The urbfarm water gardens come in all form. The true Earth boxes, acquired at a garage sale, sport bushes of basil the size of high definition televisions. The Staples-plastic- file- box water garden- is equally abundant with Mexican tarragon waving its perky faces.The bay tree is growing out of a plastic flower pot lowered int an English garden tub tastefully draped with Spanish moss. Growing selected plants over water allows me not to be enslaved to the watering schedule. I can have a life------and pesto.

( given to me by an urbfarmer friend)

We give thanks to all who contributed to this Thanksgiving meal
from seed to table
to Mother Earth who bore the seeds and to the sun,rain, and soil that allowed our food to grow.
To the farmers and the farmworkers,
who planted, watered and harvested.
To the workers who transported and shipped
to the cooks who envisioned and lovingly prepared this meal.
For these miracle workers and the miracle of good food itself
We give deep thanks.
Amen

The mission of the URBFARM is to provide an urban sacred space in which to appreciate Mother Nature's glory. By offering individual plots to neighbors and by hosting selected activities, the Urbfarm seeks to encourage community and the responsible, sustainable use of the creation.

My farmers sign an agreement before they garden here at the urbfarm. It reads as follows:
1. I agree to plant and harvest organically on my designated farmette
2. I will use no pesticides or herbicides
3. I will put no wooden or concrete structures on the plot without first clearing them with Victoria ( we had an outbreak of concrete elves)
4. I will keep my farmette reasonably weed free
5. I will participate in the quarterly potlucks by bringing an urban gardening article and a food item from my garden
6. I will not bring a pet onto the property; if I bring a child I will supervise him or her carefully
7. I realize the B&B is a business and guests have the first right to the dock, chairs etc.
8. If in the process of urbgardening I sustain an injury, I hold the Freemans and their B&B harmless.

So glad I am not depending entirely on my own produce for my total caloric uptake. The arugula is once again waving its arms for my attention. The Meyers lemons number about 30. The grapefruit size Ponderosa lemons dangle languidly from their stems each one bearing enough juice for an entire pie if I can judge the proper cutting time. It is too hot for the lettuce and the tomatoes although the Romas are attempting to survive.

The okra has shot skyward and then produced seeds for next year. There is something wonderful about harvesting ones own seeds. I see now why the controversy over Frankenseeds is so intense. What if my arugula and my okra produced only sterile seeds? What if I were dependent on others for all my seeds? The sacred circle--honored since the beginning of agriculture-- would be fragmented indeed.