
The Texas Local Food Directory - Category 10: Sustainable Practices and Regenerative Farming – Cultivating Resilience
The Texas Local Food Directory - Category 10: Sustainable Practices and Regenerative Farming – Cultivating Resilience
Most of us dream of buying a piece of countryside land to create the farm of our dreams. But why wait? Start your journey back to the land right where you are. Building a sustainable urban garden is possible, step by step, and it’s never too late. With commitment, your urban space can flourish into a food forest within 5-10 years. Here is a comprehensive 12-month guide based on the principles from The Gardener’s Art of War to help you achieve just that.
This page is dedicated to helping us grow our own food. Pushing on these 12 Steps will result in a budding food forest within 5 years - 10 years within your region.
Start your journey back to the land right where you are!
It's step by step and never too late.
So let's get started!
We've made it easy through our Collections to find the tools and resources you need. A downloadable google and outlook calendar will be available on our LeafCycle Calendar soon. Please share with us your growing and do stay in touch!
This calendar is part of:
2024 November: The Nine Situations
Planting 🌱: Collect and share seeds.
Operational 🛠️: Prune dormant perennials.
Sharing 🤝: Adopt a daycare or church on your block to seed vault. Daycare and schools are hungry for a seed projects and ripe for a Spring push.
Growth Tip 🤔: Reflect on the gardening year.
Seasonal Tip 🛠️: Clean and store tools.
2024 December: The Attack by Fire & The Use of Spies
Planting 🌱: Plan new strategies.
Operational 🛠️: Organize tools and supplies.
Sharing 📚: Share gardening books.
Growth Tip 🖥️: Use digital tools for mapping.
Seasonal Tip 🌟: Review successes and lessons.
2025 January: Laying Plans
Step 1: Strategize and Prepare
Planting 🌱: Start seeds for winter greens like kale and spinach indoors.
Operational 🛠️: Test soil for nutrient levels and pH; start a compost system with kitchen scraps.
Sharing 🤝: Distribute soil testing kits or host a composting workshop.
Growth Tip 📒: Plan garden layout, including companion planting.
Seasonal Tip ❄️: Use row covers and mulch for frost protection.
February: Waging War
Step 2: Prepare for the Challenges Ahead
Planting 🌱: Sow hardy crops (e.g., lettuce, broccoli) indoors.
Operational 🛠️: Build cold frames or hoop houses.
Sharing 🤝: Host a seed-swap event.
Growth Tip ✂️: Clear old plant debris to avoid pests.
Seasonal Tip 🌳: Prune fruit trees (e.g., figs, jujube).
March: Attack by Stratagem
Step 3: Tactics for Early Growth
Planting 🌱: Transplant cool-season crops; sow carrots, beets, and radishes.
Operational 🛠️: Fertilize and mulch.
Sharing 🤝: Plan a community planting day.
Growth Tip 💧: Set up rain barrels.
Seasonal Tip 🐛: Inspect for early pest signs.
April: Tactical Dispositions
Step 4: Build Infrastructure
Planting 🌱: Plant tomatoes, peppers, and herbs.
Operational 🛠️: Install drip irrigation.
Sharing 🤝: Workshop on irrigation techniques.
Growth Tip 📝: Keep a journal for planting dates.
Seasonal Tip 🌬️: Ensure plant spacing for airflow.
May: Energy
Step 5: Harness the Power of Engagement
Planting 🌼: Add marigolds and companion flowers.
Operational 🛠️: Maintain and sharpen tools.
Sharing 🤝: Share seedlings.
Growth Tip 🥬: Harvest early crops (e.g., lettuce).
Seasonal Tip 🌞: Mulch to conserve moisture.
June: Weak Points and Strong
Step 6: Identify Strengths and Weaknesses
Planting 🌱: Plant heat-tolerant crops (e.g., okra).
Operational 🛠️: Monitor soil moisture.
Sharing 🤝: Create a garden buddy system.
Growth Tip 🥕: Address nutrient deficiencies.
Seasonal Tip 🌿: Trim for air circulation.
July: Maneuvering
Step 7: Adapt and Rotate
Planting 🎃: Plant fall crops (e.g., pumpkins).
Operational 🛠️: Prune and maintain beds.
Sharing 🤝: Host a garden party.
Growth Tip 🌱: Shade delicate plants.
Seasonal Tip 💧: Water early to prevent mildew.
August: Variation in Tactics
Step 8: Innovate and Experiment
Planting 🌱: Sow late-season crops.
Operational 🛠️: Maintain pest control.
Sharing 🤝: Donate surplus to food banks.
Growth Tip 🌿: Start vertical gardening.
Seasonal Tip 🍂: Reapply mulch.
September: The Army on the March
Step 9: Expand Your Reach
Planting 🌱: Plant cover crops.
Operational 🛠️: Preserve harvests.
Sharing 🤝: Partner with local schools.
Growth Tip 🌱: Plan next year’s layout.
Seasonal Tip ♻️: Maintain compost systems.
October: Terrain
Step 10: Understand Your Environment
Planting 🌱: Plant garlic and shallots.
Operational 🛠️: Collect leaves for compost.
Sharing 🤝: Organize a cleanup day.
Growth Tip 🌱: Research plant varieties.
Seasonal Tip ❄️: Protect from early frost.
November: The Nine Situations
Step 11: Sharing and Supporting
Planting 🌱: Collect and store seeds.
Operational 🛠️: Prune dormant perennials.
Sharing 🤝: Adopt a daycare for a seed project.
Growth Tip 🤔: Reflect on the gardening year.
Seasonal Tip 🛠️: Clean and store tools.
December: The Attack by Fire & The Use of Spies
Step 12: Embrace Technology and Reflect
Planting 🌱: Plan new strategies.
Operational 🛠️: Organize tools and supplies.
Sharing 📚: Share gardening books.
Growth Tip 🖥️: Use digital tools for mapping.
Seasonal Tip 🌟: Review successes and lessons.
The Gardeners Art of War is also an excellent next step and short read to build momentum and get growing.
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Give yourself and your family 5% more. Start small and keep growing. No place is too small.
Those ahead should also try to help and facilitate those getting started. It's NOT the green thumb that everyone's missing; it's the elbow-grease and the will to give and take more out of the day.
Communally - As we branch out, we'll find many who are truly in need. Both physically and spiritually. A community dedicated to their food security is better able to foster networks and the zeitgeist needed for a healthy society.
Petition your local representatives for a Recreational Budget (some are in the hundreds of millions annually) that reflects the values and needs of the people. Many of us frequent dog parks and trails daily, why don't we have fruit and nut trees that we can all enjoy and benefit from?
At least once a month, communities should try to come together at City Hall. Imagine if even 5% of the residence of a city got together for a monthly event; what could that not stimulate locally?
We shouldn't need permission to cultivate wild orchards and fields.
Every metroplex should focus on what is easiest and most prolific to grow in their area. For example, DFW should focus on Peaches, Pecans, Figs, Jujjube, Blackberries, Mint, Herbs etc.
Still can't get started? Check out The Path to Grow - The Soul.