How to Grow a Year’s Worth of Food
How to Grow a Year’s Worth of Food
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Many families with kitchen gardens have told me they’re ready to move beyond growing a little of this and a little of that. They’re excited to take a deeper dive, figure out what their family eats in a year, and start replacing those grocery-store vegetables with homegrown goodness. Sound familiar? Let’s get started!
Know What to Grow
To replace grocery store purchases with homegrown food, start by deciding how much of a specific vegetable your family uses annually. You’ll also need a plan for preserving it for year-round use. I’ve been doing this for years—thanks to lessons from my mom—and I’ve packed all my expertise into my 90-Day Kitchen Garden Coaching Program and some great tips in my Quick Start Kitchen Garden Workbook. This handy guide includes everything you need to create a garden plan and calculate how much to grow for your household. This handy guide includes everything you need to create a garden plan and calculate how much to grow for your household.
Why Grow a Year’s Worth of One Vegetable?
Here are a few fantastic reasons to focus on one vegetable at a time:
Save Money: Focus on what your family eats most to see real savings on your grocery bill. For example, my family loves leafy greens. We grow, harvest, and freeze our greens for soups, stir-fries, and more, saving money while enjoying fresh, nutrient-rich produce year-round!
Boost Nutrition: Freshly harvested vegetables are healthier since they maintain their nutrients when eaten shortly after picking.
Develop Your Skills: Growing and preserving enough of one vegetable for a year helps you master both gardening and food preservation techniques.
How Much Should You Grow?
To help you plan, here’s an estimate of how much to grow per person for five popular vegetables:
These amounts are estimates and can vary based on eating habits, preservation methods, and plant yields.
To calculate for your family, start with your weekly consumption:
Track Usage: Note how much of each vegetable your family eats in a typical week.
Multiply by 52: This gives you an annual total.
Determine Yield: Research the average yield per plant or row space for each vegetable. Adjust based on your chosen varieties.
If you’d like personalized help, I’m available for Kitchen Garden Consultations to create a custom plan that fits your family’s needs, space, aesthetics, and goals.
Practical Tips for Success
Pick a Vegetable That Suits Your Climate: Choose something that thrives where you live. Not every vegetable grows well in every area, so picking the right one is crucial.
Understand Your Family’s Needs: Make sure you’re growing something your family loves to eat! No point in growing extra tomatoes if you’re not a fan.
Consider Your Space: Don’t let limited room stop you! Even small spaces, like a sunny balcony, can grow enough herbs or greens for year-round use.
Choose High-Yield Vegetables: Prioritize plants that produce a lot, such as beans, tomatoes, or greens, especially if your space is limited. Vertical gardening is a great option for maximizing small areas.
Don’t Get Overwhelmed – Start Small
The best way to build your confidence is to start with one vegetable. Once you’ve mastered that, add another the following year. Progress at your own pace—it’s about sustainability, not stress!
Whether you’re new to gardening or ready to fine-tune your skills, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. If you need help tailoring your garden to your family’s unique needs, I’m available for Kitchen Garden Consultations and Planning Sessions. Together, we’ll make your garden both practical and abundant!
With the right focus, planning, and support, you’ll be amazed at how much food you can grow—and the empowerment that comes with it. Let’s plant the seeds for your success! 🌱
Live Well Daily
Dr. Omilade
Ayurban Wellness
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