Lock-downs, banks denying withdrawals, people lining up to buy food. We've all heard the news. And there's not much we can do about it at the moment. Except for thinking mid to long term.
We can't curse the virus to disappear this month. We can't conjure up a stable global financial market. But we can avoid not getting our hands on healthy vegetables! Canned products (preferably homemade) are great. But what about the fresh fruits and vegetables that provide you with necessary nutrients?
I think it's time to consider growing your own food.
Sure, you won't get the diversity of a grocery store, unless you're already a savvy gardener with a big plot of land. But you'll get at least some veggies to feed you up until late fall. Instead of buying new tech now, how about some dwarf fruit shrubs/trees, potting soil & pots, and seeds?
You can easily grow tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, peppers, salad, kale, etc. even on your balcony! It's not too late! At least that's what I'm doing despite being called crazy.
These are the things I'm growing on my balcony:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Cucumbers
- Kale
- Sorrel
- Valerian, St. John's Wort, Echinacea
- Raspberries, Strawberries, Currants, Blueberries
- Herbs (Sage, Oregano, Rosemary, Dill, Parsley, Mint..), Chives, Garlic & Onions
- Figs, Khaki
Also I once tried growing sweet potatoes in grow-bags, and it worked. So I might do that again, since they don't require as much care and soil as regular potatoes. Two days ago I also found a dwarf apple tree for sale... Guess what I did? Right, grabbed it because it was the last one and ran :D
This is not a post to brag about how much of a nerdy wanna be gardener I am. It just to give you an idea on what is possible. Not a big balcony where you can fit three trees and several shrubs along with a bunch of pots? Try using vertical space. There are so many articles and videos on how to get the best out of the space you have.
To be honest, in these times, where you don't know what will happen tomorrow, I'd rather get my hands dirty in the potting soil, than rely on some not-so-trustworthy authorities to make sure I can feed my family in the months to come. Especially when growing your own is more rewarding, satisfying and financially smarter.
Let me know: What do you think about growing your own food? Have you started your seeds yet? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Stay safe, and have a wonderful rest of the day - wherever you are.
xo from Germany
(PS: This post was originally published as my first post on minds. I've expanded it a bit for this re-post. Hope you don't mind.)
