Welcome to the farmerly
/Urban Farming means different things to different people. My definition is: growing food in an urban or confined setting. I’ve done this in various locations with diverse conditions. Throughout this process I’ve experimented and made plenty of mistakes, and enjoyed some successes. One of the reasons I make mistakes is because farming can be hard. As Brian Breet put it, “Farming is a profession of hope”. But people with hope are good people to be around.
The other reason I make mistakes is I’m a man, and therefore not given to reading instructions properly. In my defence I would argue they’re often quite dry and dull. I will endeavour to not go down that (garden) path.
So why would you want to farm? From my thoroughly unscientific surveying of friends and family, three core reasons (not mutually exclusive, nor exhaustive) are mentioned:
- Growing can be simple and shop produce is often overpriced.
- It’s satisfying and rewarding eating freshly picked home-grown produce.
- Experimenting is fun, collaborative and creative.
Please tell me your reasons. While we wait, let’s consider these points for a second. The naysayers can drive holes through each argument, for example (and these are just a sample):
- Maybe, but… in an urban farm you’ll struggle to achieve many of the economies of scale mass agriculture and big stores benefit from on certain crops. Potatoes or onions for example.
- It doesn’t always taste good. For example, If you live somewhere hot, like I do in Singapore, and you water your plants with water at room temperature, that home-grown lettuce will probably be mushy. Why? Watering at 15-20° Celsius (59-68° Fahrenheit) is optimal, above that and your crop may lose some of its crispness. A lettuce flown in may therefore taste a lot better.
- With every yin there’s the yang: a quick search using terms like “in season”, “home-grown” and “urban farm” and various negative words will tell you that many people feel they’re being lectured and don’t share your worldview. I call this ‘the Bono factor’. Don’t be Bono.
So, you’re still reading, that must mean you have a distorted taste palate, poor financial judgment and you're smug. Now let’s look on the bright side:
Basil (with chilli, capsicum and coriander)
Don't call baby ugly...
- Pick your battles and work out what plants suit your lifestyle. I love Italian food, and therefore European basil, which is very expensive in Asia as it’s freighted from Europe or Australia (mainly). Growing it is easier than just about any other herb on my a partially shaded and breezy kitchen windowsill. Ultimately though, do what you want, it’s your farm! If you want to shoot for Ginseng as the mercury tips zero (optimal growing temperature) in a Northern Hemisphere winter, why not?
- Ever been sent photos by a relative, friend or colleague of their newborn and recoiled in shock as you gaze at Shrek and Thelma Simpson’s lovechild? Well, that baby is gorgeous to them, so too you will relish eating your baby carrot. As you master your farm so to will taste improve.
- Experimenting is what moves us forward, and it’s also a lot of fun, and is potentially unifying (unless that experiment was my growing mushrooms in a damp London apartment’s toilet, much to the chagrin of others). Before considering if farming is a solo or group project, have a think though about whether you are a wheat person or a rice person.
Through this site I will focus on these three core areas which I hope will cover the bases for most of you:
- Growing: tips, tricks and guides to help you make the very most out of your urban garden.
- Eating: looking at how best to balance taste, ease and the potential nutritional benefits of different crops, considering the perspectives of my heritage (Europe) and where is now home (Asia).
- Exploring: considering new technologies along with repurposing and recycling to help you get the most from your garden, old junk, and have some fun in the process.
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