About
Hello to all the gardeners or gardener-wannabes.
There is no time like the present to think about next year’s garden! During the next few months we will be posting videos and text about planting and growing vegetables and herbs. Whether you are interested in growing a few tomato plants in a container, or planting a plot in the backyard, mingling a few edibles in the flower beds, or building a greenhouse, now is the time to start planning.
Our family loves our garden and our greenhouse. Until a couple of years ago, the garden was much smaller and we were not nearly so dependent on it as a primary food source. Then, there was the spinach scare. Oh, we aren’t alarmists, but with so many imports that we can’t be sure of, the uncertainty of the safety of the food we buy at the grocery store, and rising food prices, not to mention the salmonella outbreak this year, we are becoming more and more dependent on the vegetables we grow as our primary food source.
This year alone we noticed that a trip to the grocery store cost us about 30% more than it did last year this time. That takes into account the increase in food prices and the extra fuel cost to get there and back home. That alone is a good reason to begin a garden!
Additionally, over the past few years our family has been making a conversion to going green, eating organic foods, and conserving where we can. Growing our own herbs and vegetables has helped in all areas of going green. We save on gas by making fewer trips to the market. We spend more time at home enjoying working in our garden as well as reaping the benefits. We have decreased the number of plastic grocery bags stuffed in the bottom of the kitchen closet… last year we purchased cotton grocery bags that we take to the market with us when we do have to make the trip. And, we are growing organically!
A garden is work! There is no doubt about that. But, if properly planned you can eliminate much of the work… weeding, excessive use of the hoe, and breaking your back bending over the garden rows. Even if you don’t have a huge backyard, with careful planning you can grow enough food for any family of four or five.
We were told that it is too late in the season to start this site, but we don’t think so. While it may be too late for you to plant for 2008, we are just in time to help you prepare for next spring. Throughout the fall and winter we will be putting together a collection of informational videos and texts to help you get ready for your first crop in 2009.
We hope you will stay with us throughout the fall and winter and begin planning your 2009 garden now.
Grow green!
Happy
P.S. If any of our readers would like to contribute some expertise on gardening, please email Happy@eating-the-backyard.com
