How to Grow Your Own Food: Weigh In Wednesday

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

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

This past week we were able to harvest strawberries, sugar snap peas, lettuce, kale and you guessed it… More rainbow Swiss chard.  I think in about another week we will be eating stir fry around the clock.  I can’t wait.

Also, I’m really glad I decided to try growing strawberries in gutters this year.  It’s been interesting.  I think when the berries have stopped producing, I will remove them from the gutters and plant the berries outside.  At this point, I think I’ll be replanting a new batch of strawberries in the spring again.  But only time will tell.

Even though we’ve only harvested around 55 pounds so far, his whole journey of trying to grow 2,000 pounds of food in our backyard, has been very rewarding.  I can only imagine what it’s going to feel like when we start hauling in 55 pound baskets of tomatoes from the backyard this summer.

Here is what I have harvested so far:

Basil 1 lb 3 oz

Broccoli Rabb 1lb 6 oz

Chives 10 oz

Kale 1 lb

Lettuce 10 lb12 oz

Butter Crunch 12 oz
Mixed Greens 4 lb 2 oz
Romaine 5 lb 14 oz

Mint 2 oz

Onions 11 oz

Green Onions 11 oz

Oregano 3 oz

Mushrooms 9.25 oz

Shiitake 9.25 oz

Go HERE to read more about how I grew mushrooms.

Peas 2 oz

Sugar Snap Peas 8 oz

Radish 11 lbs

Easter Egg Radish 2 lb 3 oz
Crimson Radish 1 lb 5 oz
French Breakfast 7 lb 8 oz

Spinach 1lb 4 oz

Sprouts 10 oz

Strawberries 1lb 2 oz

Sprouts 10 oz

Mung Bean Sprouts 7 oz
Sandwich Sprouts 3 oz

Swiss Chard 23 lb 9 oz

Total Food Harvested in 2012: 55 lbs 1.25 oz +

I have spent a total of $$473.47 on seeds, soil, plants and supplies for this year.

How is YOUR garden growing? Will you be weighing your garden produce this year?

Farm to Fork: Cooking Local, Cooking Fresh By Emeril Lagasse – Amazon $19.93

Fill your basket with the ripest ingredients from every season at the markets (or your backyard garden) and dig into delicious recipes such as Sweet Potato Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter, Cheesy Creole Tomato Pie, Honey-Brined Pork Chops with Nectarine Chutney, Watermelon Rind Crisp Sweet Pickles, and Rhubarb Strawberry Crisp. Even learn how to make your own cheese and pasta at home. Emeril shares his love for fresh from-the-fields foods—and the heritage of the artisans who bring them to the table.

* Amazon prices can change at anytime