Plant a Postage Stamp Vegetable Garden

Digging in the dirt can be a wonderfully therapeutic thing. Yes, it requires an expenditure of effort to prepare the soil, plant the seeds and seedlings, feed, water and maintain your garden (though not necessarily as much as you might think) but the rewards are immense. The fruits of your own labors simply taste better than anything you can imagine. Add to that the savings you can reap and the taste is really sweet.

Postage Stamp Gardening

Postage Stamp Garden

As the term implies, postage stamp gardening is a means of growing abundant flowers and/or vegetables in a very small space, and you don’t even have to have a garden. Pots and hanging planters can be used on patios and balconies. Sunrooms are great for growing citrus and the kitchen can be ideal for some herbs.

Years ago, when I was just a little sprout (note the vegetable analogy) my dad not only cultivated a postage stamp garden, he was so successful at it that he was asked frequently to give talks about his intensive gardening methods. Our tiny backyard provided everything from apples to oranges (literally). Excess harvest was bottled or frozen or exchanged for other commodities amongst friends and neighbors. Things like apples, potatoes and onions were stored by hanging them in my mother’s old stockings. A knot was tied between each fruit or veg so that, if one went bad, it didn’t spoil the others.

According to the US Department of Agriculture the weekly food cost of a nutritious diet for a family of four in 2007 ranged from $129.60 to $254.10. (These figures are based on the assumption that all food is eaten at home). Food prices, of course, have risen in the last two years but, if you assume that only 15% of your food budget is for fruits and vegetables, you could save $1000 to $2000 a year by growing your own. Add to that the benefits of a little outdoor activity and better quality food than you’re likely to find elsewhere and why wouldn’t you get your hands dirty?

Kitchen Garden

There are two books that are great resources for both the budding and the established gardener. Both are by Duane Newcomb but don’t buy them new! They’re expensive. Go to AbeBooks.com and search for The Postage Stamp Garden Book and Postage Stamp Kitchen Garden Book. I’ve seen the first book there for as little as $1.

Container Gardening

The most miniscule of urban areas can still boast a crop of vegetables in planters. Tomatoes, peppers, green onions, beans, lettuce, squash and radishes are some of the plants that can thrive in containers.

Nowadays, there are complete systems available to get you started easily, such as this one from EarthBox. But the cheaper way to go is from scratch. Go back to AbeBooks and do a keyword search for “container garden” and a bunch of helpful choices will pop up at the $1 mark.

Another great resource can be the cooperative extension center. Check to see if there’s one in your county. They often offer lots of free advice and information and may even have educational programs that could be of help.

If you do nothing but grow a few herbs and tomatoes you’ll still save a little money. Then savor your horticultural success with creative and inexpensive recipes from Truckstop Gourmet.

“You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt”.  ~Author Unknown