We are (State) Farmers
"Like a good gardener, State Farm(ers) are there!"
Our Garden
Our Mission
Our mission was to successfully grow a garden of diverse crops and be able to use them to cook several meals for our APES class, while practicing sustainability without the use of fertilizers or pesticides.
We took over from last year's garden.
Last year's garden owners left us with a generous amount of spinach and mint (and weeds). The soil was very compact and dry. Before we planted our seeds and begin our journey, we gently tilled the soil so that the top layer would be softer and the seeds would be able to sprout with ease. Because we felt that a diversity of plants in our garden was necessary, we removed all of the spinach and mint (and weeds). We essentially wanted to start anew. By planting lettuce, basil, kale, mint, carrots, onions, potatoes, and strawberries, we were able to provide ourselves with varieties of food making options.
Were we successful?
Admittedly, planting actually using our food was quite a challenge. We started the project with optimistic views, I mean raising a few plants shouldn't be hard right? All we had to do was plant them, water them, and eventually harvest our crops to make food. It seemed like the only way to mess things up would be if we actually tried to mess it up. However, little did we know that just by planting our seeds wrong, we had messed up from the beginning. Although in the end we were able to (barely) feed our family, it proved a lot harder to do than said.
By raising a community garden we are able to not only save money but also have a better knowledge of what we put into our bodies. When we buy produce from the market we may or may not now what stuff is used to grow our food whereas when we grow it ourselves, we can make sure everything put into the produce is 100% natural. Everyone can practice sustainable gardening the way we did, without the use chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The combined supply of everyone's gardens would be enough to feed all of the APES students. A large-scale community garden would be even more beneficial, in both anthropocentric and biocentric aspects.
By raising a community garden we are able to not only save money but also have a better knowledge of what we put into our bodies. When we buy produce from the market we may or may not now what stuff is used to grow our food whereas when we grow it ourselves, we can make sure everything put into the produce is 100% natural. Everyone can practice sustainable gardening the way we did, without the use chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The combined supply of everyone's gardens would be enough to feed all of the APES students. A large-scale community garden would be even more beneficial, in both anthropocentric and biocentric aspects.
What's in Our Garden?
We have an assortment of vegetables (both above ground and root), herbs, and fruits!
Those include...
- Lettuce
- Basil
- Kale
- Mint
- Carrots
- Onions
- Potatoes
Those include...
- Lettuce
- Basil
- Kale
- Mint
- Carrots
- Onions
- Potatoes
Want to start your own home garden?
Here are some links to helpful tips to kick-start your garden.
10 Good Reasons to Plant Your Own Vegetable Garden
Planting Your First Vegetable Garden
Vegetable Gardening for Beginners
Cheap Garden Ideas: No Cost and Low Cost Ways to Save Money
How to Start a Home Vegetable Garden – Benefits & Saving Money
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