On today’s podcast episode I will discuss how you can make the most out of what you have by giving you 21 ideas to help you grow a lot of food on a small homestead. These ideas can be used for urban, suburban, and even rural homesteaders for increasing the amount of food they grow.

Homestead Inspirational Quote of the Day:

“I can think of no better form of personal involvement in the cure of the environment than that of gardening. A person who is growing a garden, if he is growing it organically, is improving a piece of the world. He is producing something to eat, which makes him somewhat independent of the grocery business, but he is also enlarging, for himself, the meaning of food and the pleasure of eating.” ~Wendell Berry

No one should underestimate the influence of a simple garden, it can do so much more than just provide food, but yes it can do that too.  ?

Homestead Updates:

The weather has been beautiful. 

Mason Bees have moved in. 

The roof on the new rabbitry and quail aviary.

Birds ate all my tomato plants, greenhouse is really going to pay off.

Haven’t made time to get in the woods for some mushroom hunting… but we should.

Homesteading Relevant News:

Rising demand for organic, non-GMO grains outpaces U.S. production

DC mayor wants to ban backyard chickens

Main Topic Of Discussion:

21 Ideas To Help You Grow A Lot Of Food On A Small Homestead

Trellises – Lattice, Fencing, Poles, Wire, Rope, etc.

Dwarf and Espalier – Getting The Most From Fruit Trees In Small Spaces.

Window Box Planters – Beauty and Function.

Hanging Baskets – Not Just For Flowers.

Barrel Planters – Great DIY Project With Big Results.

Potato Towers – Many Different Designs For Growing With A Small Footprint.

Pots and Buckets – Sometimes The Simple Things Are The Best.

Square Foot Gardening – Great Method For Growing In Raised Beds.

Along Pathway Edges – A Great Place To Grow Food Where Others Grow Ornamentals.

Make Use Of Unused Space – Driveway, Parking Strip, On Top Of Doghouse, etc.

Build Guilds –

Aquaponics – http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/

Take Advantage Of Shady Areas – Best Shade-Tolerant Vegetables, Fungi Perfecti

High Yield, Low Footprint – High-Yield Vegetable Plants for Small Garden Spaces

Start Seeds Indoors – Get An Early Start By Starting Where You Can…Indoors.

Cold Frames – An Easy Way To Extend Your Season.

Greenhouse – Not For Everyone But A Great Addition To A Small Backyard.

Attract Pollinators – Increase Yields By Inviting These Friends To The Garden.

Encourage Beneficial Insects – Protect Your Garden By Inviting These Friends.

Indoor Growing – Increase Your Yield By Growing Year Round.

Raise Small Livestock – Who Said It Had To Be All About Gardening.

Today’s Recommendations:

Sow Edible Permaculture Podcast

The Suburban Micro-Farm by Amy Stross