HOW MUCH FOOD DO YOU GROW FOR YOURSELF?

pansyface

 A survey being done by Sheffield University is following how much food gardeners can and do produce for themselves.

It’s called MYHarvest.

https://myharvest.org.uk/

herbaceous

This is long overdue research PF and very welcome.  Just a shame that land is so precious to builders and the average modern home would be hard pushed to do much more than snack on any produce. Maybe this will change?

This could slow down the theft by stealth of many allotment sites maybe?

WonkyWomble

Personally I hope that this time teaches us that the simple things like having time to spend with family and toil for ourselves instead of clock punching is far cheaper than fixing ill physical and mental health problems after spreading everybody too thinly that they are broKen and need expensive fixing! Everybody should have a bit of earth and the time to do something with it.  I only have a small garden but it's brimming with life and things to sustain us and the environment. This is the first time I've had to utilise it!!!! I've never felt happier! Simple pleasures and even better come harvest!!!

Gardengirl..

I did the other survey for Sheffield University last year about how I use allotment for it was very good file sent out they were doing this one too so may have some results from the last year

I grow quite alot some in garden and lots at allotment - hope people grow stuff for themselves more our allotment site got broken in to last night I know people have had stuff robbed last year

mrtjforman

I have always wondered what the minimum amount of land a human needs to produce all the stuff we consume in a year so we would need a plot for grains, a plot for salads, a plot for vegetables, a plot for fruit, some cows for milk, some chickens for eggs and that is just the basics. An average person eats over 50 chickens a year so the average garden would be nowhere near enough. Snacking is still better than not snacking though, I love the variety I have in my garden that just can't be bought in the shops.

pansyface

There must be some biblical reference to three acres and a cow being what everybody needs. I don’t know the details. But in Bakewell church there is a carved misericord with a pun on the subject  -  a cow and three aching teeth, three achers.😊

herbaceous

I grow my own vegetables @Treeface for several reasons none of which have much to do with money and I would surely struggle to get through more than three chickens a year so I am happy not to be 'average'.

Apart from a few years when domestic responsibilities took over I have always grown my own food because I like to know what I am eating and what I was feeding my family. Now I am on my own I also prefer to pick what I need rather than discard half a plastic bag of whatever has gone past its best.  Root vegetables are easy to turn into a stew but leafy veg do not keep well and the same meal four days in a row can get a bit samey   

herbaceous

I wasn't retired in 1977 @treeface when this was taken 

and the mortgage rate was climbing towards 12% which went up to 15% in 1979 so I can sympathise with your being annoyed at spending money when you feel you got no return.

I usually find upward of 500 seeds in most spring onion packs so did you lose them all?

herbaceous

There were no ISAs @Treeface back then and only the well off could afford anything other than a repayment mortgage.

How long have you been growing vegetables? Like any other activity it takes time, effort and practise to make it work.  It probably isn't going to save you much money in the meantime but it is rewarding to finally have something you grew yourself.

I wish you good luck with future sowings as I cross my fingers for my own 

Mary370

I've just planted beetroot, cauliflower and tomato seeds.....first venture into growing veg......

tui34

I grow a little of everything in my vege garden.  I also think it is a pleasure to give vegetables away to people who will enjoy eating them.  Like Herbaceous - you know what you are eating whether it be a potato or a spring onion, a radish or a tomato.