Food & Water

Down with raised beds

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The only raised bed I’ve ever found useful in sixty years of gardening is the one in my bedroom. And after I quit double-digging, I didn’t have to spend as much time there either. Or if I did, it was for reasons other than resting.

Is food the last thing to worry about?

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Our food system is woefully dependent on petroleum.Yet in the developed world, the food system may be one of the last to fail during energy descent. This isn’t to say that industrial, oil-based agriculture is invulnerable, let alone sustainable. But there are many reasons why our fears of a food collapse—particularly when they lead us to a go-it-alone, grow-your-own response—may be distracting us from focusing on more immediate and likely risks.

Time to start growing your own bread

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It is gratifying to know there are still Americans who, instead of wringing their hands at a possible problem headed their way, start figuring what to do about it. Self-reliant people are taking a look at what is happening in our financial world and wondering if it is time to plow up the backyard or that old horse lot and plant some food.