Rooted in Resistance
- Eric Graf
- Jul 3
- 3 min read
A backyard garden might not look like much. A few raised beds. Some herbs on a porch. Maybe tomatoes clinging to wire cages that sag a little in the heat. But these small patches of green matter a lot.
In a time when nearly everything comes wrapped in plastic, shipped across the country, and marked up by exploitative corporations, growing your own food is a small, steady act of resistance. It’s how we push back against a system that prioritizes profit over people, and convenience over sustainability.
It’s also a way to feed ourselves—on our terms.
Gardening can even be communal, with family or friends, and is much like a hands-on democracy. It’s shared labor, shared benefit, and shared responsibility. It’s not flashy. It’s not fast. But it builds something lasting.
You don’t have to do it alone. If you’ve got neighbors, friends, or family with a little yard or extra time, think about starting a shared garden. One person grows tomatoes, another handles herbs, and someone else can handle composting kitchen scraps. You trade. You teach each other. You build something none of you could do alone.
Community gardens, even informal ones, strengthen neighborhoods and create more food security, especially in places like Scioto County where access to fresh produce isn’t guaranteed. According to the American Community Gardening Association, these kinds of shared efforts also improve mental health, reduce food costs, and encourage civic engagement.
But wait… you’re publishing this in July? Isn’t it too late to start gardening?
Yes, it is July – past the spring planting rush, but there’s still plenty you can do. In Southern Ohio, you can still plant:
Bush Beans
Cucumbers
Zucchini
Swiss Chard
Leafy Greens like Kale, Spinach, and Mustard
Green Onions
Herbs like Basil, Dill, and Cilantro
It’s also the perfect time to start planning your fall garden. In late July and early August, you can plant carrots, beets, turnips, and more greens for a cool-weather harvest, and even garlic for a harvest next spring! If you’re short on space, a few containers on a porch or balcony can make a difference.
The Ohio State University Extension provides region-specific planting calendars and advice for late-season gardening, you can find it here.
Did you know local food is better food?
Grocery store produce travels an average of 1,500 miles from farm to shelf. By the time it hits your plate, it's lost much of its flavor—and a lot of its nutritional value. According to one study, nutrient levels in fruits and vegetables decline rapidly after harvesting.
Food from your yard or a neighbor's yard doesn’t have to travel. It’s fresher. It’s healthier. It’s not wrapped in plastic. And it doesn’t leave behind a trail of emissions.
Every backyard garden cuts down on waste. According to the EPA, nearly a third of household waste in the U.S. is just packaging—and much of that comes from food. When you grow your own, there's no shrink wrap, no barcodes, no marketing. Just food.
Rooted in Resistance
Growing your own food, or helping someone else grow theirs, is a practical way to build independence and local resilience. It's a small refusal to rely entirely on distant systems that don’t always have our best interests at heart.
It’s also a way to organize. To connect. To remind ourselves that real change is slow, rooted, and shared.
Swag Plug - New Stickers Available for Donation
We’re launching “Rooted in Resistance” stickers (and possibly shirts at a later date) in our Scioto County Democrats swag store. They’re a small way to show your commitment to self-reliance, community, and food justice. Stick one on your cooler, compost bin, or tool shed, and let it remind you that change doesn’t come from the top down. It starts here. In the dirt.
Because in Scioto County, we grow more than food—we grow movements.