The Great Recession Gardens
The media has dubbed these economic times as "The Great Recession". There is no doubt that people and organizations from major corporations down to individual families are feeling the pinch.
Back during "The Great Depression" Eleanor Roosevelt planted a Victory Garden which prompted millions of Americans to do the same. Although we still share many of the reasons the Victory Garden was started, The Recession Gardens will give us even more incentive; namely-organic gardening is eco-friendly.
A Recession Garden can save you money, trips to the store and the earth. I'd say that is a pretty big incentive to start one. If you don't have a backyard or a yard at all, don't worry. There are all kinds of gardens from window box gardens to community gardens. They can be fun and rewarding as well.
Back during "The Great Depression" Eleanor Roosevelt planted a Victory Garden which prompted millions of Americans to do the same. Although we still share many of the reasons the Victory Garden was started, The Recession Gardens will give us even more incentive; namely-organic gardening is eco-friendly.
A Recession Garden can save you money, trips to the store and the earth. I'd say that is a pretty big incentive to start one. If you don't have a backyard or a yard at all, don't worry. There are all kinds of gardens from window box gardens to community gardens. They can be fun and rewarding as well.
Recession Garden money sense
Save money-make money
When Victory Gardens were planted by 20 million Americans in 1943 (and the British also planted Victory Gardens), those gardens were responsible for one-third of the vegetables consumed in the United States! One Third!
Did you know that the produce that is in your local grocery store has traveled an average of 1500 miles to get there? Think of all of the electricity, water, fuel and other resources that it took to plant, process, pick and transport that produce. Most of that produce is chemically treated. If you grow your own garden you can choose to go organic or go convenience but either way you are saving uber energy.
In the process, growing Recession Gardens (what used to be Victory Gardens) you can:
- gain independence from corporate food systems
- inspire community involvement
- get people closer to the natural environment.
Need more inspiration? The Burpee Seed people say that $50 worth of gardening supplies yields an average of $1250 worth of produce. That means you can feed your family and sell the rest at Farmer's Markets. Save money-make money, that's a win-win situation all in itself.
Kitchen Garden Planter
Gardener's Supply has the neatest new product
On their site they have an interactive program where you can see how many seeds can be planted in a specific area. They also have some awesome raised garden beds either preselected veggies or you can decide your own. Play with the interactive for a while, it's fun. Just look under Vegetable Gardens-New Kitchen Garden Planner. Photo is in this module. Shop Green at Gardener's!Garden Tweets
How does your garden grow?
Where to begin on your Recession Garden
If you are planning to go with traditional gardening then there are several places that can offer you help in that area. You may even try your local extension service. Later I will mention programs that are available in certain areas where the government is offering free or reduced materials for starting a garden! As far as tips and other very useful information I would recommend the information link listed in the organic garden information below. There is some fantastic information for any garden and extra help for organic gardening. (And, yes, I have bought and read it!)If you are going to go organic, which many people are, then I would suggest you get all of the information you need to start and grow your organic garden. I would recommend One stop Organic Gardening. Here is just some of the information they give you:
* Your very best area to grow your veggies (pgs 6-8)
* How to build up healthy, fertile soil without costing a fortune (pgs 14-19)
* How to feed your soil - the organic ways
* How to create an easy, 'no-dig' veggie plot (pgs 32-35)
* Massive savings by learning how to grow food from seeds (15 page bonus)
* 9 Essential tips to successfully transplanting your seedlings (pgs 38-40)
* WARNING: avoid killing your established plants when moving them
* Tips for the most effective watering (pgs 43-44)
* Why mulching is a must in every organic garden (pg45 reveals all)
* 5 easy ways to keep your garden weed free (pg 48)
* How to slash your food bill in half, feeling healthy and energized
* The 7 crucial ingredients to making great compost (pgs 23-25)
* What never to put into your compost; don't end up with a sticky, stinky mess
* How to make your own organic liquid fertilizers, saving $$'s (pg 50-51)
* Natural ways to protect your plants from pests and disease (pgs 52-56)
* Top 10 easiest veggies to grow (pgs 57-64)
* Secrets to growing lush, healthy herbs (pgs 65-68)
* Why to include perennial vegetables (pg 69-71)
* What you must do to grow your food if space is limited (pg 77)
* How much to plant for your family's needs (pgs 72-76)
And that's just a small 'glimpse' of what's included for you. This manual was created to give you simple, concise steps to easily create the right organic food garden for your family.
What to grow and when to plant
Garden info by other Lensmasters
Garden Give-aways
Free gardens or garden supplies
Certain areas are promoting the advantages of growing your own garden and want to help! As I get information I will add it here.
Clinton Mass:
Qualifications:
Do you:
· qualify for food stamps, fuel assistance, or WIC?
· get sun in your yard?
· live in our service area?
· have an interest in growing your own vegetables?
If you've answered yes to all of the above, you could become a GPGP client and receive a free garden! No gardening experience is necessary.
Olympia Washington
The Kitchen Garden Project builds free vegetable gardens for low-income families, seniors, disabled people, and single parents in Mason and Thurston Counties.
Clinton Mass:
Qualifications:
Do you:
· qualify for food stamps, fuel assistance, or WIC?
· get sun in your yard?
· live in our service area?
· have an interest in growing your own vegetables?
If you've answered yes to all of the above, you could become a GPGP client and receive a free garden! No gardening experience is necessary.
Olympia Washington
The Kitchen Garden Project builds free vegetable gardens for low-income families, seniors, disabled people, and single parents in Mason and Thurston Counties.
More common sense about Recession Gardens
The newer concept of Victory Gardens
It's become all too clear that we need to watch our pennies and at the same time become eco-friendly. Whether you want to plow up your entire backyard or just want to try a little window box garden, you will have the satisfaction of growing your own food, saving money, possibly making money AND helping to preserve the earth. It is a lot more fun than you may think.
Hey, I'm not an "out door gal" by any stretch of the imagination. My idea of roughing it is running the air conditioner without having the oscillating fans going. I'm planing to grow an organic garden (albeit a small one) so if I can do it, anyone can! The more people who catch onto the idea - the better. I'm declaring "Victory over Recession" and planing a Recession Garden, how about you?
**I'll be adding more information on a regular basis so check back soon!
Hey, I'm not an "out door gal" by any stretch of the imagination. My idea of roughing it is running the air conditioner without having the oscillating fans going. I'm planing to grow an organic garden (albeit a small one) so if I can do it, anyone can! The more people who catch onto the idea - the better. I'm declaring "Victory over Recession" and planing a Recession Garden, how about you?
**I'll be adding more information on a regular basis so check back soon!
Free help with your garden
If you want to obtain some valuable information you might contact your local Extension Service. There is a list HERE
What are your garden secrets?
Are you going to try a recession garden?
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purnimamoh
Sep 6, 2011 @ 8:25 pm | delete
- Hi, this is a wonderful lens and is a well written one. I completely agree with you on the importance of growing your own things. I had written a lens on roof top gardening. Please visit that too. the link is http://www.squidoo.com/growing-tomatoes-in-balcony-in-grocery-sacks
Regards
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WiscBear
Apr 13, 2010 @ 10:40 am | delete
- very nice lens. we started a recession garden in 2009, and had good success. am planning again for 2010. the vintage posters add a great touch.
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Tipi
Jul 13, 2009 @ 2:25 pm | delete
- I love gardening and fresh veggies to eat. This is a very nice lens and very helpful information. I too love the pictures you selected.
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Shelly
Jul 13, 2009 @ 1:16 pm | delete
- 1500 miles that our food travels to get to us on average, wow! Guess I never thought of it in those terms--important nutrients can be lost in that time and distance. We live in the country and just added a second garden this year, growing your own is just the way to go! Also, as neighbors and friend's crops come in, we benefit from them, as they do from us. In the northland we have a short growing season and really appreciate the garden fresh, just picked taste! A friend of ours even brings us tomato and pepper plants that he grows himself every year. I love the pictures here, so fun!
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SemperFidelis Apr 22, 2009 @ 9:41 pm | delete
- Blessings on this one Veronica. Love the vintage ads. Nice touch! ~ Colleen ;)
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by vbright105
I'm Veronica, and I have been creating lenses on Squidoo since July of 2008. I am now a "Giant Squid 100"! I have graduated from Rocket Moms... more »
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