There is an amazing article on the Guerilla Gardening movement in the Los Angeles Times. For the last few years I've been fantasizing about planting a community garden in the front yard of the vacant house accross the street. I then moved on to thinking about helping people plant veggies in the little sidewalk patches of city-dirt on residential streets. I was waiting to be a better gardener. To not be loosing crops each season to aphids and mold problems. I'm still not there yet. But In the meanwhile, there are lots of people apparently living my dream such as Islands of LA, and Farm Lab. The times turned me on to these amazing blogs: Homegrown Revolution and The Guerilla Gardner. Maybe this summer's plans will include some evenings spent Gurrilla Gardening!! I think planting our own food is really important, especially with the rising costs and diminished taste of (even the organic) store purchased produce. When I really think about it, it scares me that we depend on mysterious sources for all of our food and water. We take for granted that 'they' will keep providing for us. Gardening is power. And its a great work out and meditation. And NOTHING tastes better than a veggie you grew yourself. Ohh...I better water my garden.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
gardening fun
I love to garden. Really. Nothing makes me feel more at peace than dirty finger nails and the sound of birds chirping. The garden is a metaphor. When I'm happy & healthy, so are my plants. The succulents supple, the veggies abundant. When busy or in a dark place, the garden becomes a neglected jungle. So, clearing that wild growth each spring, gives me a renewed sense of spiritual jouissance. 
I have millions of Decollate Snails in my garden. If you need some let me know. And does anyone have a good organic trick for getting rid of aphids? I've tried organic poisons, marigolds, lady bugs, soap water, & chilli water, without luck. Probably needs more diligence, like catching them before they stage a coup d’état on my veggies.
Last week I hung out with my friend David Burns. Dave shares my love of plants and is one of the founders of the art collective, Fallen Fruit. After going to check out the California Video show at the Getty, Dave & I stopped at the Sunset Blvd Nursery in Silverlake. David is apparently a huge tomato fan and has like 17million tomato plants at home. He bought 1 package of brandywine tomatoes, 1 pack of romas, & 1 pack of basil. He sent me home with half of everything which 'forced' me to work in the garden last week. I can't stand the sight of a wilting baby plant! I finally cleared space, added some nutrients to the soil and planted the little dears in the ground along with a few seeds from my stash. Lots more work to do, to plant the other beds, but im well on the way. Thanks Dave!