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Dandelions, Please.

© Bob Ewing

Yesterday and today are perfect. There is still snow on the ground. Many patches are bare and new grass is beginning to break through the hard ground. Near the house, the crocuses bring hope and a summer smile.

Today, I began to clean up the backyard, and get ready for planting. There are still a few weeks to planting out. That is how it is. What matters is this delightful day.

The article's title "Steak or Dandelions" may seem silly, but my intent is to draw your attention to your personal eating pattern. What are your favourite foods, your comfort foods and your fund foods?

If you want a steak for supper and don't have one in fridge or freezer, you will have to travel to the supermarket or butcher and buy one. If you want a dandelion salad and some red clover tea, all you may have to do is step into your backyard and pick what you need. Now of course in northern climes, there is a limit to the stepping out the backdoor and picking lunch. Of course there are solutions to any dilemma and over the coming weeks we will look at year round food production, even in Winter.

A herb and vegetable garden located near your kitchen door keeps fresh food right at hand all through the growing season. Or, if you are an organic gardener, and are interested in edible lawns, you could pick the dandelions right from your lawn.

If you still use pesticides on your lawn and garden you may want to visit the Pesticide Action Network to consider some of the possible consequences. As all the plant is used, this will rid your lawn of what some people consider a weed, and keep your neighbours happy.

Dandelions are an excellent source of Vitamins A and C as well as being a good source of calcium and iron. In addition, they contain no fat and few calories.

Cattle are not suitable livestock for urban backyards, but locally produced beef could be made available through a community shared agriculture venture. This way fresh beef would be delivered to your door or to a convenient pick up station.

Now, I'm not suggesting that people give up meat and start eating dandelions, just that they start to think about where the food they do eat comes from, and what is done to it before it reaches their mouths. Also I believe that urban agriculture is able to improve our food security as well as the quality and freshness of food that we eat while acting as a positive economic force.