Tag Archives: urban garden

The World’s Most Improbable Gardener

I am possibly the world’s most improbable gardener.

For starters, I don’t like the feel of dirt. I mean, I really don’t like touching it. My friend Babs loves nothing more than being elbow deep in dirt. Wallowing in mud, even. Me, not so much. The feel of dried mud on my hands is like fingers on a chalkboard to me and try as I have, I can’t change it. I’m just sensitive that way.

I also don’t like bugs. No I don’t mean just spiders, which is a fairly universal phobia. I don’t like any of them, and I don’t care what category they fall under, they are all “bugs” to me because they bug me.

Well, that’s not strictly true. I like ladybugs, or “bugly ugs” as my grandmother used to call them (a.k.a. ugly bugs). They are cute and red and eat lots of other nasty bugs like aphids.

And I like earthworms, because they eat dirt and leave it in better shape than they found it. They also don’t move fast and are shy, burrowing quickly to get away not buzzing about one’s head and things of that nature.

But other than that, I don’t like bugs. I do like bats, though, because they eat bugs.

The fact that I may be the world’s most improbable gardener, should encourage you. If I can do this, pretty much anyone can do this.

Gaige Goes Granola

Hey, I’m not exactly Ms. Granola, but I’ve decided to take the leap anyway (wearing gloves at all times – let’s not kid ourselves).

Heaven forbid, I break a nail!

Heaven forbid, I break a nail!

In keeping with my “let’s try eating more local food” I’m giving urban gardening a shot and am pretty excited about it. Pretty much completely in the dark, but excited none the less!

My goal is to be as environmentally friendly as possible (i.e. organic pest solutions and reclaimed materials) and as cheap as possible – if we want everyone to do it, it can’t break the bank. I’m asking you, my friends, for help with tips, materials, insight, and encouragement in the process.

What I’ve identified so far as stuff I need to do/use:

  • Ideas for a seed starter tray – I want to get creative in putting one together (I’d use old milk cartons, but I don’t drink milk) or find a used one
  • Compost bin – picking it up from the city transfer depot next weekend
  • Rain barrel – ditto
  • Soil test kit – anyone done this before?
  • Advice on where to borrow or cheaply rent a rotatiller
  • Recommended reading for when/what to plant in this climate
  • Materials to border the garden – I’m doing in-ground rather than raised bed and would like a border, i.e. reclaimed wood or maybe old bricks
  • Free/cheap used canning stuff – I’ll be scouring spring lawn sales for jars and lids, canners, etc. suggestions and donations welcome
  • Info on good recipes, how-to resources, companion planting info, etc. also welcome!

I’ll keep you posted on the play-by-play, which should be interesting. (Blind leading the blind?) First step is to see if the soil is any good or whether we’ll be trucking in a load…

Wishes Come True, A Garden at the White House

At the end of her interview with Lesley Stahl on 60 Minutes, Alice Waters talks about her ongoing campaign to have a garden planted on the grounds of the White House.

Ms. Stahl and some of Ms. Waters detractors may think she’s only a dreamer, but folks, dreams can come true when you have a vision! The New York Times today reported that the White House will indeed have a garden — an 1,100 sq. ft. one at that.

Hmmm, I think urban gardening has just gone mainstream.

Alice Waters Interview, 60 Minutes

In an interview with Lesley Stahl on 60 Minutes, Alice Waters of Chez Panisse fame is touted as the “mother of the slow food movement.” While technically, this takes license with the facts (the Slow Food Movement started in Italy in the 1980’s), she could rightly be referred to as an initial champion of the concept in the US.

While many viewers, judging from comments on the CBS website, take issue with her “arrogance” (personally, I don’t see it), I think she’s been a very successful advocate in raising awareness and standards of what constitutes good tasting, quality food . And, as with any cause, it’s only when someone steps into the limelight that the general public hears about it. (Uhm, was mainstream media interviewing Ms. Waters all the years she sweating in the kitchen?)

Does the 60 Minutes clip tell the whole story? No. Can any sound byte do that? No. Does it spread the word? Yes.

If people are talking — even if they are arguing — at least there is dialogue. Frankly, I think it’s great that there is some controversy, it just helps give the topic more airplay.

Check it out for yourself and feel free to send us your comments…