How many still live off their land?

[rubydi]

one other point, the growing season is short and sometimes water is very scarce in the spring and summer. Corn grows fairly well around Billings, but I don't know what they fertilize with. I have heard that by alternating sugar beets and corn every other year, each refertilizes the soil for the other.

[gowestgal]

Not 100% living off the land but still a great article from a great magazine: Live on Less and Love It!. Enjoy.

[JustT&Me]

Originally Posted by jimj

The soil is wonderful for the most part, the big problem is cold and a short growing season. Around us (Kalispell,Whitefish,Columbia Falls) blackberries,cherries and onions do OK but tomatoes are iffy at best. We got peppers to grow and potatoes and probably could get carrots but you'd better learn canning and have lots of storage because after the 3 month season you'll not grow anything unless it's in a greenhouse.

In the Midwest, a lot of ppl begin their plants early inside in the little starter pots - sometimes in the basement out of the way under lighting, sometimes on various window ledges, or just by a patio door on the floor. Wherever they can get light or sun!

Pot-gardening is great for growing tomatoes and herbs - even green beans. (I grew Romas and cherry tomatoes and pole beans all in pots. Knew someone else who grew 5-6 different herbs between two, large/deep, square patio planters.) While they won't grow as tall or as big as plants in soil, they *will* grow.

As they grow, you can replant them into a bigger pot, or outside if the weather is ready for it. And if not... the bigger the pot, the better. You can also create your own compost from the previous summer's soil & plant stocks with whatever you add to it during the fall/winter, so you won't have to wait for your spring thaw to get started.

Seven children... reminds me of the movie, "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" Seven pots for seven tots! Provide them each a small starter they can keep in their room and a large pot each to transfer their seedlings once they begin to get a little leafy.

Mmmm.... "living off the land" - what a great adventure!

Best of subsistence to everyone!

Peace ~

[bigtrees]

If your wanting to live off the land, I'd suggest living in the Pacific Northwest (Seattle area) as everything grows out here! I'm a Montana native but can say life is a lot easier in Seattle because so much more grows and the climate is conducive to living, unlike Montana where it is cold all winter....