60 Minutes recently ran a story titled Backyard Revolution, about the growing (pardon the pun!) movement towards backyard vegie patches. Finally TV stations are joining us in the 21st century, so if you missed it you can watch the story [here](http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=797223).
The story featured one of Australia’s most-loved TV gardening presenters, Peter Cundall, talking about the renewed interest in vegetable gardening around Australia. They also looked at community gardens in the city, and talked to Professor Kerin O’Dea (biochemist and dietary specialist) about good food and what it is that supermarkets sell in those overpackaged ‘meals’ (hint: it’s not food).
I liked Kerin’s golden rule: “Don’t eat anything that your great-great-grandmother wouldn’t recognise.”
Stephanie Alexander also featured, with her school kitchen garden programme. I’ve got her book, [Kitchen Garden Cooking with Kids](http://www.stephaniealexander.com.au/mybooks.htm), and it’s awesome. Highly recommended if you’ve got kids (or grandkids!). There’s a lot more information on this at Stephanie’s [Kitchen Garden Foundation](http://www.kitchengardenfoundation.org.au/) site.
If you’ve watched the show, let me know what you think via the comments below!
Wilson Pon
Yeah, it’s a better to choose the plant our own vegetables than buying it in the farm, Darren. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any backyard to do it, as I’m now living at apartment.
By the way, those Chili peppers look so delicious! 🙂
Chrissy
It was interesting and encouraging, and I’ll be interested to see the “mailbag” this week to see the response to this particular story! 😉
Stephanie Alexanders’ “Kitchen Garden cooking with kids” looks fab!
Wilson – if you have a balcony, perhaps you could have a fresh food “window box” and just have a few in season vegies or herbs?
Cheers
Chrissy
Darren
@Chrissy: If you’ve got kids, that book is fantastic. I think they might have a copy in Kiama library if you want to check it out.
@Wilson: As Chrissy said, a balcony or window box could grow you a few herbs or lettuces or something. Another alternative is to look for a community garden in your area where you could get a plot.
Wilson Pon
Darren and Chrissy, thanks for the useful tips and I never thought about it before! Well, I think it’s time to get some fresh herbs from my colleagues and plant them on the “Window box”…
Darren
@Wilson: No worries! Post back here or email me some photos when you get them set up. It’d be great to put up an article showing that these things can be done in all sorts of accommodation.