More People Growing Their Own Food in Tough Financial Times

QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA, September 13, 2012 (Press-News.org) With the cost of vegetables continuing to climb in the supermarket due to dry weather conditions, high gasoline prices to deliver them and other factors, you may be among many people who are considering growing their own food in these tough financial times. Not only will you save money, but it is gratifying to coax delicious vegetables out of the earth and know they will re-seed themselves year after year and provide even more needed groceries.

Produce Food For 24

It is not necessary to have a large garden space although one study showed that one "mini farmer" could produce food for 24 people on only three-quarters of an acre if he or she worked 40 to 45 hours a week.

Limited Space

For those with only limited space, you can go as small as an outside container garden or a pot of herbs on the patio or an indoor herb garden in containers. You can always expand every year as you learn how to successfully grow the vegetables. If you have a small garden in the backyard, forget planting in rows and instead use raised beds that are three to four feet wide. Trellising also allows more crops to grow as that allows growing up instead of out. Examples of these are tomatoes, cucumbers, peas and pole beans.

Do Research

Find out what grows the best in your area by researching online or at your library and by contacting your state's extension office and local gardening suppliers.

Share With Neighbors and Friends

A packet of seeds yields more than you need, so share them and receive different vegetable seeds in exchange. Also share existing excess plants and expensive equipment. This is an excellent way to cut costs drastically and also greatly expand the variety in your garden. There is no point in having a huge harvest of just one or two vegetables when you can have a lot of choice to enhance your recipes and make your eating more enjoyable and healthy.

Have a Continuous Harvest

Instead of planting everything all at once, plant something new every week during the spring and fall growing seasons. You will then have a longer harvest season to have food for your family on an ongoing basis. Remember that you should only plant the same crop in the same area every three years so as not to deplete the soil.

Organic Matter

The most useful substance for well-balanced healthy fertile soil is organic matter such as shredded leaves, compost and animal manures. Remember to keep the soil damp similar to a wrung-out sponge and not soggy.

Keep Records

Note your successes and failures in a journal or notebook to give you excellent information from year to year and improve your gardening skills as you improve your unique garden and know what grows best for you.

If you'd like to know more about garden care or you'd like someone to take of the job for you, contact the professionals at Premium Pools and Gardens. You can visit their website here: http://premiumpg.com.au/.