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Start a Garden
Submitted by mothereart... on Sat, 08/30/2008 - 2:03pm.
The benefits of having a garden is staggering when you really drill down since a garden is normally associated with just growing a few veggies. But what about adding a few fruit trees or shade trees, some shrubs, or flowers for bees. If you really wanted to go for the food resources - it is amazing what a few dwarf fruit trees can provide. Apricots, Cherries, Asian Pears, Apples, Figs (want a shade tree!), Pears, Peaches, Oranges, etc. You would be surprised at what climate zones are supported. Also a great way to meet the neighbors or supply the food bank since there WILL be excess. Why plant the boring shrubs - go for lavender, rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano - they can get quite large, lure bees, and are edible. So what are some of the benefits: Soil Conservation (try composting also - it is fun!) Creates a biodiversity of habitat and wildlife - even a porch garden! Clean Air / Cooler Air Shade trees block Sun on your house cutting energy bills by large percentages Saves Water - absorb water vs. run off - use drip! Food - Organic Food - save a few car trips to the store Exercise and Mental Health!
You would be surprised how large a garden can be created in such a small space.
Could you imagine if everyone gardened and grew at least some food - would we be talking about a food crisis? would corporate farms exist vs. farmers markets?
Remember when our parents shared food with everyone in the neighborhood and visa versa.?
Start today!
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A few Questions
What if you don't have tme for a garden? Then how would you take care of everything? Also I like the idea about saving car trips. But trees take a while to grow, soeven if you got a shade tree it wouldn't help you right away. You'd have to wait years for it to get big enough to shade a small portion of your house. But I'm also trying to convince my parents to plant fruit trees. Do you have some suggestions on how to convince them? Thanks :D
Gardening
Thanks for your feedback pwsoccer22...
Time - Gardens can be designed with relative time in mind. In fact, you have touched on a point as to why many give up. If you plant too many items that grow to fast one will be pruning and trimming all the time and it will become more of a job than a enjoyable hobby. So plant, tree selection is key and is location (distance from house, level, Sun exposure, etc). Many apartment gardens are a few pots and are still rewarding, can produce food, and provide many benefits I describe. It is simple scale from there.
Tree's - Large shade tree's do take time and need to have room to grow - can't be next to the house. So the assumption is that one has a larger yard and is starting from a smaller sapling. However, if you have the money you can start larger. Also, many tree's can grow really fast and can protect the bottom of the house and cover windows that let in large amounts of Sun - heat rises so a 2 story home will still benefit. One example could be to plant bamboo in a pot (since certain types can be pervasive) and place them in front of deck windows. Or use dwarf fruit tree's, boganvia to cover bottom windows - any heat off the house is still a win.
Fruit Tree's - Key decision points: Space, Climate Zone, and Ability to manage.
For example: I have a 4 in 1 semi dwarf apricot tree. What a great tree - produces about 1500 apricots per year, is very very pretty bloomer, and is a great shade tree. But it grows before my very eyes and needs constant pruning. When it produces it seems like it happens in 1 weekend and it all needs to be picked at once (we dry and give away). Dwarf Citrus tree's in a pot on the patio - very little effort and lots of fruit. If you have a really big yard and want lots of critters (and fruit) - fig tree's are neat.
Cheers!