Come Spring...Think About Turning a Spade of Dirt

Today holds great promise; as I write this it's nearly 67 degrees outside, the sun is shining brightly, and there's a gentle breeze. As I went for a walk around the yard earlier, I picked the first daffodils. 
It's a little mushy out there right now; I can see the river easily from our house, which means it's pretty far out of its banks. Certainly not a time for planting anywhere, even on the high banks of Highbanks. But that doesn't keep one from thinking about it.


As I walked past the raised bed in the yard, I visualized it freshly tilled with the first glimpse of lettuce, radishes, and scallions peeking through the soil. A nice vision indeed.


Do you keep a little patch in your yard as a garden? Perhaps a container or two? A big part of living sustainably is as simple as turning a spade of dirt. Growing a few things locally and eating them will do many things to help you and your immediate area. It will:

• keep you healthier--exercise from growing the vegetables (even in a container) will help you by using large and small muscle groups, by getting out in the fresh air, and by de-stressing when instead of fuming and re-running the days' events you're concentrating on the care of what you've planted
• help with keeping your pocketbook less depleted--when you grow some of your own vegetables, you make the initial investment in seed, some fertilizer, and, perhaps (depending on the size) either a container or some basic tools for cultivating the soil. A good idea for containers is using something as simple as the bottom half of a gallon milk jug. Put some small rocks in the bottom for drainage and then put the soil on top. (Keep in mind that potting soil will dry out faster than regular dirt--water accordingly.) Another suggestion--share tools with neighbors. If four houses are keeping small garden spots, more than likely not every one needs to buy a hoe, a spade, a garden rake, etc. Pool resources which will keep expenses of equipment down to the minimum
• build a sense of community. If you plant lettuce, your neighbor to the left plants radishes, and the neighbor to your right plants scallions, just the mere act of sharing gives three houses nice salads. Grow a bit more of one particular vegetable and have neighbors do the same. Share and reap the benefits not only of one vegetable, but a table full!
• healthier eating. By harvesting fresh vegetables and using them straightway, you are keeping the nutrients fresh and not wasting away in a warehouse, on a truck, or plane flying thousands of miles to sit at a supermarket. Just the smallest amount of freshness at the table will give you better health and, after eating the fresh vegetables, you'll enjoy the freshness and "real" taste

So...think about turning that spade of dirt or creating that container garden this spring. Talk it over with your neighbors about perhaps having community tools and sharing the bounty of the foods grown. Sustainability isn't a difficult thing to do; we just kind of forgot how to do it. Let's get back to it, and in turn, teach our next generations to make it a natural part of life.

For more information on the container growing or starting a vegetable garden, you can contact the Extension Office at the Court House in Petersburg. You can also contact a Master Gardner. Additionally, the local library in Otwell will have books, guides, and use of computers for you to do your own searches.

Live well, Eat well, Otwell!