I am in the middle of packing boxes as we head back east and then to Europe for two months. California has been the land of plenty for me in so many ways. The flora here never ceases to amaze me. The farmers market and other local markets have totally spoiled me from eating the same old same old. What will cornucopia mean back in less bountiful New England? Well, for now, I am eager to ‘research’ the French way of eating and procuring food. It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it… But I’ve been thinking about what to leave you with while I’m gone. It seems fitting that since many people are starting the garden season, I would highlight some great resources here.
Gardening for food (up 19% in 2009) has become so popular that the University of Maryland has started a “Grow It Eat It” campaign. You can’t get more local or fresh than your back (or front) yard. There are a lot of websites out there. Here are a few that caught my attention:
You need seeds to start, right? I’m not sure if the readily available kind are genetically modified. I would try to find organic. Johnny’s Selected Seeds is one option. Seed Savers Exchange gives you access to thousands of heirloom varieties.
You don’t need a lot of land. You could try edible landscaping, and mix produce in with your flowers. Another option is container gardening or square foot gardening.
Rosalind Creasy, author of Edible Landscaping, grew almost $700 of food in her square foot garden.
Path to Freedom is another resource if you are looking for ways to increase self-sufficiency and decrease your impact on the environment. Their website covers such things as waste, alternative energy, biodiesel, ‘citified’ farm animals, and of course, organic gardening. They live in Pasadena, CA on 1/5 acre, but are continually progressing toward ‘urban homesteading’ as they call it. Some pages are under reconstruction, but still worth checking out – apparently they are on a recent episode of Private chefs of Beverly Hills.
Don’t forget to compost. Here’s how to start. And how to get better.
Happy growing! I would love to hear how it goes.
