Illicit Gardening

No... Not that kind of gardening...This kind.

Food Deserts

I hear the term "Food Desert" and I wonder what is the cause? Is it Walmart forcing shopping to move from a neighborhood store to a more regional shopping center. Or is it a choice made by the consumer as to this is where I prefer to shop. My shopping choices tend to be places that have the brands I prefer in stock so I know I can get everything on my list in one trip. I am not a person who goes to the store more than once a week, and I hate it when I have to make a second trip just for one item that was out of stock.

For the past three or so years, North Tulsa's shopping issues have been in the news. When you have the Mayor driving across town for a shopping photo op, then you know its all politics. But is it worth the cost of 2.2 million going to one place or one entrepreneur? All your eggs in one basket so to speak.

I ran across the article about how New York City is trying to combat health issues and food deserts and the same time. I came to the conclusion that 2.2 million would fund a lot of vegetable carts, entrepreneurs, and community gardens.

Winter's Back

If I had had time yesterday I would have picked a massive bouquet of daffodils - right now there's an inch of snow on the roses outside the window - Yesterday was over 70 and the greenhouse was hot. No mood to even go look today - so I need to work on taxes and the day is over at 4:43 - shopping was more fun. I am going to spray a bacillius in the greenhouse tomorrow to murder my only pest - fungus gnats disappear when plants hit the great outdoors - they only survive in the warmth and artificial environment of the greenhouse.

I am struggling with not wanting to make labels and not sure if I could get away without them - I could number things - with a silver pen - and then hand out ID sheets or cards - eggplant are up and peppers look ok - most maters have are looking good too. I transplanted a lot of nasturtiums and hyacinth beans - it's funny when you think about how much something costs at fancy restaurants and all it is is a flower or two in a salad.

Well, work isn't getting done without my eyes and hands - so this is a short note. I wish it had not snowed - it makes it all soggy wet again - nothing has been planted here, onions are growing in the sack they were purchased in - sad state of affairs - but it will get there - slowly.

In case you missed it...

Kim Flottum editor of Bee Culture Magazine and author of The Backyard Beekeeper. will be the keynote speaker at Bee Buzz this weekend. Rich Fisher interviewed him this week on Studio Tulsa. You can listen to the Interview online.

More from Cleveland.

I always thought it surreal to go into the Shopping Malls from the 1980's with the imitation outdoors environment under the expansive glass atrium ceilings. Promenade Mall is a good example of this. The outdoor shopping center was enclosed to allow complete control of the shopping experience. And of course you have to have the sound of falling water to give you the right white noise in the background. But what do you do when Macy's packs up and leaves? You revamp the Food Court.

I have been reading a lot about Cleveland Ohio.

Cleveland is one of the northern cities hit hard by job migration. Like Detroit and Flint, Cleveland's citizens are coming up with some innovative survival tactics to rebuild their community. I have ranted before about the Tulsa Development Authority holding land in common just to grow Bermuda grass. I think the concept of a "Land Bank"is much more inline with today's realities than the "Development" concept of the 1970's urban renewal. Why does a place have to hit rock bottom, and land revert back to nature before land use becomes a political topic. It is crazy that we have huge discussions about Tulsa's parks and rec centers. But no one every claims we do not have the money to mow or maintain TDA land.

Food, Inc. The Documentary

For those of you who have not seen Food, Inc. or would like to see it again. You can watch it online HERE.