Urban Dwellers Looking To Produce Food Encounter Restrictions

[Athena]

http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=63&pictureid=935

Here in Seattle, not unlike many of the more dense, urban landscapes, there is a patch of grass between the sidewalk and the street, often the home of trees or decorative flower beds. But as space is limited and sustainability becomes an increasingly popular concept, some citizens are looking to these small patches to grow food. Unfortunately, transportation officials aren't so hip on the idea, and they are instructing folks to find another solution.

They bring up some good points - street run off could compromise the plants. Also, the crops could spill into the street or attract pests. Still, aside from the first issue, which is at an owner's risk, anyway, the last two could be easily limited through regulation. I really feel like the city should strongly encourage this kind of solution to food prices. Portland, OR already does.

Article (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/365448_urbanfarming02.html?source=rss)

Should these people be allowed to grow there, given the increase in food costs? Also, as food costs increase, will you be planting things you might not normally?

I'm looking into an herb garden, for now. I can't boast a green thumb, so I'm trying not to bite off more than I can chew. Still, I use a lot of fresh herbs that can be a little spendy to purchase, so I figured I ought to try my hand at it.

[Raq me darkly]

Personally, I would not want to eat food grown there. Maybe if it is on a little side street with little to no traffic, but generally, no.

Stuff that gets put down on the streets when it snows can be toxic to the soil
Stray animals are more likely to pee, poop, and dig there (I doubt the city will let you fence it)
Bored kids are going to have fun ripping it up, spraying it with whatever they have handy
Splash from the street when it rains (and the oils and gunk that accumulate on the street)

We have a small yard between our house and our neighbor. He likes to spray weed killer and has poisoned most of the dirt there. Rather than fight with him about it, I am planning on ripping everything out from there and starting a container herb garden. Then he can spray the ground there as much as he wants (his side of the fence is plant-free mulch). We did come to an agreement, he does not spray along the property line at the back where I grow garlic. In return I give him some of the garlic (he wouldn't want to be poisoning himself, eh?)

If they let you grow flowers, you can grow edible flowers, herbs, etc.

[w8ng4msrgt]

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a320/w8ng4msrgt/2008%20Pictures/garden/040808/inside04080802.jpg

This is what I use indoors. It really does work great. Since we are leasing this place I am doing container gardening outside. I have tomatoes, eggplant, and cucumbers.

I don't see a problem with using those strips but I am a responsible adult most of the time. I can just see somebody shooting a cat for taking a dump in their blueberries or a neighbor for stealing a few.

[Nell]

I want one of those! I live in an apartment and that would be super handy!

[CPL CHUD]

You've got to be pretty damn desperate to start growing shit by the street. I think the city is trying to prevent potential health issues.

[w8ng4msrgt]

I want one of those! I live in an apartment and that would be super handy!

Garden (http://www.aerogrow.com/)

[dop]

Thanks a bunch W8ting, I once saw that on a tv infomercial and tougth it would make a great gift for my mom, as shes really into growing stuff and into hydroponics(wich I asume this was at the time, but now realise its Airoponics wich sounds even cooler), then I forgot the name and couldnt find it no more.

We grow a lot of shit on the yard here, banas, peaches, lemons, peppers, oranges, avocados, figs, you name it, my mom loves growing stuff.

Edit:

Ohhh and you know, on the actual topic, I wouldnt want to eat that stuff on acount of what Rag mentioned but that should really be up to the grower anyway, I dont see the problem with letting them grow it.

[Unamused Cat]

Garden (http://www.aerogrow.com/)

I would like to have one. I just don't think I could keep the cats from messing with it.

[LeeMouse]

My guess is that it's also for safety while actually tending that strip. I might not spend a lot of time bending over my flower garden if it means waving my big ass right in everyone's car window...but if it's a vegetable garden? And that food is going to be dinner for the family? Yeah, I'd be out there next to the roadway, bending over my plants and completely not paying attention to traffic, all the time.

[swivel]

I'm against the idea. Land isn't that scarce. Grow it in your yard. Petition your community for a shared garden space (parks are almost never used, anyway). But for god's sakes, stay the fuck away from the road. That area was created to be a buffer between people and vehicles. Making it a loitering spot is fucking ignorant.

I can think of so many other problems, like drive-by theft, kids poisoning gardens, children lured towards the street (especially with the fine example set by the adults). Seriously, there is nothing smart about this at all. Nothing. If it were the only arable land left in urban settings, I would still question the idea. If you are in an apartment, check out hydroponic options, or build a balcony with a garden, or do something small outside of every window, or MOVE TO A FUCKING FARM.

This "Green" trend is going to ruin the rest of my fucking life, isn't it?

[Athena]

I'm against the idea. Land isn't that scarce. Grow it in your yard. Petition your community for a shared garden space (parks are almost never used, anyway). But for god's sakes, stay the fuck away from the road. That area was created to be a buffer between people and vehicles. Making it a loitering spot is fucking ignorant.

I can think of so many other problems, like drive-by theft, kids poisoning gardens, children lured towards the street (especially with the fine example set by the adults). Seriously, there is nothing smart about this at all. Nothing. If it were the only arable land left in urban settings, I would still question the idea. If you are in an apartment, check out hydroponic options, or build a balcony with a garden, or do something small outside of every window, or MOVE TO A FUCKING FARM.

This "Green" trend is going to ruin the rest of my fucking life, isn't it?

While I agree that it is not the most efficient idea I've ever run across, I certainly can't see it being as disasterly as you suggest, only because gardens already exist in these locations. Changing from flower to vegetable gardens doesn't seem such a dramatic shift as to cause myriad new problems. This is a common sight in Seattle.

http://www.dreamindemon.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=63&pictureid=951

[Raq me darkly]

The main difference between a food garden and a ornamental garden is that an ornamental garden is not tended as much. The example you show, Athena, does not require a lot aside from planting. People are not going to be crawling on the ground snorting exhaust fumes.

[CPL CHUD]

Changing from flower to vegetable gardens doesn't seem such a dramatic shift as to cause myriad new problems.
Except, of course, you're sticking one option down your throat.

[Athena]

Eh, I still say that all ought to be up to them. I can't see producing food in these gardens becoming a trend, anyway.

[swivel]

Eh, I still say that all ought to be up to them. I can't see producing food in these gardens becoming a trend, anyway.

That's exactly what it will become. A bunch of trendy snobs living in McMansions, driving their hybrids, and pretending that they are all "greener" than the next guy while competing on the sidewalk gardening circuit sporting a few grand in new "Urban Gardening Wear and Accessories".

[Athena]

That's exactly what it will become. A bunch of trendy snobs living in McMansions, driving their hybrids, and pretending that they are all "greener" than the next guy while competing on the sidewalk gardening circuit sporting a few grand in new "Urban Gardening Wear and Accessories".

LMAO...I think you give them too much credit. Tending a garden is much more work than driving a Prius. :p

[swivel]

LMAO...I think you give them too much credit. Tending a garden is much more work than driving a Prius. :p

They'll have their illegal Mexicans doing the dirty work.

[Athena]

They'll have their illegal Mexicans doing the dirty work.

Man...I'm totally going to kick myself if I drive through Seattle one day only to see armies of brown people tending the space between the street and the sidewalk.

In fact, I should ready my Twilight Zone music now, just in case.

[CPL CHUD]

They'll have their illegal Mexicans doing the dirty work.
They'll need someone to pick the glass out of the tomatos.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

I think there will be roving gangs of produce thieves. Drive by pickings. People will start shooting anyone they think is a boulevard bandit. Dead-of-night up-rootings.

tsk tsk

[CPL CHUD]

I think there will be roving gangs of produce thieves. Drive by pickings. People will start shooting anyone they think is a boulevard bandit. Dead-of-night up-rootings.

tsk tsk

You jest but.....

[maryhaze]

all the bandits would be thrilled here. half the shit i plant, i forget where i planted it. is it horseradish or dog who passed 3 yrs ago. i reeally need a root cellar.

[Dakota Valkyrie]

is it horseradish or dog who passed 3 yrs ago.
Horseradish may as well be a weed - that shit is hard to get rid of!

I love it but when we bought the house, there were 3 groups of it in 3 different parts of the yard. (who plants horseradish in the flower garden?) We kept the one that was in the actual vegetable garden, but the other 2 kept reappearing for years. Dig, spray, repeat. Took forever.