A Conservative Word on Gardening and Self-sufficiency

Amongst the many issues that trouble me about our state and nation - the massive debt, major lack of transparency in government, constant erosion of free market principles and the deterioration of the People's individual liberties - I have found some refuge from the non-stop circus act, and that would be in gardening. Not to sound earthy-crunchy over here, but starting a plant from seed and watching it grow to eventually produce food has been a great learning experience for myself. I find it fun, exciting, and great for the family. The fact that one can easily grow their own food right in their back yard (with the right conditions, of course) is truly remarkable, and it's CONSERVATIVE! No, it's not just for liberals and hippies, but perhaps they've got one thing going for them. Gardening is for anyone who wants to cut grocery costs, grow better and tastier food, and become self-sufficient when it comes to growing vegetables.


There are plenty of great reasons to start a home garden, but one reason stands out for me - self-sufficiency. As a conservative Republican, achieving self-sufficiency is a huge goal of mine and I'm sure it is to many Americans. It's what this country is all about. Our Forefathers didn't fight and die so Americans can stick their hands out to receive freebies and services from the government. They wanted to protect liberty for the People so they can make their own decisions and take their own path in life to achieve their dreams and goals, and for someone like myself, one of my goals is to stop depending on the grocery store for my produce.

During the beginning of last year, my brother and I decided to start a garden and learn to grow food, mainly for self-sufficiency, but to also know that we have the basic knowledge to do so. We observed that the economy wasn't looking favorable with massive debt, the devaluation of our currency, and looming inflation, so growing our own vegetables was a great idea to battle grocery store costs. Goods and service prices have gone up and are continuing in that direction. And have you seen the prices of tomatoes, recently? This raises a serious issue as to whether one should be totally dependent on the grocery store for their food. I ask, why spend your hard earned money on stuff you can grow in your own back yard that is MUCH cheaper and usually more delicious and flavorful than those that are mass produced and shipped off to a grocery store? Have you ever compared the taste of a store bought, mass produced tomato to a tomato grown in a home garden? Huge difference! Growing your own food is probably one of the most self-sufficient things one can do, especially in these times. Sure, it takes some work, time, and dedication, but it's well worth the savings and the enjoyment of eating something you worked to grow.

Also, from observance of the past, we all know that there are always those every once in a while instances of a food disease breakout caused by a factory farm whose food is eventually canned or packaged for mass distribution. One can take personal responsibility and avoid such an unwanted instance when they produce their own food knowing that they grew it themselves and that it is safe to eat(hopefully). And hey, if they get sick by their own food, then they have no one blame but themselves.

I feel that home gardening is a lost art and an almost forgotten classic American hobby and skill. It seems that younger generations aren't showing a great interest in gardening, seeing as most of them are raised to just go to the grocery store for their fruits and vegetables. I'm almost convinced that some probably don't have a clue where it comes from, other than in a can or a package. If the average peer from my generation were to listen to an elder speaking about having a home garden, stocking their fruit cellars and pantries, they would probably roll their eyes and laugh, thinking they(the elders) are wasting their time. Of course, they didn't grow up during hard economic times, so they have less of a chance understanding what it's like to live a lifestyle of growing and storing food for "just in case", but I urge those skills be taught and learned once again because we now are in hard economic times, and judging by the actions of our representatives, it's not going to look promising anytime soon.

I suggest to anyone reading this to seriously consider learning to garden. I don't care if you do it organically or not(personally, I take the former) just at least learn how to grow food. Even if you just start with one plant to get the ball rolling, then do so, because you will be better off than those who may not possess such skills. Let's hope that learning it won't be necessary, but I have a feeling that gardening will make its overdue resurgence into American society and American families because of today's dire economic atmosphere.