If there ever was a year when the term Victory Garden would return, 2009 is the year. There are movements nationwide to remove the lawn and plant a garden. Some municipalities – LA for instance – will pay you to remove your grass and replace it with drought tolerant species. Time’s are a changin’, folks.
Unless you live under a rock, you know Portland does its best to be a leader in being green. Weather it is LEED certified buildings or green jobs or bike parking, Portland, and Oregon is becoming a beacon and role model for many of the nation’s cities. Granted, they weren’t the first to grow a garden – Obama beat them to it.
I wandered by the City Hall garden today and marveled at what they had growing. Wow! The have almost the entire 4th st. side of City Hall as a garden now with veggies including lettuces, tomatoes, greens, and herbs. The purpose of the “Portland Better Together Food Garden” isn’t to feed the ravenous city council members during breaks or to sell at the local farmer’s market. The purpose is to fill the pantries of the needy with fresh organic vegetables. Everything from the garden will go to Elm Court, a community kitchen operated by Loaves and Fishes that serves 250 meals a day in downtown Portland. This example will also encourage others to donate what they can’t eat from their gardens to those in need.
Do you have a garden? Do you have too many peas or lettuce or carrots? Is it just going to end up in the compost bin? If so, think about it differently and put it in a basket and take it to your local shelter or food bank. Heck, the Oregon Food Bank in NE Portland has one of the most impressive gardens I have ever seen. I know they are going to get some of my harvest. I just can’t eat that many peas.
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