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Infographic: Home gardening in the U.S.
As more and more Americans grow their own fruits and vegetables, MNN digs up some dirt on this DIY food revolution.
Mon, Jun 06 2011 at 10:55 AM
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I think what the infographic meant is that households spend $70 in supplies: seeds, shovels, gloves, soil...
It doesn't factor in time spent, but if you are gardening in your spare time, time that you would be using to surf the internet or watch TV, it's really a gain, not a loss. That money could be reduced if you keep seeds from previous years and compost throughout the year.
I have been gardening since I was old enough to help my mother carry veggies to the house. I am certain that teh $ amount is off here for the value of the grown in the garden stuff.......Garden grown is SOOOO much better and therefore worth more than "store bought". I too, use newspapers as mulch and it does an awesome job of weed control and moisture control and is environmentally responsible as well. DO NOT USE STRAW! You will fight weeds for years......Lesson learned the hard way!
You're like my grandfather and father, bixbygretta -- but don't fertilize with newspaper. That's toxic trash, not what mother nature is looking for.
Even black & white newspapers have black ink, and the common color advertising sections have any number of inks. The primary purpose of those inks is to be cheap, vibrant, and fast drying. They are not intended to be eaten!
The way to recycle newspaper is to turn it into other newspaper. Or paper towels, etc.
It's so great to see so many people gardening here in Missouri! I have been growing veggies and fruits for the past 4 years. This year I'm doing it mainly at a friends house because I've been living in an apartment. I also have a big container garden on the patio and will be moving soon to FIVE ACRES so I can garden away!!
this year i built 2 raised bed gardens & had it planted with tomatoes, cukes, 2 types of sweet peppers, peas, pole beans and squash. (just finished that).
last year i tore out the landscaping in my front yard & put in 4 strains of blueberries, strawberries, grapes, blackberries and gooseberries. so far i am very satisfied & happy with the results of my labor of love and dirty hands :)
I'm very much interested in growing berries in my backyard. Please give some easy tips regarding soil preparation, temperature, watering etc. at martin.zim2004@gmail.com. Thanks and regards, martin
I hear that the feds are going to put the kibosh on growing your own vegies. If they catch you giving away vegies to your neighbors they can charge you with treason under Homeland Security.
I regret that I have but one life to give for my garden fresh vegetables.
this sound like a conspiracy theory, and can, potencionaly, scare people to do something good
No they can't charge you with treason. They are attempting to tax home gardening - and in reality anything else you do for yourself; For instance, if you're a plumber and do you're own plumbing. the govt wants to require you pay a tax on the value of the work done. Same for growing your own food etc. Big Brother is getting out of control
Show us where this claim is located in any Federal Code, copy and paste for all to see. I don't buy it.
Why is there always that one person who has to clarify that vegetables are FRUITS?
Many of our "veggies" (tomatoes, cukes, squash) *are*, botanically speaking, fruits. However, in culinary terms, as most of speak, they are vegetables. Botanically, when a plant produces something to carry its seed, it is a "fruit." Touche', you win. But, in the everyday world of the average gardener/cook, they are vegetables. Please, give it a rest.
You left the Upper Peninsula of Michigan off your map. Jeez oh man!
They should have left off the entire state of Michigan, cuz we're from O-HI-O!
Oh no don't go there, lol. "Go State". :-)
Because it is hard to play catch with your son in a vegetable garden.
Do some research on bacon on www.westonaprice.org and you will be thrilled to eat BLT's not on only guilt-free, but knowing you are doing something good for your body. Not all bacon is created equal, however. Find some bacon from pastured pigs.
Forget the percentages, yield, money saving-- it's not that much! It's the joy of growing something-- just like our ancestors. Everyone should know how to grow something. It's ingrown in our souls. It's antidepressants in the dirt. It's relief from the world. That's what gardening is
We have 60 sq feet, including paths. We grow fancy hot garlic, and tomatoes, basil, red onions, and more tomatoes! We let the pros grow the squashes and the corn. It's about density, for a small garden. Just grow those foods that take less land per fruit, are most expensive, and/or most delicious.
I agree, it's not just saving money, but a lot of what I grow, even tomatoes and peppers, are getting so expensive I consider them a luxury purchase and seldom buy them - but in late summer and fall, I indulge in them, and share with family and friends, and fill a chest freezer for healthy food till next summer. Yes, it's a big garden, but since I retired, I can take care of it. "Antidepressant" - absolutely.
:))
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