How to grow my own food by meganpru

"We started gardening in the community garden, where we learned a lot and soon began growing a good chunk of our own veggies, berries & more!"

How I did it: We found a local organization called Noyo Food Forest, where we were able to take classes on organic gardening and joined their community garden. We helped start the community garden from the ground up, and learned a lot from our fellow gardeners along the way. 

Blessed with a good climate for growing veggies and lots of persistence, we were soon harvesting daily salads and all kinds of veggies. We eventually moved into a house that had a huge 1/4 or 1/2 acre organic garden. We put up a hoop house so we could extend the growing season, amended the soil, and planted a huge variety of seeds. 

We now grow food year-round (though things grow a bit slower in the winter). We have grown asparagus, strawberries, broccoli, garlic, brussels sprouts, fava beans, kale, spinach, raspberries, blueberries, lettuces, peas, green beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, cherry tomatoes, radishes, beets, carrots, spaghetti squash, zucchini, butternut squash, garbanzo beans, artichokes, herbs, and lots of flowers & companion plants. It's amazing how easily and cheaply you can grow an abundance of food!

The best part is that we are rewarded for our hard work with delicious, fresh, organic food in abundance. And we know exactly where it came from and what went into it.

Lessons & tips:

  • Take a class on organic gardening if you can. 
  • Join a community garden in your area, where you can rent a little plot and learn from other gardeners.
  • Ask neighbors and local gardeners what grows well in your area. 
  • Get some gardening books. The Sunset Western Garden Book is a good index of plants, and How to Grow More Vegetables by John Jeavons has been invaluable to me. Also check out the book You Grow Girl by Gayla Trail.
  • Plant seeds according to the instructions on the seed packets, and plant a few more than you'll use because they may not all make it.
  • Build healthy soil - healthy soil will help prevent disease and pest damage and nurture your plants. 
  • Practice makes perfect! 

Resources: Books: 

  • The Sunset Western Garden Book
  • How to Grow More Vegetables by John Jeavons
  • You Grow Girl by Gayla Trail 
Web sites:


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Jan 23, 2010, 11:45AM PST | 1 comment | 1 cheer


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Mar 03, 2010, 12:07AM PST


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