Growing food in a city

My parents had kids to help out in the garden. They live on acres. Here in D.C. we have feet. Even then, most of the plots in my community garden remain untended.

Our garden manager emailed today: "As you know, this has been a tough season so far-- one member said that it's the worst he's seen in 30 years-- and people are feeling discouraged. Nothing but weeds, slop, and sickly-looking vegetables. Last week, one member who's been with us for several years just threw in the towel, surrendering one of the nicest plots in the garden.

But people want that local produce and they'll pay for it, if not with sweat equity than with cash. Last weekend I saw basil for $2.75 a bunch. Four seedlings cost about the same. But a whole pack of seeds doesn't even cost that much.

I'm not sure where the urban garden revival is leading. Michelle Obama gardens on the White House lawn with students from down the street.

One of them has a sunflower on our back porch that she checks on, right next to our basil plants.