Market Gardens in New York City

Market gardens, once prevalent in New York City, were gradually pushed further and further beyond the populous metropolis. When the upper reaches of Manhattan rapidly changed from market gardens to an extension of the city grid, they moved upstate and out to Long Island. At the end of the 19th century, Brooklyn too, transformed very rapidly from a major source of agriculture to a fully built out borough. The trend to relocate market gardens – or urban farms as they are fondly called today – back into the city grid on vacant lots, rooftops, and other ‘found’ locations is providing a great teaching tool for nutrition, the environment and how we can make intelligent choices to support ourselves and each other.