A New Adventure

There has been a lot of press lately about how the price of food has increased. All this discussion has got me thinking.

A few years ago the then editor of New Zealand Gardener, Lynda Hallinan, tried to live off her land. But there was only one of her to feed. No offence Lynda, but it’s a bit harder to feed four.

So I’ve been thinking about a new adventure. From August I’m going to try and see how much we can grow, on our section, for our family of four. My plan is to document what we grow, what succeeds, what doesn’t and how much we save (or don’t!).

I know that those of us with families are stretched for time and the family will go and get fish and chips if you serve them cream of silverbeet soup for the third day in a row. With that in mind I don’t expect that we will be able to grow all that we eat. The idea is to see how much we can grow and inspire others to do the same.

I guess there is no such thing as a typical family so I’ll re-introduce the tribe so you can get an idea of who I’m feeding.

G1 is 11 1/2, and growing like a pumpkin on compost. She eats as much as me, but since she is now size 10 in women’s clothing, and still growing, she is allowed to.

G2 is 9, never short for her age, she is the height of an average 11 year old, fortunately she doesn’t eat like one yet.

DA MAN is still 6’2, he is supposed to be eating less, but he still has to fill that lanky frame. I took this picture of him after I explained that the vege options will have to alternate between broad beans and silverbeet in October.

Then there is me. As an active women of generous height, 178cm last time my children measured me, (that’s just shy of 6’ in old currency), I eat like a man. I tell myself that is OK, since I can eyeball most men I meet.

Along with the gardening there will be other tips to help families shave their food bills and recipes for using all that food I’m going to grow. I don’t know it all and if you have any good ideas let me know.

So are you ready to join me on my new adventure?