gardenopolis is about urban homesteading – the quest to become more healthy, self-sustaining, creative, and self-sufficient in the city. after reading everything from Animal, Vegetable, Miracle to The Omnivore’s Dilemma, i’ve decided to experiment using my unsuspecting family as guinea pigs.

the constraints: i have a small house (1000 square feet), a small-ish lot (33 x 122 square feet), and an 8-year-old, a 6-year-old, and a 2-year-old. my partner likes the idea in theory, but has next to no interest in participating. which is fine – this is my passion.

i’m going into year two of the experiment after the ups and downs of 2008. i can tell you that i will never grow brussel sprouts again, and you can read more about my gardening hits and misses (part one, part two).

i still don’t know much about gardening, but i’m learning! most plants want to grow (except for basil, which hates me and refuses to show up) and this eases the process considerably. you can always compost the evidence…

my goal remains: to grow/produce as much edible food and consumer goods as possible in a year given my own personal limitations of time (never-enough), energy (did i mention the 3 kids?) and money (what money?).

won’t you be my neighbour?