An article in the latest
addition of AARP magazine (March/April 2009) brings to mind memories of a time
when gardening was pretty much a necessity.
We’ve grown away from that concept in our generation because the grocery
stores carry everything from artichokes to zucchini, and gardening is just too
much work for working families to take on.
In recent times gardening
has taken on the role of a hobby or an excuse for people to get out doors and
muck around in the soil. Gardening does
entail a lot of work but as we face retirement we will have a little more time
to invest, won’t we?
Today, with the economy
taking a dive, we just may see the kitchen garden make a comeback. Doesn’t it bother you to pay nearly two
dollars for a head of lettuce, or nearly as much for two tomatoes or a single
parsnip? Temptations abound but we have
been away from the soil for so long that the whole idea of growing our own food
again is rather daunting.
It just might be time to
start researching and experimenting (fortunately information is readily
available and support groups abound) in a corner of the back forty or if you don’t
have a back forty you can grow things on your balcony or patio.
Think small as even a tiny
plot can provide a considerable amount of food.
Keep in mind that your friends, family and neighbors don’t really want
multiple gifts based on your bumper crop of zucchinis and cucumbers.
Your biggest concerns are
healthy soil and plenty of sunshine.
Test your soil and then promise not to skimp on organic matter and
fertilizer. Till the soil to make the
beds soft and fluffy, put up some protective barriers to ward off rabbits,
groundhogs and pets, and decide what you want to grow. Seed packets are arranged in colorful
displays at your favorite nursery. Seeds
will stay fresh for 3 years so you don’t have to use them all and you don’t
have to throw away leftovers. Before
long you will be falling asleep with dreams of strawberries, tomatoes, carrots
and your own lettuce dancing in your heads.
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