Sunday Cuppa | Christy Hardin Smith

The first time I ever read The Secret Garden, I was hooked. The little robin drew me in and then Dickon sealed the deal.

There have been any number of books and gardening seasons since then. But I find myself always returning to contrary Mary’s plea for a "bit of earth to call my own."

Something about the renewal of that promise of life and growing things that calls to me.

So when I stumbled on an article in the July 2009 issue of Family Circle on backyardharvest.org, I was intrigued:

…With recent requests from Portland, Oregon, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for information on starting local chapters of Backyard Harvest, Amy hopes that communities from coast to coast will follow suit. The group has also partnered with the city of Moscow to allow families to use food stamps at the area farmers’ market to purchase fresh produce. "When times are tough — and they certainly are right now — there’s no easier way to give people nutritious meals and let them know someone cares," she says. "There’s a special look in people’s eyes when they receive food from others who’ve planted and harvested it with their own hands…."

I’ve been planning all along to donate any surplus we get from our little garden plot to the local soup kitchen. But I’m seriously going to have to plan to make a surplus happen for next year after reading this. What a great idea!

Elliott | Sunday June 28, 2009 07:24 am 1

Good morning Christy, it’s a fine day here. Hope your little coffee bot has got you set up for the day *g*

egregious | Sunday June 28, 2009 07:30 am 2

Hello Christy – hope you’re doing well. Wonder how many folks have been inspired to plant gardens based on your encouragement.

Lea (no uh) | Sunday June 28, 2009 02:12 pm 3

Just plant zucchini plants all the way around your house…you’ll be able to feed the whole town! :-)

laurastrand | Sunday June 28, 2009 02:31 pm 4

Christie, in my neighborhood here in Sacramento, every other house (including mine) suddenly has a summer garden or raised bed, front yard and backyard. I’m beginning to think that the victory garden is one of the most visible signs of a return to a more caring and compassionate sense of community. Amongst my friends, were planning canning parties a=which include sharing bounties and donation to local pantries and the senior gleaners. If this is the first, let’s hope it’s not the last of the steps back to a simpler, more social society. The best part – it’s not brought to you or sponsored by Walmart, Exxon-Mobile or any other corporate entity, Just folks.

tejanarusa | Sunday June 28, 2009 06:40 pm 5

Your mention of the article saying food stamps can be used at the Moscow ID farmers’ markets reminds me – that is also true here in San Antonio.
Although, since the market in a low-income area that I used to go to closed (the stores in the strip center whose parking lot they used all closed) I haven’t actually seen anyone using them, I assume they do in other parts of town.
I wonder, though, how many people using food stamps even know about our farmer’s markets. (There’s not much to them–just a few tents over tables and pickup beds with a market license taped to a pole, nothing fancy like the big ones in truly big cities, but it’s a lot better than nothing, and they are scattered about the city).
Great post. Hope your veggies do well. It’s ironic that after years of trying to keep a garden from being scorched to death with no shade at all (in a newish development where, of course, all the trees had been bulldozed), I now live in an old neighborhood with so many huge trees, front and back, it’s too shady to grow anything.
After two seasons of failure, I’ve given up even on herbs.
But I made a trip to the Sunday farmers’ market (only two vendors), and bought tomatoes. Yummm. The woman behind the table recognized me and gave me a big smile. that part’s nice, too.

favoriteaunt | Monday June 29, 2009 10:56 pm 6

Hi Christy,
I have been trying to plant a small garden for years. As you know we live in the mountains on the “up side” of the hill. Finding “the” spot to plant has been hard but I think I finally did it. It is on our deck. Planted tomatoes (2) chives (yum) green beans and red peppers. If we get more than we can eat I will give to the local food bank. Next year I will buy more containers for the deck and watch my garden grow so I can contribute. Hugs to peanut and Mr Reddhead from the favorite aunt.