Grow Your Own Food to Fight Inflation and Food Insecurity

We hear a lot about the future of technology these days. Especially as it pertains to artificial intelligence.

But when it comes to food, the future may be directly tied to the past. Many people are starting to do what Americans did prior to the industrial revolution – grow their own food.

Why? Because food insecurity is becoming more of a problem all over the world, including in the U.S. And inflation has surpassed incomes, with food costs spiraling out of control.

The best way to protect against food insecurity is to plant, nurture, harvest, and eat fresh, nutritious foods.

Superior Taste & Longevity

Many Americans are growing crops in their own backyard gardens. When that's impossible for one reason or another, they rent a space in a community garden close to home.

Their garden crops produce vegetables and fruits they can eat during the spring, summer, and fall. And when they can grow enough, they freeze the remainder for the winter.

Now, obviously they can't grow every food item they need or want. But now they spend far less time and money at the grocery store.

And because that food does not have to travel from a farm to a store, and doesn't sit around waiting to be displayed, and doesn't remain on display in that store until it's purchased, the taste, longevity, and nutritional value are superior.

Overcoming Roadblocks

Before getting into the nitty gritty of growing your own survival garden, I want to mention a few obstacles you may need to overcome.

First is pests. Bugs are an issue for most gardeners. If pests destroy your survival garden, your work will have been in vain. You want to stock up on products you'll need to keep your garden pest-free.

Animals can also be considered pests, but now we're talking about those with fur. Depending on where you live, deer, rabbits, squirrels, and other animals will appreciate the fine dining they can do at your expense if you don't keep them out with fencing or an electronic deterrent.

Weather can also be a huge obstacle. You never know when a severe storm, flooding, or drought may occur. But by studying your area's weather history, you can determine when the best times are to plant and harvest.

Another issue might be soil quality. Again, this will differ considerably depending on where you live. But if your soil is not healthy, churn it up to a depth of 6-8 inches. Add 4-6 inches of organic matter such as peat moss or compost, blending it with your soil. 

Seed Selection & Planting Know-How 

An extremely important component of growing your survival garden is choosing seeds to plant and knowing how to plant them.

You should acquire only the highest quality heirloom seeds for your garden. They should be 100% non-genetically modified, open-pollinated, and placed in sealed packets to allow for long-term storage. They can be grown, harvested, and replanted endlessly.

One way to do this is buying a pre-made seed vault from a reputable seller. Those seeds will have varieties that are zone-friendly to most growing regions. 

You could also visit local seed sellers, including farmers markets, farm stands, nurseries, or garden centers. Or you could buy through seed catalogs offered by companies that have been around for a significant amount of time.

A Handful of  Planting & Harvesting Tips

Here are a few tips for seed planting and harvesting.

• Plant different bean seeds far away from each other to avoid cross-pollination.
• Collecting corn seeds: Closely examine the plant & the ears of corn. Choose the best ears from the earliest-bearing plants.
•   With eggplant, when the fruit turns from firm and glossy to dull and somewhat puckered, the seed is ready to harvest.
• Collect & store melon seeds when melons are ripe enough to eat.
• Harvest the strongest pea plants for seeds. Wait until pods are ripest to collect seeds.
• Let peppers ripen beyond the eating stage before collecting their seeds, which will be ready when the fruit is no longer green.
• When spinach leaves turn yellow, the seeds are nearly mature. The leafiest plants should be chosen for seed saving.
• Squash seed is usually collected around the same time of the first fall frost. Allow the seeds to dry for two weeks.
• Harvest tomato seeds when the fruits are fully ripe. 
• Carrot seeds should be harvested when they turn brown in the early fall. 

We're just scratching the surface here as far as growing your own food is concerned. There's much more you can learn through research. 

The important thing is to get started on it now while the weather is good. You'll be able to grow nutritious vegetables and fruits that you can enjoy this fall, and perhaps you can store some for winter months as well.

Happy gardening!