Upside Down...

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Permalink Reply by ilex on July 10, 2008 at 10:09am

Yeah Yvette, I think we have sunk that low. It started with the post-WWII brainwashing trifecta of consumerism, modernism, and 20-cent gasoline. Earl Butz finished it off in the early 70's by turning food into a commodity and creating a system that favored big over small. For the past 60 years, we've made about every mistake we could make when it comes to food. It will all change once the lack of petroleum really starts to bite down hard. Within 10 years you'll be the neighborhood sensei, teaching gardening 101 to everyone who still wants to eat. Growing food won't be subversive when they're hungry.

Your garden sounds incredibly fabulous, by the way.

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Permalink Reply by Mary worton on July 10, 2008 at 12:25pm

Yvette, sadly that is the "modern way" of things. My mother, grandmother and all before had gardens, I grow one every year, but times have changed to a point where it is all about instant gratification, fast food, disposable everything. These people make these comments and look at you in "that way" because they know no differently. They weren't raised to be independent in that way. I would continue to be proud of what you grow, independent in feeding yourself and your family, and indifferent to the looks and comments. You can bet that when they can't afford to buy groceries, they will be looking to you for guidance. Watch out, however, for the desperate individuals who would steal from you.

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Permalink Reply by Weeping Sore on July 10, 2008 at 12:31pm

Hi Yvette,
If I knew you better, I might accuse you of being subversive in trying to swim against the tide of Big Ag and Wal*America. But I'd only do that if I knew you'd realize I was kidding.
Don't feel horrible and depressed for wanting to feed your family on healthy nutritious food. Of course you're doing the right thing - for you and for the green revolution. You're also an example to your neighbors that front-yard veggie gardens are practical and pretty - even if they don't admit it to you. When I walk through my neighborhood, I often pass a house with a 4-foot fence facing the street, and some lemon trees overhanging the fence. There's a small, neat sign on the fence, visible only to people walking by, that says "Help yourself to any lemons you can reach, but please don't hurt our trees". You might want to plant a tomato next to the street and see if people don't harvest those within reach. This is how you spread your subversive message

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Permalink Reply by Penelope on July 10, 2008 at 12:55pm

Good for you!

Food plants are beautiful. I wonder why some people don't think so.

Maybe we need a campaign like the Black is Beautiful campaign in the 1960s to change people's attitudes..

Food plants are beautiful!

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Permalink Reply by ilex on July 10, 2008 at 1:01pm

The logo can be an upright, angry-looking fist grasping a tomato...

Oh, wait- I think that was Black Power. Tomato Power, then? :)

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Permalink Reply by Pam on July 10, 2008 at 1:00pm

I have friends that didn't even know potatoes had a plant part... until they saw mine! It's funny how removed we've become from our food. Now that I've started paying attention to what they do to our food, I've become a LOT more picky - and love my garden all the more!

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Permalink Reply by Maggie on July 10, 2008 at 5:27pm

Hi Yvette,
I checked out your blog and front yard garden, they are both great.
Looks like you and your family are having lots of fun , I suspect most kitchen gardeners enjoy life more.
Well most of the folks in KGI seem pretty happy to be growing and enjoying their own fruits and veggies.
Your post about canning the apricots is great, a good reference for others.

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Permalink Reply by Leah on July 11, 2008 at 7:00am

Yvette,
I live in a town where very few people grow their own food. My neighbors are excited about my backyard efforts, though, and have dropped big hints about wanting to receive some of our bounty.

The other day, I came home to our back gate being left open. When I went to pick our strawberries, most of the berries (at least a quart) that were ripe for picking were gone. Now, I don't know who or what took them, but if it was a person, I think that they must have been starved for that connection with the land. I hope that they enjoyed the berries.

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Permalink Reply by Maggie on July 12, 2008 at 5:46am

We have river cottage with Hugh ? I have not seen him move to the suburbs, but if it is the same guy, I love all his other shows.
I think because of the no flavour veggies available in supermarkets, people do not have any idea how fantastic fresh veggies taste.
I think if we entertain or cook our fresh produce for others they will realize the difference, but it may take a little time. I guess we have to wash produce before giving it to friends until they get used to real food.

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Permalink Reply by Rachel on July 30, 2008 at 7:30pm

Actually, as a suburbanite, non-healthy eater and new gardener, I totally understand having difficulty knowing what to do with what I harvest.

It takes a whole new mind set from what we're used to...convenience, little to no prep time, having to figure out how to prepare and what goes well with what we've got in front of us.

If it doesn't already, the project might have a greater impact if it continues on to the next step and works with the new gardeners to teach preparation and storage techniques.
Sadly though, i must admit that that I know from experience that it's faster and easier to grab a bag of chips than to slice vegetables....even though one is good for you and the other isn't; one will keep, and the other won't.

Like I said, it's a new mind-set, and I'm still working on mine.

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Permalink Reply by John on July 12, 2008 at 6:45am

My family recently attended a party at a beach house on the coast in North Carolina. I was amazed at how the owners of the home incorporated countless vegetable gardens within their standard landscaping. It was not only pleasing to the eye but to the nose as well. It's truly amazing what can be accomplished with some imagination, creativity and hard work. If someone has a negative perception about your front garden I'm sure it's because they have not sample it's pleasantries or they are probably just angry people. Keep up the great work. PEACE

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Permalink Reply by Maggie on July 12, 2008 at 7:01am

Yes, everything is about how we see our surroundings

Home Grown Veggie's for ever.
Good tasting veggies and good nutrition for all!

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