This year I’m on a mission to grow 4,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables in my suburban backyard. In 2012 I was able to grow 2,028 pounds, and in 2013 I’m going double or nothing. I have absolutely no idea if I’ll be able to achieve my goal. But, as with any adventure, half the fun is getting there. ~Mavis
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Guess who harvested romaine lettuce last night? We had homemade lasagna and mini Cesar salads and it was awesome! Could I have waited a little longer to harvest the lettuce? But of course darrrrling, but I just couldn’t wait. Nope.
I also harvested a wee bit of oregano from the container herb garden, sampled some spinach and brought in a boatload of eggs this week too.
But that isn’t the coolest part.
Are you ready for a story?
Last night I called my neighbor. I asked to speak to her older daughter who is about to graduate. She will be studying nutrition in college and I thought I’d see if she would be interested in helping me this summer in the garden.
What I didn’t know was that I had actually called her mothers cell number and not their home phone {it was meant to be I tell you!}.
Unfortunately {but good for her!} the daughter had just accepted a summer job someplace really, really cool. I was happy for her, but also a wee bit disappointed because I could really use a farm hand.
Then something awesome happened.
Her mom had been thinking about approaching me and asking if she could work in my backyard garden in exchange for fresh veggies and eggs but wasn’t sure how much time she could commit and a weekly basis. And plus, we live in suburbia so the whole I can afford to buy my own food, but can I eat yours instead because I like working in the garden and want to learn more about canning and some other stuff – might come off as a little odd.
What? Did I just hear that right? You want to barter weeding and garden chores for vegetables and eggs? Are you kidding me? When can you start?
Tomorrow apparently. Wahooooooooo!
Life is good.
Here is what I have harvested so far this year:
Beets – 14 ounces
Carrots – 3 ounces
Chives – 4 ounces
Egg Count – 856
The chickens are egg laying machines. What can I say?
Lettuce – 10 ounces
Microgreens 5 ounces
Oregano – 1 ounce
Potatoes – 2 pounds 9 ounces
Sprouts –11 ounces
Swiss Chard 11 ounces
Wheatgrass – 7 ounces
Total Food Harvested in 2013: 6 pounds 11 ounces
Total Eggs Collected in 2013: 856
Get out there and grow!
~Mavis
Urban Homesteading –Heirloom Skills for Sustainable Living
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Amber Knight says
Hay Mavis, do you cut the lettice or harvest the whole plant? If you cut it back to about 2 inches it will regrow= more food.
the real housewife of suburbia says
I wish I could convince my neighbors to work in my garden!! I am the only one in my part of the neighborhood that has a garden and no matter how hard I try, they just won’t budge. You should have seen their faces when I got rid of the gardener after what we call “the great garden mishap of 2012”. Now I’m out their making my yard just the way I want it (but staying in line with the regulated guidelines), with some help from the hubs… he even put in more garden beds “as long as we save room for the pool and waterslide”. Yes, priorities around here….
Love the updates!!
Beth says
How do you use the wheatgrass?
Carlye says
This is so awesome! Cannot wait to get my garden started this week!
Katie C. says
So inspiring! I need to go grab some chive seeds.
indio says
I’m growing some edible flowers this year. Those mammoth sunflower heads would definitely add a few pounds to your garden tally since they can easily weigh more than a pound. They also attract pollinators to the garden and you can feed them to the chickens too.
Heather M says
Hi Mavis, I am curious as to where you got your rain gutters. I have been looking for some, but all I can find are painted ones.
Mavis says
Ace Hardware. 🙂
Dayla says
What type of hen lays the light blue eggs? So pretty! We have 9 hens & enjoy our farm fresh eggs. Just curious what type of chick to look for to have blue eggs?!
Mavis says
Americana or Easter Egger Chickens. 🙂 I love the colored eggs! 🙂
Preppy Pink Crocodile says
Wow! That’s awesome, Mavis! If I didn’t live clear across the country I would come work in your garden to learn from you in a skinny minute.
KK
Rachel says
Hi Mavis,
With what your able to harvest now, do you can, freeze or what to have food for all year? I’m just curious about being self-sufficient and wondering how to “put up” produce or eggs for some time to last over a few weeks?? Thanks and is there any particular book you might recommend? I’m in your mailing list so I wait to see new mail!! lol
Thanks again!!
Rachel
Mavis says
Hi Rachel, in the summer and fall months I freeze and can a bunch of foods to last throughout the year. One of my favorite “general” books about being self-sufficient is John Seymour’s The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It
Rachel says
Thank you Mavis!! I will look tht book up and purchase it!! And thank you about how you preserve your harvest!!
Rachel