Garden for glory!

I wish it were mine, but its courtesy of Homegrownevolution

Last summer, I provided my neighbors with some entertainment as I hauled a 20lb bag of soil down my Manhattan block. Little did I know, my budding (pun intended) fire escape garden was part of a larger trend that has since swept the White House.

Michelle Obama’s garden will claim 55 varieties of vegetables during all seasons, but you can start small, like I did. I became frustrated with the lack of fresh herbs at my supermarket and began growing mint and rosemary. This year I plan to expand to cilantro, basil, and tomatoes. I can’t wait for fresh caprese salad!

Jump on the bandwagon that benefits your tastebuds, wallet, and the environment! No space is too small! Only have a windowsill? Try growing herbs that you use frequently. If you live or work in a building with an accessible roof, talk to your property manager. Growing a rooftop garden not only produces delicious veggies but also helps save on insulation and cooling! Of course, if you have a yard, the sky’s the limit. Check out this website to see what zone you’re in and choose varietals accordingly.

So where do the CO2 savings come in? Think of it as a locavore diet extreme! Whatever you grow, you save the CO2 required to transport and package it. You can even pop some types of veggies in the freezer and enjoy them year-round! Just remember, it’s more environmentally-friendly to purchase your plants / seeds and supplies online or at your local supermarket, instead of making a separate car trip. (See Sit, Click and Deliver ) Bonus points for composting!