In my recent interview with Dylan Charles of Waking Times, I explain that you really only need 2 acres to produce all the food you need for a large family … and you can produce half of the calories your family needs in an average backyard.
You can listen to the interview, titled “How Growing Food Can Diminish Stress and Evoke a True Sense of Security,” here: http://www.wakingtimes.com/interview-how-growing-food-can-diminish-stress-evoke-true-sense-security/
So, since my Texas homestead is quite a bit bigger than 2 acres, I cultivate the equivalent of a half-dozen backyards where I just try things out.
I test various growing methods, compare the usefulness of different products in the same category (self-watering planters or game cameras, anyone?), and strive for high-efficiency, low-work methods for food production. (I mean, I travel a LOT—my food supply has to be at least partially self-sustaining!)
In the interview, I also joke that growing your own food is the “antidote to waking up” in a country that’s bankrupt and still teetering on the verge of economic collapse.
I’m sure you agree—gardening provides such a sense of security and relief!
In fact, growing your own really nutritious food with as little work as possible is the focus of my new video, “Grow Half Your Own Food (in your own backyard in just an hour a day).” We actually just did a free 72-hour screening of the film this week, but if you missed it, or want to be able to refer back to the information in it, you can still buy the video here: http://thegrownetwork.pages.ontraport.net/growhalf
Then, let me know in the comments below: What benefits have you gained from growing your own food?
Marjory Wildcraft is the founder of The Grow Network, which is a community of people focused on modern self-sufficient living. She has been featured by National Geographic as an expert in off-grid living, she hosted the Mother Earth News Online Homesteading Summit, and she is listed in Who’s Who in America for having inspired hundreds of thousands of backyard gardens. Marjory was the focus of an article that won Reuter’s Food Sustainability Media Award, and she recently authored The Grow System: The Essential Guide to Modern Self-Sufficient Living—From Growing Food to Making Medicine.
COMMENTS(5)
How do I start from the beginning like how much dirt or do I buy bags of soil or build a bow and put in my watering and then start there. I don’t see anything to help get me started.
One of the easiest things to grow are beans, cucumbers are also very forgiving.Either of these can be planted in hills or rows. How much topsoil you need would depend on the soil you have to plant in. Try potatoes, again forgiving, but need a lower ph to prevent scabbing.
I bought the Grow Half DVD, and I’m very happy with it.
I like to grow a lot of weedy plants that take care of themselves and are usually trying to take over the world. Blackberries, sunchokes, and mints are great like that.
Hi Scott, what happened to your profile photo???
Yes, I love eating weeds – they are much easier, and often more nutritious. I used recognizable vegetables to show beginners the possabilities with things they would recognize.
I can not wait to begin and dig into finding ways to combat thyroid illness without being subjected to taking medication every day wishing I would have started earlier but your site has been a blessing and so full of knowledge. I just wanted you to know how much this is appreciated.