Archive for the ‘Organic Gardening’ Category

Starting  a Green Revolution in our own back yard is probably the simplest and best thing we can do to make an impact on our immediate environment. We all talk about going back to nature and what we can do to reduce our carbon foot print and the impact we have on mother nature. What we don’t realize is that we don’t have to go all out and do grandiose things in order to make a difference. Every little bit counts and if each of us does a little bit, together it is a grandiose thing.

Many of us probably never heard of “Victory Gardens, which were also called war gardens or food gardens for defense, were vegetable, fruit and herb gardens planted at private residences in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Germany^[1] during World War I and World War II to reduce the pressure on the public food supply brought on by the war effort. In addition to indirectly aiding the war effort these gardens were also considered a civil “morale booster” — in that gardeners could feel empowered by their contribution of labor and rewarded by the produce grown. Making victory gardens became a part of daily life on the home front.” (Wikipedia)

We don’t have to wait to be at war to start a garden, although we are. We can make a positive impact by growing our own food. All we need is a little patch of dirt, some water, some sun and some seeds. Homegrown food tastes better, has more nutrition, puts less pesticides into the land and water system, and is less expensive than buying “Organic Food”. I can;t think of a better way to make and impact on your environment and save money at the same time.

Now you may say, well I don’t have a patch of dirt, I live in an apartment. And I say  find a community garden you can be part of, start one if there isn’t one. Share a patch of dirt with a neighbor, make it a social event. Start a container garden. Where there is a will, there is a way.

With all the innovations these days like the “Topsy Turby Hanging Tomato Planter” you don’t even need a patch of dirt. It grows tomatoes from a hanging planter, now it can’t get easier than that.

But if you do have a patch of dirt all you need to get started with your Victory Garden is a shovel, some water 4-6 hours of Sun and a $3 packet of seeds. Start small and if you find your green thumb then stretch out as far as is manageable for you.

• Start a compost bin, keep it going through the year for natural fertilizer.
• Dig out a 4×4 patch of land
• Amend the soil as needed for your area, ask your local home store for recommendations.
• Plant your seeds, you might want to start the seeds indoors then transfer the seedlings.
• Water
• Get a lawn chair and wait…
• Invite your friends over and enjoy the harvest

Here are some great Organic growing resources:

• Zone Map and other goodies Avant Gardening
• Organic Gardening
• Natural Pest Control
• Composting

bibi

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