How much garden do I need?
How much garden do I need for my family?
There are a lot of different opinions about how much of what a family should grow. It depends, of course on what you like to eat and what you can store. If you are asking this question, you likely will to eat more of what you can grow, while at the same time, you will also learn to grow a wider variety of things that you like to eat. We, fortunately, live in a time and place where we don't absolutely have to grow everything we eat. It's still nice to know that we have the ability to grow enough to sustain ourselves and our family. Remember, though, you are part of a community and you can always trade something you are good at growing for something you can't grow.
Good references on how much to grow
- http://newlifeonahomestead.com/how-much-should-i-plant/
- http://gardening.about.com/od/vegetable1/a/How-Much-Plant_2.htm
- http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/family-vegetable-garden-size.htm
- http://theprepperproject.com/how-big-a-garden-will-your-family-need/
- http://www.almanac.com/vegetable-garden-planning-for-beginners
How many garden beds are we talking?
Remember this: It's better to be proud of a small garden than to be frustrated by a big one!
Why bother gardening? We are seeing a re-surging interest in homesteading. This is what we are hearing about why grow our own food.
- Food fresh out of your garden tastes good and has better nutrition than something that has been harvested, packaged, and shipped.
- Helps you feel liberated from the uncaring corporate institutions growing and processing much of the food today.
- Saves money, helps you be more resilient to economic challenges.
- Helps you maintain your health and sense of connection to nature.