Have you ever fantasized about starting your own farm?

You need to read Farm City.

In this strange and wonderful tale it’s clear that the author, Novella Carpenter, didn’t exactly set out to go quite as far as she did into animal husbandry. It just sort of happened, as if it were an enterprise she fell willingly into, or was steered to by some invisible inner rudder.

It all starts innocently enough.

A few vegetables planted on a vacant lot tucked away in a forgotten pocket of Oakland, Calif. The …

Tags: backyard gardening , Farm City , Novella Carpenter , sustainable food , urban farming , urban gardening

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If you thought the Hand-Blown Glass Pears and the Magical Air Plant Garden that we recently featured were cute, you’ll be delighted to discover that VivaTerra has hit the mark yet again by blending both of these creative concepts in appealing (and green!) style.

With the Recycled Glass Terrarium, all you have to do is water your tillandsia as directed and watch it flourish on a bed of fine-grained sand. How’s that for an easy way to breathe life into a home that’s …

Tags: air plant , recycled glass , terrarium , tillandsia , urban gardening , VivaTerra

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Remember the saying “there’s no such thing as a free lunch”? Ain’t exactly true, especially if you get on board and participate in the National Garden Commission’s One Million Gardens campaign. They’ve teamed up with Edible Gardens to  give away a free assortment of heirloom seeds in celebration of National Gardening Month this April. (And now that you know growing vegetables is easy, you’re out of excuses.)

A handful of these seeds and you could turn your backyard into a mini-food farm, even growing enough to feed the …

Tags: Edible Gardens , grow , National Gardening Month , One Million Gardens , save money , urban gardening , victory garden

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Destruction in the Amazon. Clear-cutting of virgin forests. These are sad, infuriating events, but they can also seem distant – even abstract. How about the wanton destruction of a thriving Los Angeles community garden? Now that brought me to tears.

Who owns the land?

In 1992, after the Los Angeles riots, a 14-acre community garden was formed in an industrial section of South Central LA. Over 350 families banded together to create an urban paradise and grow their own food in the middle of a largely forgotten and blighted concrete jungle.

There was …

Tags: Community , community garden , farming , film , garden , health , news , sustainable , urban , urban gardening

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The best things in life are…actually, yes, they are free. At least, creativity is free. It’s only in recent times that recreation and entertainment has been sold to us for a very high price. But do you really want to spend $30 for a movie and popcorn with a friend? Nah, you can do better – especially if you’re trying to save money these days, like most of us. Check out these ideas and step outside of the expensive, prepackaged entertainment box.
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Tags: free , music , sustainable , urban foraging , urban gardening , Voluntary Creative Simplicity

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There’s no weekend excursion you relish more than getting your hands on the local harvest at organic farmers’ markets, but picture this instead: You’re craving a crisp salad garnished with savory herbs. You step outside into your garden, pick some tomatoes, peppers and basil, and enjoy a natural meal without ever stepping foot beyond your yard. If the idea of cultivating the food you consume seems intimidating, it’s a lot easier than you think to get your thumb to go green.

Before you begin, …

Tags: food , fruit , gardening , guide , how to , tips , urban gardening , vegetables

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