Are you looking to loosen ties with your neighborhood grocery store and harvest all your produce from your own garden? Going from spring and summer recreational gardening to growing a high percentage of fresh produce for your family year-round requires careful planning, but the end results are well worth the time and effort.
Depending on the size of your family and the current layout of your garden, you may need to add more planting opportunities to grow the plants you want to grow. Read on for our tips on garden size, what crops to plant, how to make the most of your plot, and how to preserve your extra harvest.
What size should my garden be?
Good question. And the unsatisfactory answer is: it depends…
Generally speaking, 20 m² of garden space per person in your family will allow for a harvest that feeds everyone all year round. So for an average family of four, plan for an 80m² garden – a 6m by 13m plot should be sufficient. If your family is larger (or smaller), increase or decrease as needed.
Some crops take up more space than others, so if you plan to grow Brussels sprouts, asparagus, or tall varieties of melons or squash, leave a few extra square feet.
How much should I plant?
Plant more of what your family likes to eat, and don’t be afraid to branch out a little into more exotic varieties, even if your home includes picky eaters. Making gardening a family affair often convinces the hesitant to try new foods.
Also consider your climate. Most of the time we have mild winters in the south of France, so the garden will produce almost all year round. However, if you live in a part of the country that experiences particularly cold weather, you may not be able to rely on a winter harvest and will instead have to can or freeze some of your late summer harvest. .
If you plan to save part of your harvest for the winter, add a few additional plants of each crop. Here is a list of popular vegetables and an estimate of how many plants to plant for a family of four:
- Beet – row 6 to 10 m long
- Peppers – 10 to 15 plants
- Broccoli – 12 to 15 plants
- Carrots – row 14 to 5 m long
- Corn – 40 to 50 plants
- Cucumbers – 4 to 6 plants or 2 to 4 vines
- Eggplants – 6 to 8 plants
- Kale – row 5-6 m long
- Lettuce – row 6 to 10 m long
- Melons – 4 to 6 plants
- Potatoes – 40 to 50 plants
- Spinach – row 10 to 12 m long
- Pumpkins – 4 to 6 plants
- Tomatoes – 5 to 8 plants
- Zucchini – 4 to 8 plants
How can I get the most out of my garden?
Seasonal yield depends on several factors, including seed and soil quality, adequate plant spacing, proper irrigation, and climate. You can’t control the weather, but you can take some steps to maximize your garden’s production year-round.
1. Plant again and again.
As soon as a crop is harvested and is no longer producing, remove it from the garden and plant something else in its place. Stagger planting by two or three weeks to extend the harvest and plant different varieties of the same crop that mature at different times. This is called succession planting. Depending on the length of your growing season, you may need to be strategic in which plants to choose for a second (or even third) planting.
If your second or third planting is late in the season, opt for cool weather crops such as leafy greens, broccoli or root vegetables. Look for varieties that grow quickly or overwinter and produce in early spring (if your climate allows).
2. Try intercropping.
Intercropping, or planting crops of different sizes and growth rates together, is a garden design technique that gardeners often use to maximize yields in a small space.
Try it in your largest garden. While your Brussels sprouts plants are maturing, for example, use the large space between them to grow a quick crop of radishes or salad greens.
3. Harvest early and regularly.
Harvesting produce early and regularly usually results in higher yielding plants. Get into the habit of picking vegetables once a day or every other day.
4. Grow vegetables appropriate for your region.
Consider your region when selecting seeds and plants for your garden. If your climate is prone to extreme weather conditions, some less hardy vegetables simply aren’t worth it.
Talk to other gardeners nearby or contact local nurseries.
How can I store my harvest?
If you are anticipating a harsh winter, there are many ways to store your harvest to ensure home-grown vegetables through the winter and early spring.
Freezing is the easiest option and requires no special equipment. First freeze diced vegetables and fruits in a single layer on a baking sheet, then divide them into individual servings.
Although a little less common, drying is another simple way to preserve your harvest. Dry food is lightweight and doesn’t take up much space, and you won’t have to worry if the food is cut for a long period of time.
Gardening to feed your family year-round is incredibly rewarding. The key is to start early and have a plan in mind. If all goes well, you’ll enjoy fresh produce from the garden until it’s time to plant next spring’s seedlings.
Don’t hesitate to share your tips and tricks to feed your family all year round with your garden!