You may have heard scary reports about large-scale farming and the negative impacts of mass food production. But don’t despair! Here in Park City, we have lots of trust-worthy local farms; but what’s more, we have the fun option to grow our own food! In an era riddled with environmental concerns, home gardening has emerged as a sustainable and rewarding practice.

Home gardening has a smaller carbon footprint than store bought food, which requires energy from transportation and machinery. By growing food, you’ll also reduce your plastic and paper consumption from packaging. Additionally, large food industries take up millions of acres of space for the sprawl of farmland, often depleting the soil of nutrients through overuse. Home grown food typically requires a lot less space, and it can promote soil health and bring in beneficial insects and worms. Growing food at home also means that you can ensure your food is grown the way you want it to be, organically grown without pesticides or chemicals. Your food will be rich in nutrients and fresh.

This all sounds great in theory, but in reality, with Park City’s dry climate and high altitude, it can be difficult to grow food. Here are some practices that can help you maximize efficiency and garden sustainably:

1. Water Conservation: Save water by utilizing a mulch base and water with old rainwater. You can also use drip irrigation to save water.
2. Soil Management: Improve soil fertility and water retention by using organic matter, such as compost. Consider container gardening to help with rocky and shallow areas.
3. Crop Selection: Choose hardy crops that can survive in dry environments. Examples include tomatoes, peppers, kale, carrots, rosemary, and some berries.
4. Microclimate Consideration: Take advantage of microclimates within your garden space, such as south-facing slopes for warmth and protection from wind, or shaded areas for delicate plants during hot summer months.
5. Maximize each season: Consider utilizing greenhouses and other insulation/cooling methods to prolong your growing season.

Home-growing food provides benefits to the gardener and the planet. Gardening is a fun and peaceful pastime that can help us connect with nature and learn the gratification of hard work with a tasty result!

By Grayson Rae