homegrown tomato with homespun irrigation
Much of my desire to become self-sustaining has been in the aftermath of some of the current crises of the times. Though in many ways I believe the fall of the State may be beneficial in the end, I do not predict the interim to be peaceful. I don’t have any steadfast views on what the future may hold, but I do find my path to be guided toward preparedness for a future that is not like my parents during the era of white-segregated wealth-building, homesteading, and military benefits, but more like my grandparents who lived through the Holocaust and Depression. I wish I were lucky enough to have their wisdom and experience to offer me reflections on the fear and questioning I have, but I trust that I can access that wisdom regardless of their physical presence.
But, in a more tangible sense, I want to build a food garden! I have seriously considered investing in land, preparing a cooperative living space, and working to have a nonviolent and right livelihood environment be my whole life (especially with such a profound example as my dear friend Kavitha Rao at Common Fire). I have not been guided to that path, and instead, continue to be directed to a householding life (as much as my ego resists it) for the time being. So, my garden will hopefully flourish in our backyard, a fair-sized city yard that currently sprouts crabgrass, pine needles, and the odd slug or snail.
My two tomato plants (above) had been potted, and were the first transplants. There were three, but one died. Sorry, tomato plant. I think it was a little gray when I bought it, so I don’t take entire responsibility, but, it did go in my hands. I set up cheap irrigation, consisting of water bottles dug into the base, then punctured with a pinhole so that they may provide drip water.Then, I’ll be setting up a combination of square-foot and lasagna gardening styles to get some greens going. Those last links are about the basics, but for a beautiful tutorial, visit Frugal Dad’s page on square-footing.
my bookcase full o' greens
After a typical weekend of picking up free stuff on the sidewalk and rearranging my entire house, I had a spare bookcase in my hallway. I decided this would be my box for layering, even though it is really best not to have laminated particle board. Sometimes I cut corners. I have set up the layers of wet newspaper (to smother the grass), mulch, soil, mulch, and soil, watered it, and covered it with garbage bags. This creates a quick-and-dirty composting site, where the layers begin to decompose and create a rich planting bed. I’ll be transplanting some organic kale and collard seedlings I got from the spectacular Oakland farmer’s market.
An update will follow! Hopefully the slightly tumultous process of replanting these little guys won’t do much harm, and my little patch of greens and reds will begin to give me hope for a table full of food for the future.
