Win, Win

I believe in the win, win. That's where you have your cake and eat it too. This is possible, despite the naysayers you will encounter from time to time. The win, win in principle is a situation where everyone benefits. That's why I believe in the CSA. CSA is an abbreviation for Community Supported Agriculture; this is a farm that is supported by members who purchase a share of the growing season. The farmer, grows comfortably during the season because he/she has been paid already and the members enjoy (in most cases) organic, local fare all season long. I have joined such a farm. To me this is idealism in action, the farm is local, it's in Brampton, it's organic and the produce is harvested the same day I receive it, so it is absolutely fresh, and delicious. The farm stays small, so it doesn't become an agribusiness, but there is still room for growth. The members of the farm become a community unto themselves, and as a member there is the opportunity to volunteer on the farm to witness how the food is grown, and contribute your own labour.

There is something about this endeavour that fills me with pride," it's a pocket of resistance" (to quote John Berger) in a world of agribusiness, and GMO's (genetically modified organisms). It's a way to know what you are eating and do some good all at the same time. I am so fortunate to work in a healing centre where we created this CSA, to learn more about this, please see here: www.thecuttingveg.com/documents/Park_Road_Info_Package.pdf

(for some reason I can't get the hyperlink to work, so you will have to cut and paste,sorry)

In this photo, I have green onions, green garlic and radishes. I will be updating you with lovely plates of food I make with produce received throughout the growing season.

Notes from the garden: The garden at Mi Casa, is moving slowly, I've been very, very busy and when I put aside a day to do some plantings the temperature drops to 10 Celsius and it pours rain. I will be posting very soon about some new plant friends.

My number 2...oh who am I kidding, The Boss.

Just a brief post to introduce you to Harvey, the CEO at the High-rise potager. He's not acclimatized to the balcony but keeps me plenty of company by meowing through the screen. His likes are fetching, snuggling and holding hands. Which he actually does. He has lovely gigantic paws which he will put on top of my hand and will then curl his toes so you can't release your hand, it's devastatingly cute. He is a very unique cat, funny and loving. He's a rescue cat and I recommend anyone who is looking for a cat go to a local shelter and find a friend. Ok..I know this blog is about gardening, but he's a character in the story, and the boss, especially when it's dinner time.

Gut Gardening

A word about intuition. I will begin with a small caveat, I do have a background in horticulture, although not by any means extensive, I did work professionally a looooong time ago. I know some basic things, like the difference between an annual and a perrenial, or the latin for the virginia creeper, (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). But there is a lot I don't know, A LOT. I have many gardening books and while they are necessary they can also be overwhelming, especially when you are just beginning.

I have taken the radical step of starting a "gut garden". To learn all about this process please go here: http://www.perelandra-ltd.com/Gut_Gardening_W4594.cfm

Recently, I have accepted that I am a person that operates better in my world by using my intuition as my primary guide and tool. When I plan too much I can become overly controlling, indecisive and overwhelmed. I slip in to what's known as" monkey mind" amongst those who meditate. I am taking the radical step of trying this process, and I'll let you know how it goes.

This photo is of my most favourite flower in the universe. The Peony. I love the magnificance of their blooms. I love the way the buds, are perfect, tight, spheres that explode in to this mammoth, loveliness that is so splendid that peonies often faint from the weight of their own beauty; once they bloom they are often kissing the grass.

I will not, alas, be able to plant one on my balcony, but sometimes the universe provides. Sometime ago I had mentioned my adoration of this flower to a woman who is a patient at the Naturopathic clinic I manage. And yesterday she cut me a bouquet from her own garden and presented it to me at work. How lucky am I? Heaven.

The impetus

I am an old gardener in a new gardener's body. I recently moved to a high-rise, the antithesis of what I craved in a home. For me I like the ground level charm of an old house with wide plank slanted floors and the patina of a by-gone era. But I also found it difficult to get the synthesis of character, outdoor space and a well-managed building on my budget. Rent is expensive in Toronto, especially if you love to live alone. So, I found this building in a great part of town and VOILA, I am in a high-rise and much to my surprise I am loving it.

My intention for this blog is to record my journey starting a garden on my balcony, to record my thoughts, the process, and the places it takes me. I will not be giving gardening advice. I have long wanted to grow my own herbs, flowers and vegetables.

And I love the beauty that a garden inspires, I love how you can grow a plant and how that can extend to inspiration in a vast array of areas; cooking, art, community, activism, healing and above all meaning. The journey starts on my 20 foot (yes, I scored) balcony, but I do forsee it extending into other areas of my life that are abundant with meaning. I leave you with an image of the view from the balcony, yes it's in winter. But it represents the start of this process as I took it on New Year's day 2010 when I moved in.