Africa is urbanizing rapidly, and many unemployed or poor people are trying to produce food in urban and peri-urban areas. Many local authorities see this as high-risk food production, mainly because of the risk of use of contaminated water. However, with good planning, urban gardens can supply healthy food and exercise, while providing environmental amenity value and building community solidarity. In Dar es Salaam, many rivers are heavily polluted and gardeners are pumping clean water from springs, where they can afford to do so. Many use shallow wells, and sometimes pumps are later installed, or deep wells are developed for irrigation. Experiences from different African countries show that rainwater harvesting and water conservation can contribute to increasing plant available water, and methods which could be useful include swales, grass mulch, zaï pits, Fanya juu terraces and crescent embankments. Planners should see urban gardens as an opportunity for developing community green spaces rather than a threat to public health and orderly development.