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The Economy is Calling Us Back to the Simple Life
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"Our forbears worked hard this difficult land, and their reward was the freedom and independence of self-sufficiency". James Douglas
This is the beginning of our planting for this year. We are praying for a bountiful harvest.
Teaching our children and grandchildren about growing things is one of the most precious gifts you could pass on. It is good quality time they will remember a life time. This is me and my grandson who is always willing to be my sidekick for the day.
Once upon a time in our not so distant past, there were beautiful vegetable gardens. People would bring their baskets of food to share as a community. I believe there has been a movement calling us back to these simpler times. There was a time that having a garden was a must for survival and had a very normal existence within our society. A family would not think of not having some sort of vegetable garden. With the changing tide of our economic situation, we must be prepared to take care of ourselves. We must change our mind sets to become self sufficient, we are crying out as a people to come back to simpler times.
Our world started changing with more technology. We became a "sit down" nation. We as a society moved away from the gardening. More families had to spend more time at work. We spent endless hours in front of the computer. Our children have lost the art of playing and working outside. I remember a time, as a child, that I would help my grandparents in their garden. I try to teach my own grandchildren the art of gardening. It is a gift worth passing on. To grow a garden is not a priority anymore. We now rely on the markets for our food supply.
It has become my passion to grow our own food. I am afraid as times get harder and our economy is shaken, we need to become more proactive concerning our food. My mission for the last five years is to become as self sufficient. With the grocery store prices going up every time we turn around, it only made sense for us to grow as much food as we can. It goes so far beyond the economy’s problems but our health is at risk. I have no doubt a lot of our sicknesses and disease comes from our food sources. Having our own garden will ensure I know from where my food is coming from.
There is a bill right now in congress that is no doubt supported by big food suppliers to stop small farms from growing their own food. There is a lot of do's and don'ts in the bill. This is very frightening. It is one we should watch very closely.
Our garden produces more than enough for us through summer and winter. We have fresh produce that is pesticide free. We are able to freeze and can vegetables. It is not an easy task, and takes a lot of work. We are no longer couch potatoes. It is so fulfilling. We have put our minds into a whole other realm of thinking.
We have done a couple different things the last five years. We started out with raised wooden boxes. We then decided on the cement blocks for support and they last longer. For one pallet it cost us about $100.00. We collected newspaper from people and lined the boxes. We then had dirt brought in and that was an additional $70.00. Each year we may buy seeds and a few plants on sale but we usually start most of the plants in our self- made green house. It has worked well.
We bought some trash barrels last year to collect rain water and this has helped with our watering as well. We also put small plastic water bottles near the plants to save on watering. Every bit helps. In Texas it can get really hot, and watering the garden is a big must.
As you can see from the above picture it is not all work and plenty of time for play. Our grandson is the happiest when he is outside with his "meme and papa".It has been my dream to have a back yard farm. We have one acre and it is more than enough to grow food. It does not take a lot of room. I am hoping to get a few chickens this year. What could be better than fresh, free range eggs? I hope this will encourage anyone who is able, to start their own garden. Yes it is hard work, but it is so self satisfying to eat the food we have grown.
I am afraid things are not going to get easier, with the high cost of produce. I really believe it is important to eat healthy. No better way than to grow your own food. It is time for us to take our food supply back into our own hands. I realize we do have to have some dependence on our local market and this may not be for everyone. If you are strong and able, and do not mind getting your hands dirty, then you could start you a garden. If you are not able to grow then an idea would be to support our local farmers markets and road side stands.
I encourage us all to attempt to grow our own food. It can be a container garden, indoor garden, and or an outside garden. Any attempt to bring in some food by our own hands, will be worth the effort. I recommend this movie "Food Inc" as this is a must see. It will open your eyes even more to perils of our food supply.
"Growing food close to home is an antidote to the industrialization of our food and invites us to reclaim a landscape of food self-sufficiency. We can feed ourselves and the soil at the same time. Growing food everywhere nourishes and revitalizes us, our families, communities and planet".
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I certainly agree that if you can grow your own produce, then it is a must that you do. The end product is only a fraction of the benefits of growing your own garden. There's a lot to be said about getting down and dirty in the soil, sweating, and then literally enjoying the fruits of your labor. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Alex,
I am excited for you..it is such a great way of life..Eating healthy makes you feel better and gives you much more energy to do the things you need to do...That is so wild that the couple lives near your brother..let me know if you get to meet them..most are so happy to share their lifestyle..
Take care and Merry Christmas,
Sunnie
That really helps, thank you! That couple live in Vallejo which is about 70 miles West of me, and I am going there to visit my brother today - what a coincidink. I favorited that video, it is also an encouragement like you.
What's also interesting is that another brother of mine just watched Food, Inc. and is eating almost nothing but fruits and vegetables and in a few days he had more energy, was awake two more hours of the day and just feels better. I have been against the pure vegetarian lifestyle, but after watching him and your story too, I know it's something I want to incorporate in to my life.
It all takes time of course, just like you are taking it one step at a time, I recently started making my own bread. I didn't have a chance last week to make a loaf and I feel crappy.
I hope you don't eat the eggs raw :-D
I never heard of a covered garden, but I was already planning on making a greenhouse at some point, so I'll look into that covered idea.
Dehydrating and freezing are great ideas, and Dusty told me that the Mormons will help you can food, so there are plenty of alternatives it seems.
Also good to know you can just leave your garden and put the water on a timer - I figured you have to weed it constantly. Then again, I grew a row of corn one year and it was so easy to take care of - it was fun.
Thanks for answering all my questions, I am so excited as you might be able to tell with all my blabbering. You are an awesome example, spiritually and in healthy living.
Merry Christmas to you too, Alex.
Hi Alex,
So glad you got to read this..It is my dream to be total self sufficient..It is very possible even on an acre..I am going to give you a link to watch..so awesome..anyway..we do have an acre and only use this small portion for the garden..We grow everything from corn, beans, spinach, lettuce, peas, catelope, pepper, tomatoes, etc...BUT this past summer in Texas we had a horrible drought which killed many of our plants so we had to buy from the store..We do have to have someone water if we decide to go on any trip..however there are water timers and I would use one of those..We have rain barrels so that we can save money watering too...they are full now but this past summer was so empty..We now have six chickens which are laying about six eggs perday..During the winter we do have to break down and buy produce but only because we did not do a winter garden..That is my next goal to be producing year round..I have some kale growing now..There are ways to eat healthy during the winter too and sprouting is a really great..I do sprout too...Growing our own food is so wonderful..you can can and freeze vegetables..which we do on a good season..Also the chickens eat very healthy..
There are many leaning towards this way of living..I am what you call a raw vegan..I hate titles but I eat mostly fresh fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and my chickens eggs..I have not done well this fall and winter but after Christmas I am back on track..I felt so healthy...I dehydrate foods too..so much you can do with dehydrator..I hope this helps...It is good to eat seasonal but you can make a garden with a cover that would allow you to extend the growing season..
Good luch Alex...it is such a wonderful goal..any questions please email me..
Thanks Merry Christmas,
Sunnie
I couldn't resist but to read one more of your hubs tonight, the title caught my eye because it has recently become a goal of mine to become much more self sufficient - I definitely want to grow things, supermarket food is not fit for eating healthy as most produce ends up under-ripe, packaged with tons of sugar (don't believe me? Check out the ingredients on canned kidney beans and packaged chicken) and covered in pesticides.
Until I read this though, I didn't think I would be able to grow enough food for an entire year! So do you have an acre of land and if so, how much do you need for your garden, or do you grow on an entire acre of land? I would like to know how much you need to eat for a year. I also have heard there are seasonal plants so you eat differently for each season. Is that right?
Lastly, how do you handle taking care of your plants when you travel? Can you plan your trips between growing times or do you need someone to take care of the garden while you are gone?
I know those are a lot of questions, but I hope you have time to give your thoughts.
Great hub - much needed in this artificial world.
Hello Vocal Coach,
Thank you so much for coming by...I am soooo ready for spring too..I am so cold most days and miss the warmth of the sun already..I know when Texas heat hits I will be saying..oh i miss the cold..haha I wish you well on your spring garden..I love growing our food..it is such a wonderful thing..Take care..Happy Holidays,
Love,
Sunnie
Sunny - Your hub has motivated me so! My son and I both love gardening and raising our own food. We aren't that good at it but we get better each year. Your grandson is adorable and I love the photo. I also love your Christmas photo in your Santa hat. What fun you are!
So...winter is here and I'm already wishing it were spring. :) Can't wait to start my next garden project.
You're the best, Sunny!
vocalcoach~
Hi Jamie,
Oh I so want a goat..I want two babies..for the milk and to make cheese..it took a while to talk my husband into the chickens so I am still working on him about that. The Chickens have just started giving us eggs..I so love this lifestyle...We had so much produce last year and was so sad how the heat destroyed so much. We are going to get soaker hoses and if we have to put a garden mesh over to keep them from burning up next year..we just have too..it was so dishearting..Oh how exciting about the pineapple trees..I hope they produce soon. I have one lone Avocado tree but I didnt know I needed a mate..so it will never produce..lol It is pretty though..I think we could talk for hours about this stuff too..dont ever worry about rambling..dont get me started..haha..Thanks for stopping by..
Sunnie
I loved ,loved loved this Hub , and its right up my alley ! I grew two tomatoe plants , just a start and i yeilded more tomatoes than we could eat and i had so many in the freezer , enough for through the winter , i have squash and eggplant and cantaloupe too , i dont can but i do roll the squash in either flour or meal and put it in bags for the freezer, i cant have chickens out here because we have foxes and coyotes come up to the porch ,also deer and armadillos , in fact i have a set of twins i need to figure out what to do with , but they eat the grubs ,they are just tearing up my grass lol , i thought what the heck , they get hungry too , so i let them stay , i have the other plants on the back porch , in 5 gallon buckets. I also have two pineapple trees that are three years old , i havent yeilded from them yet but im sure that it wont be long , im hoping they dont grow anything because they die afterwards:( anyways i'll stop rambling ,but i think everyone should do this too!! YOU need to get a goat , I love the milk and its easy to strain!:)GO MRS.TEXAS!!Yayy!!
Hi Becky,
I am so glad you went it almost sounds like Bronchial Asthma..Bronchitis causing asthma symptoms..which can be very serious..I hope you will get better soon..z packs work well but it not better you may need another round..Stay hydrated! Thank you for the advice about the marigold.
Love
Sunnie
Sunnie, I was going to tell you of a natural insect repellant that my grandfather used. He would plant marigolds in his veggie garden. The smell of them drives the insects away. He would plant every other hill with marigolds. They don't take much room so don't hog the garden. They are also pretty. I haven't tried the upside down tomatoes.
I went to the Dr. yesterday. My husband insisted when I coughed so long and hard that I passed out. Lack of oxygen. Scared my son when he found me on the floor while investigating the thump he heard. The allergies gave me a sinus infection and the sinus infection caused bronchitis. I am on antibiotics. Dr. gave me a Z-pack.
Hi Sunnie, I am getting better. I ended up with a sinus infection and bronchitis. Z-pak was the tool. I passed out yesterday because I was coughing so hard, my husband insisted it was time to go to the Dr.
Hi Becky,
You know after this harsh summer and all the wasted work I am thinking more containers for next year..I am tired..and so discouraging to see all the work go down the drain..I am glad you enjoy the container garden..I think that is a wonderful thing. Have you tried the upside down tomatoes..I haven't but looks pretty cool..
Hope you are over your allergies and cold and doing better.
Hugs,
Sunnie
Hi Sunnie, was reading and noticed your comment on container gardening. I bought some really huge flower pots and grow tomatoes and herbs in them. Some herbs I grow on my windowsills all over my apartment. The tomatoes and outside herbs are on my 2 square patio. Wish I had my own place. I would grow more. I like the pots though. It is easier for my arthritic knees to weed them. Pull up a stool and sit while doing it. Saves my bad back also. I get the boys to move my pots onto the rolling wheel stands I had them make.
Hi there Forest Bear,
So happy to meet you here on hub pages. Wishing you much happiness here. I will run over to take a peak at your hub too...Thanks so much for reading..Texas heat really hurt us this year..the garden has had a hard time but will attempt a fall garden ..The produce we did get.. we were able to can and freeze for winter..My dream is to have enough to able to be self sufficient one day..Take care,
Sunnie
Nice to meet you Sunnie Day, I'm new here. I really enjoyed your hub and think it would be fantastic not to have to rely on supermarkets for fresh produce. Well done and thank you for sharing.
Good Morning,
So glad you decided to spend your morning with me. This has been my dream forever and I sometimes pinch myself that it really is here. The chickens now free range and put themselves to bed at night. I pray that you will get your little cottage with a space to have your garden soon..keep praying...I know it will happen..having container garden is a wonderful thing..one positve thing is all the time you save in weeding..that is the biggest chore for us..lol
Thanks for stopping by and appreciate you so much.
Love,
Sunnie
Well Sunnie today is my 'catch up on reading hubs day' so I thought I would look at some of yours that I have missed.
Am I glad that I did? Without a doubrt; yes !!!!
I love your home, your garden and that gorgeous little grandson of yours.
Can we move in with you please- lol-
We only have a small patio, but we do grow everything in tubs.
We have grown potatoes,peas,broad beans,runner beans,gooseberries,and strawberries.
Also herbs on my kitchem windowsill.
My wishes for my cottage and land is still as strong as ever.
Thank you so much for sharing this one and away I go to read another of yours now.
Take care
Eiddwen.
Hi Enlydia,
I have an idea. Maybe you could try some container gardens. People through out big containers and any big container would do. Just drill holes in the bottom and fill with soil. If you can get on you tube they have a lot of people that do not have any space but grow in containers. Its a thought :)
Also sprouting is a fun thing you can do on the inside and doesn't cost much. I hope to do a hub on sprouting one day. I pray your dream comes true..I would love a cabin on a hill too..I love the cabins! God Bless,
Sunnie
Hi Sunnie Day, I am proud and envious of you...I wish I had a garden, but live in a rental where most of the yard is a gravel driveway, and not much sun on the property...I long for a cabin on the hill with property enough for a large garden. I will keep dreaming.
Good Morning Dusty,
Thanks for the info. I will look it up for sure. Have a good Sunday. Looks like rain here in Texas and we need it for sure!
Sunnie
Sunnie, google emergency essentials they carry much of your needs and wants for food prep and storage to food already canned dust
I thought you were...I just knew it! hahaha..Saving seeds now I think is really important..as crazy as things have gotton, I bet before we know it they will have a garden patiol...I DID NOT JUST SAY THAT! I take it back Lord..:) I will have to look for those tubes..Will stay really fresh I bet. Can't wait for the hub..I am a pop corn lover for sure. Our corn is coming up..having alittle stubborness in my Cucumbers..not sure why..they usually are popping up by now. Everything eles is doing good. Thanks Dusty..I had fun too..Delores is a gem..Have a good night.
Sunnie
Ha Ha, I been following you two with my radar! I have purchased 3 sealed tubes, like plastic pipe with heirloom seeds. I got one and tried it they were good to go so I bought three more and have been picking seeds from the ones I grow. The corn is "pop corn" great taste and if allowed to dry hard will pop in the pot with oil. I have some in husk recipes I need to hub share.
I enjoyed the visits it was fun, thank you both, dusty
I am heading over there now and will tag him..lol..he won't know what hit him..haha
Ha, ha - I was just over thar at Dusty's hub, and was pestering about writing some more of his off grid life hubs and giving us some tips on living the simple life. If you read his hub about the dogs and the ticks, take a good look at his shirt.
Thanks Dolores,
It is getting pretty scary..I bought tomatoes earlier as ours are babies yet and they were bright red, thick green stem, but on the inside a pale pink. Tasted awful..I do know what you mean, Monsanto is a nightmare.
We are trying to save as many seeds as we can now..keep them stored well..one just doesn't know what the future holds. I love Dusty too...I would love to hear and learn more also..Lets TAG TEAM HIM! lol
Have a good day,
Sunnie
Sunnie - great hub on an important topic. I have quit buying tomatoes this winter. They have not taste. My husband grows heirloom tomatoes and they are so delicious that I am spoiled.
The whole monster corporate farming scene is terrible. They claim to be so improving our ability to feed people. If that is so, how come the cost of cereal grains rose between 40 - 60 % in the past year, as I have heard.
And as far as Monsanto attempting to forbid people to save and use the grain from their genetically modified products? It really won't matter. They have modified their grains so that the seeds, if saved, will not reproduce.
I am seeing 50's comments, (thanks for the mention, Dusty). That guy really needs to write more of his hubs on how he actually lives. The bit about increasing storage time for his stuff is so interesting.
Thank you Ursula Rose,
It is so exciting to see the fruits of your labor..I think the idea is growing more and more..backyard farms is on the rise..Thanks so much for reading.
Sunnie
Sunnie Day, reading your story was just awesome. Thanks to people such as yourself 'growing your own' is becoming popular again.
Yay for you and your family! Keep up the good work and enjoy eating the results of your hard work. :-)
Ahhhh never knew about that one..I will have to try that too. Thank you for reading, I appreciate your thoughts.
Sunnie
Enjoyed the whole story. And, of course loved the great garden pics. As for keeping bugs out of the garden... Check out non pesticides and generic 'home remedy' types. I believe it was beer in a jar lid used to keep the snails and 'rolly pollys' away years ago...I don't like to see pesticides used on edible gardens.
I am so thrilled that you will get that hoe a running..:)The movie Food Inc is worth watching for sure as well. There is so much we do not know about our food supply. Thank you so much for reading and the blessings you send..I look forward to seeing your garden as well.
Sunnie
Sunnie, You've got some hard work ahead of you with that beautiful garden. It will be worth all the effort. And to boot, your little grandson will learn the value of work and know where food comes from. You've inspired me to fire up the hoe and get going.
Your videos about the Senate bill and Food Inc were eye opening and scary at the same time. May your harvest be blessed and you too.
Thanks Dusty :),
They said to put it in like a sprayer of somekind..It sprays out I guess like a powder I think..Thank you for sending me the feeds..looking forward to reading them all. It seems to be amazing stuff for sure..
Have a great night and thanks again.
Sunnie
Sunnie, the Diatomaceous Earth, has minuscule sharp edges and points that when Mr. Bug eats it, it resembles what would happen to us if we ate shards of broken glass, so my guess is that it should work the same on bugs in or out of storage containers. How was the application on the veggie plants recommended? My hot tub as well as the canister filters for the water in my aquariums both use the dirt.
"IsadoraPandora" has some growing pointers and project ideas as well here on HP. http://hubpages.com/author/IsadoraPandora/latest/
"Delores Monet" http://hubpages.com/author/Dolores+Monet/latest/
The rss feed makes it so easy to point people to other hubs!
dusty
This is so exciting 50.. I have so much to learn..so please keep me posted on any ideas.. I also read that the
Diatomaceous Earth can be used on the veggies to detour bugs..do you know if this works well? I had planned on getting some. Will check out Delores sight too..Thanks so much.
Sunnie
I see a comment on dwarf fruit trees and flour, both good stuff. After the well came ,lemon,orange, and pear trees as I'm able to water them out side the summer monsoon season and rain barrels and buckets, that seem almost like a joke out here. I store corn and wheat in Mylar sealed bags with Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth and oxygen removers that extend shelf life to decades if done correctly, inside food grade 5 gallon buckets, with conversion lids that screw on and off. You get 70 to 80 pounds of flour from 100 pounds of corn or wheat. I learned much of my cooking skills from the Mexican women in Sonora Mexico. So I make my own flour and corn tortillas on a press I made as well. I keep a sourdough starter growing in the fridge, and "Delores Monet" here on the pages has done an article on bread making with the use of the good old cast iron "Dutch Oven" that is fantastic and works well in my smoker to make bread while cooking a meat and corn in the husk that I freeze and then toss into the bottom. I just put a full load in the smoker to not waste my firewood be it local Mesquite or Oak I've drug in here on a trailer. My grinders for flour are modern design with "burs" vs the old stone and are electric and Manuel Labor, most have forgot poor old Manuel but he's alive and well to help you wonder "how did I ever have time for a job".
A great topic that is getting better as contributors arrive, 50
So true..bread making is next on my list..and dehydrating some foods..lots to do...sprouting is also a very neat thing to do..I have done a lot of that..Thank you Mckbirdbks for reading...I would like to get some dwarf fruit trees..I had to pull up my baby lemon tree..just didn't make it this year..sniff sniff..
Sunnie
I have been gardening for a few years now. I also put in several dwarf fruit trees. And last, I picked up a used bread machine, a five pound bag of flour yields about five loaves of bread. The garden also adds a since of accomplishment.
Thanks 50..the US has been blessed but times are changing and it is going to get rough. This is just one way to help families have some control over their food source. Also it will bring families back to the homestead, working together...Thanks for reading as always, Happy Sunday,
Sunnie
Great information all should heed but sadly many don't want to hear or see. For rural growers, growing it will be easier than keeping it, join the NRA, buy some guns and do a little can plinking to be sure you can stop a feller with an idea, living in your house looks better than his. I liked the bicycle grain grinder idea. voted up a great post! 50
That sounds wonderful..I will put the coffee on, and you and you wife just mosey on over..lol
Thanks for reading Will..We have to till the corn bed yet but the last thing to do! :) Wishing you guys a great bounty this year.
Sunnie
Boy, could I ever live next door to you. We could co-op on gardens and chickens. My wife loves that sort of thing too.
And I have a great tiller! :-)
Sunnie Day Hub Author 3 months ago
Dear Naima
Thank you for stopping by. Yes it is a wonderful thing if a person is able to. Even in the city gardens are popping up on dead space that people have joined together to help the community. There is sprouting and indoor containers that can be used..It does take time.
Take care and thank you again.
Sunnie