The Gothic Homesteader

So I am beginning to Gothic Apartment Homestead again in earnest, in part to go along with my natural health course I am doing, and in part to start putting down roots, so to speak, in my area of future work... Problem?  I live in a second story apartment with a small open balcony that is also the walkway to stairs for my 3 neighboring apartments.  Maybe 12 inch pots? So, this Desert Gypsy Goth is turning over a new leaf, literally.  We were able to make it from Farmington, NM with 3 plants: my husbands Cactus, my Clover, and our Mexican Heather plants.  I have scouted out a metal shelving system at walmart that should go well in our bedroom where the plants can get sunlight, and I am also hunting for an additional plant light.  I found some awesome AZ made recycled wine bottle planters ( refreshglass.com ) which also fits in both the bedroom and living room windows, just perfect for herbs. Now the hard part, what to GROW? ~ Morria

Sometimes, even with the Gothic Homesteading I do, I feel like there could be some much more I could be doing.  I also feel very disconnected from the land sometimes.  Living close to nature, be it a desert, a forest, the sea, or great prairies/savannas, is healing to the soul.  To be close to the earth, to feel it beneath the feet, to be connected.  Closeness, connectedness, a feeling of belonging.  So many of us struggle with those feeling those thoughts.  Yet out here in the garden, it seems so easy to find, even if a bit thorny at times...literally! One of the easiest way to start restoring ourselves, and getting back to our roots, is starting connecting to the land again.  How? Grow plants in windows. Work a a co-op/urban garden. Learning to preserve our own foods. Walk daily at a wild space or park. Swimming in the wilds Vacation camping out in tents in the wilderness. Save up and buy land. So many ways to start working towards...

Today Urban Homesteaders just lost a great woman, Linda Houser.  From her, my beginning of gardening would begin.  From age 5 when she helped me grow my pumpkins.  To age 14, when I discovered purple lettuce and insisted we grow it.  To age 15, when I began my herb garden.  She walked beside me, but never, ever took over my garden. "How would I learn if I didn't grow for myself? I wouldn't." she always would say. Merami was the first to teach me you dont have to be out in the country on 40 acres of land to grow food.  In fact, even before we had a 3/4 of an acre lot, she still grew food at our tiny intercity-Wichita lot.  Some of my first memories are playing in the dirt.  Merami, you will be for ever missed and remembered! ~ Morria

This year beside our family gardens, and my deck garden, we have been honored to get to help out at the community garden hosted by Immanuel Baptist Church.    Community Gardens are so important, because they give those who might not have access to gardening space, a place to grow.  They provide food for those in need, enrich neighborhoods, bring people together who other wise might never rub shoulders, and just are fun! Are there any abandon lots around your area?  Maybe see if you and a few others can get together and purchase it for a community garden area. Are there any already in operation community gardens in your area?  Maybe join them and learn more about gardening and homesteading there. Are there local farmers markets?  Why not shop at them as much as possible to support those who are growing foods local? There are so many ways we can be Gothic Homesteaders, and we're just scratching the surface.  I cant wait to discover more! ~ M...