(Some of) The benefits of street gardening!
According to Adrian Marshall (who has written his Phd on Melbourne street garden spaces),
“More than a third of all public open space in Melbourne is nature strip, and this unique type of open space is the city-wide park we walk out into when we leave our homes, which is a vital resource for urban greening that can provide many benefits for people and biodiversity.”
So what are these benefits for people and biodiversity?
Well, seeing as I absolutely adore sustainable and safe street gardening I have, over the years, thought much about the benefits of this type of gardening.
The benefits below are ones that I have noticed over my 5 years of building 9 street squares and 8 more public gardens making up The South Melbourne BEE Gardens. For me, the benefits far out weigh the challenges of complaints, Council issues, doggies pooing, people trampling etc. In fact I have found that the more I focus on the benefits the more the challenges seem to fade away and seem pretty insignificant.
Human Benefits
Street gardens build community.
They create positivity and then build on it the longer the garden is in place.
Street gardens create joy.
They take the focus off the tarmac and concrete and greyness.
They get you outside talking to people about something other than gossip and corona.
They get you outside talking to people about something positive.
It feel good to create something.
It is a great feeling to hear that someone -perhaps a complete stranger-loves and appreciates your efforts.
It’s fun.
You are setting a wonderful example for your kids, grandkids and/or you neighbours.
You meet wonderful new people.
It gets you thinking of other people which, in turn, feels good.
Kids can learn about plants, flowers and herbs by walking past every day eg for school.
People smile when they see a lovely street garden.
Kids love them.
Nature and Climate Change Benefits…
Building an awesome street garden brings a little piece of earth back to life.
Building an awesome street garden for biodiversity helps nature.
It’s great to get dirty hands.
Street gardens create the understory under trees that is much needed by wildlife.
Street gardens create habitat for wildlife.
Street gardens provide sustenance for wildlife (such as pollinators and other insects, microbats, birds and lizards).
Street gardens are ready-made spaces to create wildlife corridors.
Creating a street garden helps improves your own mental health and that of others.
Street gardens help cool down the streets.
Street gardens help with rain water retention- a huge problem in paved cities.
Street gardening gets you thinking about nature which in turn feels good.
Benefits in a Nutshell…
You are doing something for yourself while helping others and helping the earth——what is better than that?
You are helping to make your part of the world more beautiful for humans and more liveable for nature.
You are healthier when street gardening and your community (ecological and human) is getting healthier as well.
We have so much dead and under-nourished space ready waiting to be brought back to life! These spaces are an untapped world of golden possibilities in my opinion…and benefits are so many!