I woke up this morning and decided today is the day. Today I am going to create a How to Grow Your Own Food plan of action. I will map out what I’m going to plant and exactly where I will plant it. I need to grow 2,000 lbs of food. How am I going to do it? Well, I don’t know yet. Maybe you have a few ideas. I know I need to go for poundage. Potatoes, pumpkins, and tomatoes are obvious choices, but what else? Beets? Peas? Beans? Hmm. This is going to be a challenge.
I’ve already decided I do not want to grow corn. I’ve tried to grow corn in years past with less than stellar results. So I think I’ll pass. But what else is there? What else will help me along in my goal to reach 2,000 lbs of fresh garden produce this year?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Shannon says
If you truly want to go for poundage, go with zucchini–a good year will be more than you can count!
Shannon (MamaJJ and Jane’s frined in Virginia)
Mavis says
Hey Shannon, I know exactly who you are. 🙂 I’m glad you are here!
Peggy says
Grow up! Yes you read that correctly… but as in growing things vertically, not as in maturing. ha ha! 🙂 You already succession plant don’t you? Things to plant on trellises: beans, small melons, squash, zukes, cukes, peas (lotta work but you can always plant something in their spot after you rip them out), tomatoes. Beans are a much higher yield than peas but we love peas so I always try to grow them.
And while you are at it check out the book “Four-Season Harvest” by Eliot Coleman. It is filled with lots of valuable information which could be implemented in your climate. In your climate you can enjoy certain greens all year round just by adding a tunnel or high house.
It is probably best to stay away from corn because it MUST be grown in a grid pattern in order to have optimal pollination. It doesn’t like single or even double rows unless its in a field.
nancy says
check out mary ostyn at owlhaven. the woman grows enough food to feed a small country.
Angela says
Just curious what your plan for all this food is? Are you canning it, freezing it, preserving it, giving it away, etc. Is your goal to produce your own produce (haha) so that you don’t have to purchase any? Sounds like a fascinating challenge!!
You Can Call Me Jane says
I agree with Shannon about the zucchini- you can cube it or shred it or turn it into zucchini bread and freeze it. Butternut squash can be stored in your garage (if you have one) and are so nice to use all winter long. Those would be my top two suggestions beyond the things you already mentioned. Peas are yummy, but so much work for so little poundage. Cucumbers are great, too, if your family likes to eat them raw like ours does. Oh, and potatoes (sweet and regular). Happy planning!!
Desi says
To increase your area to grow your poundage you could go with pots. Pots in groupings are really very pretty . You can grow vegies with a few flowers mixed in and in a group it would look awesome. In pots you could grow all kinds of vegetables and it doesn’t have to get expensive. Get a few nice pots for in front and in the back you can use plain old nothin to em pots that your plants come in. you could even check with a local greenhouse and see if they have any bigger pots that will be thrown away that they could give to you, we used to throw a lot away at the greenhouse I worked at. Plus after your pots are done you can put the potting soil in flower beds and such.
Plus the pots could be started earlier and brought inside during colder weather this fall. I know a cousin who had deer problems and left her tomatoes on a wagon in pots year round and wheeled them in and out of the garage every morning and night so they would be kept safe 🙂 Best of luck to you!
Mavis says
I totally forgot about pots Desi. Thank you.