Should I start a garden? (55, weather, husband, best)
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I've been reading Square Foot Gardening, and it sounds doable but does anyone have any real-life experience with it?
With inflation and potential cyberattacks, I think it would be wise to be more self-sufficient, but I've never planted anything in my life. (My late husband did the yard work).
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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For fun / if you're interested gardening is a great past-time.
Depends on your climate / space / time / water and sun availability.
Hint: gardening is NOT cheaper than buying produce + it takes time + the critters like your garden (Rabbits, moles, DEER...) and... weather can be a stinker (hail / heat / dreary / too wet)
Best way to get info is from your local county Agriculture extension service / Master Gardener help line. (Classes available). Try to stick with local varieties to save yourself pest, temperature, water, and growing season woes.
Another source for fresh produce is to join as CSA (local growers), or to join a Gleaner group. (Some food pantries do this) https://www.gcfb.org/
First critical bit of info is Where Are you?
How much space do you have for a garden?
What would you like to grow? (Don't say corn!)
Ask in the 'gardening' forum. You'll be much more likely to find gardeners there than here.
We're in a condo, and literally the only place we have that gets enough sunlight is just outside our door. We've grown cherry tomatoes and basil and cilantro out there, in containers.
And no, it's not a money-saving thing - but the tomatoes have flavor (unlike most store-bought tomatoes), and the basil and cilantro are right there when we need some.
I've been reading Square Foot Gardening, and it sounds doable but does anyone have any real-life experience with it?
With inflation and potential cyberattacks, I think it would be wise to be more self-sufficient, but I've never planted anything in my life. (My late husband did the yard work).
Any suggestions?
Gardening is a HOBBY. Do it if you have an interest. It's a wonderful hobby from personal experience. It gave me a chance to exercise and doing something I enjoy.
If you have not planted anything before, start something small and manageable. For example, grow herb & spices indoor is easy and it's a good return of your money for stuff such as sweat basil, mint, cilantro, parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme, etc. I love to drink hot water then put one or two mint leaves in them, makes a wonderful tea in cold winter time. You can start with a seed pack from big box store, just put them in a pot with soil by window to get some sun. You can also grow them in winter time since your house is heated.
If you've been reading Square Foot Gardening, then you know how important the soil is in growing vegetables. Again, start with something easy to grow like lettuce.
There is a Garden forum on this site. You can ask a lot of question there.
And no, it's not a money-saving thing - but the tomatoes have flavor (unlike most store-bought tomatoes), and the basil and cilantro are right there when we need some.
It can be, once you have the garden set up. For example last year I grow wonderful cherry tomatoes, egg plants, zucchini, and cucumbers from pack of seeds just direct sowed them in the ground.
we grow tomatoes, & peppers, leeks,but because we enjoy eating them. So far, it is cheaper to buy them at the store than mess with growing your own, Try it & see. However, the flavor cannot be beat. ( Homegrown )
I've been reading Square Foot Gardening, and it sounds doable but does anyone have any real-life experience with it?
With inflation and potential cyberattacks, I think it would be wise to be more self-sufficient, but I've never planted anything in my life. (My late husband did the yard work).
Any suggestions?
you won't be saving money the first year you do this.
I've been reading Square Foot Gardening, and it sounds doable but does anyone have any real-life experience with it?
With inflation and potential cyberattacks, I think it would be wise to be more self-sufficient, but I've never planted anything in my life. (My late husband did the yard work).
Any suggestions?
Did your husband already have a garden, or by yardwork - do you mean mowing and things like that?
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