“The single greatest lesson the garden teaches is that our relationship to the planet need not be zero-sum…and we can find ways to provide for ourselves without diminishing the world.” -Michael Pollan, 2008
Victory Gardens have made a comeback. This time, instead of victory over the enemy overseas, modern Victory Gardens are declaring victory over “food miles,” the number of miles that the average piece of produce will travel to arrive on your plate.
The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service says that the average grocery item in the United States travels between 1300 to 2000 miles to reach the consumer’s table, and that, “around 80 percent of energy used in the U.S. food system goes to processing, packaging, transporting, storing, and preparing food.” In addition to the environmental considerations, eliminating the need to survive a long trek, and weeks on a shelf, means home gardeners can grow varieties bred for taste, not durability.
“During World War II, victory gardens supplied as much as 40 percent of the produce Americans ate,” says Michael Pollan, author of bestselling food manifesto Omnivore’s Dilemma, “But there are sweeter reasons to plant that garden,” he continues, “chances are, your garden will re-engage you with your neighbors, for you will have produce to give away and the need to borrow their tools.”
Edmonds’ recently announced Climate Change Action Plan, recognizes the importance of growing our own food. Echoing the sentiment of Pollan, the Action Plan shares that, “in digging in the dirt, we come to appreciate that oneness with nature and the interdependence of the many elements that we must protect to ensure a stable food supply.”
The Action Plan outlines the goal of increasing local food production by encouraging home and community gardens, “and gardens on the verges of public spaces and streets.” With this year’s budget as tight as everyone else’s, it looks like this plan was a bit ambitious. “The Committee did envision the City of Edmonds as taking on an organizational role in running a p-patch program, using edges of parks, donated property, and other public spaces” says Todd Cloutier, a member of Sustainable Edmonds, and a member of the city’s Climate Protection Committee, “However, despite lots of good will, there’s just not the manpower for starting and maintaining such a program right now.”
Sustainable Edmonds, which was working with the city to establish a community garden project, passed the torch to Betty Larman and the Edmonds Floretum Garden Club, who started a small community garden, this spring, on the property of Edmonds Christian Church. Betty recently reported that 23 of the 24 plots have already been rented for this gardening season, and the large plot reserved for the Edmonds Food Bank is planted to capacity. There are currently no plans to extend the Floretum Garden Club’s community garden program any further than its current scope.
It looks like Edmonds will have to wait for a city-run community garden program, at least for this year. In the meantime, there are two other private organizations that offer soil for you to sink your shovel into, if you don’t have a sunny backyard to call your own. The Beloveds Church just broke ground in the back of Rosewood Manor on 220th and can be reached at email ryan@belovedschurch.org, or by phone (206) 356-7976. The Good Shepherd Baptist Church’s community garden, on 196th, just announced that two more large plots have become available to gardeners by calling 425-774-1010 or emailing sfsmith123@aol.com.
For many environmentally conscious homeowners, thirsty lawns have become passé. Are you ready to join the ranks of those who are rebelling against the aesthetic of green grass, and opt for edible landscaping instead? For those with the dirt to dig, but not the skills to yield food, the website UrbanGardenShare.org is available to play matchmaker between “black thumb” homeowners and landless “green thumbs.” Each pair of gardener and homeowner establish their own agreement regarding labor division and crop sharing.
In the spirit of getting creative, have you considered using the “parking strip” of grass, between the sidewalk and the street, to grow your next salad? Vegetables gardens are allowed in this sunny, and often overlooked, strip of soil. The Edmonds Mayor’s office advises that any plants growing there should not interfere with traffic or sight distance. If you have questions about your plans to plant in your parking strip, they can be answered by City Engineer, Rob English.
According to the National Gardening Association, a well-maintained small food garden yields a $500 return on the investment of seed and tools. So, whether you plan on putting a few seeds in the ground this year to help the planet, or help your health, it will probably help your pocketbook as well.
Helpful Resources:
“Food Not Lawns” by Heather C. Flores
Lara Alexander is an Edmonds resident, “urban farmer” and food lover. She can be found writing about growing and eating food at www.food-soil-thread.com
