Backyards Turning Into Orchards
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03.13.08
The New York Times reports on a trend across America: tearing up lawns in front and rear yards and planting fruit trees. Steven Kurutz writes about Gerry Grusnfeld's Brooklyn backyard:
Three varieties of blackberries grow behind his children’s swing set, a fig tree occupies a far corner, and a litchi and two tangerine trees, part of a recent foray into citrus, wait for spring in a basement grow-room. In the summertime, when everything is in bloom and fruiting, the yard calls to mind a scruffy Garden of Eden. “My wife thinks I’ve gone crazy,” Mr. Grunsfeld said, “but there’s something magical about seeing fruit develop.”
More in Brooklyn and Los Angeles in the ::New York Times
Oh....to have a yard. Instead I will be happy with the herbs from my window box...
I'm one of those tear up the backyard types. I have about 1000 sq. ft. I'll leave 500 sq. ft for the dogs and use the rest for vegetable gardening and fruit tree growing!
When I was single and living in an apartment, I signed up with the city get a plot in a community pea patch. I loved that pea patch! When I bought my first house, even though I loved my yard and turned it into a garden, I always missed my pea patch.
I used to spend every waking free hour there, and even on the workdays I drove to eat my lunch there and weed and take pictures for my Mom.
Ok, I know I'm a geek but....
More people should look into getting a pea patch, it's a wonderful hobby, but be warned, it's very addictive!
And as someone who hated broccoli growing up, once you grow your own you never go back to buying it. IT'S REALLY THAT GOOD!! Even better than the farmers market.
Mmmm.... I planted Raspberries this winter and I am sooo excited for summer. (though I know it might be next summer before I see any good fruit.)
You may interested in the 'Permablitz' movement started in Melbourne, Australia. The name is a contraction of permaculture and backyard blitz (particularly strain of reality lifestyle show.
Permablitz: An informal gathering involving a day on which a group of at least two people come together to achieve the following:create or add to edible gardens where someone lives; share skills related to permaculture and sustainable living; build community networks; andhave fun.
See www.permablitz.net
How can anybody grow blackberries thats not a farm? we have them growing wild in our yard. we cut down the tree and it sprout up across the yard. they make a mess, smell , and everything.
IF it wasnt for the fact that i am scared of getting sued if a tree falls o nsomebody elses house my whole yard would be trees.
Can't wait till I can own my own land. Wish I lived somewhere that had a community garden. Should start one.
Terra,
if you really want to get into a community garden, check out www(dot)communitygarden(dot)org. They are a great resource for not only starting your own community garden, but can also help locate one in your area. Good luck!