h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Obviously, we live in such a diverse world that one set of ideas will not satisfy everyone. Also, I'd like to think about what we can do as individuals, not what we would like other people to do. On the other hand, if somebody else invents better vegetables that even children will eat, and are easy to grow in window boxes, then that would certainly help.

Globalism is economical at least partly because fossil fuels are so cheap. In the Winter, those of us in the Northern Hemisphere can eat vegetables that can't grow in our areas. That means that someone thousands of miles away grows them and ships them to us. The thing is, long before we relied on fossil fuels, there was a viable hot-house industry. Greenhouses could supply an amazing variety of veggies in the cold weather. Granted, people of means were likely the ones who could afford them. Still, you could get food that was fairly fresh, given how little time it took to bring it in. I don't know how many people reading this could setup cold frames or greenhouses, but smaller or more seasonal efforts would still be helpful. Is there space in your yard (if you have a yard) for a vegetable garden? Or, do you get sunlight in you windows? Maybe there are minigreens or herbs that would grow next to your windows.

Single-use grocery bags are a problem in my area. I've just bought some washable cotton bags for marketing. This Spring I'm hoping to figure out some way of composting my food waste. It has to have a small-scale layout and a means of keeping rats/mice/rabbits out of the compost area. The compost that results would help build up the soil in my yard. If there's extra, I can share with my neighbors.

This topic is far from depleted. I look forward to hearing input.





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Myself, I frequently compost directly in the flowerpot, 1st fill the bucket with loose dry leaves or straw, press it down, add layer of kitchen compost, top with at least 3 inches of soil compounded of last years' potting soil, well composted leaf mold, sand or clay if appropriate, along with suitable manure or guano, etc..

Also I've a covered barrel I use for coarser compost not light enough for the flowerpot, giving it an occasion squirt of water to keep it damp, occasionally stirring with a manure fork or shovel.

Have you considered the tumbling compost bins? They don't take much room, cost under $100.00 and are readily available. They also last for years.

Tumbling compost bins can be a convenience for mixing potting soil or compost mixtures.

Usually though, I just measure out the ingredients and turn them in a wheel barrow with a small shovel.

Paul mentioned keeping rats, rabbits and mice out of the compost. The tumblers are enclosed and some are even elevated.

Square foot gardening is good for small spaces. Combine that with companion planting and or vertical gardening would increase yields.

This reminded me of the garden that the Bakery Manager planted behind the store's shed. He planted some mint seeds in a 5 gallon bucket, he asked me for wild onions to plant.

The onions blew across the field in a gust of wind. The mint grew well until one night the bunnies ate all of it. Then it rained every day for a couple of weeks.

One morning Steve was in the kitchen washing some Bakery stuff. He looked out the window and started laughing. The resident mama raccoon was trying to eat the carrot pulp in the compost pile. Rockette would pick the pulp up in her paws, but the pulp would drain through her 'fingers' in all the water. Steve said she might as well have eating soup.

The next spring, the wild onions showed up in the field behind the store.

The surest way to keep rodents, rabbits and suchlike out of the compost is to plant them in it.

Also makes for improved soil fertility.