Urban Oases

Reader Contribution by Jane Gripper
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I have been feeling a little despondent on my apparent one-woman eco ship of self-sustainability and earth-friendly practices in this neighbourhood, where there seems to be a dearth of like-minded earth nurturers. Our local council has just voted to make recycling bins in our district ‘optional’ rather than mandatory, lawns are getting greener despite the apparent water shortage. No one, it appears, cares to grow their own food, or create habitats conducive to attracting birds and insects, and some members of my own family seem to have jumped ship into the swelling tidal wave that is modern day, consumer-obsessed living.

I decided that the only thing for it was to paddle around and find other “waving arms” out there, in my neighbourhood,doing their bit for sustainability. So, I set out on a quest to seek these people out. While not exactly commando crawling on the lush green lawns, I was peeking uncomfortably closely into other people’s yards searching for evidence. After all, I was on a mission!

What did I find? Heaps! Around the corner, a beautiful, free form, productive companionable organic veggie and flower garden had been created in the middle of a front lawn (gasp…what will the neighbors say). Towering sunflowers standing like dignified sentinels guarded the western sideof this superabundant substitute for an unproductive lawn. MaryEllen, the ebullient owner of this productive patch couldn’t resist the urge to grow more food for her family on the only sunnysection of their property. “I can’t take credit for the sunflowers,” bubbles MaryEllen. “My son Elijah plants those every year, and my daughter Lily has a creative plan for where the flowers and vegetables should be planted.” MaryEllen’s Italian heritage has insured that many tomato and basil plants are interspersed with broccoli, carrots, and lettuce. As we talk, we pick massive heirloom tomatoes, ready to freeze, slice,”sauce,” and bake.

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