Well, it seems that everyone is getting ready for big gardens this year. That is awesome, as I feel that the time is approaching when we will need to grow our own food. However, you may also want to consider doing a smaller garden and spending the excess time doing one or all of the following.
1. Create a passive solar greenhouse. I am convinced that having the skill of growing food in a greenhouse will be hugely beneficial as we enter hard times. A greenhouse helps with pest control, creates a growing environment that can be used year round and can prevent hail damage.
2. Do your own starts. Although this seems like a small thing, it may not be as easy as you think. Even if you don't do all of your starts this year, at least do a few and find out what obstacles you will need to plan for if you do end up needing the skill in the future.
3. Start collecting your own seed! Of course, in order to do this you will need to plant non-hybrid, heirloom seeds. This is so important. It is one thing to know how, but another to have actually done it and been successful at it. Make it a goal that this year you will collect all of the seed you can and that next year you will collect the seed from your biennials.
Just remember that sometimes the skill may be far more important than the thing itself. Plant that big garden if you need it for your family but make sure that you set aside enough time to learn what you will need to survive and thrive long term.
Collecting seed, Horiculture and the Passive Solar Greenhouse
Well, it seems that everyone is getting ready for big gardens this year. That is awesome, as I feel that the time is approaching when we will need to grow our own food. However, you may also want to consider doing a smaller garden and spending the excess time doing one or all of the following.
1. Create a passive solar greenhouse. I am convinced that having the skill of growing food in a greenhouse will be hugely beneficial as we enter hard times. A greenhouse helps with pest control, creates a growing environment that can be used year round and can prevent hail damage.
2. Do your own starts. Although this seems like a small thing, it may not be as easy as you think. Even if you don't do all of your starts this year, at least do a few and find out what obstacles you will need to plan for if you do end up needing the skill in the future.
3. Start collecting your own seed! Of course, in order to do this you will need to plant non-hybrid, heirloom seeds. This is so important. It is one thing to know how, but another to have actually done it and been successful at it. Make it a goal that this year you will collect all of the seed you can and that next year you will collect the seed from your biennials.
Just remember that sometimes the skill may be far more important than the thing itself. Plant that big garden if you need it for your family but make sure that you set aside enough time to learn what you will need to survive and thrive long term.