How to Feed Your Family Cheap

Now is the time to tighten your belt and buckle down for what may be the most trying time in recent history. The good news is history has shown us that we become better organized and more efficient when the chips are down. These are a few tips to help you keep groceries on the table while the economy slump continues.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ingenuity
• Hard work
• Soil
• Seed or plants
• Patience

1. 

   You may have heard that you need an acre of ground or more to grow enough food for a family of four. Well as many people are finding out this is simply not true. A family in California is growing 6000 pounds of food per year on a quarter of an acre! The first thing you must do is choose where you will plant your food.

2. 

   Make a list of all the fresh vegetables your family enjoys. This list will tell you what and more importantly when you will need to start planting. If this is your first garden experiment you might want to go small at first with just a few of your favorite things.

3. 

   Tomato's and lettuce are two of the easiest grown plants in the vegetable world. Tomato's are best started from plants, especially if you are getting a late start, and lettuce grows rapidly. Besides with just these two you have the start of a great tossed salad!

4. 

   Take a trip to the garden center of your local retailer. This is the time of year they begin putting out seed and seedlings. Check the packaging for planting times for your geographical area. Comparing planting times to your list of favorites begin choosing seed and plants.

5. 

   Water, fertilize and watch over your garden. Some plants will need constant care and others will flourish with little attention. The end result will be fresh vegetables to can or freeze and a much smaller grocery bill to boot!

Tips & Warnings

• Carefully note the needs of the specific plants you choose. Some will need lots of sun and some will grow better in the shade
• Weeding is the most tedious part of this foray, however it can be an opportunity to spend time with children
• This is not an overnight answer, growing food will take time and preparation
• Wash your vegetables well before eating particularly if you use pesticides

[astrialkil]

on 11/22/2009 This article LOOKS very nice.
It doesn't tell me anything I didn't already know.
It doesn't tell HOW to grow vegetables, it just recommends that U do.

[tikrit01]

on 3/14/2009 Good advice!

[Mitestarossa]

on 3/11/2009 Great tips. 5 Stars.

[DenaEBolton]

on 3/2/2009 I am all about gardens! I have a very small veggie garden each year