Edible Garden Tour Sort Of

Last week was our local Edible Garden Tour.  Although people rarely want to leave this Shangri La, it is slightly bothersome the only way out is by sea or air. If some catastrophe was to hit, perhaps not us, but further down the coast, we would be cut off. For this reason food security is a big deal.

I admit to being a little testy these days. Moving twice in eight months will do it to you unless you are the kind of perfect person who excels at that sort of thing, which I'm not. The sprained thumb is not doing at all well. The back injury from the first move became incredibly hostile when faced with more boxes and hit back with a vengeance. Perhaps for these reasons the tour began to tick me off pretty quickly.

I could tell this young man felt the same way

Great learning opportunities were promised-companion planting, veggies for dry, shaded spots, new gardens, plants for overwintering, greenhouse design.....So why no owners to show us around? Nothing formal, just a friendly chat would suffice. If you're not going to talk to us then a few labels or explanatory notes would be nice. I joined up with a nice couple and we tried to figure out stuff as we went along, sort of a learning experience I guess if guessing is enough for you. There was an overall clad young man in one place, clanging buckets and brandishing a fork, who looked more than a little menancing. I think he might have been an unhappy minion slaving away in the hot sun while the weekender owners sat up on the deck, cocktails in hand.

Finally, what do you think of this? A community garden was on the tour. It was well kept and effectively planted, things were thriving. Amongst the trees, the plot holders were swinging in hammocks, playing music and drinking something (?). A merry time was being had for sure. Nothing wrong with that. A large sign asked for donations towards a new water system. Wait up! They already use the land at no cost. If my well runs dry am I going to put a donation box out by the gate? I could but I dread to think what might get stuffed in it. I'm all for helping out but isn't this pushing it a bit far? If this was a farmer about to lose his livelihood I would be more sympathetic. These guys just want to grow fresh veggies, which is an admirable choice, but certainly doesn't qualify them for handouts.  

If I ever reach the giddy heights of inclusion on the tour there will be no donation box although there might be a lemonade stand. Neat labels will abound.