THE EARTH TENDERS: Initiating Change by Working with Nature
By Leslie Jones
Spring has sprung, and images of colorful, freshly picked tomatoes, summer squash, melons and basil are cultivating in our minds.
Vegetable gardens are growing everywhere these days and for many good reasons…
The Earth Tenders, a local edible landscaping company, focuses on erecting raised vegetable beds, creating patios and pathways and providing for outdoor maintenance needs. Christina Delekta and Erica Baumann consider their work “creative landscaping,” doing what is good for the earth. Depending on each client’s needs, backyard food production and turning lawns into gardens are especially popular these days.
“This business is a reflection of our beliefs. It’s the way we choose to live more completely,” explains Christina. “We began with composting one year and recycling the next, which has all raised our level of consciousness.”
“When you’ve grown up without a whole lot, you’re naturally in touch with the idea of growing your own food,” explains Erica. “My first knowing of what the earth had to offer was when my dad had me pick dandelions for salad.”
Why do Christina and Erica promote the concept of raised vegetable beds? They’re easy to maintain, efficient, use less water because the soil absorbs better, and cost effective. After the initial set-up process, seeds and compost are the only things needed. They use only organic soil and non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) seeds from Botanical Interest. And they eagerly teach the basics in starting a composting bin. Next year, this eliminates the cost of purchasing compost and reduces the volume of garden waste.
They use cedar from Pacific Coast Lumber for raised beds; it’s custom milled from trees salvaged from fire or storm-damaged areas. Naturally resistant to rot and insects, it provides excellent durability, and there are no chemicals or clear-cutting of forests involved. Wine barrels are also good for vegetable gardening as they are readily available within our county. “Education is the most important aspect of this business,” mentions Erica. “Everyone can do this and it can become transformational in people’s lives,” she adds. “What we all can do is to set an example and pay it forward.”
“Anyone can garden, no matter what amount of space they have,” adds Christina. “Slow down and look around you and think things through as completely as possible. Let’s work together and create a salad. That is the mentality.”
“Getting people outdoors, in their yards, loving their space: this is my goal. I can feel the energy and love in a yard that has been nurtured. Even if people just sit in their yards, life expands; if they tend their space on this planet we will all benefit,” Christina adds. One of the goals for the future is to explore the chicken tractor concept. Chickens make great rotor tillers for undesirable lawns, which can be turned into gardens. Another goal is promoting growing and distributing food for the hungry in our community and beyond.
The Earth Tenders, Christina Delekta and Erica Baumann, can be reached at (805) 234-3983 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can learn more about them and their business at www.theearthtenders.com.
Call to schedule your consultation and discover how easy it is to have fresh, organic produce right outside your door. It’s convenient and inexpensive and tastes incredibly good. Furthermore, we can grow gardens here locally pretty much year round. Become an earth tender and help initiate change by working with nature.
