Plant a garden and build a budget

[albertagirl1]

According to the latest edition of Food Price Watch, the World Bank's food price index was up by 15% between October 2010 and January 2011, is 29% above its level a year earlier, and only 3% below its 2008 peak.

Wheat prices have seen the most pronounced increases, doubling between June last year and January 2011, while maize prices were up 73%.

Pasta , flour and bread (BEER!) prices will rise this summer.. and if fuel goes to $1.40/ litre.. I do not see fresh fruits being on sale. With weather and storms the crops will be few and far between.. not to mention the cost to get that produce up here.
I think I will be planting some veggies this summer and buying my pasta now before it goes up. I am lucky to live in the greenhouse capital of Canada.. but don't think my family will like living on cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers all summer.

[dealsniffer]

interesting but it is hard to predict weather at any time so you can't really say that storms will destroy crops yet before the snow has even melted. just saying. last year was a very bad year for us in central Alberta in terms of flooding and our little crop of potatoes almost all died. we normally grow enough to last us till about February and some extra to donate as well but we didn't have enough to last a month. but it doesn't mean it will happen again this year but I suppose it is good to plan for the worst and then be prepared.

[albertagirl1]

by storms I meant the ones already happening in the southern states. crops such as oranges and grapes (for example) are not doing well.
As for wheat etc.. they are short from last year and now the winter wheat crops did not all get into the ground last year.. and the projected and almost probable flooding and wet fields this spring will delay the spring planting.
I think this is the scenario they are looking at when making these projections.

[Mia001]

you can also plant beans and peas....and freeze them ....

[avoncallingu]

Thank-you, I appreciate your analysis. I've been saying, rather jokingly, that we can always survive the recession if we can grow food and raise chickens! This is the kind of thing that can help the everyday person cope with changing prices. Pasta keeps and usually veggies grow. Maybe I'll give it a try!

[Judstir]

Even roof top and patio gardening is becoming popular in the cities. People grow veggies in huge planters and pots. You can grow everything pretty much in containers and a little dirt and water. I grew all the tomatoes I could use last summer in pots. Going to try other things this year. Happy Gardening everyone!

[albertagirl1]

I grow peas and beans in pots on my deck. I love the greenery.. but HATE bees that come with flowers.. this is win win.. I get greenery and veggies.. and not that many bees

[TrueNorthTreasures]

Great thread. I think growing some of our own food - even a little bit - is becoming increasingly important. Some of the issues mentioned by Albertagirl1 are part of what motivated me to start gardening, in particular with heirloom (non modified) seeds.

If you're a gardener, you might wish to visit my blog and enter one of my current contests (10 packets of heirloom seeds from Salt Spring Seeds). There are some amazing articles on the Salt Spring Seeds site, too. (I highly recommend the articles re: the politics of seed saving).

[tidytaurus]

I also agree growing our own food, and although shhhhh I live in the city, having a few chickens for fresh eggs. If dh would let me I would even have a goat but he thinks neighbors would be upset. We had a rough gardening year last year but I still managed to freeze enough peas and beans to last until now and I have home canned tomatoes/pickles and jams left as well. Already planning for this years garden with create ideas how/where to plant items that will require covering (hail). All we need is some actual summer sunshine and warmth so everything will grow. Happy Growing everyone!!

[dealsniffer]

oh I see what you mean Albertagirl-thanks for clarifying! yes growing our own food is a good idea even if it is just a little bit. Tomatoes grow well in pots and you can move them inside overnight when it starts freezing so they last longer. if they are in the ground you have to cover them which doesn't always guarantee them not freezing. we tried carrots in pots but the year we tried them it didn't work but I am thinking it was also the weather. I hear that you can grow potatoes in pots as well but have never tried it. depending on what veggies you are growing-some can grow ok indoors but you do have to pollunate the flowers yourself then. I mentioned on another thread about roof top gardening and I think that is a really good idea because the plants will help with the pollution as well. maybe not alot but some. I do hope the weather is better this year! last year was not good.

[dealsniffer]

oh I almost forgot-if you grow your own food then you can control chemicals and stuff that go on them. you can grow organic if you want or you can use fertilizer and you know what has been used and you can be sure it is safe to eat. you never really know where the fruit and veggies have been from the store or what has been sprayed on them.

[countrygal_98]

What a great thread. I think it's great to grow at least some of your own food. I live in the country again but even when I was in the big city there was someplace in the back yard to grow a few things.
I have heard that when growning potatoes in pots you have to keep topping up the soil as the greenery grows. I haven't tried this yet.
There is a spray you can buy to set tomato flowers and I have had good luck with it.

[TrueNorthTreasures]

I have heard that when growning potatoes in pots you have to keep topping up the soil as the greenery grows. I haven't tried this yet.

Yes! I haven't tried this yet, but my parents used to grow potatoes in the garden like this, using clean, dry straw. The potatoes came out clean and best of all, no digging! Very easy to harvest.

You can do the same thing with a large Rubbermaid container or garbage can. Several inches of dirt or potting soil in the bottom (don't forget to stab a few drainage holes in the bottom first), place your potato "seeds" on the bottom, cover with a thick layer of clean straw. As the greenery shows, add more straw. Simple! Later, the straw can be composted or used as mulch on hedges or the garden. I am going to try it this summer.

There are lots of videos and articles online that give a more detailed explanation of how to do this, but that's it, in a nutshell.

[TrueNorthTreasures]

I mentioned on another thread about roof top gardening and I think that is a really good idea because the plants will help with the pollution as well. maybe not alot but some.

Downtown Halifax....this rooftop garden supplies all the herbs and some of the veggies that Ryan Duffy's (popular restaurant) uses...

http://can-restaurantnews.com/conten..._rooftop.shtml

http://www.halifaxwestnews.ca/photo/...ctivity-652415

.

[TrueNorthTreasures]

Last day to enter my heirloom seed contest!