diseases, alternative fuel, and even animal feed. In some areas, home gardens have been used to combat poverty, increase the standard of living, and promote social justice.
A home garden has multiple ecological and environmental benefits. It encourages eco-friendly food production methods, and conserves biodiversity and natural resources. The composition of home gardens is generally rich and diverse, making them an ideal case study for ethnobotanical studies. There are a number of benefits to home gardening. These include: maintaining a diverse and varied ecosystem, preserving biodiversity, and contributing to household income. In many cases, home gardens are a viable means of income for a family.
Research into home gardens includes several areas, including nutrition, access to new technologies, extension services, and advisory services. Home gardens have a broad range of social benefits, ranging from improving nutrition and ensuring livelihood security. In some cases, home gardens contribute to the reconstruction of local food systems. While it is possible to develop a model for home gardens in different circumstances, more research is needed to determine if they are a viable solution. For example, in conflict situations, home gardens can benefit communities by promoting local food production.
Beginners should avoid creating huge gardens and start small. They can gradually expand their garden as they gain experience and confidence. Before beginning, they should also decide what type of garden they would like to create. If they plan to grow vegetables, they should plan to plant those they will eat and prepare for themselves. If they plan to grow herbs, they should choose plants that can be used by their family. If they do not, they should look elsewhere. However, if the goal is to grow flowers, they can plant some weeds and flowers in pots.
While it is difficult to quantify the impact of home gardens on nutrition, research on home gardens in rural areas shows that they have a direct relationship between their success and improved nutritional status. In Indonesia, for example, home gardens are linked to an increase in household food consumption, reducing the hidden hunger and diseases caused by micronutrient deficiency. Research by Wiersum and his colleagues indicates that home gardens have a higher spiritual significance than men’s gardens, as women cultivate food for their families.