Last Sunday on Channel Nine's 60 minutes program, vegetable growing went primetime. Yep, there was the ever energetic Peter Cundall harvesting potatoes in front of disbelieving Liz Hayes eyes (although some of his spuds were gigantic). The reporter then went on to inform us that people are digging up tennis courts and replacing them with vegie patches although I don't believe Leyton Hewitt has done this yet! However give Peter Cundall 5 minutes with him and I am sure he would love to get his hands this dirty.
Certainly in the nursery industry, vegetable seeds, seedlings, herbs and fruit tree trees are all seeing a phenominal growth in popularity. Just this week I had a family in to learn about how to start a vegetable patch including to find out what varieties they could grow at the moment. (at the moment that includes broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, onions, coriander, leek, spinach, beetroot, broad beans, snow peas and kale). Another gardener came in to get some vegies for a mentally disabled centre and explained to me that members of the group were finding it extremely rewarding and highly therapeutic.
Last week I showed a few primary school students how to plant out some seedlings and seeds and they were as keen as mustard. Speaking of primary school students, one of the gardeners being interviewed for the 60 Minutes story was a much loved Autralian Chef, Stephanie Alexander. She started a concept at a school in Collingwood where students grow food gardens, harvest the produce and also learn how to cook and eat the food that they grow. This program actually works and kids actually eat vegetables without anyone threatening them if they don't. So succesful, the state government has rolled the program out in about 20 schools and counting. It's a big comittment for the schools, and they still need to raise money to build kitchens but it is certainly a step in the right direction. I believe that vegetable gardening in primary and senior schools will become a nationally accepted subject in many more schools in the future. A great deal of credit must go to Stephanie Alexander and her team. We have got her book at home, "The Cooks Companion" and I must admit her simple recipe for Leek soup is an absolute favourite in our family.
Ok, calling it a revolution is maybe a bit far fetched, but you know, buying some flavoursome heritage apples at a farmers market, or whipping out to your back patio for a handful of Italian parsley for the pizza you are making at home, sure feels good.
Related Links:
The 60 Minutes Story
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation
Stephanie Alexander on Youtube
All photos taken whilst watching Channel 9 Melbourne.
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