1 3 VISIT EBONY.COM MAY LIVE Home C arrots, collards, sweet corn and zucchini are just a ew o the delicious vegetables you can p lant this mo nth in order to satisy your epicu- rean cravings. And, accord- ing to gardener and activist Ron Finley, there has never been a more critical time to start. “[In parts o] Chicago, New Orleans and South Los Angeles, where I live, there are ood deserts,” says Finley. “No resh ood can be ound or miles. Only ast ood, liquor stores and dialysis centers.” This state o ood emergency has been the biggest catalyst or Finley to start his garden on the ront lawn and in his backyard near Crenshaw Boulevard, a stone’s throw rom the new Metro line. Nicknamed the “Gangster Gardener,” Finley in- sists, “The drive-thrus are killing more people than the drive-bys.” Beore arranging dozens o pots and a trio o shop- ping carts as reimagined planters, Finley begins the growing process by placing seedlings in moist con- tainers to germinate, much the same way he learned in elementary school. Hundreds o neighbors walk- ing by his home smelling lavender, seeing dragon- flies and hummingbirds buzzing about, tasting his white strawberries and also sampling ripe bananas, straight off the tree; however, the real ruit o his la- bor is that many o his neighbors are inspired to start their own edible gardens. His best advice or novices is, “Plant what you eat. I you don’t eat it, don’t plant,” says Finley, whose urban gardening TED Talk has garnered nearly 2 million views. “Every so ofen, plant something that you ha ven’t had [in order] to enjoy a new flav or.” Although you may think it’s too late to grow all your a vorite veggies, Ma y is a great rost-r ee month to kick things off, thanks to the warm temperatures. The soil is perect or the ast germination o sum- mertime cooking staples. Whether you have sprawl- ing acres or a square o concrete in the backyard, get started with this easy-to- ollow guide on what to plant this month and how. Planting Prosper ıty URBAN GARDENER RON FINLEY SHOWS HOW TO PLANT YOUR OWN VEGETABLE PATCH AND IMPROVE YOUR DIET B y AMY ELISA KEITH 4 GARDENING 101 WHAT TO PLANT NOW COLLARD GREENS WHERE: Plant in the garden soil in wide rows with ample sun. HOW: Sow seeds 8 to 12 inches apart and less than 1 inch deep. Wide-row growing extends the harvest into sum- mer because the soil in the row stays cooler. The cooler the soil, the better flavored your crop will taste. HARVEST: August, after about 8 to 11 weeks SWEET CORN WHERE: A small square plot is enough to plant one variety, such as Incredible Corn, of these tall stalks. HOW: In full sun, sow seeds 2 inches apart, 1 inch deep, allowing 1 foot be- tween rows. HARVEST: September, usually after about 11 weeks for full maturity LITTLE FINGER CARROTS WHERE: Plant these small veggies in raised beds. HOW: In full sun, sow seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in fine soil, 1 to 2 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. HARVEST: September, after about 10 weeks; germination takes about 12 days MINT WHERE: Grow in a window box, large pot or in the garden. Mint likes deep, moist soil in a partially shaded position. HOW: Plant roots or seed- lings 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart. HARVEST: From late spring until early autumn; takes about 8 to 12 weeks ZUCCHINI WHERE: Plant a variety such as Cocozelle in a well-composted, raised bed with mulch. HOW: Plant 4 to 5 seeds about 3 feet apart and in 1/2 to 3/4 inches of fine firm soil. Water regularly in full sun. Avoid growing alongside potatoes. HARVEST: July, after 7 weeks; zucchini will grow to about 12 inches long DON’T OVERWATER YOUR VEGETABLE SEEDLINGS. Sufficient moisture is critical to avoid drought stress; how- ever, overwatering leaches nutrients and wastes time and mon- ey. Invest in a few mois- ture sensors to stick into your soil to gauge when your plants need a little more H2O. DON’T PLANT IN THE OFFSEASONS. Wondering why your turnips won’t turn up? It could be the wrong season. Depending on the climate in your region, you could be planting and harvest- ing at the wrong time. Resources such as the USDA’s Plant Hardi- ness Zone Map and the calendars on Garde- nate.com will help you plan for homegrown success. DON’T OVERUSE CHEMICALS. Finley insists that Mother Nature is far better than any prod- uct you can purchase from the local nursery. Instead of a spray weed killer, the non- chemical approach is to pull out weeds and their roots as you dig. Composting and using fallen leaves for mulch, Finley says, can be better than options sold in stores. FROM TOP: 1. An overall look at Fin- ley’s backyard garden, including a composting station inside his emptied swimming pool. 2. Succulents and leafy vegeta- bles reside in shopping carts and toy wagons. 3. Finley unlocks the sweet aroma of homegrown spices. 4. Pruning curbside is a daily ritual for the “Gangster Gardener.” 2 “Gardening has been my meditation, says Ron Finley. “It’s my catalyst to change the world.” P H O T O G R A P H S C O U R T E S Y R O N F I N L E Y MAY VISIT EBONY.COM