In our previous actions we only considered the garden in a tijdelijk or temporary way. We were told from the very beginning that the garden would probably only last a couple of months at the most. But seeing that the garden has lasted from April until now (with help from construction workers watering the garden 
, plus the added area from last week, I am dreaming of permanence…
Sunday and Wednesday, we included some herbs (basil and lavender) to the garden, which I think really added something extra on top of the pre-existing garden. As we sat on our well, Inga and I imagined construction workers adding a bit of elegance to their cheese sandwiches.
If we do have a chance to continue working on this location or on similar project, I would like to think in terms of less superficial concepts (i.e. prettiness) and maybe focus on something like urban farming. I have been increasingly fascinated by urban and local farming/food projects like Eetbaar Rotterdam (Edible Rotterdam). Today I read about SPIN-Farming (S-mall P-lot IN-tensive), a platform for enabling small scale farming which could be interesting for us. Here is what they say on their website:
SPIN-Farming is a non-technical, easy-to-learn and inexpensive-to-implement vegetable farming system that makes it possible to earn significant income from land bases under an acre in size. Whether you are new to farming, or want to farm in a new way, SPIN can work for you because:
- Its precise revenue targeting formulas and organic-based techniques make it possible to gross $50,000+ from a half- acre.
- You don’t need to own land. You can affordably rent or barter a small piece of land adequate in size for SPIN-Farming production.
- It works in either the city, country or small town.
- It fits into any lifestyle or life cycle.
SPIN is being practiced by first generation farmers because it removes the two big barriers to entry – land and capital – as well as by established farmers who want to diversify or downsize, as well as by part-time hobby farmers.
