Garden Notesby Karen Bert As I write this column in mid-July, I wish to officially protest this pitiful excuse for a summer we've been experiencing. My poor vegetables are trying to grow but it's a struggle when the sun refuses to shine. My tomatoes were hit hard by blight, a disease which causes them to wither, turn brown and die. I sacrificed several of my cherished Stupice plants to the great tomato god in hopes that the rest will pull through, unravaged by this disease which is worsened by, surprise, surprise, damp, wet weather. If you observe your tomatoes turning brown and wilting, immediately prune off the browning foliage and dispose of it. Mulch the tomatoes to help prevent the spread of the disease and try not to touch the plants when they are wet. If the whole plant is dead, don't compost it. This is one time you should just toss it far, far away from your garden. This issue of the Green Pages is all about urban ecology, so here's one small idea that I think would improve life in the urban jungle from a gardener's perspective. Across the big pond in England (and other European nations), city people have the opportunity to rent allotments near their homes. These small plots are used for vegetable or flowers, whichever the renter chooses. People then have a chance to grow some food or simply enjoy being outdoors and doing a little manual labor. Olympia has a few community gardens but not enough to go around. Wouldn't it be great if every apartment complex had a garden area nearby for residents' use? Every city has vacant lots that are magnets for graffiti and illegal trash dumps. With a little work, these eyesores could bloom. I am a big proponent of edible landscaping and wish everyone with available space would give it a try. As a person classified as "low-income", I know that gardening saves me money at the grocery store as well as provides my family with delicious organic fruits and vegetables. I would like to see all "low-income" housing residents provided with gardening space and assisted with the know -how and materials that would get them started gardening. This would not only help with food bills, but would build self esteem and serve as a great stress-reliever. Once upon a time, everyone had a kitchen garden in the backyard and a chicken or two for eggs and the occasional chicken dinner. Now we opt for a hot tub or a satellite for the TV. I think I'll stick with the garden! Believe it or not, its time to be planting that winter garden. Yes, we fortunate few in the Pacific Northwest can plan on a garden of sorts in the winter, with kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, carrots, parsnips and broccoli to munch on throughout those dark days. I like to plant turnips and collards as well, and provide for the salad bowl with romaine lettuce, corn salad, Swiss chard and spinach, all protected with a cold frame. I also grow an overwintering broccoli called Purple Sprouting, which matures in early spring when we are all starved for decent vegetables. I highly recommend Territorial Seeds, found either through their catalog or locally at Black Lake Organics, The Food Co-op, and Bark and Garden. Its also time to take cuttings of tender plants that won't make it through winter, and to begin thinking of bulbs to plant for a good spring show. Becoming a fanatical gardener leaves no time to rest and enjoy the summer, which is perhaps a blessing, when we have a summer gone bad like this one! Karen Bert is a staff writer for the Green Pages.
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