I'm curious to hear from others about their experiences with achieving self-sufficiency in gardening. Specifically, I'm talking about growing enough vegetables (in terms of both quantity and variety) to support a family for an entire year without having to buy any produce from the store. I strive to reach this goal within the next two years. Earlier, I used to think it had to be "all or nothing," which felt overwhelming. This year, I've taken a different route by focusing on a few specific vegetables that my family of three eats regularly, like carrots, onions, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes, among others. I've also set up some protected beds for winter growing and plan to utilize canning and freezing techniques to preserve our harvest. What about you? How close are you to becoming self-sufficient, and do you have any tips or stories to share?
7 Answers
For me, it’s all about balance. I work full-time and do my best in the garden, but I also know that I can't attain 100% self-sufficiency. Even so, this year we managed to get about 250 lbs of produce, which covers most of our veggies, so that's a win for us!
Self-sufficiency isn’t a goal for me and I honestly don't know how I’d find the time with little kids! Gardening for me is more about enjoying the process and sharing with others.
For me, self-sufficiency isn't the goal, but I enjoy showing my kids how food grows. I just want to avoid spending too much on herbs and experience the joy of fresh tomatoes. I grow a bit of everything but definitely not all I need, and I rely on the supermarket for many staples.
That's a great approach! Teaching kids about growing food is priceless.
I started gardening because I'm concerned about the food supply chain issues. I realize I can't be fully self-sufficient, but I want the knowledge and experience of growing my own food. Plus, it’s a fun challenge!
We're also in a desert region, so water management is crucial for us too.
I grow enough staples like potatoes and garlic to last me a bit, but I'm not self-sufficient at all. The idea might be appealing but I know the limits of my space and time. I focus on what brings me joy in the garden instead.
I manage to grow enough veggies for about a season and a half for my two-person household. Sure, it takes a lot of planning and effort, but I love the challenge. I've got my freezer stocked up by fall, and it's satisfying to be able to share extra produce with family and friends, even if it's not a full year's supply.
Seed saving is another layer to this self-sufficiency journey! I struggle with it still but aiming to learn more.
Honestly, the idea of complete self-sufficiency is a bit of a myth. It's rooted in ideals from the prepper movement, and I think a lot of folks online make it seem easier than it is. It takes a community to truly achieve a diverse and robust food supply. Just growing your own doesn’t cover all the bases unless you have a ton of help, like from family or friends, to share the harvest.
Right! Growing up, I was close to this lifestyle, but it involved a lot of hard work and limited variety. Most influencers don't share the full story of what it takes to maintain that lifestyle.
I hear you! I couldn't imagine managing a big garden while working full time. I mainly grow things like organic lettuce because the store options are pretty sad around here.
That’s impressive! I love that you're getting so much food from your garden.