The Seeds of Something Bigger
This article that predicts a widespread seed shortage hasn’t left my thoughts since I first read it weeks ago. It hadn’t occurred to me that the home gardening boom could go anywhere but forward, but Sharon Astyk’s article really makes me think more critically about producing my own food.
I’m as guilty as (guiltier than) anyone, when it comes to jumping on the green bandwagon, preferring anything with an organic classification, and following trends that, upon closer examination, are case studies of marketing savvy rather than environmental responsibility. In my eager hands, a little knowledge is truly dangerous.
When it comes to gardening, in particular, I like to learn by doing. I remain convinced that it’s the best way to learn, given that growing conditions seem to differ from one inch to the next. Lately, however, I have been reconsidering what it means, exactly, to learn by doing. Enthusiasm is one thing, and commitment is something entirely different. I’m in this gardening thing for the long haul, and, given the current state of the economy and the environment, that means I have the opportunity to do something profoundly meaningful for myself and my family, here, as long as I keep my critical capacities about me.
In short, I don’t want there to be more “doing” going on than “learning.”
What this means — concretely, right now — is that I’m choosing seeds more judiciously. I love to eat salad, so I’m going to grow more greens than glamorous crops that I don’t actually enjoy eating very much. And I love the economy, self-reliance, and (let’s face it) nurturing aspect of saving seeds, so I’m seeking out vegetable varieties that can literally last lifetimes.
And, boy, would I love to figure out a better system of collecting and producing compost than taking multiple cross-town trips with a tiny, stinking can.
Enthusiasm, meet commitment.
