Solarpunk

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A few months ago I picked up some free potatoes that were going to compost (slrpnk.net)

submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I was buying some second hand furniture and they just had a box of new potatoes that were destined for compost because they were supermarket surplus. But, they had a sign saying to help yourself, they’re free, etc.

Obviously it’s great that they were going to be composted, but you know what’s better?

I took a bag home. I planted them in my garden, discarding any not-great ones for my compost. Only two plants worked out, but… today I pulled up a bunch of big ol potatoes that are going to be made into roasties this holiday season.

I’ve never successfully grown potatoes before, so finding success when I planted them super late and had to pull them up early (we had our first frost) feels really good. Especially because they are entirely free.

Anyways, wanted to share that as it’s the most solarpunk I’ve felt in some time!

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 months ago (5 children)

good stuff. had something similar recently where some potatoes i fucked into some raised beds produced way more than i could have expected.

just to ask though, how is this experience "solar punk?" isnt this just gardening? im not trying to dampen your good experience, it sounds great. i guess im just confused a bit on what solar punk is supposed to mean

[–] [email protected] 21 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (2 children)

I feel strongly that home vegetable gardening is a solarpunk activity. Gaining the skills to produce food outside of corporate or state control is great as is.

If you want to make it even more solarpunk then participate in a mutual aid network, which can be a formal organization but could also just be sharing excess food with friends or community members, just as someone did for OP.

Edit: I want to elaborate on why this is so important. The primary way the powerful in society control us is through their control over essential resources required for survival. If the community can provide for our needs then there is no longer a need to participate in capitalism or the state. So every resource our communities can muster improves our bargaining power against them.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 months ago

thanks for that

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago

I couldn’t say it any better than this tbh. But it’s a very good question to ask!

[–] [email protected] 12 points 3 months ago (1 children)

some potatoes i fucked into some raised beds

I should take up gardening...

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 months ago

its a turn of phrase! it means to carelessly throw

[–] [email protected] 10 points 3 months ago (1 children)

It's basically upcycling. Turning trash into treasure with a little work.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago

right thanks

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 months ago

how is this experience "solar punk?"

The same way not eating crap is now called body hacking :)

[–] [email protected] 6 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I mean, they used solar power to buck the system. What is more solarpunk than that?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 months ago

ok guys. so i think what youre saying is my vegetable garden is solar punk as fuck