Growing Food No Matter Where You Live
Anna Montgomery
This year you may be considering growing more of your own food, or perhaps growing just your own herbs, tomatoes, and salad greens. Here are a few ideas from Knoxville-based author of “Seed to Supper” author (and gardener) John Tullock.
You can grow food many different ways
At a windowsill or under artificial lights
In containers on a balcony, deck, or patio
In raised beds in the yard
In a traditional in-ground garden
Most people use a variety of methods, depending on the crop and time of year.
Plan for the entire year
Purchase seed for fall and winter gardening in spring, when selection is best
Think about how you actually use each crop; are you making pickles or do you just want fresh cucumbers for salad?
Understand succession planting and intercropping
Look for cultivars that work best in your situation; compact varieties are best for container
Don’t forget herbs, small fruits, edible flowers, and fungi
Plan your garden based on your kitchen
What are your family's favorite vegetables?
Which crops cost the most in the grocery store?
Which crops will bear over a long season without replanting?
Which crops store well?
Be a creative cook and you’ll be able to use everything you produce in the garden
Learn techniques, not recipes
Use common sense and substitute when you need to
Learn basic food preservation techniques
Taste before, during, and after cooking
For more information, check out John’s Seed to Supper page on Facebook, www.facebook.com/seedtosupper, for tips and seasonal recipes each week.