Growing Your Own Food

[LJSquishy]

I see a couple of you grow your own broccoli and I am wondering if it is a really easy veggie to grow. Does one plant yield one broccoli crown or are there several smaller crowns on one plant? Any difficulties growing it? I am a huge broccoli nut but always assumed it would take a lot of space to successfully grow enough broccoli to feed my husband and I.

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

My parents have a garden. This is probably their third year? They keep adding to it and it's a good size now. I'm not sure what all they have, but I know they have carrots, potatoes, green beans, turnips, onions, peppers... I know they have others, but I'm not sure what. And not much is actually ready yet. They also have cilantro, basil, rosemary and mint. Maybe some other herbs. It's awesome to just go over there and pick stuff. I think they also have a peach tree. I was all set to try my "trash can potatoes" this year until mom told me they had planted potatoes this year.

 

[marmalade]

I've decided this year that I want to make my 1st attempt at gardening. We don't have a large yard, so I am trying containers. I have been seeing a lot of container gardens online using plastic totes. I can't imagine this is a healthy way to grow vegetables.

Does anyone here grow in plastic? Am I being overly cautious with thinking that my food growing in plastic probably can't be that healthy?

 

[bettymae1121]

I'm trying to but life keeps getting in the way. Last year DH took forever to build the garden and by the time it was ready it was June, plus by then I was pregnant and had zero energy. So it got a late start and I couldn't tend to it much. This spring we had a newborn so I paid zero attention to getting it ready for the spring and we STILL haven't planted anything, even though spring came 4 weeks early. I did start some seeds in the house, I hope to get at least those planted this weekend.

So, I hope NEXT year will be the big garden year...

 

[pixiewings71]

I've decided this year that I want to make my 1st attempt at gardening. We don't have a large yard, so I am trying containers. I have been seeing a lot of container gardens online using plastic totes. I can't imagine this is a healthy way to grow vegetables.

Does anyone here grow in plastic? Am I being overly cautious with thinking that my food growing in plastic probably can't be that healthy?

Not plastic totes, but I have a jalapeno, bell pepper and multiple tomatoes in plastic pots. They are just fine.

 

[Soarin_04]

This is totally my husband's domain -- he sends for the seeds, plants them indoors until he can transplant them in the yard, and does all the other leg work.

Let's just say that he's got the green thumb, and despite my family's history of farming, I've got the black thumb. Those air ferns that require no real care? I'd probably kill one.

He's planted three different tomatoes, green beans, peas, radishes, peppers, lettuce, zuchini, cabbage, cukes, onions, red beets, garlic, corn, a bunch of herbs, some horshradish, and the strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries he planted last year should produce something this year.

Last year was the first time we canned, and I have to say, it was easier than I thought, less expensive, and we both really enjoyed it. We put up a bunch of pickled red beets, pickled the radishes, some pickles (WAY too many cukes last year!), and -- because we had a TON of tomatoes that stayed green, I made green tomato relish which was wonderful! We also froze a few batches of roasted cherry tomato soup, and all the greens from the beets and radishes.

Going to try my hand at jelly this year, I think. Wish me luck!

 

[queenbetsey]

We love to grow our own food. just finished up our end of winter garden letuce, brocco, li (live in a pretty hot area in the summer so lettuce does not do well here in the summer. Up side we can garden pretty much year round her in the souther california inland area.
Summer garden has tomatoes and zucchini, our blue berries are doing great as are the raspberries. we also have grapes, plum tree, & peach tree.
Next week will start cucumbers for pickles and maybe some egg plant. Also going to get my pumpkins going and some different squash.
I like to freeze for use in the winter. Great way to cut the food budget and the food just tastes sooooooo much better

 

[jennyerin]

We used to have a big garden but some ground hogs moved in the neighborhood and they destroyed everything. They dug under the fence and even climbed over. I need to make a double layer fence using chicken wire. Last year I used planters on a picnic table on our fenced in deck. They still got up there and ate almost everything. This year, we are still using the deck but have put chicken wire around the pots. Maybe we'll actually get something this year!!! Good luck with all of your gardens.

 

[DSNY4ever]

ugh, this all sounds amazing. I am quite jealous. We have a rinky dink backyard that doesn't get much sun (well not in the right places). I have a very tiny vegetable garden with some chives and a couple herbs. My next house (in my dreams) will have a huge yard with room for a fruit/veggie paradise!

 

[disluhypno]

Wow, I certainly was not expecting this much feedback! Everyone's garden sounds fantastic, and I do agree it does save money. I don't purchase plants, but start from seeds, as plants are usually more expensive.

P.S. I should be harvesting okra pretty soon! I love pickled okra, and now, hopefully, I can start making my own. Here is a picture of my first little pod.

 

[buzz5985]

I live in the Northeast and our season is so short there is no way to have a sustainable garden. Having said that we do the usual tomato's, peppers, beans, herbs, etc. Does it save me money - not really - because by the time my tomatoes ripen - the cost is very low at the farmers market. Trying early girls this year.

But it's really enjoyable to just go out and bring in what you need for dinner.

Janis