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So I was catching up on my Stephen Colbert last night and one of his guests was Will Allen, author of “The Good Food Revolution,” which talks about the need and now trend of urban farming. I never thought of myself as an urban farmer, but I am. I live in a city and I have a garden.
Summer 2012, My Very Own Urban Garden.
I am one of the fortunate ones to have the land and resources to grow some of my food. This concept of “food deserts” is not new, but one that truly concerns me. That many urban centers around our country have no access to fresh fruits, veggies and protein. The people there live off of sodium-rich, high fat shelf food. Could you imagine not having a tomato sandwich every summer, instead eating some “insta-meal?” In addition to not having access to these fresh foods, they also have no connection to it. No connection to how things are grown, seasonality and culture that comes with it.
I guess I really don’t have a tip or advice to share this week. But if you are growing a garden, first, be proud. Then share the love of that garden with others. Inspire kids, colleagues and family to support community gardens, local CSAs (community supported agriculture) or organizations like the Produce Box. Ironically, we all came from an agrigrean society and when we make “progress” sometimes we forget our roots. Fresh fruits and veggies and locally grown meats, eggs and other protein sources not only help us to be healthy, but also creates this sense of community.
So grow more, share more and support your community to help provide fresh food access to all.
Happy Gardening.
melissa
I have lots of people tell me they can’t grow things or they aren’t gardeners…in fact just a few days ago a friend of mine said, “I am not really a gardener because I don’t know how to plant things, but I do know how to take of things.” Well that statement inspired this post…
3 Questions to determine if you are a gardener
- Can you follow directions?
- Do you mind getting dirty?
- Can you take care of things?
That’s it. Those 3 questions pretty much sum up gardening.
Directions are key…knowing what to grow where is critical for plant success.
Dirt is a part of gardening, so if you aren’t willing to get a little on you then you won’t enjoy gardening.
Care is how gardens grow and survive. All the great poets reference “nurturing” gardens because it is true. Once you plant things, you have to be dedicated enough to water, feed, prune or divide.
If after the test you have decided to be a gardener. Here is a post to get you started from my co-writer, Chris.
Happy Gardening
melissa
So yesterday, I set out to do the most dreaded deed in gardening…weeding. And decided, they are the smartest plants ever….
Here are 3 reasons why weeds are smarter than me and other plants:
1)They know where to grow. They grow where you other desired plants grow…they know the soil is amended, and that when the heat gets tough they will be watered.
2)They have shallow roots. Yep, they have adapted throughout time to know that drought is coming and they can survive the hell.
3)They are prolific. Every time I think I have them all…the next day, it seems they have multiplied like gremlins. Don’t feed them after midnight or let them get wet 
My weeds make me feel dumb. Definitely the most brilliant of all plants on earth.
Do your weeds make you feel that way? Comment below on how smart your weeds are…or share how you have outsmarted them?
Happy Gardening.
m
