Gardening for food security in the face of climate change

Introduction

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity today. It is already having a significant impact on global food production, and it is only going to get worse in the coming years. Extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves, are becoming more common and more severe. These events can damage crops and disrupt food supply chains, putting millions of people at risk of hunger.

One way to mitigate the risks of climate change and ensure that we have enough to eat in the future is to garden for food security. Gardening for food security involves growing your own food, or growing food for your community. This can be done in a variety of ways, from growing a few vegetables in your backyard to starting a community garden.

There are many benefits to gardening for food security. First, it helps to reduce your reliance on the industrial food system, which is highly vulnerable to climate change. Second, it gives you more control over the quality and safety of your food. Third, it can help you to save money on food. And fourth, it can be a fun and rewarding experience.

In this blog post, we will discuss how to garden for food security in the face of climate change. We will cover topics such as choosing climate-resilient crops, creating a drought-tolerant garden, and managing pests and diseases in a changing climate.

We hope that this blog post will inspire you to start gardening for food security. Gardening is a small but important step that we can all take to protect ourselves from the impacts of climate change.

Choosing climate-resilient crops

Climate-resilient crops are crops that can tolerate the impacts of climate change, such as drought, heatwaves, flooding, and pests and diseases. They are an important part of gardening for food security in the face of climate change.

When choosing climate-resilient crops, it is important to consider the following factors:

• • Your climate: What are the average temperatures and rainfall patterns in your region? Are there any extreme weather events that are common in your area?

• • Your soil type: What is the pH and drainage of your soil?

• • Your skill level: How much experience do you have with gardening?

• • Your personal preferences: What types of food do you like to eat?

Once you have considered these factors, you can start to research specific climate-resilient crops that are suited to your needs. Here are a few examples of climate-resilient crops:

• • Drought-tolerant crops: Beans, lentils, millet, sorghum, sweet potatoes, yams

• • Heat-tolerant crops: Cowpea, eggplant, okra, peanuts, sesame, squash

• • Flood-tolerant crops: Rice, sorghum, taro, watercress

• • Pest- and disease-resistant crops: Amaranth, quinoa, sweet potatoes, yams

You can also find climate-resilient varieties of many popular crops, such as tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.

Here are some additional tips for choosing climate-resilient crops:

• • Plant a variety of crops. This will help to reduce your risk of crop failure if one crop is affected by climate change.

• • Choose crops that are adapted to your local climate. You can find information on climate-adapted crops from your local extension office or from online resources.

• • Experiment with different varieties. Some varieties of crops may be more climate-resilient than others.

• • Grow crops in multiple locations. This will help to spread out your risk of crop failure.

By choosing climate-resilient crops, you can help to ensure that you have enough food to eat in the face of climate change.

Choose drought-tolerant plants.

There are many different types of drought-tolerant plants available, including vegetables, herbs, flowers, and trees. When choosing plants for your garden, be sure to select varieties that are adapted to your local climate. Some examples of drought-tolerant plants include:

* Vegetables: Beans, lentils, millet, sorghum, sweet potatoes, yams

* Herbs: Basil, lavender, rosemary, sage, thyme

* Flowers: Black-eyed Susan, coneflower, marigold, sedum, sunflower

* Trees: Carob, honey locust, olive, oak, pine

A study published in the journal HortScience found that drought-tolerant plants can use water more efficiently than other plants. The study found that drought-tolerant plants have deeper roots, which allows them to reach water that is deeper in the soil. Drought-tolerant plants also have smaller leaves, which reduces the amount of water they lose through transpiration.

Improve your soil

Good soil is essential for a healthy garden, especially during times of drought. Soil that is high in organic matter can help to retain moisture. You can improve your soil by adding compost, manure, or other organic matter.

A study published in the journal Soil Science Society of America Journal found that organic matter can improve the water-holding capacity of soil. The study found that adding organic matter to soil can increase the amount of water that the soil can hold by up to 30%.

Water deeply and less often.

It is better to water your plants deeply and less often than to water them frequently and shallowly. Deep watering encourages roots to grow deep, which makes them more drought-tolerant.

A study published in the journal Agricultural Water Management found that deep watering is more effective than shallow watering at promoting root growth. The study found that deeply watered plants had roots that were up to 50% deeper than shallowly watered plants.

Use mulch.

Mulch can help to keep the soil moist and cool, which reduces the need for watering. You can use organic mulches, such as compost, bark chips, or straw, or inorganic mulches, such as gravel or rubber mulch.

A study published in the journal HortScience found that mulch can reduce water evaporation from soil by up to 70%. The study also found that mulch can help to improve the water infiltration rate of soil, which allows water to soak into the soil more easily.

Group plants together.

Grouping plants together can help to create a microclimate that is more humid and less windy. This can help to reduce water loss from plants.

A study published in the journal Agricultural and Forest Meteorology found that grouping plants together can reduce wind speed by up to 50%. The study also found that grouping plants together can increase humidity by up to 10%.

By following these tips, you can create a drought-tolerant garden that will thrive even in the driest of conditions.

Managing pests and diseases in a changing climate:

A key consideration for food security

Climate change is making it more difficult to manage pests and diseases in gardens. Warmer temperatures and milder winters are allowing pests to survive and reproduce year-round. Additionally, climate change is causing more extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, which can damage plants and make them more susceptible to pests and diseases.

This is a major concern for food security, as pests and diseases can destroy crops and reduce yields. In order to maintain food security in the face of climate change, it is important to manage pests and diseases effectively.

There are a number of ways to manage pests and diseases in a changing climate, including:

• • Integrated pest management (IPM): IPM is a holistic approach to pest management that focuses on preventing pests from becoming a problem in the first place. IPM uses a variety of methods, including cultural practices, biological control, and chemical control, to manage pests.

• • Organic pest control methods: Organic pest control methods are non-toxic methods for controlling pests. Some examples of organic pest control methods include:
• Hand-picking pests (removing pests from plants by hand)
• Using insecticidal soap or neem oil
• Planting trap crops
• Attracting beneficial insects

• Disease-resistant varieties of plants: Disease-resistant varieties of plants are less likely to become infected with diseases. When choosing plants for your garden, be sure to select varieties that are resistant to diseases that are common in your area.

Here are some additional tips for managing pests and diseases in a changing climate:

• • Keep your garden healthy. Healthy plants are more resistant to pests and diseases. You can keep your plants healthy by providing them with the nutrients and water they need, and by removing diseased or damaged plants.

• • Monitor your garden regularly. Inspect your plants regularly for pests and diseases. If you see any pests or diseases, take action immediately to control them.

• • Be prepared for extreme weather events. Protect your plants from extreme weather events by covering them or transplanting them to a more sheltered location.

By following these tips, you can help to protect your garden from pests and diseases in a changing climate and ensure that you have a reliable source of food.

Here are some specific examples of how you can use IPM and organic pest control methods to manage pests and diseases in your food security garden:

• • IPM:
    • • Cultural practices: Plant a variety of crops to reduce the risk of pests and diseases targeting specific crops. Plant crops in companion plantings to help control pests and diseases. Practice crop rotation to prevent pests and diseases from overwintering in the soil.

• • Biological control: Introduce beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, to your garden to help control pests. Release parasitic wasps to control caterpillars and other pests.

• • Chemical control: Use chemical pesticides as a last resort and only when necessary. Choose pesticides that are specific to the pest you are targeting and that will have minimal impact on beneficial insects.

• • Organic pest control methods:
    • • Handpicking pests: Handpick pests and egg clusters when you see them.
    • • Using insecticidal soap or neem oil: Insecticidal soap and neem oil are non-toxic pesticides that can be used to control a variety of pests.
    • • Planting trap crops: Trap crops are plants that attract pests away from your main crops. For example, marigolds can be planted to attract aphids away from tomatoes.
    • • Attracting beneficial insects: Beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, can help to control pests. You can attract beneficial insects to your garden by planting flowering plants and providing them with shelter.

By using IPM and organic pest control methods, you can help to protect your food security garden from pests and diseases in a changing climate.

Gardening for food security in the face of climate change:

Focusing on :

• companion planting,
• cover cropping,
• seed saving, and
• food preservation

Companion Planting

Companion planting is a natural and sustainable way to improve the health and productivity of your garden. By planting different crops together, you can take advantage of the beneficial interactions between plants.

Here are some more examples of companion planting combinations:

• • Brassicas (such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower) and alliums (such as onions, garlic, and leeks): Alliums release sulfur compounds into the air that can help to repel pests such as aphids and cabbage worms.

• • Cucurbits (such as cucumbers, squash, and melons) and borage: Borage attracts beneficial insects, such as bees and hoverflies, which can help to pollinate cucurbit crops and control pests.

• • Legumes (such as beans, peas, and lentils) and root vegetables (such as carrots, beets, and potatoes): Legumes fix nitrogen in the soil, which benefits all plants, including root vegetables.

• • Herbs (such as basil, rosemary, and thyme) and vegetables: Herbs can help to repel pests and attract beneficial insects. For example, basil repels tomato hornworms and rosemary repels cabbage moths.

In addition to the benefits listed above, companion planting can also help to improve soil health, reduce weeds, and increase yields.

Here are some tips for companion planting:

• • When choosing companion plants, consider the size, growth habit, and nutrient needs of each plant.

• • Plant taller plants on the north side of shorter plants to avoid shading them out.

• • Plant deep-rooted plants next to shallow-rooted plants to help them compete for water and nutrients.

• • Plant heavy feeders next to light feeders to avoid depleting the soil of nutrients.

• • Experiment with different companion planting combinations to find what works best in your garden.

Companion planting is a great way to improve the health and productivity of your garden in a natural and sustainable way. By taking advantage of the beneficial interactions between plants, you can create a garden that is more resilient to pests, diseases, and extreme weather events.

Cover Cropping

Cover cropping is a practice of growing a crop of plants that are not intended to be harvested, but rather to protect and improve the soil. Cover crops can be planted between rows of food crops, or they can be grown in a field on their own.

Cover crops provide a number of benefits to the soil, including:

• • Improving soil structure: Cover crops help to improve soil structure by adding organic matter to the soil and by loosening compacted soil.

• • Increasing soil fertility: Cover crops help to increase soil fertility by fixing nitrogen in the soil and by releasing nutrients from plant residues.

• • Suppressing weeds: Cover crops help to suppress weeds by competing with them for light and water.

• • Reducing pests and diseases: Cover crops can help to reduce pests and diseases by attracting beneficial insects and by suppressing harmful insects and diseases.

In addition to the benefits listed above, cover crops can also help to improve water infiltration and retention, reduce erosion, and increase biodiversity.

Here are some more examples of cover crops:

• • Legumes: Clover, peas, lentils, beans

• • Grasses: Rye, oats, barley, wheat

• • Brassicas: Mustard, radishes, turnips

• • Buckwheat

• • Sunflower

• • Sorghum

• • Millet

When choosing cover crops, it is important to consider the climate, soil type, and purpose of the cover crop. For example, if you are looking to improve soil fertility, you may want to choose a legume cover crop. If you are looking to suppress weeds, you may want to choose a grass cover crop.

Cover cropping is a great way to improve the health and productivity of your garden in a natural and sustainable way. By planting cover crops, you can create a garden that is more resilient to pests, diseases, and extreme weather events.

Here are some tips for cover cropping:

• • Plant cover crops in the fall after you have harvested your food crops.

• • Choose cover crops that are adapted to your climate and soil type.

• • Plant a variety of cover crops to provide a range of benefits to your soil.

• • Terminate cover crops before they go to seed to prevent them from competing with your food crops.

Cover cropping is a great way to invest in the future of your garden. By taking care of your soil, you can ensure that you will have a productive garden for many years to come

Seed saving

Seed saving can help with gardening for food security in the light of climate change in several ways:

• • Reduced reliance on commercial seeds: Climate change is making it more difficult to grow food in some parts of the world. This could lead to shortages of commercial seeds, as well as higher prices. By saving your seeds, you can reduce your reliance on commercial seeds and become more self-sufficient.

• • Increased resilience to pests and diseases: Climate change is also making pests and diseases more prevalent. By saving seeds from your healthiest and most vigorous plants, you can select for traits that are resistant to pests and diseases. This can help to reduce your reliance on pesticides and fungicides and make your garden more resilient to climate change.

• • Preservation of genetic diversity: Climate change is a threat to the genetic diversity of food crops. By saving seeds from a variety of plants, you can help to preserve this diversity. This is important because it helps to ensure that we have a wide range of crops to choose from, which can make our food system more resilient to climate change.

In addition to these benefits, seed saving can also help you to save money, learn more about gardening, and connect with your food.

Here are some tips for seed saving in the light of climate change:

• • Choose plants that are adapted to your local climate. Climate change is causing weather patterns to become more unpredictable, so it is important to choose plants that are adapted to the conditions in your area.

• • Save seeds from your healthiest and most vigorous plants. This will help to select for traits that are resistant to pests, diseases, and climate stress.

• • Store your seeds properly. Seeds should be stored in a cool, dark place with low humidity. This will help to keep them viable for several years.

• • Share seeds with others. Sharing seeds is a great way to build community and to preserve genetic diversity.

Food preservation

Food preservation is the process of treating and handling food to prevent spoilage and maintain nutritional value. It is an important part of food security, as it allows people to have access to food even when fresh produce is not available.

There are many different ways to preserve food, including:

• • Canning: Canning is a process of heating food in a sealed jar to kill bacteria and other microorganisms. This process preserves food for several years.
    

• • Canning food

• • Freezing: Freezing is a process of quickly cooling food to a very low temperature. This process preserves food for several months.
    

• • Freezing food

• • Drying: Drying is a process of removing moisture from food. This process can be used to preserve fruits, vegetables, herbs, and meat.
    

• • Drying food

• • Pickling: Pickling is a process of preserving food in a brine solution of vinegar, salt, and water. This process preserves food for several months.
    

• • Pickling food

• • Fermentation: Fermentation is a process of preserving food using microorganisms. This process is used to make foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi.
    

• • Fermenting food

Food preservation can help to improve food security in the face of climate change in a number of ways. Climate change is making it more difficult to grow food in some parts of the world, and is also making pests and diseases more prevalent. Food preservation can help to reduce reliance on fresh produce, and can make food more resilient to pests, diseases, and extreme weather events.

Here are some tips for food preservation in the light of climate change:

• • Choose methods that are appropriate for your local climate. For example, if you live in a hot climate, you may want to focus on methods such as drying and fermentation.

• • Use a variety of methods to preserve different types of food. This will help to ensure that you have a diverse and nutritious food supply.

• • Store preserved foods properly. Preserved foods should be stored in a cool, dark place to prevent spoilage.

• • Share preserved foods with others. This is a great way to build community and to help others prepare for the challenges of climate change.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, gardening for food security is one of the most important things we can do to protect ourselves from the impacts of climate change. By growing our own food, we can reduce our reliance on the industrial food system, increase our control over the quality and safety of our food, save money, and have a fun and rewarding experience.

In this blog post, we have discussed some of the key considerations for gardening for food security in the face of climate change. We have covered topics such as choosing climate-resilient crops, creating a drought-tolerant garden, and managing pests and diseases in a changing climate.

We hope that this information has been helpful and inspiring. We encourage you to start gardening for food security today. It is a small but important step that we can all take to create a more sustainable and food-secure future.