Scene In Detroit: Get Your Green Thumb Ready
By Amelia Kanan, CBSDetroit Blogger
The unusual warmth of this winter and this DIY Planter has my engine humming for this spring/summer gardening season and this post is my way of jump starting yours.
Growing a vegetable/fruit/herb garden isn't just for hipsters and moms who home school, it can be for anyone. Sure, urban farming has become a trend, it's like another button you can pin on that allows you entrance into some sort of elite indie club.
But to me, this is ridiculous because farming is one of the most ancient ways of life and the essence of survival. How dare people make something so fundamental a fad? However, because of all the positive and practical solutions individual farming provides, I am forced to take a deep breath and ignore my instinct to "not do something because it's cool" (my typical reaction).
Why?
- It's a good way to provide low incomers with healthy, affordable and organic food.
- It's a great source of pride, responsibility and commitment.
- It's a multifaceted teaching tool.
On a selfish note, what I like most about farming my own food is the self-sufficiency, the flavor and the convenience of stepping out my back door with a pair of sheers and snipping something as opposed to getting in my car and driving to the grocery store. I promise you, a tomato you grow will taste so much better than any tomato you've ever eaten from a grocery store. You'll become so spoiled you'll never want to buy another one from the grocery store again. Although it's too early to begin, it's a good idea to prepare early for a successful season of growth.
What can you do right now?
Invision your plan: What do you want to plant? Don't plant anything you're not going to eat. This may sound like common sense but you'd be surprised how many people plant veggies in their garden just because it's a normal thing to plant. Plant what you want to eat. Blooming ideas: geens, broccoli, zucchini, beans, peppers, strawberries, rasberries, cucumbers, thyme, mint, rosemary and sweet basil. Obviously, there are a tons more but start with the basics.
Research: What do your veggies/herbs need to grow? What's their harvest season? How much does one plant produce? Michigan State has a really helpful Michigan gardening website.
Assess your Tools: What do you have for gardening? Is it all in one place, that's easy to get to? Buy the things you don't have and gather everything together so it's a visible reminder/motivator. Also, how's your soil situation?
Grid it Out: Where is everything going to go? The shaded part of the bed vs. the sunny part of the bed. How many plants will you need to fill a certain space? Keep in mind sprinklers and their times/frequency.
Weed, clean and prune: The weather has been so beautiful it's a great opportunity to get some Vitamin D while getting your hands dirty.
So, now that I have planted my seed, go on and plant your own.
