justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jan 3, 2013 11:51am
Anyone out there grow their own vegetables? Do you also can them or just use them as you pick them?
I want to put in a garden this spring but it will be my first time really gardening. I figure instead of worrying about growing a nice lawn I should do something worthwhile and grow some food. Not only will it reduce our grocery bill but it will make us more likely to stick with a healthy eating routine. Our backyard is small, ~25' x 25'. I would probably start out with a 8' x 15' plot and then expand as needed. Any recommendations on vegetables that grow well in Ohio?
I want to put in a garden this spring but it will be my first time really gardening. I figure instead of worrying about growing a nice lawn I should do something worthwhile and grow some food. Not only will it reduce our grocery bill but it will make us more likely to stick with a healthy eating routine. Our backyard is small, ~25' x 25'. I would probably start out with a 8' x 15' plot and then expand as needed. Any recommendations on vegetables that grow well in Ohio?
se-alum
Posts: 13,948
Jan 3, 2013 12:00pm
Gardens are only for people that want to solidify their beliefs that they are being environmentally friendly.
mcburg93
Posts: 3,167
Jan 3, 2013 12:01pm
We have a garden every year and this year it was a little to big and we canned enough to feed five families. We grow peppers, tomatoes, onions, squash, cucumbers, radishes, carrots, watermelon, and more I just cant think of right now. I will say carrots are a little challenging due to they need soft deep soil. The first time we grew them they looked more like radishes then carrots. If you like asparagus it will take about two years before you can harvest it on a consistent bases. We get corn from the neighbor for free so never really tried growing it. I would also suggest getting the soil tested to see if it needs any fertilizer of any sort. Doing so will save you some troubles if things dont grow like you think they should.
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jan 3, 2013 12:11pm
Dynamite drop in, sleeper.se-alum;1356596 wrote:Gardens are only for people that want to solidify their beliefs that they are being environmentally friendly.
Pick6
Posts: 14,946
Jan 3, 2013 12:12pm
My family grows at least corn, tomatoes, and green beans every year with good results.
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jan 3, 2013 12:18pm
Thanks for the info. I'll look in to having our soil tested, I am sure I can find a local agency that does that sort of thing.mcburg93;1356597 wrote:We have a garden every year and this year it was a little to big and we canned enough to feed five families. We grow peppers, tomatoes, onions, squash, cucumbers, radishes, carrots, watermelon, and more I just cant think of right now. I will say carrots are a little challenging due to they need soft deep soil. The first time we grew them they looked more like radishes then carrots. If you like asparagus it will take about two years before you can harvest it on a consistent bases. We get corn from the neighbor for free so never really tried growing it. I would also suggest getting the soil tested to see if it needs any fertilizer of any sort. Doing so will save you some troubles if things dont grow like you think they should.
Our regular meals consist of the following:
onions
carrots
sweet potatoes
spaghetti squash
zucchini
peppers
I'd like to grow these since we use them weekly, basically. I'd also like to do tomatoes, cucumbers, various beans, various lettuces, etc. I guess we'll see what I have room for once I figure out the required spacing. I'm also going to look in to growing some of them in containers which would give me more options. I could grow a couple items on my deck.
G
gut
Posts: 15,058
Jan 3, 2013 12:19pm
I'd be more worried about the rabbits and other critters feasting on your crop, first.
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jan 3, 2013 12:24pm
The only thing we get in our backyard are squirrels. I guess I'll have to figure something out for them.gut;1356616 wrote:I'd be more worried about the rabbits and other critters feasting on your crop, first.
mcburg93
Posts: 3,167
Jan 3, 2013 12:32pm
Tomatoes does well in pots. We usually plant one or two at the end of the season and put it in our window of a house for tomatoes in the winter time. Squash, cucumber, and zuchinni produces a lot of product per plant if it is only the two of you one plant might be enough. Beans are another one that produces a bunch from one plant. We plant about a twenty foot row and we put about fifty quarts up for winter. We ate a lot while fresh and gave a bunch away as well.
Belly35
Posts: 9,716
Jan 3, 2013 12:34pm
We stagger our planting about 3 weeks a part for many of the same vegetables. Green Beans, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Cucumbers mostly because they grow and produce to much at one time.
I grow 4 differ types of Tomatoes for canning and spaghetti sauce, Green Beans are canned, lots of frozen Zucchini bread.
Green peppers, red peppers and some Hot Hungarian peppers also get canned or pickled also.
I’m looking in to ways to freeze some of the vegetable without that freezer burn taste (hate that)
Acorn and Butter Squash I’m looking to cold store then this next winter.
I do what is called a Lasagna Gardening; it cuts back on weeding but really produces because the soil is always replenished every year.
If you are interested PM me and I will call you with suggestions
I grow 4 differ types of Tomatoes for canning and spaghetti sauce, Green Beans are canned, lots of frozen Zucchini bread.
Green peppers, red peppers and some Hot Hungarian peppers also get canned or pickled also.
I’m looking in to ways to freeze some of the vegetable without that freezer burn taste (hate that)
Acorn and Butter Squash I’m looking to cold store then this next winter.
I do what is called a Lasagna Gardening; it cuts back on weeding but really produces because the soil is always replenished every year.
If you are interested PM me and I will call you with suggestions
B
BR1986FB
Posts: 24,104
Jan 3, 2013 12:37pm
Also saw this idea awhile back if you don't want to tear up your back yard...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKNJOU3D7tM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKNJOU3D7tM
Belly35
Posts: 9,716
Jan 3, 2013 12:38pm
Simple chicken wire keeps out rabbits.... it the deer I worry about
Note: Some plants critter doen't eat... Tomotoes, Zucchine others are fair game.
Note: Some plants critter doen't eat... Tomotoes, Zucchine others are fair game.
Pick6
Posts: 14,946
Jan 3, 2013 12:39pm
hell of a garden, bellyBelly35;1356626 wrote:We stagger our planting about 3 weeks a part for many of the same vegetables. Green Beans, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Cucumbers mostly because they grow and produce to much at one time.
I grow 4 differ types of Tomatoes for canning and spaghetti sauce, Green Beans are canned, lots of frozen Zucchini bread.
Green peppers, red peppers and some Hot Hungarian peppers also get canned or pickled also.
I’m looking in to ways to freeze some of the vegetable without that freezer burn taste (hate that)
Acorn and Butter Squash I’m looking to cold store then this next winter.
I do what is called a Lasagna Gardening; it cuts back on weeding but really produces because the soil is always replenished every year.
If you are interested PM me and I will call you with suggestions
mcburg93
Posts: 3,167
Jan 3, 2013 12:39pm
If you can get heirloom plants that way you can use the seeds for next year.
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jan 3, 2013 12:39pm
I like the raised beds, belly. I was thinking of doing something similar.
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jan 3, 2013 12:40pm
This was my plan.mcburg93;1356631 wrote:If you can get heirloom plants that way you can use the seeds for next year.
http://www.mypatriotsupply.com/Heritage_Heirloom_Vegetable_Seeds_s/43.htm
mcburg93
Posts: 3,167
Jan 3, 2013 12:48pm
Reps for sharing there are some on there that I do not have and will be ordering.justincredible;1356634 wrote:This was my plan.
http://www.mypatriotsupply.com/Heritage_Heirloom_Vegetable_Seeds_s/43.htm
fish82
Posts: 4,111
Jan 3, 2013 12:52pm
If you plant veggies, the deer will come. There are more deer within the city limits than people think.justincredible;1356618 wrote:The only thing we get in our backyard are squirrels. I guess I'll have to figure something out for them.
Belly35
Posts: 9,716
Jan 3, 2013 12:54pm
I used 2x12x16 the main part is 24 inch off the ground , I don't have to bend over to pick the plants, the ends are 12 inch and great for tomatoes picking.justincredible;1356633 wrote:I like the raised beds, belly. I was thinking of doing something similar.
I have another garden behind this one that is only 8 high side boards all of the squash are planted there because of the area they take up. I have grown some of the squash on vine arbors off the ground and still working to make that work better. </SPAN>
power i
Posts: 1,296
Jan 3, 2013 12:56pm
Don't do a garden. I just steal veggies from Mr. Reilly's garden. 
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jan 3, 2013 1:03pm
I'd bet my life there will be no deer getting in my back yard. It's sorta boxed in by other houses and only has one entry point which is gated.fish82;1356639 wrote:If you plant veggies, the deer will come. There are more deer within the city limits than people think.
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jan 3, 2013 1:03pm
My high school math teacher?power i;1356643 wrote:Don't do a garden. I just steal veggies from Mr. Reilly's garden.
ernest_t_bass
Posts: 24,984
Jan 3, 2013 2:48pm
Weed. Grow weed.
justincredible
Posts: 32,056
Jan 3, 2013 2:51pm
No.ernest_t_bass;1356727 wrote:Weed. Grow weed.
ernest_t_bass
Posts: 24,984
Jan 3, 2013 2:55pm
Grow it in your garage, then.justincredible;1356733 wrote:No.