Ok so, like me, you don't have a huge space. You either live in the city, an apartment, or move around a lot (like those in the military for example). You love the idea of sustainable living, but don't think that you can due to your current situation. You actually have quite a few options. One source of information is Urban Farms magazine and website.
It's hard to keep my train of thought when I have to stop in the middle of it. :-) I love my kids though and they come first.
Even though you might not have a lot of acreage or a yard even, that doesn't mean that you can't live sustainably. Chances are that there are farms surrounding the city and there is at least one farmer's market. Responsible farmers are respectful of the land that provides for them so they take care of it and make sure it is able to sustain for the next year. This is a great way to get fresh local fruits and vegies, eggs, meat, and sometimes milk. Learn to live by the season and celebrate and endulge in each vegetable as it's turn comes. Stock up on vegies that can be canned, dried, or frozen so that you can enjoy the same flavors when the growing season has ended. More than likely (though it's always good to ask) their produce is not saturated with pestisides and non-organic fertilizer (both of which is bad for you and the enviroment).
Another option is container gardening (great if you have a balcony or small patio). Lots of produce is able to be grown in pots (provided they get enough nutrients and water). I will list later a list of vegies and fruits that are great for containers. During the colder months, micro-greens are a great way to get crisp greens and nutrients. Compost is a great source of natural, organic fertilizer to mix in with topsoil. You can use them in place of lettuces in salads, sandwiches, put them on top of your soups, etc. I'm just now learning about them so I'll save this for another post. Herbs are great decoration in any kitchen as well.
What a cute idea for small crops.
Growing vertically allows you to use less floor space, but harvest more per plant.Recommendations:
(click on pictures for links)
This is a great book about one family's move from Tuscon, AZ to the east and the year they made a family pact to "live off the land". Very inspirational and educational. She gives great sources for finding heirloom produce and animals. Heirloom is traditional, non-hybid, vegetables that have been passed down from generation to generation.
A great place to find local farmers markets or buy straight from the farmer.
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