The Homestead Way of Life

Keep Your Dreams Real

Now, I didn't mean to intimidate anybody with the numbers I put up in my last post about how much you would really need to plant to feed your family.  Actually, I want to inspire you!  When I think about those numbers, I am challenged to try again this year to become self-sufficient in at least one thing from the garden.  I know it's not realisitic to think that every single crop I plant is going to grow perfectly or go as far as I thought it would.

For example, I got a bumper crop of pumpkins last fall.  I thought for sure I would have enough pumpkin to last until the following fall harvest and, actually, I did.  BUT, I decided to be very clever and overwinter them in my nice warm greenhouse (because pumpkins like to stay dry and warm, they keep better).  The local raccoon population thought it was awfully clever of me as well and they enjoyed chewing holes in every one of the pumpkins I had not yet used.  It didn't even occur to me that any varmints would get in there and eat my pumpkins!

So, there you go.  You never know what will happen.  So, set the goal for yourself this year of just picking one thing that you would like to try and grow enough of to get through to the next year.  Think about a fruit or veggie that your family likes to eat a LOT.  It could be spinach or strawberries or carrots.  Whatever it is, put a lot of effort into learning about and growing that one particular crop.  Believe me, you will have such a feeling of accomplishment just knowing that that is at least one thing you will not have to purchase at the market throughout the coming year.

Give it a try!

Untitled Comment

03:19, 2006-Apr-4 .. Posted by TChannel4

You got me thinking. I usually do pretty well with my garden. All but green bell peppers for some reason they just don't take off at all. I planted just one row of pumkin the year before last ( I didn't have a garden last year due to construction) and they did just wonderfully. We had plenty just out of one row. LOL
This year I'm planning a larger garden and I can't wait to get my hands in the dirt.

Untitled Comment

03:50, 2006-Apr-4 .. Posted by justme

I had to go back and read your how much post to see what it had to say.
We grow all our own potatoes, corn, green beens. Most of our tomatoes and odds and ends of other things. According to your plan we should not be able to make it all year on what we grow.

At the end of storage season or late spring we freeze what potatoes we have left. We either mash or make hashbrowns out of them.
I don't think anyone should be scared off by your numbers you just have to figure out your own food consumption to come up with your own #.
BTW we often give away the food we grow as gifts. people seem to love it.
Donna