In 2009 I created this particular post as a guest writer for Garden Rant. It garnered a lot of attention, in
fact, I won the #2 spot for "Hottest Garden Blog of 2009". Thanks Garden Ranters! I was also cursed,
called a nazi, yelled at, and called various names by the comment ranters.
I'm very proud I got called a "lawn-nazi" for the write up as
well. Why? Because I still stand beside the idea that feeding the hungry is
better than growing grass any day! Below is the rant - republished here on ChicagoNow.com to help readers understand the value of helping their fellow neighbor. Feel free to leave YOUR comment and let me know how you feel too.
Happy 2010!
You know what ticks me off royally?
Churches, synagogues, temples, and businesses of every sort! Shocking, isn't
it? And let's make this clear they tick me off because in every community across
the United States you can find these organizations AND MORE displaying acre
after acre after expansive acre of grass with no real gardeners doing a thing
about it. Where's an Army of Gardeners when we need one?
Lousy, useless, non-sustainable grass is pretty much good for nothing. Grass
is the enemy. Face it: grass sucks! No literally, grass sucks a tremendous
amount of chemicals which are bad for our water aquifers and sucks good
old-fashioned water which is good for... well... staying alive.
I mean, c'mon people use your common sense. Let me spell it out. With the
nation's population projected to increase to 392 million by 2050 combined with a
down global economy where many cities across the United States alone are seeing
over 11% unemployment rates - we are in trouble.
(to continue reading this post, please click the link below...)
It is not the responsibility of the government to solve every problem we
have. Get off your duffs and build your community. No one else is going to do it
for you. Here's how you get started - first, get rid of all that useless grass
that's sucking our most precious resource. Encourage your businesses, churches,
neighborhoods, non-profits - and most importantly - your family to start
planting vegetables like they are going out of style.
Here's a real shocker - vegetables are going out of style. Food around the
world is being rationed. With the Global Warming Crisis causing weather changes
and crops to fail around the world, this is no longer something we should be
ignoring.
It's difficult to conquer all the grass in the world. However, I have chosen
to set the example for my Army comrades. Without a regret, I have ripped out my
front lawn and planted the damndest little veggie garden you have ever seen (in
part-shade no less). Guess what? It's growing just fine and so far I have
donated over a hundred pounds of veggies to the local food pantry.
If you cannot plant vegetables, plant a Therapeutic Garden. Cancer, diabetes,
and heart-disease rates are skyrocketing. Why not plant a useful garden which
might encourage your community to be healthier? By planting more gardens you are
also preventing crime in your neighborhoods. Let's see... hmmm... what are the
benefits? Stronger mental and physical health, reduced crime, and fresh organic
veggies for your neighborhood. Seems like a win-win to me.
Never has the world needed an army of gardeners like it does now. Come to
attention! Build a neighborhood garden, grow extra veggies to share, help your
community now because without your help some of your neighbors might not be able
to weather these difficult economic times.
Grab your pitchforks, hoes, and rotted manure! It is time we made a
difference!
Shawna Lee Coronado is an author, locally syndicated newspaper columnist,
blogger and greening expert focused on teaching and living a green lifestyle.
Visit Shawna's prime website for more information on her book and other media -
The Casual Gardener.com. Also
visit Shawna's gardening blog, The Casual Gardener
and her greening blog, Gardening
Nude. Photo by Shawna of her front-yard veg garden.
Filed under: Food & Health, Help Neighbors
Tags: build community, food pantry, garden, global warming, grass, mow grass, organic, raw food, sustainable, vegetable garden
