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 believe growing 2,000 pounds of food is an attainable goal. Even if I do live right in the middle of high maintenance suburbia, and my neighbors think I’m nuts. ~Mavis
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What a week! Over the last 7 days I have been able to harvest over 78 pounds of garden goodness. Cabbage, carrots, beets, and herbs were the top contenders this past week.
I made sauerkraut, canned beets, traded carrots and this afternoon I’m hoping to barter a few more of my delicious heirloom vegetables for some much needed fancy Costco cheese. You know, so I can keep up appearances and make it look like I shop at the store like the rest of the people here in high maintenance suburbia. I mean really, they don’t need to know my garden is my supermarket. How uncool would that be?
Here is what I have harvested so far:
Basil 1 lb 11 oz
Beets 28lb 10z {how to can beets}
Broccoli 4lb 14 oz
Broccoli Rabb 1lb 6 oz
Cabbage 25lb 7 oz
Carrots 27 lbs7 oz
Cauliflower 2lbs 3 oz {cauliflower hummus rocks!}
Chives 14 oz
Kale 1 lb 4 oz
Lettuce 14 lb 0 oz
Butter Crunch 12 oz
Mixed Greens 4 lb 2 oz
Romaine 10 lb 11 oz
Mint 2 lbs 9 oz
Onions 2 lbs 5 oz
Green Onions 14 oz
Red Onions 15 oz
Scallions 6 oz
Oregano 2 lbs 7 oz
Mushrooms 9.25 oz
Shiitake 9.25 oz {read more about how I grew mushrooms}.
Peas 1lb 2 oz
English Peas 7 oz
Sugar Snap Peas 5lb 15 oz
Radish 11lb 12 oz
Easter Egg Radish 2 lb 3 oz
Crimson Radish 1 lb 5 oz
French Breakfast 8 lb 4 oz
Spinach 2lb 5 oz
Sprouts 10 oz
Strawberries 5lb 8 oz {dehydrated strawberries are awesome}
Sprouts 10 oz
Mung Bean Sprouts 7 oz
Sandwich Sprouts 3 oz
Swiss Chard 22 lb 13 oz
Miscellaneous 8lb 2 oz {This means we let someone come and pick vegetables, or did not get a chance to weigh them individually, and this was the total weight of all the vegetables combined}
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So that’s what I’ve grown so far this year… How about YOU?
Are you starting to feel overwhelmed with all the vegetables yet?
Total Food Harvested in 2012: 182 lbs 8.25 oz
I have spent a total of $$484.86 on seeds, soil, plants and supplies for this year.
If you are looking for a shiny new pair of boots, somethings, are just worth paying more for. I proudly wear Hunter Original Tall Rubber Boots. I’ve owned the pair I am wearing for over 10 years now, and they were worth every penny.
Megan says
Your carrots are BEAUTIFUL. 🙂
You Can Call Me Jane says
I agree!!
Tracy J says
Oh I’m in carrot envy!! I wish I was closer, I’d totally barter for some pasta and sauce!!
Heidi says
Your garden is awesome! For the first time ever my garden is a bust! The neighborhood farmer came by and said I have some disease and pests he’s never seen before. Kinda scary! He said I need to move my garden to another location next year. 4500 sq ft garden. That will be easy 🙂 NOT!
Thanks for sharing your bounty. I predict you will easily exceed your 2000lb goal.
Mavis says
Thanks Heidi!
Jenn says
I’ve got a ton of zucchini (who knew that one plant would grow and produce for MONTHS) and even some little side shoot zucchini plants coming off of the main stalk. It’s weird but still produces yummy goodness 🙂
I have 1 of my heirloom tomatoes turning a hint of yellow/orange and I feel like it’s just tanting me… I swear my tomatoes are laughing at me everytime I go out there to gaulk at their still-green flesh. Uhhh….
Jenn says
Oh… Do you think I’ll be able to can these Yellow-orange and almost purple heirloom tomatoes? I’m sure it will still taste the same in spaghetti sauce or chili but my friends may look at me funny 🙂
Mavis says
Yes! You can use any color. 🙂 Don’t worry it will be fine.
Sarah says
This is cool! But, I am curious to know how much your gardening expenses are monthly on the average. In my experiences gardening is extremely expensive…..I could probably feed my family for small food budget too on a larger gardening budget, lol!
MaryW says
I wish I could harvest even a quarter of that. I have 8 raised beds, each 10×4, but we got hit with golf ball size hail in early June, and it really did a number on my plants. 🙁