FREEDOM GARDENER OF THE MONTH: JUNE 2008
Featured Freedom Gardener of June 2008
Freedom Gardens: Congratulations, rcmullins! You have been selected to be the Featured Freedom Gardener of June 2008. We'd like for you to share a little more about your garden with our readers.
rcmullins: The garden was originally tilled into the soil, however I have been inspired by some very forward thinking writers and influences to go to a more permaculture/raised bed system incorporating what I like to call a 'Massive Mulch System'. This was inspired by South American farmers who have very poor rain forest soil that is normally depleted after a couple of seasons.
The garden currently grows, Pumpkins, Watermelons, Tomatoes, Corn, Cucumbers, Potatoes, Squash, and Corn. I am also incorporating a small orchard which current has 7 apple trees, 4 fig trees, an extensive herb garden, edible flowers, Raspberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, and Strawberries. In addition to this I have started a small vineyard as well with roughly 30 grape vines. All of my growings are either heirloom or pioneer in their ancestry. I believe in local, ancient, and slow foods.
FG: Behind every garden, there must have been blood, sweat and tears. What have you felt was (is) the hardest thing you've faced (or are facing) in your gardening? Would you care to share a story?
rcmullins: There has been alot of blood, sweat and tears in the whole learning process. Sweat mostly but my most recent 'tears' situation was when I was trying to harden off some 250 heirloom tomato plants, in which I had accidentally killed around 80% due to sunscald. It was the closest I had come to crying over my garden. Luckily thanks to Path to Freedom, I incorporated a EM-1 [effective microorganisms] regimen, and the remaining tomatoes recovered and tripled their size even compared to my neighbors who used regular methods of growing. They were amazed by the size of my vines, and they are even now approaching the 6ft mark, and their production is absolutely remarkable.
FG: What do you feel is the most important thing in gardening?
rcmullins: Of course there is the connection to nature, and the earth and the whole meta-physical aspects of things. For me, however it's a bit more pragmatism. I have a family of seven and a modest income, so food is a concern and is becoming a bigger concern as my oldest children are coming into their teen years, where they seem to consume tons of food a day. In addition I have a growing distrust of the sanctity of our Monsanto Monocultures, and the genetic purity of the foods we eat I am very concerned that the foods we eat in the future may not be only un-safe, but a health-centered detriment.
FG: Have you changed - emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually - since you've gardened?
rcmullins: Physically I have dropped several pant sizes. I am in the computer industry so I have a very sedentary job. Loosing a few pounds and having more energy has been amazing for me. Emotionally, I find myself less impressed with materialism and have less of a want for things, but I think this is more due to the fact that I want to be much more frugal with utilizing what monetary resources I have for production rather than just short-return entertainment.
FG: Has the website (freedomgardens.org) helped you with your garden?
rcmullins: Freedom Gardens and Path to Freedom has been a large driving force for much of what I do. I subscribe to the blog for ideas on what to do next, and has been my primary sources for information. Aside from the EM-1 [effective microorganisms] information previously mentioned there have been a number of things, but I think the most important thing is to make change one day at a time. Start small, do a little bit at a time. You can't change the world overnight but you might be able to make one change today that could make a big difference later on down the line. Patience and doing what you can, when you can has been an important idea for me to grab ahold of while pushing towards my goals of being self-sufficient.
FG: Wow, we have really enjoyed learning more about you. Thank you for taking the time to share with us an insight into your garden and how. Hey readers! Be sure to visit rcmullins' profile to see photos, learn more about his garden and visit his great website/blog.
Freedom Gardeners of the Month receive a gift from the online store Peddler's Wagon - Green Goods for the Good of the Planet. (Please support Freedom Gardens and help us grow by purchasing from our store)
Featured Freedom Gardeners are selected by the amount of time they spend on the Freedom Gardens site, the effort put into their profile, how much they have contributed to the site and how much they have shared or spread the word about Freedom Gardens.
