Edible Landscaping
Having lived in a concrete box most of my adult life doesn’t
negate the fact that I love gardening and being outdoors.
After discovering some wild raspberry bushes in a local
Arlington VA park I approached a park ranger about the possibility of planting
more edible landscaping (EL). His response was a terse “Nothing comes into the
park and nothing is taken out of the park.”
Needless to say, that was my call to “arms” moment, or more
accurately my call to hoe and shovel moment. After a few cocktails with friends, we came up
with the notion of forming a commando gardening club to rectify this
miscarriage of justice. But upon sober
contemplation the logistics of carrying out our plot was too formidable so
that’s why I’ve come to you.
All kidding aside, there is currently a worldwide food
shortage crisis that will only worsen in the coming months and year. Please, can you and your staff work
with the USDA and local/state governments to promote the idea of edible landscaping
in all parks?
Just as Lady Bird Johnson promoted beautification of the
national hwy system, I was hoping you would take up this cause for EL in
regional and national parks. I envision
the plants being perennials like all types of berries, grapevines, and fruit
trees, including utilizing local varieties that would help to sustain all life,
human and animal alike.
The best part would be that it wouldn’t cost the government
a thing as no pesticides would be needed (organic), just let the strongest specimens
thrive. And the plants/trees would be donated by the loyal joggers, runners,
cyclists, and dog owners of these parks!
Again, please
consider this opportunity. Otherwise my
friends expect me to dress in the donated cammo outfit but it just isn’t me,
and besides, I don’t have any shoes to match the outfit.
Respectfully yours,
Leslie Beil
Written sometime in late 2010 or early 2011
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