The down economy seems to be pushing us to a simpler and back to basics state of mind, which may turn out to be a good (dare I say it – great) thing. As more people are looking for ways to cut back on those expenses the coming warm season is going to see a surge in home grown produce. This trend was discussed here:
“We’re seeing a lot of new faces, a lot of questions that beginning gardeners have,” said Kathie Simmons, co-owner of G&M Pet and Garden Center. “I’ve had people say I spent so much on green beans last year, they realized they can grow them for quite a bit less.”
The Obama’s gardening plan is also a big push to the growing (excuse the pun) trend:
Michelle Obama will begin digging up a patch of the South Lawn on Friday to plant a vegetable garden, the first at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt’s victory garden in World War II. There will be no beets — the president does not like them — but arugula will make the cut.
The effort will be significant and as a commitment will surpass the Clinton’s rooftop plants to something a little more significant:
The Obamas will feed their love of Mexican food with cilantro, tomatillos and hot peppers. Lettuces will include red romaine, green oak leaf, butterhead, red leaf and galactic. There will be spinach, chard, collards and black kale. For desserts, there will be a patch of berries. And herbs will include some more unusual varieties, like anise hyssop and Thai basil. A White House carpenter, Charlie Brandts, who is a beekeeper, will tend two hives for honey.
Growing vegetables is so easy, that once you’ll do it, you’ll never eat any other vegetable!
We grow in our back yard, cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, lettuce and carrots and the taste of fresh veggies is awesome.
The added value is teaching the kids that vegetable doesn’t grow in plastic bags…
Looking at the smile on your kids faces, marching with a basket full of freshly picked veggies to your kitchen, will say it all.