Grow Produce Easily, Even In The Toughest Drought Conditions
“When life gives you lemons, share them with neighbors!” enthuses the Food is Free Project, a grassroots organization based out of Austin, Texas. The project isn’t advocating sharing bad luck; instead, it’s championing the idea of connecting neighbors and communities with a bounty of free, homegrown fresh produce.
It all began as a single, front yard organic vegetable garden with a sign explaining that the food was free for the taking. The sign also included contact information for those who wanted to learn more about growing food in a simple manner. The magic of the project is rooted in an economical, self-watering raised bed that “introduces people to a very easy method of growing organic food with very little work,” states the organization. Launched in January 2012, within three months, a majority of the surrounding neighborhood was on-board with their own front yard community gardens. But it didn’t stop there. The idea has spread around town and across the nation.