Nature-Deficit Disorder
Today, while brunching at Bliss and reading the latest issue of Rethinking Schools, I happen across an article discussing Richard Louv’s The Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder. The book calls for a radical change in how children of today relate to nature. He bases this urgent call on psychological, educational and environmental disconnects that are becoming the norm amongst children… children who consider “play indoors better, ’cause that’s where all the electrical outlets are” (Peterson).
As a resident of New York City, play indoors is perhaps on a par with play outdoors. Parks, if you live nearby one, are covered in granite, concrete, litter and way too many people. Development is continuous, rising upward and outward. {sigh}
But oh, how I dearly want a garden to tend to, a green space all my own in this slab of city. I daydream of walking out my front door to see grass as far as the eye can see. But in this fantasy even the front door is a stretch. My door opens to a bleak hallway with a Lynchian buzzing fluorescent light and twisted uneven stairs at its end. As far as the eye can see is only about 4 feet: to the bicycle tire-streaked off white wall, to the constant dripping water damaged burnt sienna of the shower from the third floor. Where is the color? Where is life, besides all these damn people? No longer can I stand the stucco, the neutral colors of this temporary home of 5+ years. If I can’t get out there now then I’ll have to bring it here… Meet the latest additions to my fire escape: sweet basil, Italian parsley, chives, and several strawberry plants. (Rosemary not pictured.)
This is the first day of the rest of my garden’s life: June 23, 2009. The plans I have for this space! With my local plant shop discovery, Rose Red & Lavender, I plan to construct an enviable apartment garden on my spacious fire escape. This adorable Williamsburg-based shop, which offers free beginner gardening classes on Saturdays, is filled with amazing gardening goodies and the owner is cordial and helpful, despite my lugging Home Depot garden shop triple-bagged planters into his gorgeous store. And when I say gorgeous… look at this place.
(I am crossing my fingers no one’ll need those stairs to escape.) And meet my rain barrel, a huge kitty litter container left curbside rigged with a funnel. Besides being proud of my drill handiwork on this barrell, it’ll me help me conserve water while feeding my garden with yummy rain water.
To further inspire, take a look at this greenhouse on wheels. This was spotted down Waterbury street in East Williamsburg.
Nature-deficit disorder, take that! Stay tuned for garden updates.
There are 1 Comments to "Nature-Deficit Disorder"
so precious!