Where Have All The Cottage Gardens Gone?

Erin Arron: Industrial farms and agriculture have killed off a lot of the family farms and gardens, which are so much more earth friendly. So, same for your cottage gardens. Easier for folks to buy mass-produced, industrial, chemically grown veggies than to till their gardens. But I think that this is headed for a turn around. People are beginning to understand the carbon footprint and environmental impact of flying and trucking food all over the world instead of just buying from local farmers and gardeners. People are also becoming more and more aware of the benefits of organic growing and natural animal husbandry, which include elimination of un-natural chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers and hormones from the food chain, and the ability to eat foods that have greater nutritional value.I've heard that there is a trend in the UK toward villages declaring themselves "Fair Trade" villages -- meaning that all the foodstuffs to be found in the markets are either locally/! organically grown or if imported have been certified Fair Trade.So, Optimism, dear friend! Optimism!And, have you planted YOUR cottage garden? (Even if it is just in a window box?)...Show more

Deangelo Marchak: I was asking around about something similar to "cottage gardens" here in the U.S.During WWII, we used to plant what were known as victory gardens, as a way to reduce the strain on industry and provide food to people in times of increased need.Why we can't bring that concept back in order to help the "war for the environment" effort is beyond me. I guess it's just that everyone wants the easy way out. They want to change a light bulb, or carry a canvass bag, but no one wants to make long term cultural changes....Show more

Norine Lomonte: Long time passing.

Kris Bozelle: actual West united states (everywhere West of Somerset - Devon and Cornwall). yet there are those places everywhere in the country - as quickly as you get faraway from the enormous c! ities. Oxfordshire is gorgeous working example.