Self-sufficient Foodie – Bill Tall, founder of City Farmer’s Nursery

Bill Tall takes a break with his dog, Abby. His nursery offers everything from roosters and koi fish to a cackling green parrot and a garden deli. And plants, of course. Photo by Mary Knox Merrill (Christian Science Monitor)

The self-sufficient foodie – How to harvest an omnivore’s meal straight from your urban home.

By Erin Glass,
San Diego News Network
March 16, 2009

Excerpt:

It might be hard for the average grower, but Bill Tall, founder of City Farmer’s Nursery in City Heights, produces about 80 percent of his food. And still, he isn’t satisfied.  Tall is planning for an entire year without groceries.  To walk across his nursery, which connects to the land surrounding his home, is to stumble into a wonderland of gardening ideas.  Though his business allows him three acres of land to produce food on, most of his projects can be geared to a small, backyard environment.  Or even an indoor one.

Aside from growing an endless variety of fruits and vegetables, Tall raises his own poultry, eggs and fish.

Yes, fish.  Specifically tilapia.

This year, Tall is selling fry, the baby tilapia, so that people can grow them in small tanks at home.

“I tell people to get 20 of them, that way they don’t name them,” said Tall.

The tank can be hooked up to a hydroponic system so that fish droppings fertilize the water which then feeds the plant.  In turn, plant clippings can be used to feed the fish, along with duck weed which grows quickly and effortlessly once put in the tank.  Tall plans to experiment with feeding his tilapia basil or peppers, to see if it would change their flavor.

“I foresee neighbors getting together,” Tall said.  “One would grow fish, one chickens, one vegetables.   It’s a great way to get to know your neighbors.  How many people can say they know everyone on the block?”

Hydroponics is a nutrient and water efficient way to grow plants.  The plants are grown in bins with a pump and because of the high level of control, exude a creepy amount of health.  Any unused resources are captured and then readministered to the plant.  No soil is needed, and they can be grown indoors and off season with special lights.  Using these methods, one can manipulate the crop yields and speed of the plant’s growth.

It’s a good option for those who don’t have space to grow outside.   Tall is so convinced of the benefits of growing food at home, he wishes the city would give tax breaks to people who maintain a vegetable garden.  It would keep them off the road and from using gas.  And it seems his customers agree with his philosophy, as his edible plant sales have rocketed in the last few years, while ornamental sales have diminished.’

Tall also thinks the city could ease up on regulations for keeping chickens.  He’s noticed more San Diego city dwellers have been producing their own eggs.

Complete article, The self-sufficient foodie, can be read here. And see a slideshow.

City Farmers Nursery website is here.

Also see A green thumbs-up to urban farming here.