This year my goal is to grow 2,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables. I think I can do it. With 16 raised garden beds, a greenhouse, a raspberry patch and a few more planting beds sprinkled throughout our property, I think growing 2,000 pounds of food is an attainable goal. Even if I do live right in the middle of high maintenance suburbia.
I believe people have lost touch with what the term “fresh produce” really means. Fresh produce is not something that has been flown in from 1,500 miles away and has been sitting on a grocers shelf for five days. The true meaning of “fresh produce” in my opinion is, walking out your back door and harvesting your own food.
Real food does not come in a box nor does it need an ad campaign. Real Food does not come with a rebate, or an incentive to buy. One bite of an heirloom tomato on a warm summers day is all the convincing you’ll need to keep coming back for more.
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I have spent a total of $383.40 on seeds, plants and supplies for this year.
Here is what I have harvested so far:
Basil 1 oz
Chives 2 oz
Lettuce 2 lbs
Butter Crunch 12 oz
Romaine 1 lb 4 oz
Mint 1 oz
Mushrooms 9.25 oz
Shiitake 9.25 oz
Go HERE to read more about how I grew mushrooms.
Radish 3lb 4 0z
Easter Egg Radish 2 lb 3 oz
Crimson Radish 1 lb 1 oz
Sprouts
Mung Bean Sprouts 7 oz
Sandwich Sprouts 3 oz
Total Food Harvested in 2012: 6 lbs 11.25 oz
Let’s get this party started!
Looking for a kitchen scale to weigh your backyard harvest this year? Amazon currently has the EatSmart Precision Retro Kitchen Scale on sale for $27.95 shipped.
*Amazon prices are subject to change
sena c says
Mushrooms? Do tell!
Mavis says
Here you go: http://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/2012/02/how-to-grow-shiitake-mushrooms-at-home/
sena c says
thanks!
katie says
just found your website last night via pinterest and i LOVE IT! We are a family trying to do the exact same thing. I started couponing 1.5yrs ago as a way to save, and this year we teamed up with another family who has 4 acres and we started a large duel family garden. We’ve grown almost everything from seed (my husband and I have degrees in Horticulture) and keeping varieties as heirloom as we can to our South Carolina area. The other family added 3 beehives and 6 chickens, so we are well on our way. We’ve already harvested radishes, romaine, spinach, beets, and beans. Tomatoes, peppers, and the rest of the summer crops are in the ground now and we can’t wait! I hope we can add a hoop house this year too. Very interested in your “chicken scrap boxes”! Would love to team up with a produce stand to do that too.
So many ideas! Thanks!
Mavis says
I would love to have bee hives!
katie says
we got them on Good Friday. they are really docile if you leave them alone. the other family is in charge of their care, so i’m not super familiar with how it all works. they are at the back of the garden and the amount of flowers from the crops are amazing due to them. i can’t wait for fresh honey. our family allergies this year are horrible!
Kate Gwinn says
I’m with Sena… Mushrooms?!?
Super excited to follow along! I’ve got my own little Seattle urban garden party started so naturally I’m drooling over your massive beds.
Mavis says
Hi Kate,
Will you be going to the Seattle Tilth plant sale this weekend? Here is the info on the mushrooms. http://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/2012/02/how-to-grow-shiitake-mushrooms-at-home/
Desi says
Wahoo! Way to go Mavis! Only 1,993 lbs 4.75 oz to go. You can do it!
Kate says
I’m sure going to try… I’ve been looking forward to it! I work in the afternoon and have two babies (3 and 1) so sometimes my best plans go awry. 😉 I’d like to see if they have Lady Bell peppers… I heard they do really well up here. Another garden blogger had them in her garden last year and they produced well despite the lack of heat. You?
Michelle says
Hey Mavis & Kate:
Did you see where Mother Earth News is doing a fair in Puyallup June 2 & 3rd? I’m super stoked about that one, lots of awesome classes and info!!! I’m in for sure!
From the website:
“A fun-filled sustainable lifestyle event, the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fair is packed with hands-on workshops and demonstrations on renewable energy, small-scale farming, green building, organic gardening and more! Come enjoy local food, family entertainment and a vast eco-friendly marketplace.”
And the link to schedule of classes:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/uploadedFiles/Fair_New/Workshops/Puyallup_schedule.pdf
And to the info:
http://www.motherearthnews.com/fair/tickets.aspx
Hey thanks for sharing your talents and humor with us Mavis! I look forward to seeing what you’re up to every day!
Mavis says
I’m in! 🙂 Thanks for the info!
Kate Gwinn says
@Michelle… My inner hippie thanks you! 🙂
Gwen says
Truly amazing! The basil looks so wonderful. I will now look forward to Wednesday’s as much as Monday’s throughout the Summer 🙂
Krista says
Your basil….it’s freaking amazing looking! I don’t have the magic touch with growing basil or rosemary.
ErinL says
WOW..this is SO MUCH MORE FUN than thinking about drugstore deals all the time! After wandering Albies for 2 days during doublers and looking at the dismal produce (I didn’t even want to buy with overage) this post/Wednesday post is what I needed! I have 3 beds planted 4 pallets to go…
Thank you for giving me another focus besides the stockpile. You are amazing.