The idea of Backyard Grocer is to connect people interested in growing food. To exchange information, ideas, questions, experiences and knowledge. We want to support and encourage better health, taste, affordability, and sustainability through growing food.
We’ve been experimenting with organic gardening and hoping to improve on it each year. We started out with an area of the back yard and sowed seed directly into the tilled soil. The next year we covered the area with plastic and added stepping stones. The next season came the hoophouse. We now have a self-constructed greenhouse and outdoor planters. Our composting system is also evolving.
I’ve become more appreciative of how long it takes to create the veggies I can more quickly go buy at the store. After having grown most of our produce in the summer, and surprisingly increasing amounts of food even in the winter, I definitely prefer growing it myself. It is so nice to now have lettuce growing year round in the greenhouse. It has also been great figuring out that we can have some other plants like parsley year round.
It’s great to have easy access to some of the groceries on the list. Walking out the back door is definitely easier than going to the store. I also like having more control over what goes into growing the food I eat, and working to keep it organic and nutrition.
The noticeable increased flavor of fresh produce continues to amaze me. I’ve been spoiled by the taste of fresh baby greens. Grocery store lettuce tastes different to me now.
I like starting plants from seed. I also like that it’s an economical way to do things. For the price of a plant you can have a packet of seeds and potential seasons of eating. Starting plants from seed is definitely a less expensive way to have organic produce. I”m looking forward to the compost we’ve been collecting all year being ready for use. It ‘s nice to be able to recycle any part of the plants we’re not eating into the compost pile!
The final step, (when Grant is cooking) is a gourmet meal made from organic produce from the backyard!
Our garden is a progression, and we hope to keep improving on it. Welcome!
