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.
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Last week I harvested 3 green onions, a ton of lettuce and basil, a wee bit of chives, and a pinch of kale. I’ve been avoiding the standard radishes like the plague. But I need to harvest them. Now, before I can plant out the rest of my tomato plants.
I think I’m going pick the radishes, clean them off, and then drive over to the food bank and see if they will take them. If they don’t want them, well, I don’t know what I’m going to do.
Lesson learned. Never plant a gazillion radishes again. Well, unless they are French Breakfast radishes, those have bartering power.
Although we are almost a full 5 months into the year, and I have yet to have any huge harvests yet, I’m not worried. I know the bulk of my vegetable weight won’t even start to roll in until around September. So for now, I’m rather happy with the results of my 2,000 pound challenge. I think I can do this. I really think I can.
Here is what I have harvested so far:
Basil 14 oz
Broccoli Rabb 1lb 6 oz
Chives 5 oz
Kale 11 oz
Lettuce 3 lbs 17 oz
Butter Crunch 12 oz
Mixed Greens 15 oz
Romaine 1 lb 4 oz
Mint 1 oz
Onions 3 oz
Green Onions 3 oz
Oregano 1 oz
Mushrooms 9.25 oz
Shiitake 9.25 oz
Go HERE to read more about how I grew mushrooms.
Green Onions 3 oz
Radish 11 lbs
Easter Egg Radish 2 lb 3 oz
Crimson Radish 1 lb 5 oz
French Breakfast 7 lb 8 oz
Sprouts 10 oz
Mung Bean Sprouts 7 oz
Sandwich Sprouts 3 oz
Total Food Harvested in 2012: 19 lbs 3 oz
I have spent a total of $$436.12 on seeds, soil, plants and supplies for this year.
Want to start your own little mini farm? Check out the book Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre
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Kelly says
Wow that’s a great start and then combined with your reclaimed scraps it will make a very healthy family! You know what they say a apple day keeps the doctor away maybe a radish a day with keep the dentist away..heheh!
Becca says
Well if we lived closer I am sure my hubby would love the radishes! He will eat them like grapes! o_O
DARLENE says
YOU CAN BAKE RADISHES I’VE HEARD, ROASTED I GUESS IS THE CORRECT TERM. NEVER DONE IT, BUT IT MIGHT BE WORTH TRYING 🙂
Talaena says
What about dehydrating them? Make them into radish chips. I’ve never done it but I hear its good. And maybe with a little sea salt they could be a healthy alternative the the Man Food you have to bring in the house ever so often. 🙂
Susan says
Amazing!
You have such a green thumb.
And I love how all those little ounces add up.
Dee says
I have come into a bunch of fresh spinach, has anyone ever frozen their own and want to explain to me how to go about it? I can’t possible eat it all and would hate it to go to waste.
SanQ says
Have you tried roasting the radishes? They are delicious done that way (they actually turn a bit sweetish) , I throw them in with other root veggies. Yum yum.