Garden Growth in a Downturn Economy

Posted Friday, April 17, 2009

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As paychecks get pinched, there’s growing interest in gardening. Recession Gardens are sprouting up all over the country - even at the White House. Seed sales are up as families try to cut grocery bills. We’ll talk to local experts about the home gardening movement, community gardens and local farm co-ops. Also, info on how to get started if you want the splendor of veggies in your own backyard! The dirt on cost-effective gardening, Friday at 9 on 90.3.

Guests

Geri Unger, Director of Education, Cleveland Botanical Garden
Brad Charles Melzer, Program Assistant of Community Gardening, OSU Extension, Cuyahoga County

Additional Information

Got a gardening question? Send an email to the OSU or call the Horticulture Hotline: 216-429-8235
Find info about the University of Massachusetts Amherst Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory here
City Fresh is a program of the New Agrarian Center. The goal of City Fresh is to build a more just and sustainable local food system in Northeast Ohio.
How Much Green Can Growing a Vegetable Garden Save You? by Neal Templin, The Wall Street Journal
Check out the WVIZ Applause show as they dig into the growing number of urban gardens sprouting up across Northeast Ohio.

Show Response:
We have just been named as the primary manager of the City of Akron's "Akron Grows" Community Gardening Project in conjunction with both the City through Planning Director Mr. Jerry Egan, the Summit County branch of the OSU Extension Service under Director Jackie Kreiger, and Elaine Evans of "Let's Grow Akron". Not only do we have this project going for community gardening, but The Akron Cooperative is also working with homeowners to create and develop their own backyard gardens, what we call "Recovery Gardens", but they are the same as 20th cent. Victory Gardens, 18-19 cent. Kitchen Gardens, or Cleveland's "Recession Gardens".
In the Fall, we will be working to set up classes for food preparation and food preservation around the city in different neighborhoods.
Please let Akronites know that they need only call me at 234-525-0543 to get involved. So far, popular response has been overwhelming from both participants and volunteers.
In Peas,
Larry Parker

My 2 room mates and I are spending around $65 per Square Foot Garden bed, all 6 of which we are building by hand. We are learning a lot about organic foods and sustainable food production, as well as learning about environmentally friendly ways to deal with deer and other animals.
The SFG method doesn't have to be expensive; we bought everything new, including compost this year.
Please let listeners know about websites like Hyperlocavore.com that promote yard-sharing, and Meetup.com where a Cleveland-based community garden group is forming.
Allison Proctor