Kim Pezza - Backyard Farming: Growing Vegetables & Herbs: From Planting to Harvesting and More

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Backyard Farming: Growing Vegetables and Herbs
Text copyright 2013 Hatherleigh Press

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
eISBN: 978-1-57826-460-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

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Gardening has been an important part of life throughout the centuries, not only in the United States but across the world. However, in recent history, vegetable gardening has disappeared from many home landscapes as cities, suburbs, and even rural areas have turned to the local grocer for their vegetables. The reasons for this shift vary, but it is often a result of busier lifestyles and the need for easier access to fresh produce.

But in the last few years, a resurgence of local farming and a renewed consumer interest in organic, homegrown produce has revitalized home gardening as a pastime and as a food source. Consumers have become more interested in where their food came from, passing over genetically modified foods and mass-produced produce in favor of organic, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Individuals, families, and even restaurants are beginning to find their way back to the land. As a result, through local farmers, farmers markets, and backyard gardens, America is experiencing a food revolution that shows no sign of letting up. These are the foods that our parents, grandparents, and even ourselves as children grew up eating and thriving on. Consumers today are looking to gain back control of their food by returning to farm-fresh produce. Many are also becoming interested in growing some of their own foods as well. As demand continues to grow, more and more individuals are looking to take up the spade and trowel and try their hand at providing their own farm-fresh produce.

Growing Vegetables and Herbs is ideal for those of us who want to join the move back to basics, especially those who have never planted a seed, picked a tomato off the vine, or fought with a weed and had it win! Covering methods that can fit many situations, including limited gardening space, Growing Vegetables and Herbs will help you create your own gardens filled with vegetables and herbs, as well as some fruits and edible flowers.

Everything you need to begin your own gardening experience is contained in these pages. Read it from cover to cover or read it section by section as new questions and challenges arise. Either way, this book was written with the first-time gardener in mind, and is specifically designed to equip you with everything you need to make your first attempt at gardening fun and simple.

You will find nothing more rewarding than tasting foods you grew yourself. Imagine sauce from your own tomatoes, fries from your own potatoes, or pickles from your own cucumbers. Not to mention the dishes you can create with the freshest ingredients possible, direct from your own backyard! Once you taste freshly made foods from your own kitchen using produce from your own garden, prepackaged or grocery-store food will never measure up again.

So sit back, kick up your feet, have your favorite beverage at your fingertips, and begin your gardening journey. Whether you have one hundred acres, live in the suburbs, or are a full-time apartment dweller, youre on your way to creating your perfect garden.

Kim Pezza grew up among orchards and dairy and beef farms having lived most of her life in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. She has raised pigs, poultry and game birds, rabbits and goats, and is experienced in growing herbs and vegetables. In her spare time, Kim also teaches workshops in a variety of areas, from art and simple computers for seniors, to making herb butter, oils, and vinegars. She continues to learn new techniques and skills and is currently looking to turn her grandparents 1800s farm into a small, working homestead.

CHAPTER 1

I n most cases, the new homesteader, backyard or urban farmer will begin their journey with a garden. It may be very large or very small, raised beds or containers on a balcony, in a backyard in the country or on a rooftop in the city. No matter what type of garden it is, for the first-time gardener, it can be one of the most gratifying projects someone can start.

In all cases, no matter the size or location of your garden, it is a food source, not just landscape aesthetics. This isnt to say that a vegetable garden cannot also be part of your landscape or even the majority of your landscape. Even a flower garden can have a purpose other than just being decorative. The flowers may be edibles or fruits and vegetables may be intertwined within the decorative flower garden (of course, they may intertwine with edible flowers as well).

Depending on your familys needs, wants, and available space, the garden may be a supplemental source of food. However, in some cases the garden may also be part of a total self-sufficiency plan. Some gardens may also be grown as market gardens, meaning gardens grown expressly for selling the harvest, while others may be grown mainly for personal consumption, but any excess will be sold (after you have eaten, canned, frozen, or dried all you want for the family), usually selling from a little stand in the front yard.

, you will find more information on how to plan your very own vegetable garden to suit your needs.

Today, food gardens can be found in a variety of locations besides the farm. Backyards, empty city lots, schools, rooftops, businesses, apartment buildings, and even balconies can be found making a home for some type of garden. Basically, whether there are multiple acres or a couple of pots on the porch, food may be grown. And although there has been much ado about a vegetable garden in the White House, this is actually nothing new.

Starting in 1800, John and Abigail Adams had a family garden during their time at the White House. Then, in 1801, Thomas Jefferson, a noted farmer in his private life, added fruit trees to the White House gardens. Upon his arrival, Andrew Jackson included his touch with the addition of a small greenhouse, which was later replaced by a full-size version (unfortunately, in 1902, it was torn down and replaced by the West Wing).