InfoSearched
Published -
- May 2, 2020
- 6:01 pm
SURVIVAL TIPS
How much to plant per person for a year’s worth of food and answering how to decide how much food to grow for your family.
What are some of the benefits of growing your food, and how does planting for a year’s worth of food promote sustainable living?
Plant for a Year’s Worth of Food: A Step Towards Sustainable Living
In today’s fast-paced world, we have increasingly reduced our reliance on the natural environment for our basic needs. The advent of supermarkets and modern lifestyle, packed with processed foods and unsustainable practices, has distanced us from the natural world. However, the recent pandemic has encouraged people to think more seriously about a sustainable life that entails growing their food. Being self-sufficient in food production has been a part of traditional wisdom and now it is time to revive and implement this knowledge of growing one’s food. With a little planning, anyone can plant for a year’s worth of food, and in doing so, they can take a step towards a healthier, sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle.
To plant for a year’s worth of food, the first step is to choose the right plants. Planning a vegetable garden by considering the available space and climate is important. One must grow vegetables that can survive in their unique climatic zone. For example, carrots, onions, and potatoes are ideal for cool weather, while tomatoes, beans, and peppers do much better in warm weather. It helps in identifying the season when crops need to be planted and harvested. A diverse mix of crops would ensure that there is a constant supply of fresh vegetables throughout the year. It also helps to reduce soil-borne diseases and pests from taking over the land.
The next step is choosing the right soil. The ideal soil that supports vegetable growth should be loamy and fertile, with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Adding organic matter in the soil through composting, fertilizers, and manure is critical as it helps in retaining moisture, increasing soil microbes, and nutrients. Proper irrigation is also necessary for good plant growth, and it helps to add mulch, such as hay and straw, to the garden to maintain nutrient-rich and moist soil.
Growing a sustainable vegetable garden is a process that requires four fundamental principles:
1. Start small: Choose the plants that you enjoy eating and work on a smaller scale, expanding gradually.
2. Increase productivity and health: Growing vegetables in small spaces such as patios, rooftops, or balconies adds beauty and health to your surroundings.
3. Practice Composting: Regular composting with kitchen waste or yard clippings of grass and leaves will reduce the amount of waste going into landfills, and it also recycles nutrients back into the soil.
4. Perennial crops: Consider cultivating a few perennial vegetables like asparagus or rhubarb, which can greatly reduce the work involved each year.
Finally, one must consider the ecological implications of their food choices. Choosing to plant and grow our food can drastically reduce the carbon footprint of our diets. It also promotes biodiversity, soil health and positively impacts the natural environment as it deals with sustainable practices to grow food.
In conclusion, planting a year’s worth of food is an excellent way to adopt a sustainable lifestyle that enhances food security, natural growing practices, and reduces our impact on the environment. It is not only practical, but it can also be a fun way to learn about food and nutrition. One should start slowly and gradually increase their productivity while keeping in mind the essentials to provide nature with natural resources to grow. The results of yearly food supplies and healthier living will make the experience rewarding and fulfilling.
