Next year's project

[jansman]

Down the years I have saved my own vegetable seeds. I am now at the point where I save all of it. So my project for the next gardening year is to grow everything with zero input. Seeds I have, but no chemicals, feeds, pesticides etc. So it will be 'organic' and barrier methods of pest control and homemade liquid fertilisers.

Since losing my acre of ground I have retreated to my garden. Granted, it is larger than most gardens these days, and the crops I grow are more limited, but it will be a good shtf exercise. Now there is just the two of us at home ( mostly) what I grow makes a big impact upon our little economy. So what will I grow?

Sweet corn - non hybrid, saved for so many years K have forgotten the variety. Dead reliable.
Spaghetti marrows - grown in with the sweet corn Red Indian style. It works.
Aubergines - in the greenhouse. Variety I have forgotten
Chilli peppers - in the greenhouse. Variety 'Cayenne'
Climbing peas - loads of 'em. Variety 'Champion of England'
Runner beans - loads of 'em. Variety ' Scarlet Emperor'
Tomatoes - in the polytunnel , Variety 'Moneymaker'
Lettuce- in the tunnel , Variety 'Little Gem'
Perpetual Spinach
Onions - Variety , 'Bedford Champion'
Leeks - Variety, I cannot remember, been growin them years
Tomatoes - outdoor Variety 'Marmande' the big ugly ones!
Courgettes - Variety - can't remember.
Kale - the only brassica I grow - Variety I have forgotten.

Then there are all the perennials. Rhubarb, Welsh onions, Jerusalem artichokes, apples , pears and plums.

There will also be some new spuds grown in pots and some lates. The seed for this will be 'rescued' from the bottom of the sack of 'Marfona' we currently have in the pantry.

So when folks say, " but veg is cheap enough to buy!" It ain't gonna get any cheaper than this.

[Arzosah]

Thats a great project, jansman!

Thinking of fertilisers and mulching etc - do you have your own comfrey to make liquid fertiliser? How near are you to the seashore/how often do you go? I'm thinking broken shells to add to the mulch, and seaweed for just laying on the ground between rows or wherever.

[jansman]

Yes I do have comfrey. Bocking 14. I do not get to the sea that often now ( unfortunately), but I make ( easily) a 1/4 metric tonne of compost a year. The upside of fowls and rabbits. Realised after the OP that I was short of decent canes for the legumes. So whilst walking the dog just now I found ( well I know they are there) some good hazel. I will cut those later in the Winter. I am determined that this will cost nothing but my time.

[Decaff]

That sounds brilliant!

Looking forward to photos already!!!

[Arzosah]

Great idea! Things like that will really make it