It it vitally important that those who still have homes with backyards learn how to grow food. It can be done in containers, or raised beds, or dirt farming (like I do) but it's time to get a shovel in dirt somewhere. It's time to get on board the learning curve.
It's STEEP.
I've been learning how to produce my own food for 8 years now. I've just closed down the spring/summer gardens in preparation for the fall/winter crops.
With drought conditions sure to make fresh food prices soar, learning this stuff is the best hedge against hick-ups in the factory farm food chain.
So here's the wrap up of season 29, and getting ready for season 30.
MF FARMette -- Spring/Summer - Planning for Fall/Winter
BIG VEGGE 16'X40'
The tomatoes are done (and done). I canned 15 pints of stewed tomato, and 20 pints of salsa and pasta sauce. Sold what I could throughout the season. After TS Debbie and the immediate drought that followed this garden took the biggest hit. I harvested what I could of what was left, whilst battling mosquitoes and heat, cut them down for the chickens to have at what was left.
The peppers are standing tall (6 varieties) and fruiting like crazy! And are FOR SALE!
I can't wait for the pimentos to get ripe so I can try my hand at preserving them instead of buying them by the jar.
The jalapenos are reliable enough to dress my cooking but I seem to use them up before I get a chance to try canning them. Same with the sweet banana peppers.
Black eyed peas are a very interesting food plant to grow. I'm still learning about how best to encourage more growth and utilize them in the different stages of their development. I only planted 24' and plan to till them under to make a nice bed for the onions and garlic that will follow them.
I'm preparing the bed for the fall/winter garden and as I was hand tilling the soil I got the perfect gardeners surprise. Some onions I had missed and a potato, in perfect condition so I'll be using it for a seed potato come February. I'm going to try to grow in a container next time. They take a lot of space in the garden, better used for other things.
My Late spring project was growing peanuts and it didn't seem as if they were doing that well. Getting a little overzealous in my weeding, I by inattention, pulled up a pathetic little peanut plant. Hey Howdy! Peanuts!!!So I weeded (carefully) the other 20 plants and re-hilled them. Hey Howdy! Peanuts! A good food plant to know how to grow.
FAR GARDEN: 28'x18'I have closed the Far Garden to food production entirely. It will become a fodder garden for the chickens and the rabbits. I'd like to add some buried wire around the bottom edge of the perimeter so that the rabbits, (a breeding trio) can have bit of time outside their cages in a safe fenced environment.
FOOD & ROSES NEW SIZE 24'X30'Since I made the decision to close the Far Garden, I've expanded F&R. As the peas passed away, and the Edamame gave up the ghost along with the lettuce and Royal Purple beans I laid black plastic sheeting and extended the garden bed another 200 sq.ft.I haven't quite decided just what I'm going to plant there, but I'm thinking Brussel Sprouts.
Currently F&R is providing us with some hot Summer bounty. Okra every two days, and a Long Green Eggplant every three. Not enough to preserve (will plant more next summer -- lesson learned) but damn good eating.
When growing food for you own table it's incredibly important to plan ahead. How to prepare the gardens for the next growing season and how thinking things through early is a very best way to have successful four season growing.
Grow what you like to eat, grow what can be preserved, and GROW.
