Travel The World Through The Kitchen Garden
Never , since the years surrounding the war efforts during the 1940′s have we seen such interest and participation in gardening…and for the most part, Kitchen Gardening.
A kitchen garden means something different to most everyone.
To me…it’s a plot just outside my kitchen door where I have one of most every kind of herb used in my cooking and tea habits.
Another plot out behind the potting shed where I grow heirloom tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, cucumber, eggplant, okra, corn, beets, melons, and many kinds of salad greens.
A kitchen garden can be whatever you need it to be.
It’s the idea followed by some action of doing.
It can be grown in many different kinds of mediums, from a tilled bed, to raised beds, to a plastic tub.
One of my favorite hang-outs is : “Kitchen Gardeners International.” This organization can be credited with bringing the kitchen garden back into the spotlight. Below is a bit of information from the website for the promotion of Kitchen Garden Day International.
Each year we celebrate this day by some or all of the events shared below. I hope you find one and run with it.
Kitchen Gardeners International is a nonprofit network of organic kitchen gardeners and home cooks ( of which I am a member and supporter ) from over 100 countries.
-To raise awareness about the benefits of eating local and to encourage people to explore local food options in their areas.
-To build a community spirit, at local and international levels around the universal experiences of gardening, cooking, and eating.
Some Ideas of Events to Plan and Promote;
-A walking tour of gardens in your area
-a kitchen garden or local agriculture potluck
-a kitchen garden taste-test
-a harvest or planting party
-a benefit for a local food/gardening charity
-a kitchen garden “teach in”
-a single food theme party
-an activity at a local farm
-etc
This is a wonderful time to approach your city or county leaders about a community garden project.
This can be a school project, church project, or ang group that has access to enough space to make it a reality.
Gardens are even being grown on rooftops all across the country…..now that’s an idea whose time has come.
Whatever you do, make it fun, educational, and inclusive to others. Only by doing and sharing will we learn to do and share.
Happy Gardening Day !
Bea Kunz
Sage Hill Farms
EatWell-BeWell~
931-438-8328
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com
http://www.beasbeatitudes.blogspot.com
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Hi Bea,
its really a very interesting thought!
If womenfolk really take this issue seriously we can look forward for so many action groups:).
I was just wondering kitchen garden is possible if you are having a landed house. Have you any suggestions for those who are staying in apartments , like me and want to have kitchen garde?
tk care,
with wishes,
charu
http://www.womenlines.com
Hello Charu,
I’ve written a lot about the different ways to grow a garden outside the traditional method of inground on acres of land.
If you have a patio or small yard that can be converted to a growing medium then make the most of that space by growing in large containers.
One very easy and spacious idea is the plastic swimming pools many people use for small children.
Simply punch holes in the bottom for drainage and fill with good composted soil…presto, you have a small garden bed. You can grow many different things in one small size pool. Large tubs and plastic containers will also work.
Just remember to put holes in the bottom of whatever you use so you will have good drainage. Place the containers where you know they will get at least 6 hours of sun every day.
Running plants can be trained to grow up and not out, just stake them with good sturdy stakes…such as bamboo poles.
Another great option is to get together with friends or family who has better options and grow a community type garden…something you all can share.
I hope this gives you some ideas to work with.
Feel free to contact me if I can be of any other help.
Thanks for the interest.
Happy weekend~
Bea Kunz
Enjoyed tomatoes, cucumbers and catalope out of my garden. Honeydew for the first time, picked the first one a little early, almost ripe. Wanting a bigger yard, fruit trees and berries, some of every thing.
Bea, I have to come visit one day, on my list of things to do and Jessica keeps reminding me.
So many benefits of gardens. You are healthier from working outside, eating better food. No using oil to transport across the world picked green. The list goes on. Imagine how things would be better if everyone grew something. My husband was sad the other day, a co-worker plowed his thriving garden under because he was tired of taking care of it. Then there is a crazy county somewhere that is paying residents $50 for every fruit tree they destroy. Wanting all the local fruit to be grown in big commercial orchards. Not a good plan.
Thanks for sharing Bea!
Yes Heidi, if everyone would just grow something, it’s the little moves that add up to big outcomes.
Gardening isn’t all fun or always easy…but then neither is the alternative.
I remember in the late 40′s maybe early 50′s when a government agent came to our farm and wanted to pay my papa for not growing certain crops, don’t remember all the details, but do recall well my papa’s reaction. His words… “when the government wants to give you something, be aware they want much more in return.”
For way too many years we have been brain-washed into believing the government had all the answers.
Isn’t it amazing that something as simple as a garden can and could solve so many issues.
Looking forward to your visit someday…
Blessings
Bea Kunz