Land Sharing – Creating Community & Locally Produced Food! Saturday, Jul 18 2009

Three years ago in Vancouver, British Coloumbia, an innovatitve volunteer began a trend that is now operating in twenty North American cities and counting.   Termed “Land Share”, “Sharing Backyards” or “Urban Garden Share” is a way for people in urban centres to garden and share.  It is a simple yet wonderful concept, not everyone has the ability or time to garden.  Though, there are some with a green thumb but no space to put it into practice. Bringing these two parties together, creates a garden space and an end of season harvest for two families!

Through programs like Sharing Backyards and Land Share; people who have the land but no time or ability to garden can share their land with individuals who are green thumbs.  At the end of the season, both parties split the harvest equally.   It is an amazing grass roots approach to local food sourcing!  Also, it is teaching both parties involved about community, teamwork and the true cost of food.   The price of produce seem in the large grocery chains does usually not reflect the true cost of production.  That is to say to include the labour, time, and materials used to grow said produce.

Equally beneficially, are the positive environmental impacts.  Firstly, growing your own food helps to reduce your carbon footprint.  It eliminates the need to consume resources for food transportation.  Secondly, gardening is good for the local environment.  It aids in protecting and increasing the local biodiversity and aids to support the communal ecosystem.  Through techniques such as companion planting, one can reduce the need for harmful herbicides and insecticides while supporting a healthy insect population in the garden.

Sharing land and resources will also help to create new notions of community or strengthen old ones.  Historically, neighbours have been there to support one another.  This program brings back an old custom, that in the last fifty years has slowly been dying.  Bringing people together through food, whether in production or feast has always made us closer.  It allows us to see what makes all of us similar, celebrate differences, celebrate nature and the bounty from earth that our hard work yields.   Most important, it breaks down barriers around race, status in life, family situations, economic status and knowledge.

Urban gardening is a must as we move further into the 21st century.  It will help to foster a strong, local secure food source.  It will allow us to act in an environmentally sustainable manner, growing and consuming in season.  Reducing demands on resources for food production and transportation.   Finally it will bring our families and communities closer: making life better for everyone!

Halifax LandShare : http://www.ecologyaction.ca/content/halifax-landshare

Sharing Backyards: http://www.sharingbackyards.com/

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Hungry?! Plant a garden, Raise some Chickens! Thursday, Jul 9 2009

So, it’s four in the afternoon and you are really craving some fresh rosemary and basil to go with your omelette–but you are out of the herbs and the eggs!! You don’t feel like going to the store….so what do you do???

Well, if you are like numerous city dewllers in urban areas across North America, Europe and even Asia: you would have planted your own food garden and have some chickens take up residence in your yard!

Prior to the huge shift in population to the cities, caused by the Industrial Revolution it was quite common for households to have their own gardens.  Also, many raised livestock to either sell or for personal food purposes.   In coastal areas, fishing was also a good source for a quick meal.

I by no means, mean to sound alarmist however I strongly feel that as our global population increases, and resources dwindle food availability will become a real issue.  In our life times, we will once again experience the notions of what can be grown locally is what will be available for food stocks and for regional populations to consume.

Gardening can be a real joy and something to be proud of! It allows people who would not normally feel connected to the planet, to re-establish that connection. There is nothing better then kicking off your shoes, and getting elbows deep into the dirt to tend to your garden.  Also, the planning, care and harvest is something you can involve your whole family and friends in.  Alternatively, you could be really ambitious and community minded and start a communal garden!!

Starting a garden is not as scary as it sounds! Even, if you live in a flat or other location where you can’t physical dig in the garden, you can garden in planters.  For novice gardeners, I would recommend to start off slow and easy.   Firstly, you should decide what you want to grow. For example, will you concentrate of herbs only, a mix of herbs and climate matched vegetables or a mix of herbs, climate matched vegetables and companion plants to help reduce insect pests.

Secondly, you should consider whether you are going to start what you desire to grow from seed or purchase starter plants.  Starting from seed is cheaper, but takes more patience and knowledge whereas starter plants cost more but are less labour intensive at the begining.

Only grow enough that you feel you can consume in the season or can pickle for the winter.  Also, have a variety and grow vegetables and fruits that you really enjoy! This will make the first time that much more fun!

For a starter garden, I would recommend

Basil, Thyme, Oregano, Rosemary, Cilantro, Parsley, Garlic, Onions, Chives, Green Onion, Mint, Sage, Tarragon, Carrots, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Lettuces, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, String Beans. and for companion plants nicotina, marigolds, bedding dahilas. Once you have your bed planted, make sure you mulch the plant bed with cedar mulch.  Mulching will help control the bad insects.  If you do get any pests such as aphids or cucumber beetles, you can mix up a solution of water and sunlight soap to spray on the plants. Also, if you see pests you can pick them off by hand.

Beyond the urban gardening, I think everyone should have chickens in their yard! There is nothing better than fresh eggs, and chickens are happy to spare one or two! However, it is important that you check your local by-laws.  In North America, there are a handfull of cities that allow urban chicken husbandry but many do not.  That being said, if your city allows it, build a coop and move those chickens in!!

Aside from the benefit of involving your whole family, urban gardening is good for the environment!  Growing your own garden, saves by reducing pollution by you not having to go to a grocery store for produce and reduces the amount of resources that would have been consumed to transport the produce to market.  Also, all  plants use CO2 and replace it with oxygen.  Furthermore, it will help keep the soil healthy and the local ecosystem will be enhanced!  Also, maybe if you don’t need to eat all your eggs, you’ll help to bring some new life into the planet!!!

So, Get Planting!!

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