The Broccoli Wars
Who stole my broccoli?
The inevitable truth in modern city living is that when we go to bed a night, we must lock up the house, to keep out the 'baddies' or at least make it so hard for them to get in so that they just don't bother. This 'lock up' mentality was however not at the forefront of my mind when we decided to grown our own vegetables in a front garden bed.
THE CRIME
Perhaps it should have been as we have been horrified to discover that all bar one of our broccoli have been STOLEN. I like to think the best of human nature and when we first discovered the hideous hacking of our beloved broccoli, we conjured up all nature of excuses for our fellow man? "perhaps there are rats that can use garden scissors?", "Perhaps the school kids stole them in the hope that mum wouldn't serve broccoli again this week?".
THE CULPRIT
The harsh reality is that after much investigation, the only culprit could be an adult human and the move was calculating and selfish. The way our garden is set up, you really need to get in and have a good close look to know that the broccoli is there, it is sandwiched between turnips, beetroot, radishes, cabbage, carrots and peas. Only one of the broccoli plants is visible to those walking along the street. This was the one and only plant they left unharmed; knowing perhaps that it is the one we were using to test the readiness of the crop.
THE COST
It must be said that we have no problem in giving excess produce to family, friend and neighbours, we do so regularly. What really bites about this crime is that the plants were hacked at their bases, so even the heads that were very small and not even close to being ready where taken. The cost financially was probably over $100 worth of broccoli (we use certified organic seeds and soil from www.yourpatch.com.au). We also pay your patch to help with our maintenance, a cost that is offset by not having to purchase vegetables. The biggest cost for us however is that our daughter Lilian, LOVES broccoli, and we grow these primarily for her, so that we know exactly what she is eating and where it comes from. Now that joy has been taken from us. So when people steal almost your entire harvest, there is a time cost, a financial cost but also an emotional cost. No I am not emotional over lost broccoli, but rather that people can stoop so very low!
JUST ASK
If the person / people in question here, had so much as asked, not only would I have given them broccoli but possibly some other vegetables too.
THE SOLUTION
I am not sure how to deal with people who steal from a one year olds vegetable patch. I am fairly sure I know who is responsible, but I am not wasting any of my time engaging with such destructive individuals.
THE HOPE
The thing I love most about man is that we have infinite capacity for change, and so we live in hope, that this won't happen again.
Signing off, one very sad vegetable gardener
Gina
The inevitable truth in modern city living is that when we go to bed a night, we must lock up the house, to keep out the 'baddies' or at least make it so hard for them to get in so that they just don't bother. This 'lock up' mentality was however not at the forefront of my mind when we decided to grown our own vegetables in a front garden bed.
THE CRIME
Perhaps it should have been as we have been horrified to discover that all bar one of our broccoli have been STOLEN. I like to think the best of human nature and when we first discovered the hideous hacking of our beloved broccoli, we conjured up all nature of excuses for our fellow man? "perhaps there are rats that can use garden scissors?", "Perhaps the school kids stole them in the hope that mum wouldn't serve broccoli again this week?".
THE CULPRIT
The harsh reality is that after much investigation, the only culprit could be an adult human and the move was calculating and selfish. The way our garden is set up, you really need to get in and have a good close look to know that the broccoli is there, it is sandwiched between turnips, beetroot, radishes, cabbage, carrots and peas. Only one of the broccoli plants is visible to those walking along the street. This was the one and only plant they left unharmed; knowing perhaps that it is the one we were using to test the readiness of the crop.
THE COST
It must be said that we have no problem in giving excess produce to family, friend and neighbours, we do so regularly. What really bites about this crime is that the plants were hacked at their bases, so even the heads that were very small and not even close to being ready where taken. The cost financially was probably over $100 worth of broccoli (we use certified organic seeds and soil from www.yourpatch.com.au). We also pay your patch to help with our maintenance, a cost that is offset by not having to purchase vegetables. The biggest cost for us however is that our daughter Lilian, LOVES broccoli, and we grow these primarily for her, so that we know exactly what she is eating and where it comes from. Now that joy has been taken from us. So when people steal almost your entire harvest, there is a time cost, a financial cost but also an emotional cost. No I am not emotional over lost broccoli, but rather that people can stoop so very low!
JUST ASK
If the person / people in question here, had so much as asked, not only would I have given them broccoli but possibly some other vegetables too.
THE SOLUTION
I am not sure how to deal with people who steal from a one year olds vegetable patch. I am fairly sure I know who is responsible, but I am not wasting any of my time engaging with such destructive individuals.
THE HOPE
The thing I love most about man is that we have infinite capacity for change, and so we live in hope, that this won't happen again.
Signing off, one very sad vegetable gardener
Gina
posted by Gina Cacho | 8:49 PM
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