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6 Things to Know Before You Start Growing Your Own Food

By
Real Estate Agent with John Roberts Realty

6 Things to Know Before You Start Growing Your Own Food

With a little bit of knowledge and a lot of patience you can grow your own food. I have fond memories of going to my Grandparents house and picking fresh food from the garden to eat for dinner. Here are some great tips for growing your own food:

 

1. Anyone Can Grow Food

If you don’t have a big, sunny backyard, take heart: You can still grow food. A balcony or even a windowsill will work. If your space is shady, most salad greens, and even blueberries, can grow well.

 

2. Start Small

Gardening is a skill that takes time to learn. If you’re new to growing food, start with just a few potted herbs or one raised bed. Embrace mistakes and don’t beat yourself up if you lose a crop to slugs. Gardening is a forgiving practice: You can always begin again.

3. Good Soil is Key

Don’t expect results from your yard’s existing soil. To grow vegetables, you need rich soil with lots of nutrients.

Before planting anything, get the best soil you can find, preferably organic. If you’re working with a full-size yard, find a soil supplier in your area and arrange a delivery. For container gardens, you’ll want a good-quality potting mix.

To keep your soil fertile year after year, you’ll need to add compost every spring.

4. Gardening Takes Time

You can’t just plant seeds once at the beginning of the year and walk away. Gardens thrive with weekly planting, thinning, weeding, harvesting and pruning, and may need to be watered as often as twice a day if you’re in a hot climate. When planning your garden, take your schedule into account. A full backyard may need up to 10 hours of work a week, while a small balcony can get by with only a couple of hours.

5. You Still Have to Wash Your Vegetables

Even when your crops are pesticide-free, it’s important to wash them thoroughly to remove soil, bacteria and parasites.  A big salad spinner will be your best friend

6. You Can Grow a Lot of Food

With just six 8-by-4-foot raised beds in a sunny backyard, you can easily feed a family of four all the kale, tomatoes, carrots and greens you could possibly eat without having to go to the store, plus enough extras to freeze or can for the winter. If your space is smaller, a collection of medium-size planter boxes can keep you supplied with the salads you need.

The benefits of gardening are immense. Growing food is a fascinating hobby, an effective stress reliever and a surprisingly good workout — just watch your back when it comes to digging. Growing a significant portion of the vegetables your family eats, or even all your vegetables, is more attainable than most people realize. By starting small, setting aside time each week for garden maintenance and not getting discouraged if things don’t go perfectly, you’ll be well on your way to garden success.

 

I love real estate there is no greater feeling than seeing your customer's happy!!!

 

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Pat Champion
Coldwell Banker/Camelot Realty
352-516-7020
1898 N. Donnelly Street
Mount Dora, FL32757
email:patwchampion@yahoo.com

My website: http://patwchampion.mfr.mlsmatrix.com

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For Winning results call the “CHAMPION” for all your Real Estate Needs

Comments (18)

Ronald Curtis
Sapphire Associates - West Palm Beach, FL
Negotiating the best price and terms for my Buyers

I had a "Victory Garden" from 1942 to 1944, and it was great fun. Was able to sell carrots, radishes, lettuce, and peppers to local vendors. Needless to say it was a different time, and everyone was tolally involved in the war effort. Hopefully, we will prevail over the virus as we did over the Axis.

Apr 14, 2020 03:09 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is timely advice to share. I wish I had better gardening skills.

Apr 15, 2020 07:15 AM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Ronald, thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a great afternoon

Apr 16, 2020 01:37 PM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Roy, gardening takes a lot of time and patience. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a great afternoon.

Apr 16, 2020 01:38 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Pat, this is the time of year I REALLY miss my garden at the old house.   I have several pots to do urban gardening, but sort of not the same thing.  Great information for those wanting to get a garden going.

Apr 16, 2020 04:36 PM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Joan, I find that gardening is a great way to relieve stress. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy your weekend.

Apr 17, 2020 09:26 AM
Curtis Van Carter
Better Homes & Gardens Wine Country Group - Yountville, CA
Your Napa Valley Broker Extraordinaire

Pat

Not something I choose to do. However, if the current produce scarcity continues here in the Bay Are, who knows. cheers cvc

Apr 17, 2020 12:05 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Pat Champion - A nice refresher for those of us who are contemplating a little gardening time! I like the way the growing sections are set up.  I have a sloping back yard and have to figure the best method to keep the critters out. 

Apr 20, 2020 06:15 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Gardening is soaring right now, for a variety of reasons. I hope folks continue their interest into next Spring too. We love to garden and it brings us pleasure and great food. Plus, we love to share. 

Apr 20, 2020 07:34 AM
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Thanks for these great tips for having your own Garden! This post is a good reblog !

Apr 21, 2020 06:03 AM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Curtis, I understand. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a great afternoon.

Apr 23, 2020 09:30 AM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Sheri, We have the same problem in my market area the critters. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a great afternoon.

Apr 23, 2020 09:31 AM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Debb, My Dad always loved gardening it was a way for him to relax. I think if more people start doing ti they will like it.

Apr 23, 2020 09:33 AM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Michael, Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a great afternoon.

Apr 23, 2020 09:36 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Pat,  Growing a garden was always fun growing up but now I pass on it and only grow flowers.

 

Apr 24, 2020 12:12 PM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Will, I too love flowers. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have a great afternoon;l

Apr 30, 2020 01:39 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks, Pat, for your comment on my recent post.

Have a very special weekend.

May 02, 2020 08:49 AM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Roy, Your welcome. Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by.

May 05, 2020 09:35 AM