Gardening as Resistance: Three Common Easy Edible plants

 We can use gardening outdoors and indoors- plants, trees  and food forests to lessen the impact and fight against the growing pressures of capitalism, urbanization, materialism and industrialization which corrupts our food systems, depletes and destroys  the earths resources and green spaces, exploits human beings and malnourishes us. 

Here I highlight three common edible, highly resilient plants  that are easy to care for and very easily propagatable. 

I chose them at random and grouped them together because i had been looking at and reading about them by chance as I do. Also because they seem like a great trio aesthetically and nutritionally (strange word)

Tree spinach

Tree spinach, also known as iyana iPaja or Chaya and by its botanical name, jatropha tajorensis is  a very edible evergreen tree/shrub which is easy to grow and does well in most conditions. Native to South America-Panama-Mexico and very naturalized here in Nigeria. 

A very potent and prolific plant that can get up to 8 feet, can be used against many ailments and is mostly pest and disease free/resistant

They have higher amounts of protein than  most other spinach and leaves we eat. They are tender stemmed and can be used as a planted as a shade tree, hedge or bush. 

Can be toxic if you brush against the leaves on exposed skin and if you don’t boil for 15 minutes before eating

This has great potential as a home garden crop which most should have. 

Gardening  and growing plants and food is a radical departure from the norm and  and act of rebellion against the system, against the loss of natural green space especially in a highly urbanized  area. Many drops make a mighty ocean. This can gradually bring about a system that is healthier, inclusive, vibrant and just.

Taro

Taro also known as cocoyam and colocasia esculenta by botanical name is a perennial plant native to West Africa and across other tropical regions, known mostly for their roots which are eaten boiled, fried or roasted as well as for many other edible uses.      

They can grow up to 2m tall and do well under shade and under both dry and moist fertile conditions, the latter being the most preferred.  

The leaves and stalks are used as leafy vegetable in soups and sauces in West Africa and across the Caribbean. 

They are generally considered as an inferior food/crop compared to other roots and tubers and Historically it was known to be a woman’s crop because of their inferiority and simplicity. (I got that from chinua Achebe’s things fall apart)

Regardless they are an excellent multipurpose food crop and and attractive ornamental plant. They come in different varieties and colours and they shade and screen plants  below and behind and also protect the soil. 

Gardening is not only limited to the elites as some people think. We were all once people of the land but we got separated from it and it got flipped over and seemingly became a thing for the elites. Take that place back. It is about starting from somewhere and growing anything, something and not following trends and reaching beyond your means. Nature and knowledge is available to everyone if you seek it.

All these above ideas may seem complicated or easier said than done, yes but looking at it again they are simple and practical. But nothing comes easy. That is why an idea is an idea. You have to work to bring it to manifestation. 

Cassava 

Cassava also known as manihot esculenta is a perennial shrub known mostly for their edible starchy tuberous roots, native to south America  but naturalized across all tropical regions. They can grow up to 3m tall And have been one of the most cultivated food crop for many centuries.

They are so well in both dry and moist well Drained soils and love sunshine but can do with a bit of shade to protect the leaves from burning. 

The leaves are also cooked as vegetable and used medicinally. The leaves contain appreciable amounts of  phosphorus and iron. The leaves roots are highly toxic but edible when prepared and cooked well. 

They are a very attractive ornamental too and is naturally bushy, eventually growing tall and spindly with leaves at the top forming an umbrella. They have a very sculptural stem when mature and beautiful leaves

“Gardening teaches us to become less reliant on others for our survival”, to be responsible, to work for ourselves  towards a goal, towards something beautiful and beneficial. “It highlights the symbiotic relationship we have with the land and our place within nature. A part of an not just a spectator”. Not a cog in the wheel of the system machine that can be replaced anytime.