FYRE Gardens will rely on a hybrid system using aspects of regenerative agriculture and organic farming techniques. This will involve limited tilling, water-use, fertilizer, and pesticide application on the land. These systems of growing food is better for people and for the land. Of course, varying based on feasibility, available resources and supports, and what is best for the landowner and garden.
Regenerative Agriculture
Regenerative agriculture is counter-cultural to the current systems of land degradation, water degradation, and resource over-extraction, and in support of sustainable and ecologically-minded practices. Regenerative agriculture acknowledges and values the interconnectedness of Earth’s systems, focusing on all aspects of an ecosystem. We consider the plants, insects, and soil together as well as social and economic systems when making choices. For example, the techniques here can help regenerate economic and social systems as well as ecological ones.
The sources used are linked here, click to learn more:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s44264-025-00097-7
https://regenerativeagriculturefoundation.org/what-is-regenerative-agriculture/
The sources used are linked here, click to learn more:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s44264-025-00097-7
https://regenerativeagriculturefoundation.org/what-is-regenerative-agriculture/
Organic Farming
Organic farming involves using sustainable and ecologically conscious materials for fertilizers and pesticides while repurposing vegetative compost and animal manure as inputs for the soil. Organic techniques also reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers and therefore limit harmful runoff, which impacts waterways in our ecosystems. Lady Flower Gardens has been utilizing organic techniques (without the official Organic Certification) for years.
The sources used are linked here, click to learn more: https://www.britannica.com/topic/organic-farming
The sources used are linked here, click to learn more: https://www.britannica.com/topic/organic-farming
Limited Tilling
Limited tilling of the soil is desirable in gardening because it reduces risk of soil erosion. This technique also allows for vegetation debris to remain on the top of the soil for water retention, protecting delicate seedlings, and feeds the garden via compost as it decomposes. No-till practices also help with carbon sequestration, which draws carbon out of the atmosphere and into the soil!
The sources used are linked here, click to learn more: https://www.britannica.com/technology/sustainable-agriculture
The sources used are linked here, click to learn more: https://www.britannica.com/technology/sustainable-agriculture
Limited Fertilizers and Pesticides
While pesticides can be helpful, they often end up in unintended places and cause harm through polluting the environment, moving up through the food chain, and remaining in soil and water systems for many years. They can also be ingested by animals and humans leading to harmful side effects. This is especially true when pesticides are unnaturally produced and are too liberally applied.
Fertilizer is a necessary component for healthy soil, but it can be harmful when overapplied. Fertilizer is commonly made of ammonia (a molecule containing Nitrogen), and the production of this compound is energy intensive, using a lot of fossil fuels. Additionally, over-application of fertilizer means that it runs off the fields to contaminate water sources, and the breakdown of ammonia releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Around 2% of greenhouse gas emissions globally come from the manufacturing of and use of fertilizers. This is why the FYRE Gardens will be utilizing natural pest deterrents and fertilizers in very limited quantities.
The sources used are linked here, click to learn more: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004896972400247X
https://climate.mit.edu/explainers/fertilizer-and-climate-change
https://www.britannica.com/technology/sustainable-agriculture
Fertilizer is a necessary component for healthy soil, but it can be harmful when overapplied. Fertilizer is commonly made of ammonia (a molecule containing Nitrogen), and the production of this compound is energy intensive, using a lot of fossil fuels. Additionally, over-application of fertilizer means that it runs off the fields to contaminate water sources, and the breakdown of ammonia releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Around 2% of greenhouse gas emissions globally come from the manufacturing of and use of fertilizers. This is why the FYRE Gardens will be utilizing natural pest deterrents and fertilizers in very limited quantities.
The sources used are linked here, click to learn more: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004896972400247X
https://climate.mit.edu/explainers/fertilizer-and-climate-change
https://www.britannica.com/technology/sustainable-agriculture
For the FYRE project, we will be working with organic certified pest deterrents (explain more…?) sprayed only on specific plant species that are targets for pests, and using a limited quantity of fertilizers. In this way, FYRE will be stewarding the land of our homeowner partners and future generations.