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Vegetable gardens (and canning)...

  • justincredible
    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?
  • se-alum
    Gardens are only for people that want to solidify their beliefs that they are being environmentally friendly.
  • mcburg93
    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
    se-alum;1356596 wrote:Gardens are only for people that want to solidify their beliefs that they are being environmentally friendly.
    Dynamite drop in, sleeper. :)
  • Pick6
    My family grows at least corn, tomatoes, and green beans every year with good results.
  • justincredible
    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.
    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.

    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.
  • gut
    I'd be more worried about the rabbits and other critters feasting on your crop, first.
  • justincredible
    gut;1356616 wrote:I'd be more worried about the rabbits and other critters feasting on your crop, first.
    The only thing we get in our backyard are squirrels. I guess I'll have to figure something out for them.
  • mcburg93
    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
    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







  • BR1986FB
    Also saw this idea awhile back if you don't want to tear up your back yard...

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKNJOU3D7tM
  • Belly35
    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.
  • Pick6
    Belly35;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







    hell of a garden, belly
  • mcburg93
    If you can get heirloom plants that way you can use the seeds for next year.
  • justincredible
    I like the raised beds, belly. I was thinking of doing something similar.
  • justincredible
    mcburg93;1356631 wrote:If you can get heirloom plants that way you can use the seeds for next year.
    This was my plan.

    http://www.mypatriotsupply.com/Heritage_Heirloom_Vegetable_Seeds_s/43.htm
  • mcburg93
    Reps for sharing there are some on there that I do not have and will be ordering.
  • fish82
    justincredible;1356618 wrote:The only thing we get in our backyard are squirrels. I guess I'll have to figure something out for them.
    If you plant veggies, the deer will come. There are more deer within the city limits than people think.
  • Belly35
    justincredible;1356633 wrote:I like the raised beds, belly. I was thinking of doing something similar.
    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.
    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
    Don't do a garden. I just steal veggies from Mr. Reilly's garden. ;)
  • justincredible
    fish82;1356639 wrote:If you plant veggies, the deer will come. There are more deer within the city limits than people think.
    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.
  • justincredible
    power i;1356643 wrote:Don't do a garden. I just steal veggies from Mr. Reilly's garden. ;)
    My high school math teacher?
  • ernest_t_bass
    Weed. Grow weed.
  • justincredible
    ernest_t_bass;1356727 wrote:Weed. Grow weed.
    No.
  • ernest_t_bass
    justincredible;1356733 wrote:No.
    Grow it in your garage, then.