Posted: 5/19/2007 2:04:01 PM EDT
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If I was to have to grow my own food for whatever reason, what crops grow high yield in short time spans. Just starting to look into putting aside seeds as part of my preps... anybody have experience in this field? Thanks. |
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I'm also going to start gardening soon. I'm gonna study up this summer, till the garden and get it ready for next spring. Borowing Dad's roto tiller. I remember as a kid that our pumpkins in northern KY where totally out of control as well were the cucumber and cabage. Anybody know of some good gardening web sites for beginners. |
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CA, Go right-click and save-as on this link. It's the Tennessee State Ag Extension publication on gardening in the Summer. Specifically, it gives estimated yields per 100-foot row for various crops. Some examples: Bush beans -- 80-120 lbs Bush limas -- 20-30 lbs Sweet potatoes -- 75-125 lbs Summer squash -- 150-200 lbs Obviously you'd want info accurate for your area, but this may give you some general idea. These numbers are clearly for successful rows that were planned, established, and tended well. Now, 'short time spans' aren't exactly as easy as you might expect. Assuming a major disruption in the food supply for whatever reason, if it comes in the middle of January you won't be planting much of anything unless you live in the extreme southern parts of the States. Likewise, there's only a certain window for planting corn. In TN it's about two months long, give or take, and you lose some of your yield planting at the wrong end of that window. My garden calendar for TN shows that I can start planting some greens, onions, and peas Feb 1st if the weather is good and put in my last planting or spinach and lettuce at the end of September. You could probably extend that by using a cold frame or straw bales or some other scheme, but for food production that seems like you'd be pretty limited in what you can do. Another thing lots of folks neglect to consider is how much seed is required to grow a significant amount of food. Seed required per 100 feet of row is also listed in the document linked above. Bottom line: If you don't garden but plan on it as part of your preps, you'd better start now so that you can make mistakes when they aren't so painful. Not intended as a flame, just advice from a fellow who is still learning lessons every year in the garden. |
Thanks guys, the information is what I was hoping for. And thank you for the link! I definitely want to start my own garden now, I just need to get out of this city.  I can't wait to move back to the country and have the ability to grow my own food. Thanks again, all! |
| I grew up in gardens, but this is the first time I have planted my own. We surivived the first Easter snow in central texas anyone can remember (I've seen eight snows since we moved here [20 years] and never seen a snow in April). My tomatos, tomatillos, squash, zuicinne, cucumbers, green beans and cantalope are absolutly out of control. I'm not sure, but I may get two harvests out of these plants this year. All my peppers (pablano, jalapeno, bell (greenand yellow), and piccanyue) are right on track. Havent planted potatoes yet, but Im thinking about trying the tire method. On a side note, my compost pile is a steady 155 F. Over all, I'm happy with what I have. |
I would have thought so too, but today I was reading Emery's book and she says the USDA recommends against canning Summer Squash. Didn't say why, but I suppose there is some kinda health risk. Whoodathunkit? |
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me an my dad have a fairly large garden i usually help him work it in the summer as im home from school we usually plant 50 yards of beans with 6 foot fence running between 2 rows to make picking easy and at the end of the year we just burn the vines from the fence half the garden is corn the other half is planted with cushaw, cucumbers, beats, pumpkins and 15 tomato plants i would say a tomato is the most versitile vegitable you can use for canning, make soups salsa anything like that good to have for SHTF also plant some corn we usually can some then the rest we take and boil for 2 min cut it off the cob and store it in food saver bags and freeze we still have corn from 99' that tastes like its fresh its somethin fun for me an dad to do as i dont see him alot until i come home during the summer gives us some time to catch up on things |
Wow, I can not imagine having a son like you. I can no longer speak to mine.
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me and my dad dont always get along but during the summers we usually try to make the best of it i was planning on working this summer but it was my first time ied really been away from home and he kinda missed the company so ied rather work around here on the "farm" he calls it catchin up on some stuff last week mom an dad took me out to eat for my 21st birthday and dad began to say "you know i dont remember what i was doing on my 21st birthday, but it sure wasnt eating with my parents" |
Keep in mind that these are 100 FOOT rows. That's a lot of work, just getting a useable piece for a single row (assuming your average inexperienced adult).
There are ways around this. You can make hot boxes, which contain manure with a cellophane or clear plastic cover...or if a mild winter area just screen material. You can also do window boxes and use grow lights. Lots of option for all sorts of predicaments. Lettuce and spinach grow all year inside.
It is also important to note that most store bought seeds are one time use hybrids. This means they will probably suck a second season, even if they do not cross pollenate with something that wrecks the strain (like cantaloupe next to squash). Seeds also do not keep well once you open them. If you try to reuse them, reseal as best you can and put them in a dry, cool place out of the sun. Refrigerator is best. When growing sweet corn while stagger your plantings. I started planting sweet corn 6 weeks ago and I am still planting and will continue to do so till the end of June and will have corn coming in till the end of September/mid-October. If you plant it all at once it comes up all at once and most of it will spoil. Hard corn, plant, and keep some for seed and use. You'll get weevils in your corn come spring.
Too true....and you do not need to live in the country to start. Nature cares less if you are in a city or in the wild. The basics are still the same. If you find container growing difficult you won't be able to do a garden. Harvested my first radishes today...tasty! Peas got burned out and my leafy stuff is doing better now that we are getting cooler nights. Its been 3 weeks since we have seen a goodly amount of rain and its been in the upper 80s in the shade for two of those weeks. Everything is bone dry and needs constant watering. It does mean less weeding though.  And its perfect for Hay. 1st cutting of 4K bales is almost in. |
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I am going to recommend that you check out the book, "Square Foot Gardening". The system is compact, easy to establish and easy to maintain. There are no gadgets, it is simply an economical way to grow. There is a lot of information on how to incorporate companion planting, natural pest control and extending the growing season. I planted 3 4'x4' grids in the front yard of a suburban home and within two months I was giving away produce. We had more than enough for two people. I bought my copy in a used book store but the guy is still around and the book is still in print. Check your library. Colonel Hurtz |
+10000 Square foot gardening on raised beds produces a lot of yield. Low weeding, lots of other +'s. While the old fashioned row garden of our grandparent's generation is definately "a way" to garden, there are other ways. ETA: +1 on staying away from hybrids. Look for seed banks to get heirloom (non-genetically altered) varieties of vegetables. The AG companies are patenting our food through genetic alteration. They've bred out seed production for a reason. |