COVID-19 has put a lot into perspective when it came to buying foods. Everyone had to stop eating out and buy curbside. Some went to buying more groceries to cook more. Many groceries and places lacked the amount there was to handle this shut down.
Whatever or however this Virus was created, the future is unknown. So many depend and rely on our grocery system, but you can grow your own produce and preserve it as well as anyone! If you have access to a computer or your phones, there are tons of helpful videos and sites to help you begin a garden.
I have grown a garden almost all my life. The last few years haven’t been that good on count of surgeries and bad growing seasons for the certain products I wanted. However, you can do this!
The first thing you should do is go buy seeds either at a store or through the internet. The rule of thumb that I will pass on from my mom is this: you have 52 weeks in a year and you plan on canning at least one jar per week of each vegetable you can grow.
If you want to grow just to eat on, then my suggestion is to have raised beds, especially if your space is limited. But, if you have space and don’t mind a large space tilled up, plant to can, freeze, or store for the winter. Plan on the space you will be using and this will give you an idea on how many seeds you will need.
I do not know how true the stories are on Facebook or passed around, but I’ve heard rumor that the state of Michigan, I think, has told its citizens they are forbidden to grow anything. That being said, God says to plant in season and that gives everyone a right above man to plant whatever they desire!
Prepare your soil. If using a raised bed, you can purchase dirt and fertilizer at most local stores. If you are planting a larger garden, you may consider using a tiller to work the ground. My suggestion to you is to see if there is a local farmer or landscaper who can help you. They may have better equipment to handle the soil variations.
If the ground you are planning to use has been grass and solid, your plants probably will not have the loose soil needed for the roots to grow. If there is a way to plow the ground and then have it disked, that is ideal. But, I know most people do not have that access. If your ground can be tilled deep enough, then that would be great. It may take time, but even shoveling an area and turning the soil over will also help. Then, till smooth. The ground works better when it is fairly dry and when you can’t form a ball of dirt in your hand. If it breaks up fairly well, then you are good to go.
When the ground is ready to be planted, I take a roll of string and tie it to a heavy stick. I unravel the roll to the opposite end of the row and cut it off; tie the other end to another stick. Be sure to pull the string tight and pound the heavy sticks into the ground for secure hold. You are ready to begin planting!
To save space in a small garden, I plant a row on each side of the string. Two rows right next to each other is better than two separate rows. If you have a tiller, leave appropriate space between rows, making sure you leave enough space for the growing plants and tilling between rows. Some plant rows upon rows and place newspaper or straw between rows leaving just enough space to walk.
I like to plant corn on one side of the string and then maybe a few cucumbers on the other side. Cucumbers like to climb and they actually do better when they are off the ground – less ground rot.
Tomatoes work well with cages or string around poles so the plant can be supported and grow upright. This also helps prevent ground rot. They love calcium and if you have extra egg shells around, put them in the hole before planting the plant. I both buy seeds and plants.
When growing from seed, I plant certain seeds early in growing flats and keep them warm, in sunlight or under a growing lamp, and watered until time to plant outdoors. I sometimes ask a nearby farmer if I can buy an extra tray of produce they have grown from seed to plant. I always ask early in the year so they can provide that opportunity though.
Plant seeds and plants according to your area temperatures and regulations. If you see you might be having cold temperatures, you may consider covering plants to protect them from frost or freeze.
Common sense will tell you that when it gets extremely dry, you need to water your plants. Also, if weeds take over, the plants will be taken over and the weeds also pull needed water and nutrients from your produce. It’s a task for sure, but keep your garden as free of weeds as possible. Pulling them or hoeing them out is a plus!
I hope this is helpful and gives you an idea of how to grow your own gardens. It is work, but it is worth it to have fresh produce you know where it came from. Non-GMO and poisonous sprays are everywhere. There are natural ways to control diseases and bugs. Google as much as you can and search the internet for answers and helpful tips! If you do not want to raise produce, support your local farmers where you know where the produce comes from. I plan to discuss how to can and freeze produce in my next post – feel free to keep a look out for it and ask as many questions as you’d like!
