I
just returned from a trip to Portland and I’m very excited. Yes, the city
is nice, the weather was amazing and the babies in Birkenstocks were adorable –
but this is not what has me wound up. I’m excited about …THE FRONT YARD
GARDENS!
While
walking around different neighborhoods I saw garden beds tucked in amongst
perennial flowers and shrubs, filled with tomatoes, greens and herbs.
These were beautiful old residential areas with a strip of grass between the
sidewalk and road and often time a garden bed was squeezed into the small
space. It was inspiring to see so many households growing a few
vegetables and not just for obvious reasons. Growing your own food is generally
preceded by a concern or desire to be healthier, know where your food comes
from, save money, cook more at home or be more self-sufficient. I admire
all of these reasons and I do my best to promote them in my gardening classes
and everyday life.
Sacramento
has its own thriving agriculture scene and continues to see more people
participate in urban gardening and farming. Unfortunately, this growth
has not altered many front yards and the green lawn ideal continues to
prevail. The City of Sacramento passed an ordinance in 2007 allowing
fruit and vegetables in the front yard but gardens have been slow to catch
on. I know there are a variety of other reasons for this, like the
expense of ripping up a lawn and replanting or a neighborhood association
allowing only lawns. It might also be that people think their vegetables could
be taken if they are visible from the street. Now I haven't scouted every
neighborhood and I'm sure there are pockets of front yard gardens, but would not it be great to see more? Instead of all that grass growing, it would be nice
to see food growing! How much food could you grow in place of your lawn?
Submitted by Kate Wilkins, AmeriCorps VISTA at Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.
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