As you read this, you may be able to turn your head and look out of the window and see a beautifully manicured lawn, a play area dedicated to private use for your kids, or a yard space where you can just make out the evidence of a recent visit from your dog.
Either way and whatever you might use your garden for today, gardens have historically had a much more meaningful, practical and yes – essential use.
Lawned gardens outside houses today are a luxury. So, if your outdoor area is in sunlight and can clearly grow leafy or grassy things, there is a much better use for it than growing grass – right now.
The space that you have available and how much you use of it is up to you. But the more you can use, the more food you could grow and then have available, the more types you can grow and the list goes on.
Once again, research on ‘how to dig my garden’, ‘how to cultivate my garden’ or terms like these should give you some great pointers on how to get started.
In terms of tools, a good strong step-on fork and a possibly a spade too might be all that you will need to get started, and these are all available online, at DIY stores or any large retailer that has a section for outdoors.
Something to bear in mind: If food does get really short for everyone – which is a very real risk, people who for whatever reason do not have food of their own available are likely to grab anything that it’s easy for them to do so – especially when its quiet or nobody is around at night. If you can, do grow your food somewhere that’s out of everyone else’s sight. You can always share, exchange or give away food that you have harvested when you have more than you or those around you will need. But that won’t be possible if you should find yourself short for reasons that are out of your control.
Adam Tugwell 