I'm a total beginner living in the Tokyo/Osaka area in Japan, and I'm looking to become self-sufficient in growing some key vegetables all year long. I'm interested in tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, eggplants, cucumbers, lentils, and salad greens. Could anyone help me figure out the right amount of growing space I would need for just myself? Any tips for a newbie would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
Starting small is key! As a newbie, I recommend focusing on 2-3 root crops like onions and potatoes, and a couple of above-ground crops. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with too many seeds. You can stagger your crops to extend your harvest season, especially for tomatoes and peppers. Remember, gardening is all about learning as you go!
For self-sufficiency, think about how much you actually eat and your local gardening season. Rough estimates: consider a 50-foot row for potatoes, around 10-15 tomato plants (30-50 feet row for paste tomatoes), and another 50-foot row for onions. For garlic, about 25 feet should do, and around 50 feet for lentils. You can also create a smaller garden bed for succession planting of cucumbers and greens. Just keep in mind that you need to manage your expectations and storage methods if you want year-round produce!
Great advice! Also, starting small helps you figure out what grows best in your area without committing to too much at once. Learn as you grow!