More on Gardening and Self Sufficiency

Sometimes I rant. Occasionally I get on a soapbox, roar and don't come down until it thunders. But if even one person listens and joins the revolution, then it's been time well spent.

I've posted a few times regarding the value of growing one's own fruits and vegetables as a way of moving towards financial freedom. I'm sure I'll return to this theme repeatedly.

What's more, by producing some, or all, of our own food, we become self sufficient, and less susceptible to up and down turns in the market.

Advances in technology and gardening have made taking steps towards self reliance is easier than ever.

Let me share some examples:

1. The internet puts all the seed companies at your fingertips. I have a folder in my favorites of 8 or 10 of my favorite companies to do business with. I still love to get the catalogs and look through them, but when it comes time to order, I do so online.
2. Several companies make raised bed kits and "self watering" growing boxes. We are trying out several of them and I'll report back.
3. Back to the internet: a google search will help anyone find the best varieties to grow in any part of the country along with tips, tricks and discussion boards to share experiences and advice.
4. The variety of veggies and fruits available is astonishing. And many of them are able to be grown on patios, on roof tops and even indoors. We live in North Georgia and are trying our hand at growing dwarf lemons, tangerines, figs and even bananas. There are dwarf, self pollinating trees (growing between 6 and 8 feet tall, tops) that, due to grafting advances, will grow up to 5 varieties of pears, apples, or even "fruit cocktail" trees that grow peaches, plumbs and nectarines. We have ordered a cherry tree that produces wonderful fruit, yet grows only 6 to 8 feet tall.

These are just a few of the advances out there. I will add a few websites to the blog in the next couple days for you to look at. You don't have to try everything at once, but I hope you'll experiment and enjoy. Freedom is intoxicating.