There is a food crisis sweeping the globe. This crisis is caused by rising food prices, rising prices of synthetic fertilizer, poor food distribution and adverse weather conditions in areas of high food production. Residents in poor nations who subsist mostly upon unprocessed foods are being hit the hardest, but effects can be felt in highly developed nations such as the United States. The price of fresh produce is increasing quickly. Tomatoes, in particular have experienced price increases over the past few years.

One way to help decrease the effects of food price increases and be self-supporting in the event of a catastrophic food shortage is to start a kitchen garden, or vegetable garden. There are ways that producing your own food can be much more costly, but it is possible to raise food cost-effectively. Preparing the garden, using resistant varieties and natural fertilizer will help you grow more produce than you thought you could produce!

Preparing the Garden

The key to preparing a garden that will produce fruits and vegetables in a cost effective manner is quality preparation before planting. A garden of 15 feet by 15 feet can provide enough produce for a family of four to eat while in season, plus produce enough for canning.

Soil Preparation

For plants to grow well, they need to have good soil. If building a new garden, prepare the area by mixing a compost/topsoil blend with your existing soil. While this might seem like a large expense in the beginning, it will pay off in the long run because you will not spend as much money on soil amendments in the future.

Garden Fencing

If you live in an area with deer and rodent problems, put up a minimum ten foot tall fence that is angled slightly outward. If possible, bury the fence at least 18 inches into the ground. A fence is the cheapest, and easiest method of large pest control.

Water Source

Drip irrigation is the most cost-effective, time-conservative type of plant watering. Drip irrigation puts the water where the plant needs it. It is less wasteful than regular sprinklers because it waters only near the plant. It also helps some weed prevention because bare soil with lots of weed seeds is not watered-thus preventing some sprouting issues. If drip irrigation is cost-prohibitive, install hose hookup points around the garden so that you can easily hand-water the plants.

Selecting the Plants

After the garden plot is prepared, select plants that are well adapted to your growing climate. If your goal is affordable produce, this is essential.

Disease Resistance

Heirloom vegetables are yummy. Disease resistant vegetables are cost-effective because you will spend less money on pest control mechanisms. Whenever possible, buy varieties that are resistant to common insects, viruses, bacterial and fungal problems in your area.

Companion Plants

Select plants that help each other. Planting tomatoes next to cabbage works well because the same insects are not attracted to each. A colorful border of marigolds helps keep many pests away and adds color to the garden. Planting peas next to plants requiring a lot of nitrogen, such as corn, provides natural fertilizer. Onions and leeks are good companions for potatoes because the onions are not tasty to potato bugs.

Following these helpful steps will allow you to produce literally tons of food to feed your family and preserve for the winter, or for use if food prices rise beyond your reach.

By: Christopher A. Williams

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food gardening