Anybody here into self-sufficent food growing/Sustainable growing? - General Gardening - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

Cascadia · 12-05-2008, 03:25 AM

Hey there! I was just currious if there were any folks out there interested in the subject of growing all or a high percentage of your own food?
When I was a kid, I worked for a vegetarian hippy couple who grew about 75% of all their food, they had fruit trees, berries, and a variety of veggie crops. I was always so inspired by the idea of growing the bulk of my food. They had a home buisiness that occupied lots of their time, so they used me to help with what they couldn't do.

My father had aspired to this as well in his earlier years, but he just couldn't get it done. Now I am trying for myself. Last summer I moved onto a piece of land in the Coastal mountains of far northern California, I'm far enough inland that I have a great fog free summer, but not far enough to get much of any snow. Its my hope that I can homested on this land(its paid for), and rely lightly on the outside world.

I planted Garlic and Fava beans to over winter, and am planing a large summer garden. I have also ordered Amaranth, Quinoa, and Millet seeds. I intend to grow lots of Potatoes, Squash, and other good keeping crops for winter eating, along with plenty of veggies for caning.

Anyways, just currious if other like minded folks lurk here?

Cascadia · 12-05-2008, 03:33 AM

Yeah, and I'm also putting in a large fruit orchard this winter, lots of holes to dig!

12-06-2008, 07:55 PM

I own a produce company, and I only have to buy some fruits and protein, from the grocery.

I just got done running a bunch of greens and lettuces. I also had a load of carrots and radishes going.

yesIah garvey · 12-06-2008, 09:04 PM

started out in restaurants, been working in organic farming for a few years now

with my wife, on our trail of apprenticeships we've worked so far with vegetable, flower and fruit stand, grass-based meat and dairy making, apples, bread, preserves, shellfish harvesting, poultry, herbs, and, ganja!

the last few seasons been getting real excited about biodynamic approach- mostly because of how it emphasizes the spiritual aspects of gardening

best 2 you!

Cascadia · 12-07-2008, 01:38 AM

Very nice guys!

My wife and I did the move here in July this year(from the Puget sound area), we were looking for a quieter place to start a family. First we had a home built, and then I started getting firewood put up, and prepared ground for a overwintering crop. I had intended on getting a outdoor Cannabis crop in, but I had no time this year, damn!

Anyways, my next project is to get some chickens going, I'll need the manure for fertiliser, and the eggs and meat will give us a great protein supply. I'm thinking I'll get some milk goats, and some Boar goats for red meat.

I'm also going to experiment with a variety of grains, especialy ones that are gluten free(my wife has a gluten allergy), I'll try to find a couple that do well in my new climate.

Work is slow right now, so I've got some time to get work done.

12-07-2008, 03:01 PM

Gets some pigs to. Two words...... CRISP BACON !

Cascadia · 12-08-2008, 01:18 AM

Yeah, the thought of pigs has crossed my mind, but I'm trying to cut down on things consumed that I didn't grow, and I'm assuming I'd be buying lots of corn for the pigs. Perhaps I could try growing the corn I suppose, the problem is it requires a huge ammount of fertiliser and water(compared to other grains), which are problems I suppose I can overcome eventually.

I'd like to grow a few pigs a year, just to have the variety, goat and chicken might get old after a while, LOL!

yesIah garvey · 12-08-2008, 02:28 AM

pigs goats and chickens are all in their own way champion foragers; pigs are great at processing lots of less-desirable foodstuffs on the homestead. so you shouldn't need anything so specific as corn for a hog, tho it would do well eating the stalks...

jaykush · 12-08-2008, 05:32 PM

i grow a lot of my own food, and i grow and make all my own fertilizers. nothing like eating for free via nature

Skrappie · 12-09-2008, 01:25 AM

if you have, or will get a pound, think ducks, you hardly have to look after them
quail are a nice chicken substitute for meat and eggs.

Get into vertical growing, even if you have all the land you could want, its easier looking after melons and cukes when they are not on the ground. lest pest also.

12-05-2008, 03:25 AM	#1
Cascadia Living in the land of Giants Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 147	Anybody here into self-sufficent food growing/Sustainable growing? Hey there! I was just currious if there were any folks out there interested in the subject of growing all or a high percentage of your own food? When I was a kid, I worked for a vegetarian hippy couple who grew about 75% of all their food, they had fruit trees, berries, and a variety of veggie crops. I was always so inspired by the idea of growing the bulk of my food. They had a home buisiness that occupied lots of their time, so they used me to help with what they couldn't do. My father had aspired to this as well in his earlier years, but he just couldn't get it done. Now I am trying for myself. Last summer I moved onto a piece of land in the Coastal mountains of far northern California, I'm far enough inland that I have a great fog free summer, but not far enough to get much of any snow. Its my hope that I can homested on this land(its paid for), and rely lightly on the outside world. I planted Garlic and Fava beans to over winter, and am planing a large summer garden. I have also ordered Amaranth, Quinoa, and Millet seeds. I intend to grow lots of Potatoes, Squash, and other good keeping crops for winter eating, along with plenty of veggies for caning. Anyways, just currious if other like minded folks lurk here?
	Quote

12-05-2008, 03:33 AM	#2
Cascadia Living in the land of Giants Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 147	Yeah, and I'm also putting in a large fruit orchard this winter, lots of holes to dig!
	Quote

12-06-2008, 07:55 PM	#3
CTSV Guest Posts: n/a	I own a produce company, and I only have to buy some fruits and protein, from the grocery. I just got done running a bunch of greens and lettuces. I also had a load of carrots and radishes going.
	Quote

12-06-2008, 09:04 PM	#4
yesIah garvey Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: maroon stronghold Posts: 28	started out in restaurants, been working in organic farming for a few years now with my wife, on our trail of apprenticeships we've worked so far with vegetable, flower and fruit stand, grass-based meat and dairy making, apples, bread, preserves, shellfish harvesting, poultry, herbs, and, ganja! the last few seasons been getting real excited about biodynamic approach- mostly because of how it emphasizes the spiritual aspects of gardening best 2 you! __________________ rebels in the morning, rebels in evening...
	Quote

12-07-2008, 01:38 AM	#5
Cascadia Living in the land of Giants Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 147	Very nice guys! My wife and I did the move here in July this year(from the Puget sound area), we were looking for a quieter place to start a family. First we had a home built, and then I started getting firewood put up, and prepared ground for a overwintering crop. I had intended on getting a outdoor Cannabis crop in, but I had no time this year, damn! Anyways, my next project is to get some chickens going, I'll need the manure for fertiliser, and the eggs and meat will give us a great protein supply. I'm thinking I'll get some milk goats, and some Boar goats for red meat. I'm also going to experiment with a variety of grains, especialy ones that are gluten free(my wife has a gluten allergy), I'll try to find a couple that do well in my new climate. Work is slow right now, so I've got some time to get work done.
	Quote

12-07-2008, 03:01 PM	#6
CTSV Guest Posts: n/a	Gets some pigs to. Two words...... CRISP BACON !
	Quote

12-08-2008, 01:18 AM	#7
Cascadia Living in the land of Giants Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 147	Yeah, the thought of pigs has crossed my mind, but I'm trying to cut down on things consumed that I didn't grow, and I'm assuming I'd be buying lots of corn for the pigs. Perhaps I could try growing the corn I suppose, the problem is it requires a huge ammount of fertiliser and water(compared to other grains), which are problems I suppose I can overcome eventually. I'd like to grow a few pigs a year, just to have the variety, goat and chicken might get old after a while, LOL!
	Quote

12-08-2008, 02:28 AM	#8
yesIah garvey Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: maroon stronghold Posts: 28	pigs goats and chickens are all in their own way champion foragers; pigs are great at processing lots of less-desirable foodstuffs on the homestead. so you shouldn't need anything so specific as corn for a hog, tho it would do well eating the stalks... __________________ rebels in the morning, rebels in evening...
	Quote

12-08-2008, 05:32 PM	#9
jaykush dirty black hands Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: the old growth forest Posts: 4,990	i grow a lot of my own food, and i grow and make all my own fertilizers. nothing like eating for free via nature __________________ “Everything is written in the book of nature. This book is always open.” sepp holzer
	Quote

12-09-2008, 01:25 AM	#10
Skrappie Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 131	if you have, or will get a pound, think ducks, you hardly have to look after them quail are a nice chicken substitute for meat and eggs. Get into vertical growing, even if you have all the land you could want, its easier looking after melons and cukes when they are not on the ground. lest pest also.
	Quote