Home-crofting started out as a movement in the 1920's and Duluth was at the epicenter of it. It was an effort to grow food and to care for livestock in order to become more self-reliant. In fact, there was a national conference here in Duluth in the 1920's. Seminars included raising farm animals, growing crops and how to can and preserve food. The basic idea was to create little farmsteads amongst the local populace.
Why did this idea take root in Duluth? Scandinavian settlers in our region brought many of their cultural practices with them. Today, we're seeing a resurgence of home-crofting. People are raising chickens again; larger gardens are coming back, and the art of canning is being rediscovered. Food health and inflation are two key drivers of the new home-crofting movement.
There are some hurdles to jump when starting a home-crofting project. You have to invest in good soil, because the soil in this region tends to be heavily clay based. You need 8 to 10 inches of good topsoil. Pick a location where there's plenty of sunlight. You also have to select crops that are suited to our northern climate.
Of course, community gardens are a great cooperative effort to achieve the goals of home-crofting. And it builds stronger neighborhoods as well.
Tom Kasper is a master gardener and the past president of the Duluth garden-flower society. Tom is the host of "Tips for Hardy Gardeners," which can be heard every other Tuesday morning on Northland Morning.
