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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This past week I was able to harvest over 38 pounds of fruits and vegetables from our backyard garden. I could have picked more, but I feel really good about having surpassed the 10% mark. Carrots, beets and a whole lot of peas were gathered and with the raspberries finally starting to make their appearance, this week is shaping up to be a good one.
The problem I’m facing now, {and why I didn’t pick as much as I could have} is what to do with all this food. We all know growing vegetables is a lot of hard work, but as each day passes, I finding out that preserving the bounty is becoming increasingly harder with all the different vegetables that need to be dealt with on a daily basis.
Maybe getting a booth at the Farmer’s Market wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all.
Here is what I have harvested so far:
Basil 1 lb 12 oz
Beets 30 lb 40z {how to can beets}
Blueberries 3 oz
Broccoli 4lb 14 oz
Broccoli Rabb 1lb 6 oz
Cabbage 25lb 7 oz
Carrots 35 lbs 11 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 2 lb 1 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 21 lb 11 oz
Sugar Snap Peas 8 lb 1 oz
Peppers
Jalapeno 2 oz
Sweet Peppers 3 oz
Radish 12lb 5 oz
Easter Egg Radish 2 lb 3 oz
Crimson Radish 1 lb 5 oz
French Breakfast 8 lb 13 oz
Raspberries 4 oz
Spinach 2lb 5 oz
Sprouts 10 oz
Strawberries 6lb 1 oz {dehydrated strawberries are awesome}
Sprouts 10 oz
Mung Bean Sprouts 7 oz
Sandwich Sprouts 3 oz
Swiss Chard 23 lb 15 oz
Tomatoes 1 oz
Sun Gold 1 oz
Zucchini 1 lb 8 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: 221 lbs 13.25 oz
I have spent a total of $$484.86 on seeds, soil, plants and supplies for this year.
The Complete Kitchen Garden By Ellen Ecker Ogden ~ Amazon $9.98
Lisa says
The local food bank or organizations like Nativity House or Tacoma Rescue Mission would love to have extra produce for fresh meals. You may also try contacting the Gleaning Project.
Preserve what you can and then maybe donate the rest.
olemike says
Mavis, I really enjoy your blog. My garden is much smaller than yours and we also have the problem of being able to use all the produce when it is fresh. I took some squash to the Salvation Army this past Saturday because we could not eat it all. Being accomplished at canning, freezing, etc would be important for someone growing as much food as you do. Good luck!
Casey says
Why check check with a local food bank or the schools if they are doing the free lunchs for kids this summer
Faith says
My parents are in their 70’s and have a large garden that spans several acres at their home in North Alabama. Each morning, they put any extra fuits and vegetables they have beside their mailbox with a sign that says ‘free vegetables’. They view this as their ministry to give back to the community and help their neighbors that may be in need. They often have people that stop and try to pay them for their produce. One neighbor brought them a gourmet apple pie from a local bakery as a ‘pre-payment’ for all of the vegetables she will get this season. My mom cans and freezes enough for our entire family, including myself and my three brothers, as well as other extended family and friends. She has heirloom seeds that she has kept for over 50 years, and takes pride in all of her gardens. I really love your blog and what you are doing! I hope you hit your 2000 lb mark!
Mavis says
Wow. How cool is that? Way to go Mom! 🙂
Cynthia says
Good morning. I live in your home town and it is shaping up to be another great day. I will take the cool mornings, with the heat coming later, any day. It gives me time to work in my greenhouses before they become too hot. I would love to barter with you if you are ever interested.
MaryW says
Mavis, do you have a root cellar?
Mavis says
No. I think my husband would have me committed if I tried to dig a hole into the side of our little hill. But I wish I did.
Tanya says
Mavis you are actually 1 lb closer to your goal than you thought…. you math is off on your onions! Should be 3 lbs 5 oz 😉 Sorry it’s the math nerd in me! Your garden looks awesome! Wish I lived closer and we could barter for some of your great looking veggies. So far I’ve had about 15 lbs of broccoli off my 4 plants, lettuce and 3 cucumbers. My pepper plant is pretty much toast and my tomatoes look puny this year! The last few years I’ve had about 100 lbs of tomatoes each year off just 2 plants!
LisaB says
You could also donate to the For Heaven’s Sake Animal Rescue. They save and rehabilitate wildlife in our area. Its a husband and wife team and they don’t get paid so they rely solely on donations and grants to run it. They always need fresh fruit and veggies for the animals and its one of the main things on their list of badly needed items. You can find them on Facebook. People are more important but animals are important too 🙂
Laurel says
I am not weighing my veggies, but I am keeping a tally of what I preserve. It is a lot of work but I love knowing that my store is in my basement. Can’t wait to get it stocked up. If I have a bounty crop one year, I know I can plant something else the next year. I so wished you lived closer as I don’t grow everything you do and would be happy to take some off your hands, barter of course :).
Sarah says
Offer your veggies and fruits on craigslist (pick your own) and they will pay you. Although you would have to explain to your husband the hoards of people tramping through your backyard to get your amazing produce. But you would make good money and it would make your life alot easier.
Heather S. says
Do you guys have a co-op type grocery store? We have a small one in town that only sells locally grown stuff from some various small farmers in town. I love the donate to animal place suggestion as well. Way to go so far – I think you will make it 🙂
Robin Welch says
Buy an extra freezer!