Edited to add: This is another weekly column :)
A Garden in Every Yard
A Garden in Every Yard
So
you are home more these days…perhaps you are looking for hobbies to pass the
time but are realizing that a new hobby can cost quite a bit. Or perhaps the
high cost of produce has you wondering how you can reduce your grocery spending
while continuing to eat healthy. Have you considered a garden?
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| my very first garden ever |
During
both world wars, “Victory Gardens” were encouraged as a way to feed the
population at home and free up trucks, boats and trains for shipping goods and
weapons to the troops that needed them. Whether the small city gardens contributed
much to the war effort is a matter of opinion (farmers were already growing most
of their own produce, and many still are) but undoubtedly they boosted morale
and taught a generation to grow their own food—something the area could still
benefit from today.
It’s Not Exactly Free
It
could be argued that gardening won’t save you that much money. If you have a south-facing
balcony you could have some containers but the pots and soil will cost you. Garage
sales, kijiji and second hand stores are a less expensive way to find pots and
gardening supplies. You can direct sow seeds or visit a locally owned nursery
to purchase seedlings, or purchase an edible mix already planted for you. If
you have a yard and an area that you would like to convert to garden space, ask
neighbours on the block if anyone is interested in rototilling a spot for you.
Whenever possible, barter and trade to find a mutually beneficial reward for
labour. If you happen to have a tiller and the time, you might consider doing
some tilling for hire but find out where phone lines are buried before you
start. Although any other lines should be buried deeper, you might want to “call
before you dig” if you decide to relocate fences or start working on a water
feature!
Plant A Row
If
you are already a gardener, plant a row for the food bank or for friends that
would appreciate some home grown food. It would be very generous to offer some
of your garden space to a family that would like to have a garden but doesn’t
have a yard, but do this very carefully. The idea of a garden might sound
thrilling in spring but, when the flies and heat set in and the real work of
weeding and maintaining the space become a reality, you may find yourself doing
all the work so that weeds don’t go to seed in your garden.
Discuss your
expectations and set some “ground rules” before you agree to such a plan.
Although a risk, there is also the possibility that you can help someone learn
to grow their own food and develop a lifelong love of gardening. They may go on
to help feed themselves and many others with the knowledge that you share. That
is a huge contribution to your community and one that should be commended.
Depending
on how you go about growing your own food, you may not notice a bunch of
savings (at least in the first year). But by endeavouring to grow some of your
own food you are removing yourself from the consumerist trend where people are
too busy working (and playing) to know where their food comes from. Gardening
is a distraction from other costlier pastimes. Rather than a weekend of shopping,
clear a spot and get to work. Many people find gardening relaxing, and good
exercise. It is also a way to afford organic food, and composting your
vegetable scraps eliminates waste. The fresh air doesn’t hurt, and it is
entertaining to watch for plants sprouting up. Sunflowers, pumpkins, beans and
peas are especially rewarding for little gardeners to grow. Teach your kids
that they can grow their own vegetables—it might encourage them to eat more
green stuff!
Gardening
is a hobby that leads to a healthier and, often, more frugal lifestyle. Visit
the library to learn more, and shop locally to source your seeds and plants.
Visit local u-picks and greenhouses and take a stab at a 100-mile diet. Learn
to prepare freshly picked food, and preserve your harvest whether by
fermenting, drying, pickling, freezing or canning. Use social media to share
the excess or donate to the food bank. Take this opportunity
to learn new skills and visit neighbours while you work outside. Notice how you
feel after time spent working in dirt as opposed to a day at a desk under
fluorescent lights. Although it might not be for everyone, and to each their
own, gardening at home might be the hobby that keeps you busy, entertained and
fed all at the same time. Can’t complain about that :)
