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Garden Gate:  How  |
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sunshine7
Farmgirl in Training
25 Posts
nikki
Northern
wyoming
USA
25 Posts |
 Posted - May 20 2011 : 07:47:03 AM
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Hi Ladies and GentelFarmers,
I am planning my garden in the cold climate of Northern Wyoming, and I would love to save on my grocery bills, this summer!
How big of a garden do you garden gurus plant to help save on your bills?
Do you all eat veggies all summer? Or by September do you wish you you've never seen a zucchinni!
I would love to hear your stories, and how you SAVE!
Thanks,
Sunshine |
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gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2011 : 08:12:22 AM
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Yes to both I have a huge garden and plant it in all things to eat now and can later.I have some gabbage in cold storage from last year. I really don't have an idea how much I save on the food bill but I know the joy and taste out way the savings.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
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LadyInRed
True Blue Farmgirl
6740 Posts
PeggyAnn
Vancouver
WA
USA
6740 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2011 : 09:57:38 AM
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Nikki...I plant a small postage stamp size garden...every year. It is easy to mantain for me but it feeds
myself and my husband, two of our grown boys and their spouses, and many of my neighbors. I plant lots of different kinds of squash, and tomotoes, string beans, sugar peas, rhuebarb, artichoke, small pumpkins,strawberries,and a little garden-art to make the garden cheerful and a little bit of flowers to make it look even prettier and keep pests away. Everything I grow can be frozen. If I have a good crop of zuchinni and summer squash...I grate them up and put them in perfectly measured out bags for zuchinni bread in the winter
months or zuchinni muffins. My beans, sugar peas and rhuebarb I pretty much do the same thing...freeze them in meal size baggies for the winter months. Even if you plant in a small space correctly (and I grow things in plant cages...so I cangrow vertical (Up) as well as horizontal, you can have a garden that gives you a high yeild. Just don't plant in rows, plant in squared off sections. I grow in a boxed raised garden...so, when I plant the viney things like zuchinni, I plant them near the sides or ends so I can grow them over the sides...thus allowing me more room in the garden space.
I hope this helps. A little produce can go a long way IF you are willing to dry, freeze or can. And do lots of watering and fertilizing.
blessings,
Peggy
Farmgirl #1326
http://ladyinredsite.blogspot.com
http://pegsmiles7.wordpress.com
"I'm only as strong as the caffeine I drink, the hair-spray I use and the Girlfriends that I have." |
Edited by - LadyInRed on May 20 2011 10:08:24 AM |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1145 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1145 Posts |
Posted - May 21 2011 : 08:16:04 AM
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I think the key is starting small and ONLY plant what you'll eat. That sounds funny, but don't waste your time growing zucchini if you really don't like zucchini! Everyone down here plants summer squash and LET ME TELL YOU that stuff goes nuts. I planted 3 plants last year and even that was too much for us. Lol. I plant lots of herbs, tomatoes, and all sorts of peppers, because I love to can tomatoes (whole) and also as salsa. Tomatoes are so versatile, and they and bell peppers freeze wonderfully! We plant a lot of taters and onions, too, because we eat a lot of them.
I would highly recommend raised beds, too. I adore my raised beds! You can also plant in barrels, old tubs, etc. I actually have a bathtub in my front yard which is in the works to become a planter. It makes it much easier to weed and harvest when the bed is raised. I would also tell you to consult with your state/county agricultural extension office. These are often out of an agricultural college in your area, and the information and help is almost always free, or very little cost. This way, you will find out when to plant and what varieties will work best for your climate.
Good luck!
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
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Garden Gate: How |
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