Dig for Victory - Mark II

ceridwen

Where IS all this food everyone is said to be growing?

Having been on a long bus ride in my area yesterday it struck me forcibly that I literally hadn't spotted one single bit of food growing in any of the numerous gardens I had passed.

I'm envious of all these houses with decent gardens - as I've only a tiny little backyard (and a large part of that is overshadowed by a massive great wall - thus reducing food-growing opportunities even more).

Nevertheless, I have "girded my loins" and I'm having a go - so I've got some tomato plants, a spaghetti squash, a courgette plant and a nasturtium in that teensy bit of backyard that DOES get a fair bit of sun and am having a go at growing a couple of types of salad leaves in some trays on the kitchen windowsill to see what happens.

A conversation started up on the bus between me and several of the other passengers - and another one joined in saying "I was just thinking about what I heard you saying - you're right - come to think of it - I haven't seen any either! Why should all these supermarkets have our money?".

So - come on Britain - get out those trowels and Dig for Victory (only this time round Victory consists of getting Britain to produce more than the teensy 48% of its own food that is all we produce at present).

Our level of "food security" as a nation is appallingly low.

(Having been called "the resident queen of linkies" then I cant end without giving an apt one:

www.growingcommunities.org

and rocketgardens produce "readymade" food plants sold on line if, like me, the thought of growing them from seed is all too much or you dont have the space.

Further inspiration is on Rosengeranium's blog (she is a Swedish indoor gardener - but the blog is written in English):

http://indoorgardener.blogspot.com/

(I rather like her 7 June post on rooftop gardens).

Davesnave

Don't worry, when the economic downturn really takes hold and as food prices continue to soar, many more people will rediscover their green-fingered side.

MRSMCAWBER

Morning

Well i have the bug ..although im having to make do with tubs at the moment...
My mum, at the age of 69 has had 3 huge raised beds made from sleepers in her garden, along with the shed and 2 greenhouses :eek: and she is having the time of her life...

here is where im up to so far.... and have started reaping the rewards already :T

Lotus-eater

Davesnave wrote: »

Don't worry, when the economic downturn really takes hold and as food prices continue to soar, many more people will rediscover their green-fingered side.

Don't bet on it.

Most food is grown in the back garden, so you wouldn't have seen it. No idea how many people are growing food now, it is more than before.

lindseykim13

MRSMCAWBER wrote: »

Morning

Well i have the bug ..although im having to make do with tubs at the moment...
My mum, at the age of 69 has had 3 huge raised beds made from sleepers in her garden, along with the shed and 2 greenhouses :eek: and she is having the time of her life...

here is where im up to so far.... and have started reaping the rewards already :T

I grow my own in the front garden so the kids get the back and i also have a lotty, anyone who comes to my house say's its a good idea, but how does your garden look so tidy? lol i have pallets, wood, netting, compost everywhere!

mary43

Judging by all the people one here seems like quite a lot are 'having a go'....we do what we can with the space we've got..........two courgette plants, numerous tomatos,two lots of runner beans, chillis (we hope -so far so good) and two lots of carrots and potatos................all in pots, but it works for us. We've been doing it for a few years now but this is a first for tomatos in hanging baskets and carrots in pots

GreenNinja

My garden can't be seen from the road... its only postage stamp size and part of it is in perpetual shade but have done some tubs with salad leaves, aubergine plant, butternut squash plant, tomatoes, spring onions, and also a few runner bean plants growing up the fence. Oh and have put 2 window boxes up at the front which I am growing various herbs in.

:j Wish me luck!

lhd4

i havebeen growing veg in our back garden for a while. this year its on hold while we reorganise the garden for our 1 yr old and 2 1/2 y/o. My o/h is putting his consruction skills to thetest and trying to make a hen house. We are planning to have chickens in the next fewmonths ( ex-battery) :j i cant wait:j

Davesnave

Lotus-eater wrote: »

Don't bet on it.

Most food is grown in the back garden, so you wouldn't have seen it. No idea how many people are growing food now, it is more than before.

Well there's certainly more interest than 20 years ago. Then, I was able to rent two 200 square metre allotments because there was no demand. Now there's a waiting list.

As to the food issue, I don't subscribe to the view that there will be a few years of pain and then back to the status quo. The era of cheap food is ending fast, never to return, which may be just as well, as much of our past advantaged position was gained by keeping others disadvantaged. Also, the huge amount of food waste many Britons generate, as highlighted in a recent survey, needs addressing.

Lotus-eater

Davesnave wrote: »

Well there's certainly more interest than 20 years ago. Then, I was able to rent two 200 square metre allotments because there was no demand. Now there's a waiting list.

As to the food issue, I don't subscribe to the view that there will be a few years of pain and then back to the status quo. The era of cheap food is ending fast, never to return, which may be just as well, as much of our past advantaged position was gained by keeping others disadvantaged. Also, the huge amount of food waste many Britons generate, as highlighted in a recent survey, needs addressing.

One of my gardening books starts off with an anecdote about a friend who used to grow all their own food, but then stopped due to food being so cheap. Then, as vegetables became more expensive he dug up his lawn and started again.
This was written in the 70's

I think the main thing that has changed is the organic/ less chemicals thingy. The food costs may make a little difference, but if you have no desire to grow your own, paying an extra £10 a week on your shopping won't make you.

ceridwen

Well Mrs McCawber - I've been picturing your photos of loads of containers all put together growing stuff - hence thinking "If she can, I can - and I'll take a leaf out of her book and not necessarily think in terms of conventional garden containers to put the stuff in".

I am inclined to agree with the view that it wont be the "few years of pain" and then back to "business as normal". I think this IS now "business as normal". I also think there is the issue to take into account of the world as a whole is getting short of food - so, in conscience, it feels right to at least try and grow what one can of one's own food (to save having to take quite so much from the "communal amount") even if one can manage without the financial savings.