Here is a story about modern farmers. Not the majority by any means, but an "interesting" group nonetheless. The information comes from Slate.com. I know it looks "hippie," but there is way more to the story than that. Read away!
Now, think about this: there is ample evidence to indicate that, if we are to avoid world food scarcity, this is the way we are going to do it. Back yard gardens, roof top gardens, community gardens on vacant plots of land in city (even city parks). If you're old enough, you may remember WW2 "Victory Gardens."
I've researched this enough, as a journalist, to know this is "right on the money."
If you are already doing this, you're my hero! If you are not, think about it, please. My body hurts way too much to be able to get into this kind of activity in a significant way. But I'm building a compost heap, to encourage me to do a little something. Just in case.
(I realize that this might seem a bit strange, blogging when I said I was cutting back on my "information input." But your Bear is an award-winning writer and broadcaster — "hard core" newsman — and old habits die hard. If I get the scent of something that might make an interesting story, I'm going to tell you about it. And Bears have extremely good noses!)
Blessings and Bear hugs!
I have four raised beds, but years ago, when I had a large family, I plsnted a larger garden that took a lot of work. Raised beds for just tomatoes, peppers and herbs suit me fine now.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I have thought about raised beds, too, but building them is not on the budget right now. I hope you have continued success with your garden.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
We have two community gardens -- of which I know -- within a couple of miles of my house, which is in an urban setting. The Hurricane lives in an apartment in San Francisco, but she has a worm composting bin.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Woo-hoo, Janie! Way to go with the vermicomposting! And knowing where the community gardens are! Will you be working in the garden this spring-summer-fall, assuming you can get a plot in the garden?
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Sorry if I surprised you with a long word. "Vermicomposting" is using earth worms to help with the composting process. That's what Jamie's Hurricane is doing in San Fran.
DeleteIn my more able-body years (I am in my early 60s)I would be very interested in this. But a number of stupid falls and such have me on the sidelines.
ReplyDeleteI understand, Susan.You're in the same boat as I am. Sigh! It was nice to be able to do things, wasn't it?
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Oh Bear it is hard to give up who you really are or were and if that means I have to listen to exciting news reports on things that interest you so be it:) Thank you great stuff. B
ReplyDeleteYou're very kind, Buttons, and you're welcome. I am not going to go away; I'm just going to be less active than usual. (Truth is that I'm in a lot of pain a lot of the time, and the pain currently seems to have the lead score — which is a real nuisance.)
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs
You might also be interested in reading about transition towns. People do know what's going on even as our governments prefer to 'carry on regardless'.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, susan. I'm currently reading something about released Soviet documents, and the Russian view of th cold war. Fascinating. And not nearly what anyone expected.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs! Bet regards to Crow. I'll be by your place later.
I have a little patch of garden at my apartment complex. This will be my third season planting stuff. I had no idea it would be so much work, such as small area (7' x 23'). And weeds! :-)
ReplyDeleteI knew you had your delightful garden patch. You have shown us lots of wonderful pictures. I'm envious of your project! My whole space, if I can get it to work, is about the size of your plot, though more square. But rehabilitating the ground is going to be a challenge. Please wish me luck!
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
I am always amazed at the creativity of those who don't have the wide-open spaces to garden.
ReplyDeleteIf I lived in a metropolitan area with little or no land to plant, I would definitely find a way to get some soil into something and plant. For sure!
As it is, we are blessed with a farm....and we love to garden. It is not only rewarding and fun....but the "fruits" are delicious.
We just planted corn, okra, tomatoes, squash, bell peppers, cabbage, broccoli, and lettuce. We planted them this past week. I love to watch the plants grow, and I love to enjoy the bounties of the harvest....(and we love to share!)
Some of us have green thumbs; some of us (like Bear) have brown thumbs — meaning that what we try to grow usually dies. I hope you have a wonderful, productive garden, and have fun watching it grow!
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
We too have had weather recently. In our case, fairly warm, sunny, and with flowers in bloom everywhere. I vote to keep our current weather. Do you vote to keep yours? Some would, I know, but not I, no not I.
ReplyDeleteWinter is winter, and, well, that's what happens up here. Three choices: get accustomed to it, move, or die. I don't find that last two particularly appealing (for various reasons) so I'll just stay put, and whatever happens, happens.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
I can't wait to plant my garden (actually my husband and I plant it together)
ReplyDeleteAnd we share with the neighbors if we have extra.
Thanks for sharing this.
Blessings to you, always
I love this new trend. I have several young ones in my life (friends in their early 30's who are former students of mine) who are doing things like this. One couple lives in downtown Portland OR and they have turned their residential area front yard into a full blown food garden. Its wonderful and very reminiscent of Victory Gardens!
ReplyDeleteIt is a joy to see these thing happening. Bear will start small, and try not to kill everything. Might just succeed.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Hopefully, if spring ever comes , I will put out a small garden of vegetables and flowers.I used to garden all the time but have been to moody to be bothered these past 2 years.
ReplyDeleteOh, I understand the feeling! Here's hoping you can get something to grow. And have fun in the process. I'll try to do the same.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
I feel bad that about 12 years ago my father-in-law passed away. He had had for some years an allotment, strip of land where he could cultivate fruit and veg, they are popular in the UK where many gardens are too small. He rented it from the local church really cheaply - I could have stepped in and taken it over but at the time didn't have the time and I don't have the knowledge at all but I regret it I'm sure the guys all around on the other plots would have helped my half arsed attempts. My Dad had one from a youngster (in WW2) until he bought the family home which deliberately had a very long garden and he always cultivated. Again when he died and Mum moved I couldn't take it over... regrets...
ReplyDeleteMy parents had huge gardens — both flowers and vegetables. I did not inherit the skills, or interest. Most of our attempts at gardening have been very minimal. Maybe this year will be a success!
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Whether or not we are successful depends on weather and bugs, but we do at least give gardening our best shot each summer :-)
ReplyDeleteYou've already been doing quite a bit of work on the garden, I've noticed. I hope it goes very well. Will the boys be helping this year?
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
Right now growing oranges, broccoli and red peppers. Tomato, strawberry and cantaloupe season coming soon. Everything is grown in pots on my deck due nibbling deer. Other than that, I buy from local growers. I can no longer eat that crap they call "fresh" veggies in the store.
ReplyDeleteWow! Such awesome possibilities, and different seasons. I hope that your garden is wonderful this year, the dear Deer notwithstanding.
DeleteAnd I know what you mean about veggies bought in a store. Even our Farmers' Market stuff is not always that fresh.
Blessings and Bear hugs!
Many thanks for the kind words on my poem.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this post.
I look forward to panting my garden, soon.
Be well Rob-bear.
Blessings to you, always
Thanks, Margie. Did I ever mention that Margie is our daughter's name? Fine thing.
ReplyDeleteAs for gardening, I'm going to start small this year, and hopefully produce something reasonable.
Blessings and Bear hugs.
I like that, Margie is a good name.
DeleteDid I ever tell you that I was born in Nova Scotia?
A fine place :)
From Nova Scotia. Wow! I've travelled a bit in NS, but not much. Getting from the Maritimes to Colorado would make such an interesting story!
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
I will give my little veggie bed another try this year. I really want some good tomatoes!
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping you're successful with your veggie bed. Try to keep Evil Twin out of the patch, OK? I know that's a huge order, but I think it would be best.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hug!
Lots of truth here. Fifty year of home gardening before back issues made me give it up. Now I support the local farmers markets...
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, troutbirder.
DeleteI'm almost 70, and I'm going to give it "the old college try," so to speak. But the Farmers' Market is only five block away, and it is pretty good.
Blessings and Bear hugs!
We are fortunate to be able to have large veggie and fruit gardens...and the girls keep us in eggs....im not sure if the caniche provides anything but comic relief!
ReplyDeleteWe keep a year round compost heap...last year it grew cantelopes and sunflowers all on its own!
Girls give eggs. Skip provides comic relief. You and Skip eat eggs (he needs to keep his coat shiny, or so the theory goes). Sounds like you have a working system.
DeleteI'm intrigued by the possibilities of what might turn up this spring in our compost heap. One never quite knows what will happen.
Blessings and Bear hugs to all!
I skimmed the link and was "feeling the lifestyle" until the I scrolled down to the couple with the baby in front of the trailer. :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I think it's wonderful to have a garden and access to community gardens. I've been tempted to buy into one of those "share" gardens (I can't think of what it's really called), but fear that I will not know how to preserve all the veggies or won't want to do the preparation and work.
Interesting post, my journalist friend.
Glad you enjoyed the post, Anita. I don't have a clue about preserving things; besides, we'll probably eat most of our produce fresh. As in any other major project — small steps. I guess.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs!
With not one, but two brown thumbs..I have about given up on vegetable gardening. It's not so much that I can't get anything to grow, it's the cut worms and the birds, and the weeds, and the black rot..and on and on. It all just got to me and I quit. But I am dabbling in the fine art of grape growing...we shall see if I win the day with those. (maybe there is hope for me yet.)
ReplyDeleteTurning your ranch into a winery. Very classy! Hoping for the best at your place. Meanwhile, still wondering about the possibility of something by way of garden at our place this spring.
DeleteBlessings and Bear hugs, Terri!