The rising prices of oil, and its domino effects on prices of so many other things in many areas like the U.S., such as food have been reinspiring my respect for growing ones own food.
Along with simply knowing where ones food comes from, in respect to the sense of connectedness as well as additional level of safety. Given all the canned, boxed, prepared and otherwise well travelled foods we acquire in stores have multiple levels where accidental or poor hygenic standards can compromise its safety.
Water too, though that can get depressing real fast thinking about the sparkling cleanliness ( or lack of ) of the worlds water supplies, so what about food?
Would be useful & interesting to hear how other people go about growing own organic foods.? Especially those of us living in the city with little to no private soil to cultivate.
For instance I currently live where the backyard has been completely covered in concrete by the landlords. Thus making growing directly in the ground a mute endeavor.
Answer so far has been simply to start growing a few simple vegies and herbs in pots. And am looking for some wine barrels to grow more foods in, for the added depth & space.
Would love to hear of others experiences, suggestions, etc growing organic foods & herbs in city ( or rural ) enviornments?
Along with simply knowing where ones food comes from, in respect to the sense of connectedness as well as additional level of safety. Given all the canned, boxed, prepared and otherwise well travelled foods we acquire in stores have multiple levels where accidental or poor hygenic standards can compromise its safety.
Water too, though that can get depressing real fast thinking about the sparkling cleanliness ( or lack of ) of the worlds water supplies, so what about food?
Would be useful & interesting to hear how other people go about growing own organic foods.? Especially those of us living in the city with little to no private soil to cultivate.
For instance I currently live where the backyard has been completely covered in concrete by the landlords. Thus making growing directly in the ground a mute endeavor.
Answer so far has been simply to start growing a few simple vegies and herbs in pots. And am looking for some wine barrels to grow more foods in, for the added depth & space.
Would love to hear of others experiences, suggestions, etc growing organic foods & herbs in city ( or rural ) enviornments?
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SF Bay Area
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Re: Thriving as a vegetarian when / if oil $$ escalates food prices beyond affordable?
Fri, May 9, 2008 - 7:03 AMSeattle has organic community gardens. There's one pretty close to my apartment. I'm thinking of signing up once my back is healed up enough to spend that much time on my knees: www.seattle.gov/Neighborhoods/ppatch/ I'll have to learn how to do all this stuff. -
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Re: Thriving as a vegetarian when / if oil $$ escalates food prices beyond affordable?
Sat, May 17, 2008 - 7:53 AMANyone know of a place like this in Orange County?
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Re: Thriving as a vegetarian when / if oil $$ escalates food prices beyond affordable?
Sat, May 17, 2008 - 9:55 AMThere's a community garden in Lakewood, in L.A. County
Community Garden Plots Available
Want to grow your own vegetables but have no room in your yard?
Consider leasing a plot in the Lakewood Community Gardens,
located on Candlewood St. between Palo Verde Ave. and Woodruff Ave.
Plots are currently available for Lakewood residents only on a first-come, first-served basis.
The City of Lakewood provides water, general maintenance and you do the rest.
Plot sizes are 10' x 15' and the fee is $10 per year (Jan. - Dec.).
You can start the process at Lakewood City Hall
or by calling the Recreation and Community Services Department at (562) 866-9771 ext. 2408.
www.lakewoodcity.org/service...ault.asp
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Under the Sink Compost
Sat, May 17, 2008 - 10:08 AMLast year, there was an issue in PDX Magazines about large "greening" businesses. One of the articles addressed businesses (apartment buildings) creating space for gardens. Both window boxes and rooftop garden beds had been implemented.
Because there was limited space for rooftop gardening, they had tenants sign up and be on a waiting list. But tenants HAD to keep up with their garden, or else it went to the next person in line.
They also supplied each apartment with a small tupperware-esque compost box under the sink. Well, one plastic container with holes in the bottom stacked in another plastic container (same size) with a lid. The holes allowed liquids from compost to get drained, and because the majority of tenants were one or two person households, the box was large enough for left-over foods.
So when cooking, the tenants put waste products (sans animal products - they stink and take longer to break down) into the bins, along with some news paper, and bought a few worms. because there was little food, and it was in a warm, dark place, the waste broke down quickly, and they were able to use the compost in the flower boxes outside their windows and on the roof.
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I know it's not so much about gardening, but I thought it was a great solution for refuse for single-person households living in apartments. -
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Re: Under the Sink Compost
Sun, May 18, 2008 - 11:37 AMyes, for those who want to compost but have a backyard full of concrete, a box of worms is great. -
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Re: Under the Sink Compost
Sun, June 8, 2008 - 8:58 PMSmall step, but I found some old winebarrels from a winery recently.
Was going to cut them in half to put soil in and use as large planters until I discovered how old they are. The glue holding the wooden slats together which create the barrels had deteriorated completely. The only thing holding the barrels together were the metal bands wrapping around them at a couple places. As soon as I started cutting the barrels in half they began, literally, falling apart.
And my landlord said he did not want more than one of them in the yard as they would take up too much space.
Sigh. Time to be making more money so I can own my own home with clean yard to do whatever I want in.
Anyway, point being the wine barrels would be useful for larger planters as long as they are in better shape than those, for anyone interested. They seem to provide a decent amount of space for apartment container gardening, look pretty in a rustic, natural way and can be more affordable than even terra cotta pots of similar size.
There are a couple places that sell them precut in half, aside from Home Depot, walmart,etc., in the bay area though I am forgetting names at the moment. And craigslist seems to often have a couple listings of them for sale.
On average they seem to be selling for $10 - $40 per barrel.
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Re: Under the Sink Compost
Fri, July 11, 2008 - 3:01 AMThe only sure way to thrive past the decline of oil is to build an intentional community where you are totally self sufficient.
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