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Each day that goes by Sara is happier spending hours in the kitchen cooking freshly picked vegetables from her garden rather than sitting in front of the computer all day long creating digital art like she used to. Motherhood opened her eyes to the importance of a holistic approach to health and the ancient Indian medicinal system, Ayurveda, which provides all the answers she’d been looking for. Nutrition and a balanced lifestyle are the key to vibrant health, Ayurveda has been promoting eating a seasonal, local vegetarian diet for thousands of years and that is what Sara tries to follow. You can’t get more local than your back garden!
NUMBER OF YEARS URBAN GARDENING:
6 yrs, since I moved back to southern Spain.
FAVORITE THINGS TO GROW:
Broccoli, spinach, basil, greens, strawberries, lettuce, courgettes, green beans…the things I love to eat!
URBAN FARMING LOCATION:
Coín, Málaga, Spain
GARDENING ADVICE:
Nurture your soil, take a look at your veggies every day, even a quick glance can save you from disasters and I’m pretty sure your plants appreciate the attention.
YOUR OWN GARDENING TIPS AND TRICKS:
I doubt any of them are my own invention: sow seeds on a waxing moon, use organic compost and cow manure, never use chemicals and pesticides no matter how tempting or bad the pest invasion, plant things close to each other depending on their water needs, plant aromatic plants amongst veggies for pest control.
WHY DID YOU FIRST START GROWING YOUR OWN ORGANIC FOOD?
Its cheaper than buying and I’d rather not eat conventionally grown veggies at all anymore. Plus, its a really satisfying process, after working on a computer for so many years I find gardening a tangible outlet for creativity.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO GROW?
Just started eating my first ever batch of bhindi! I think you call it gumbo over there, also known as okra and “ladies fingers.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO COOK OUT OF THE GARDEN?
Can’t beat fresh cut broccoli, or lettuce for that matter. But one of my favorites is Fresh Cilantro Chutney. (Click here for recipe).
WHO TAUGHT YOU HOW TO GARDEN (OR HOW DID YOU LEARN)?
By trial and error – I’ve read books about permaculture and “Parades en Crestall” by Gaspar Caballero de Segovia who makes edible gardens in Mallorca using traditional techniques. I don’t think I’ll ever stop learning though.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR BEGINNER GARDENERS?
Don’t be intimidated, just go for it. Have no expectations.
HOW MANY HOURS PER WEEK DO YOU SPEND IN THE GARDEN?
4 tops, a little every day.
DO YOU RAISED BEDS, CONTAINERS, THE GROUND OR A COMBINATION OF WHAT?
The ground.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN THE GARDEN?
Perseverance, looking after the garden during all its phases.
WHAT ARE YOU GROWING RIGHT NOW?
Peppers, cucumbers, pumpkin, eggplant, tomatoes, courgettes and green beans–loads of mint and basil too.
HOW HAS GROWING YOUR OWN ORGANIC FOOD AFFECTED OR CHANGED YOUR LIFE?
My pockets are fuller and I am happy knowing I am feeding my family healthy food. My love for cooking has increased too.
WHY DO YOU THINK IT´S IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE GROW THEIR OWN FOOD?
Its good to have a relationship with your food, if it always comes off a shelf it doesn’t nourish you as much.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST FAVORITE THING ABOUT GARDENING?
Taking the time to do it, its usually a nice quiet moment unless my three year old decides to “gardner” with me and I have to make sure he doesn’t trample on anything valuable.
OTHER THOUGHTS OR COMMENTS?
Check out www.sincolorantes.com, my wholesome cooking site.
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