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green living
CITY HOMESTEADING Creating Sustainable Urban Living
by Randy Kambic H
omesteading is a broad field. “Along with planting produce, we encourage people to compost,
change how they use water, learn about biochar—a long-term soil amendment that returns carbon to the earth—and employ creative economics, including bartering and food-sharing systems,” says K. Ruby Blume, of Grants Pass, Oregon, who founded the Institute of Urban Homesteading, in Oakland, California, a decade ago (
iuhOakland.com). She’s also co-author of Urban Homesteading: Heirloom Skills for Sustainable Living. Blume was recently engaged to invite
speakers and coordinate presentation content for the three-day online Gardening and Homesteading Skills Summit hosted by Te Shiſt Network. Last October, 20 leading farmers, master gardeners, homesteaders and other experts shared innovative, environmentally friendly advice for providing food and adopting eco- friendly practices.
16 Central Florida Blume, who grows fruit and vegetables
and raises chickens, sheep and bees on 22 acres, plans to launch her Fantastic Farm Store this month, and will offer spring classes at her institute, as well as at the Rogue River Community Center, in southern Oregon. “Everyone should grow their favorite vegetable from seed; think about the animal if eating meat; and take a nature field study class. Tese all connect us to nature and our world,” advises Blume.
Food as Medicine David Crow, teacher, author of In Search of the Medicine Buddha and founder of Floracopeia Aromatic Treasures (
Floracopeia.com), is a leader in research and development of growing herbs for medicine, working from Grass Valley, California. He extols the importance of gardens of all types—backyards, schools, neighborhoods and public spaces. “Tey can strengthen communities, beautify life and reduce crime,” he says. In his home
state, he helped launch Te Learning Garden, at Venice High School, in 2001. “It’s an eye-opener for youngsters, and they take pride in ownership.” People without a garden plot can place a pot inside or on a balcony or find a community garden. “Medicinal plants don’t have to be
a luxury of the wealthy. You can spend a fraction of the $30 for a drug prescription in growing most of them, and then trade for others with neighbors,” says Crow. He particularly values oregano, thyme, rosemary, lavender and basil. To increase yields, home gardeners
may consider daily drip irrigation—a system of tubes positioned just above the soil, with tiny holes spaced at regular intervals. It can conveniently work on a timer with an automatic shutoff during rain. Other benefits include water conservation and better soil structure by avoiding puddles from manual watering. “Drip irrigation can be especially helpful during dry spells, which can
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