In a world marked by uncertainty, the humble small vegetable garden stands as a beacon of resilience and self-sufficiency. As we navigate through global challenges, from supply chain disruptions to environmental crises, the importance of growing our food has never been more evident. We don't need to go far back in time to remember the importance of having a secure supply of clean, organic food. Just a few years back, we experienced the 'Pandemic' and this was an opportunity for some of us to skill up and give importance to taking charge of growing some of our food. In the times of our grandparents, it was a bit more drastic than that as they shared stories of how many times they experienced hunger and malnutrition. Today, we have access to endless information technology, resources, and abilities, however the life pace most of us live in leaves very little time to practice certain skills that many of us wish we had. The challenges today are different, but we must not forget that our connection with food and the soil should be a priority in our lives.
The Resilience of Small Vegetable Gardens
Small vegetable gardens offer a sense of security and stability in the face of uncertainty. Unlike relying solely on grocery stores or distant farms, cultivating our crops empowers us to take control of our food supply. Whether it's a few pots on a balcony or a small plot in the backyard, these gardens provide a lifeline during times of scarcity.
Be it herbs, (that one can also dry and store for teas), tomatoes, leafy greens, strawberries,
alliums, and other plants, with a good design, it's incredible how much productivity one can get from a small space. Believe it or not, small spaces can even be more productive than larger ones as the bio-intensity could serve a better ratio of energy outputs versus inputs. The key is in the design.
This is my usual mantra :
Always start with a Good Permaculture Design.
Permaculture Design is a beautiful science that once followed, studied, practiced, and embodied, will change your life on so many levels.
For me, permaculture has been the key to finding, exploring, and cultivating my passions while creating beautiful projects, most of which involved many community aspects (whether for a few days, weeks, months, or years) such projects anchor visions and inspirations with many people while giving you chances of finding a community of like-minded people.
This has been the case for me ever since my permaculture adventure started over 25 years ago. I am sharing this merely to inspire your creativity and motivation. It is never too late to start your dream. The first step does not need to be a difficult one. Perhaps reading more about permaculture and seeing how others are using it to reshape their lifestyle to be more connected and regenerative will keep you focused. Videos are also a nice way to keep your ideas aligned. However, nothing beats the real deal of getting off the seat and taking off on your adventure...eventually. For some, the best way forward might be to look for a place nearby to start volunteering, or perhaps take a course and meet other people in the area. For others, it's about reaching out to an expert and getting some consultations/design help for their new or existing project. Others, sometimes have done the course and got an understanding, yet they require some hands-on experience to learn new skills and would like to get guidance while practicing a newfound lifestyle.
Design is key to a successful adventure in growing any project, and a small-scale vegetable garden is no different.
A good permaculture design takes a lot of factors into consideration and connects a lot of 'dots' to maximize outputs and minimize inputs. Such designs also plan for people's abilities, time, age, hobbies, etc. A design is not merely for the hardware involved, but rather more for the molding of a symbiotic relationship between all or most of the elements involved.
When we design a small-scale garden, we are designing an invitation for nature to become bountiful and support us with graceful lushness. And that's potentially, right on our doorstep. We can learn a lot from this process, including appreciating little things a lot more, finding greater value in living food, sharing abundance with friends and family, and creating compost and soil (will share all this on another blog). Such adventures can lead us to see so many mutual benefits from cultivating a small garden. I am also aware that not everyone can have a garden outside their apartment, and yet this can also be part of projecting some ideas as to where are the possibilities, the resources, and the opportunities for growth and evolution.
I once lived in a gypsy caravan in a forest on the Isle Of Man, I had no time to grow a garden outside as it was already winter, and yet I wanted to cultivate some living foods. This led me to discover the amazing sprouts which a few years later evolved into my business. I love seeing seeds turn into amazing sprouts, seedlings, and tiny plants that can feed us so much greatness. It gives me a sense of great awe and gratitude to Mother Nature for allowing me to participate in this beautiful act of co-creating life and have superfoods in return.
My conclusion for this sharing is this: It's never too late and there are no excuses. You have the ability and the capacity to have your garden and grow a substantial amount of your living food. Trust me. Don't give up your dream. Whether you just have a small apartment with no outdoor space a townhouse with a yard, or a shared house or more, you can grow anything from a sprouts and microgreens garden on a shelf to a living roof, a yard garden, or even a wall garden. As I mentioned before, it's all about the design.
Start with your design, and spend time on it. Put as much detail in it (before you start). Mold your ideas into a beautiful design and the rest will follow and flow.
If you'd like to reach out for some assistance on your journey, I have created several possibilities for various stages depending on where you are at or what you would like to achieve or do next.
Sprout Your Garden: Grow Super Foods Anywhere This is my online course where I cover all the essential steps to get you to grow a sprouts and microgreens garden wherever you are (even in the apartment) you just need a shelf or tiny corner. This online course guides you through the whole process and ensures you all the details to get you going successfully from the start.
Experience Permaculture Design We have created a variety of Permaculture Experiences varying from a few hours to a few days. You can organize or come with your friends and enjoy an educational and transformative experience together. If you'd like to find out more on this opportunity, click HERE
Back To The Roots Retreat Is a 4-day retreat that we hold at Zee Barn where we share the permaculture Lifestyle and the practices of yoga, meditation, gardening and sound Journeying. These 4 days are usually structured yet allow us to flow and enjoy a community feeling where we also learn from each other and get to put our hands in the earth. Such retreats are ideal also for the solo traveler or couples wanting to deepen their connection and contribute to Pachamama while learning new skills while also relaxing and having an inspirational break from the routine.
