Shelter Gardens- Anybody like the idea?

[Gambit McCrae]

I think it would be awesome for there to be shelter produce! not a big spot but a few tomato plants, cucumber etc at permitting shelters and witha very little amount of effort from each hiker it could be maintained just about every day. a fresh cucumber or tomato would be a delight on the trail and the whole concept could give people a sense of teamwork or connection.

[Hot Flash]

Wouldn't work for a lot of reasons. For instance, how would you keep wildlife from eating the plants?

[Old Hiker]

+1 Hot Flash. I have enough problems in my back yard, trying to keep mine alive.

Plus, I can't remember too many shelters with enough sunshine (6-8 hours+ per day) to have the plants thrive.

Nice idea , though.

[Sailing_Faith]

Still a cool thought...

It is a little like the practice of gathering firewood to leave at the fire pit for the next guy...

I like it.

[rafe]

OP's idea actually touches on Benton MacKaye's original concept for the AT.

[FarmerChef]

I've been at a shelter that actually had flowers in baskets and they were beautiful. I think that veggies really wouldn't work for the reasons listed above and a bunch of others. But what about planting herbs? They wouldn't be a temptation to animals, require less maintenance and some can thrive in dim light. Plus a little goes a long way so more hikers could benefit.

The biggest kicker here is that many hikers are probably not green thumbs and could overwater/overpick or otherwise kill the plants. Specific instructions would have to be left about when to/not to harvest and how to care for the plants. Overall, I like the idea.

[Slo-go'en]

I've been at a shelter that actually had flowers in baskets and they were beautiful.

The Clarendon shelter in Vermont comes to mind. I seem to remember one or two others with flowers. The other problem with a veggie garden is only a lucky few at the end of the season would be able to pick the fruits of the labor as it were.

[Deadeye]

the flip side of the "most plants wouldn't survive" coin is that you might plant something that winds up being invasive or otherwise detrimental to the local flora/fauna

[Old Hiker]

[QUOTE=FarmerChef;1873215].............................But what about planting herbs? They wouldn't be a temptation to animals, require less maintenance and some can thrive in dim light. Plus a little goes a long way so more hikers could benefit.

................................................ Specific instructions would have to be left about when to/not to harvest and how to care for the plants. ...............................QUOTE]

Herbs wouldn't be too bad, but I'm wondering if they would become an invasive species. I'm thinking of all the problems I had with mint in my yard in VA. I have it safely contained in a pot now so it can't spread. It would be nice to grab a leaf or two of basil or thyme to share with other hikers while making meals.

Specific instructions ???? We all know how well THAT works. I've seen people who can't/won't work the privy with dry leaves in a bucket beside them, let alone with an EMPTY bucket.

[Feral Bill]

Oregano I planted at my cabin has run amok. Best to be careful.

[Don H]

Several tomato plants at a shelter could easily be protected by chicken wire.

Quarry Gap has hanging flower baskets, they could just as easily be hanging tomato plants.

I've picked apples from trees along the AT and of course plenty of blueberries up north.

[MDSection12]

the flip side of the "most plants wouldn't survive" coin is that you might plant something that winds up being invasive or otherwise detrimental to the local flora/fauna

+1

The idea that any plant that is pretty or useful is 'natural' and therefore acceptable to plant anywhere has gone wrong many times before. I think a garden of native plants would be cool, but isn't that just called a forest? Best we leave that to mother nature, in my opinion. She does a fine job, if we'd just let her be.

[martinb]

Ok, garden is out but what about a solar-powered fridge with beer?

[Gambit McCrae]

+1 for solarbeerfridge!!

[Feral Bill]

Ok, garden is out but what about a solar-powered fridge with beer?

Combine the ideas. A garden with barley and hops plus the brewing and beer storage. A brewhut.

[perdidochas]

I think it would be awesome for there to be shelter produce! not a big spot but a few tomato plants, cucumber etc at permitting shelters and witha very little amount of effort from each hiker it could be maintained just about every day. a fresh cucumber or tomato would be a delight on the trail and the whole concept could give people a sense of teamwork or connection.

You want to give the bears, deer, raccoons, etc. more reason to like shelters?

[tagg]

But what about planting herbs? They wouldn't be a temptation to animals, require less maintenance and some can thrive in dim light. Plus a little goes a long way so more hikers could benefit.

The biggest kicker here is that many hikers are probably not green thumbs and could overwater/overpick or otherwise kill the plants. Specific instructions would have to be left about when to/not to harvest and how to care for the plants. Overall, I like the idea.

I saw this basket of herbs hanging at spring mountain shelter a couple of years ago. It had instructions for care written on it, just like you referenced. There were four or five small plants growing in it at the time.

[Gambit McCrae]

I saw this basket of herbs hanging at spring mountain shelter a couple of years ago. It had instructions for care written on it, just like you referenced. There were four or five small plants growing in it at the time.

Awesome! Unique act of kindness

[Hot Flash]

But what about planting herbs? They wouldn't be a temptation to animals, require less maintenance and some can thrive in dim light.
.

Oh yes they certainly are a temptation to animals.

[Pedaling Fool]

I like the idea, but it wouldn't work for many of the reasons (and more) already listed. I doubt you'd really have an issue with invasive plants, especially things like tomatoes and such, since they're pretty helpless in nature. Although, maybe there's an exception, but don't think it would be to bad WRT speading invasive plants.

And I do wonder if it would be more disruptive in areas with old growth forests, such as GSMNP than in other areas that have not yet regained old growth status.

It's always an interesting thought of introducing life in an area...