BUILDING A COMMUNITY GARDEN IN YOUR PARK - National ...

Figure 4.1. How “going organic” affects our ecosystem. Imagecourtesy National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationworst – turn toxic and create wide-spread fish kills. Fertilizers applied to our urban and rural parksand community gardens also run off into the storm water system and contribute to this problem in theform of non-point source pollution.Why Go Organic? The Science Behind the ChoiceAlthough synthetic fertilizers create conditions for rapid growth in plants, there is evidenceof a difference in the amount of nutrients plants grown organically have when compared toconventionally grown plants. When plants are exposed to an excess amount of nutrients, which isgenerally never the case in the natural world, they will allocate more nutrients to growth rather thansecondary metabolites. Secondary metabolites are molecules that are not necessary for long-termgrowth but do contribute to a plant’s survivability – particularly against pesticides and herbivores.Antioxidants, considered a type of secondary metabolite, have been shown to have health benefits forhumans. For example, research suggests antioxidants play the primary role in diabetes, heart disease,and cancer prevention through diets that are rich in fruits and vegetables.Sustainable PracticesCommunity gardening can be both organic and sustainable. Sustainability refers to meeting“… the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirneeds.” (WCED, 1987).22Building a Community Garden in Your Park