Growing Food Instead of Lawns in California Front Yards
www.seattletimes.com
Front yards transformed to tiny farms in Los Angeles provide vegetables to dozens of families and use a fraction of the water needed by grass.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/21868586

Summary

Front yards transformed to tiny crop farms in Los Angeles provide vegetables to dozens of families and use a fraction of the water needed by grass.

Crop Swap LA, founded by Jamiah Hargins, transforms Los Angeles lawns into microfarms that produce fresh, organic produce for local families while conserving water.

Operating three front-yard farms, the nonprofit serves 80 families within a 1-mile radius, prioritizing those with food insecurity.

Using solar-powered irrigation and recycled water, each farm reduces water use by 98% compared to traditional lawns.

Despite funding challenges, Crop Swap LA sustains itself through produce subscriptions, garden installations, and grants, fostering environmental benefits and community connections in Leimert Park.

  • @BigTrout75English
    3•10 days ago

    Sounds good but what about contaminants in the soil? Isn’t that an issue?

    • qyronEnglish
      4•10 days ago

      There may be, which is and should always be a concern but if planting directly on the soil isn’t an option you can always build planters and work from there.

      Potatoes fare very well in pots, if the plants have room to grow. Most root vegetables enjoy having lighter soil to grow in. Then you have leaf greens that can be grown almost anywhere.