Local Food Security - Planning For The Future

from May 2022 Issue 162

Cut Broom in Bloom

While Vancouver Island boasts some of the most fertile land on the coast, we also have one of the least sustainable regions for food security in BC, producing less than 6% of our own food here on the Island. As a natural result, we import most of what we consume, increasing supply and demand needs for foods grown extra-regionally and driving the market towards less sustainable supply chains.

From floods at home to war abroad and with gas prices soaring, the cost of food is going up, and it has never been more evident that we need to start planning for greater local food security, than it is today. By producing more of our own food, and supporting sustainable agricultural practices locally, we can do our part for our shared global environment, in our own backyard.

Purchasing organically grown foods from local producers or small grocery stores goes a long way to voting for the kind of future we want to create, and integrating permaculture on any scale to your home garden can also help. No matter how little land you may live on, “edible landscapes” can be integrated in ways that can make a big impact for your pocket book, as well as the Earth.

Original permaculture guru Bill Mollison says that on 1/4 acre you can create sustainable closed loop systems, far more productive than conventional agricultural land of the same size. He also says that our future is dependant on having far more small-scale gardeners, using permanent agricultural techniques to heal the land, and provide food (and water) security for generations to come.

Working harmoniously with your available light, seasonal changes, indigenous plants, helpful pollinators and creative design, converting even a small section of your lawn into a micro edible landscape by utilizing permaculture practices can be easier than you think. It looks beautiful, makes for great conversational space, and can subsidize the food you buy at the grocery store, offsetting carbon and saving you money at the end of the day.

Permaculture systems are also drought-resistant, meaning that you can do your part to decrease watering in the dry months (and avoid the dreaded “brown is the new green” line when your grass dies off). Edible landscapes are lower maintenance than conventional landscape designs, attract beneficial bugs, replenish soil and ecosystems and decrease water consumption.

It’s good for the environment and looks great too, and is easy to maintain once the initial garden design and implementation is complete.

Love the ideology, but not a green thumb? Sustainable Ado’s ~ Edible Landscapes, Yard Maintenance & Organic Garden Care can help. Contact us today for a FREE CONSULT to see how we can support you to do your part in planning for the kind of future we want to create.

Edible LandscapesSustainable Ado’s Yard Maintenance & Organic Garden Care Ado Grimwood-Adam

Ado is an organic gardener, foodie and father of three living in the Cowichan Valley. He holds a Certifi cate in Permaculture from Langara College, and is passionate about sustainability, food security, climate change and organic gardening.

Whether you need yard maintenance, or want to establish Edible Landscapes, Ado is a reliable, friendly and helpful person to work with.

Services off ered include:

~ Edible Landscapes ~ Yard Maintenance ~ Organic Garden Care Call or text for a free on-site consultation!

250.815.5789