The Economics of Growing Your Own Food

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Achieve Self-Sufficiency in Growing Your Own Food

Step 1: Start Small and Set Realistic Goals

• You don't need a whole farm to be self-sufficient in growing your own vegetables. Begin by creating a half-size allotment plot or utilizing a small garden space.
• Set achievable goals for yourself, such as aiming to grow a certain amount of food per day or per season.

Step 2: Measure Your Progress

• Keep track of the amount of food you are able to produce from your garden.
• Quantify the cost of materials, time, and resources used in your gardening efforts.

Step 3: Calculate Your Harvest

• Determine the total amount of food harvested from your garden. In the example provided, the harvest was 586 kilos in the first season.
• Compare this harvest to the equivalent cost of buying the same amount of food from a supermarket.

Step 4: Assess the Value of Your Garden Space

• Calculate the value of food produced per square meter of growing space in your garden.
• Consider the importance of succession planting and growing a variety of crops to maximize the value of your garden space.

Step 5: Consider the Value of Compost

• Recognize the value of compost in your gardening efforts, even though it cannot be directly consumed.
• Calculate the approximate cost savings of producing your own compost compared to buying it.

Step 6: Analyze the Costs

• Determine the initial cost of establishing your garden, including raised beds, tools, compost, seeds, and other necessary items.
• Explore ways to reduce costs by opting for more affordable options without compromising productivity.

Step 7: Calculate Time and Labor Requirements

• Estimate the average time required to maintain your garden per week.
• Factor in the joy of harvesting your own food and consider the value of your time spent on gardening activities.

Step 8: Maintenance and Future Expenses

• Allocate a budget for maintaining your garden, including expenses for seeds, tools, and potential replacements.
• Plan for long-term expenses such as replacing polytunnel plastic and investing in new seeds periodically.

Step 9: Consider the Long-Term Benefits

• Emphasize the long-term benefits of self-sufficiency and the potential cost savings over time.
• Prioritize growing food over producing seeds to ensure a sustainable and productive garden.

Step 10: Further Resources

• Explore resources like the "Self-Sufficiency Garden" book for practical guidance on achieving self-sufficiency in your gardening efforts.
• Continuously track your progress, adjust your strategies, and enjoy the rewarding experience of growing your own food.

By following these steps and considering the insights shared in the video, you can work towards achieving self-sufficiency in growing your own food, even in a small garden or allotment space.