Notes from the Organic Growers School

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend the Organic Growers School here in the Asheville Area. It was an amazing experience. I took three classes in the URBAN GROWING section. Two of the classes were about urban orchards and trees. These classes included specific varieties that are successfully grown organically here in Western North Carolina. I know that I will refer to these notes for years to come as they are filled with great information that I will guide my choices as I add fruit trees and fruiting shrubs to my edible landscape.
The third class was Cultivating Urban Abundance. Monica Williams was the presenter. She lives in West Asheville and gardens there on her urban lot. The course description: Urban home gardens have great potential for yielding abundant food, medicine, inspiration, and beauty. Even the most degraded lots can thrive by using the simple soil building techniques and sustainable practices presented in this session.
She encouraged us to begin with setting our intention. Her example was "My purpose is to create an abundant garden with a prayerful and grateful heart in order to heal our wounded soil." The setting of an intention helps to guide us through the choices we make throughout the life of our garden projects and shapes our vision. It can become the touchstone in times of doubt and frustration.
Next we looked at the "Blessings of the city".

1. Moderate Climate
2. Many Niches and Micro-climates along buildings and edges
3. Abundant Resources.

Under Abundant Resources we explored both the people around us and the materials to be found in the city. The vast numbers of people located in the city offer us opportunity for networking, co-operative efforts, shared labor and costs.
And material resources abound.

1. Compost-ables... leaf bags, wood chips, coffee grounds, restaurant compost, etc
   
2. 5 gallon buckets
   
3. firewood
   
4. fencing
5. straw
   
6. construction material
7. etc

Specific Techniques and practices for cultivating abundance:

1. Compost
2. Mulch beds
3. Water catchment
4. Winter gardens
5. Diversified gardens
6. Small Animals

One thing that I think that we all have in common, is the need to feel validated. This course really validated for me that I am on the right track with my garden project. The only technique listed above that is not already happening, is the bit about having small animals. Although, I have been thinking about how a goat and a few chickens would really round out the vision. I am not ready for them yet.
But everything else on her list is well underway in my urban plot.

Fallen Leaves

The sounds of leaf blowers ring through my neighborhood each Fall and well into the Winter months as my neighbors do battle with the bountiful harvest of fallen leaves. As a gardener, I think of it as noise pollution and a real waste of great compost material. Here it is February and I have been driving around the neighborhood gathering bags of leaves to bring back to my garden. I empty the bags out and run them over with my composting lawn mower. It makes a fabulous mulch. I could go on.. but you can READ MORE on Basic Leaf Mold @ http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/0,7518,s-3-79-1273,00.html

If you can't get enough leaves from your yard and your neighbor's yards you can call the City and get them to bring you leaves! That's right... they will bring you leaves. I found the following at the City of Asheville website:

Delivery of Loose Leaves
Fresh leaves can be delivered to your home or business free of charge. Contact Customer Service at (828) 251-1122 to request a leaf delivery. When you call be ready to provide a name, phone number, number of loads and the location of where the leaves should be delivered within the city limits. The date of delivery is based upon when the trucks are in the delivery area collecting leaves. Check the schedule to determine when the leaves will be delivered in your area. If you have any questions or concerns about the above, please feel free to contact Customer Service at (828) 251-1122.