Urban Evolution
I don’t often get stuff that is this local. I received an email about it while ago and was hoping to go and visit the shop as it is so local. But due to a total lack of time I haven’t managed to yet. It is also an Ecover refill station which is something I would like to try out.
Something else I saw recently which I really like the idea of id urban farming in Detroit. I have actually been to Detroit as I have family there. It has been through a bad time and shown in Roger and Me where Michael Moore investigates the slowing of the automobile industry in the area. What they are a doing in the Detroit is very similar to what ‘organopónicos‘ are doing in Cuba. It is strange that you have two societies that are politically opposites but the people are trying to grow food in an urban environment. I think this shows that politics itself is pretty removed from many peoples real lives and many people just do what they need to get by.
I think the idea of urban farming seems to be growing. I guess in the UK there has always been some sort of urban farming as allotments seem to be growing in popularity. I have a bit of space in the back garden where I grows stuff but in the future this area may get smaller. To prepare for this we have put our names down on the list for Longbarrow Allotments which are pretty close to us and when visited were immaculate. Unfortunately there is a two year waiting list and I think this is a fairly common wait for many of the allotments in the Bournemouth area. This is why I am kind of experimenting with growing stuff in pots. This year I have grown peas, salad leaves and tomatoes in pots. I bought some strawberry pots for my strawberries last year - these haven’t actually been that productive but I am hoping that’s my lack of skill rather than the idea not working.
If are considering trying to get an allotment I should say that it is hard work and not something you can put down and pickup. They need constant attention, with the right weather it will only take week or so for a pristine weed free plot to turn into a jungle. I think this is why many allotment holders are slightly older. If you are thinking about try it out a smaller scale in your own garden first and see how it goes. If you are happy with this then go the whole hog.
allotments certainly are increasing in popularity but not all councils are forward thinking about providing plots. In Edinburgh and Glasgow waiting lists are up to seven years. There are some allotment sites that offer half plots or group plots, which makes it easier for the novie gardener. The tenements I live in are part of a scheme where residents are being encouraged and supported to reclaim the shared gardens behind their flats to grow veg etc. There a a couple of these schemes in Scotland.