When we Americans decide an issue is important, we go whole hog! For instance--growing some of our own food. There’s a real trend going on—more and more people are tearing out part of a perennial bed to make room for a kitchen garden or growing veggies in containers and raised beds—even in the city!
Why are we turning into backyard farmers? A number of factors have come together to create a growing interest in fruit and veggie gardening: the increasing price of food, the desire to eat organic produce, the occasional salmonella contamination of our food supply, concern over climate change (which is turning people on to the importance of “going green”) and the locavore phenomenon.
So what’s a locavore? Locavores are people who commit to eating local food as much as possible—even if it means growing their own fruits and veggies. Why the desire for local or home-grown food? Because locavores realize how much fossil fuel is used to deliver food from across the country or around the globe. (Our food travels an average of 1,500 miles before it ends up on our plates!) Locavores also want to live sustainably, support local organic farmers and eat fresher food that tastes really good.
But not all locavores have kitchen gardens. Other options are shopping at a local Farmers Market, joining a CSA (community-supported agriculture), and lobbying supermarkets to carry locally produced food.
If you choose to have a kitchen garden, you’ll enjoy many advantages. Growing your own fruits and veggies saves money, provides needed exercise and offers a pleasurable connection with nature. Home-grown fruits and vegetables are fresher and taste infinitely better than their mass-marketed commercially grown counterparts. After you’ve tasted how delicious home-grown vegetables are, you’ll never want to settle for ordinary store-bought produce again!
If you decide to try a small home veggie garden and need advice, be sure to call a Master Gardener. We have all the information you’ll need.
For more information on Locavores, read Barbara Kingsolver's delightful book, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
Check out Garden Girl, who grows veggies in the city of Boston. What an inspiration!
For a really easy way to have a veggie garden, check out Square Foot Gardening.
UPCOMING MASTER GARDENERS EVENTS
August 9, 2008
Hypertufa
Learn the basics of making your own garden trough in this popular hands-on workshop. Details will be sent upon registration. Limited to 15 participants. Cost: $15 (includes materials)
September 13, 2008
Fall/Winter Garden Prep & Composting
Not sure what to do? Learn the steps for proper garden maintenance and how to compost at the same time. Take home a free compost bin. Cost: $10
The Garden Series at Haverford Township Adult School
A collection of one night classes for both the indoor and outdoor garden. Classes taught by Delaware County Master Gardeners. Take one, two or all five– and save.
For more information, go to Haverford Adult School or call 610-446-8022.
Registration required for all events. Please call 610-690-2655 for more information or visit our website for a registration form.
