It’s no secret that the cost of living is on the rise. With the average American family spending $1,200 per year on food alone, it can be difficult to keep up with rising costs without compromising quality and flavor. While organic produce may seem like a luxury for many households, it doesn’t have to be! The following article will provide you with all of the information needed to start an off-grid garden in your own backyard or other outdoor space – and we promise that this isn’t just another “do-it-yourself” project.
Finding a Proper Location
If you’re looking to start an off-grid garden that requires minimal maintenance, then your backyard is probably the best place for it! While this may seem like a no-brainer (after all, who in their right mind would want to tend to their plants when they could be relaxing instead?), there are other factors at play that you’ll want to consider before getting started.
For example, one major drawback of starting an off-grid garden in your backyard is the fact that it will require a lot more work than if you were gardening elsewhere (such as on top of your apartment building or outside city hall). This means that – while there are countless benefits to growing your own food – you may want to consider starting small and working up from there instead.
When choosing a location for your garden, it’s important that the area is flat enough so that water doesn’t pool (which could cause root rot). It should also be free of rocks or other debris as this can damage plant roots and cause disease.
When it comes to the soil itself, you’ll want to make sure that it’s well-drained, deep (at least 12 inches), loamy, nutrient-rich, and free of pests – as this will ensure your plants can grow at their best!
Make the Best Out of Space You Have
If your garden is going to be a smaller one, then this will mean that you’ll have less space for growing plants. If so, don’t worry – there are still ways in which you can maximize the amount of food you produce!
For example, many who start small gardens tend to plant their crops in long rows.
This is beneficial for two reasons: first, it allows you to produce more food with less space; and second, it makes your garden appear larger than what it actually is!
If this sounds like an appealing option to you (and if so, be sure that the soil in between each row is loosened up enough so that your plants have ample room to grow), then you’ll want to check out our post on how to plant in long rows!
Otherwise, another option you may want to consider is planting different crops together – which can also help maximize the amount of food your garden produces.
For example, planting different flowers and herbs together can attract beneficial pollinators to your garden – which will help with the growth of your plants.
If you do decide on this option, be sure to keep in mind that certain types of crops should never be planted together (such as those from the same family) – as this will likely cause disease to develop.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to save time and money while also maximizing the amount of food your garden produces!
Consider the Climate
If you’re looking to start an off-grid garden but don’t live in a particularly warm area, then it’s important that you seek out sunlight during the day.
While most plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day (with some requiring up to twelve), many can grow just fine with indirect sunlight as well.
If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s best to avoid planting seeds too early (during March or April) – as this could result in them not germinating before winter sets in again! If this is your first year growing an off-grid garden, then you may want to consider starting your plants indoors and transplanting them once the weather begins to warm up again.
If you’re looking for a way to supplement the sunlight that your garden receives during the day, then consider installing a sprinkler or two as well! This will ensure that even those plants which prefer indirect light receive enough water throughout the course of the day.
If you’re living in a particularly hot or cold area, then it’s best to consider planting heat-resistant and/or cold-resistant plants instead of the traditional ones – as this will ensure your veggies can thrive year-round!
Plan Out Your Garden Before Getting Started
When planning out your garden, it’s often easiest to start by drawing a rough sketch of what you’re looking for.
As mentioned previously, an off-grid garden can be anything from a small herb bed in the corner of your backyard to a large vegetable patch on top of city hall! As such, it’s important that you plan out the exact dimensions of your garden before getting started.
It’s also important to note that you may want to separate your plants into different categories (such as vegetables, fruits, flowers, etc.) in order to ensure that they receive enough sunlight throughout the course of a day! You can then map these groups out along with the appropriate pathways (if any) that you’ll need to navigate between them.
If the sunlight is too dim for some of your plant varieties, then consider installing additional lighting along their designated paths – as this will ensure they receive enough UV rays regardless! Just be sure not to place these lights directly above either group, as this could cause both sun damage and heat stress.
Be sure to leave a few feet of space in between your plants (so they don’t compete for the same nutrients) as well!
Watering the Plants
Water, water everywhere. If you are lucky enough to have a natural body of water located near your growing area, then consider yourself blessed! This will make watering considerably easier, but if there’s no source nearby don’t worry – it can be done with other means as well (and we’ll touch on that later).
If you do have a natural body of water nearby, then simply digging a small irrigation ditch from the edge of your garden to the nearest pond is all that’s required. If this isn’t an option, however, don’t fret – there are other options out there as well! Many people choose to use rain barrels to collect water, which can then be used for irrigation purposes (just make sure that you’re not over-watering by doing this).
If neither of these is an option, however, don’t lose hope! You may want to consider purchasing a more expensive hose with larger holes along its length. This will ensure your plants get ample water, while also conserving more of your resources.
For plants that require direct irrigation (such as melons or squash), simply burying a small bucket near the base of each plant and filling it with an adequate amount of water will do the trick! This is especially helpful for those who rely on rainwater for their water supply.
It’s important to note, however, that you may want to avoid direct watering in dry climates or during times of drought – as it can cause the plants’ roots to become too saturated and potentially kill them! If this is the case, leave a small dish under each plant instead – which will help to conserve as much water as possible.
Harvesting in Waves
When it comes to learning how to harvest in waves, this simply means that you’ll want to stagger your plantings so that – instead of harvesting all at once – you can spread out the amount of food you produce over a period of time.
For example, if you were growing beets then one option you may want to consider is planting them near other vegetables that can be harvested later (such as carrots).
Staggering your plantings will allow you to harvest the first crop of beets while also giving time for more beets to grow – so that you’ll still have some available even after they’ve all been picked.
This is beneficial for several reasons: first, it allows you to harvest the food at its peak ripeness; second, it ensures that you won’t have too much fresh produce available all at once (which can cause some of your plants to rot before they’re eaten); and third, staggering your plantings prevents any one type of plant from taking over your garden (which can be problematic if it’s not what you prefer to eat).
FAQ
What is at Survival Garden?
A survival garden is a type of garden that’s specifically designed to be as self-sufficient as possible – which means it’ll produce food, water, and even medicine.
Not only does this make them perfect for those who want to become more prepared in case an emergency occurs (such as a natural disaster, power outage, or even a zombie apocalypse), but it also makes them great for those who simply want to become more self-sufficient in general.
What is the Easiest Vegetable to Grow?
When it comes to the easiest vegetable to grow, this will depend on what climate you live in (as well as where your garden is located) – and also what plants are most likely to thrive.
For example, since tomatoes need an abundance of sunlight, they may not do so well with a north-facing garden.
Can You Live Off Your Own Garden?
Whether or not you can live completely off your own garden will depend on several factors – including how large of a garden you have, what types of plants are being grown, and where the food is being stored.