Nature's Bounty: Soil Salvation

Eating colorful fruits and veggies is great—but only half the story. There's surprising evidence that our mental and physical health depends on growing them ourselves.

By Daniel A. Marano, published on September 01, 2008 - last reviewed on November 10, 2008

What to plant. Late summer/early fall is the preferred time for cool-season seed crops like lettuces, Asian greens, beets, radishes, spinach, and many peas. Most fruit-bearing trees, berries, shrubs, and vines prefer a fall planting, too. Find local growers and nurseries that stock native and acclimated varieties. Don't ignore the mother of all fall-planted root crops, garlic.
Hot pots. Container gardening has never been more popular, with everything from self-feeding planters to soil-less growing of lettuces, tomatoes, herbs, and more (see gardeners.com, gurneys.com, or smithandhawken.com). Soil is crucial, regardless of location: Use well-composted fertile soil, rich in organic matter, slow-releasing nutrients, and mycobacteria, as most store-bought peat and potting mixes have been sterilized. Nothing beats finished backyard compost.
Maven havens. Discussion and regional forums at gardenweb.com can connect you with expertise and regional info about plants. Talk to your neighbors and local gardeners and growers. Seek counsel, too, from the slow food movement (slowfoodusa.org), guerrilla gardeners (guerrillagardening.org), and those advocating reclamation of our eating and living spaces (edibleestates.org).