Gardening use to be just a hobby for most gardeners in the United States. A few might have produced enough zucchinis to give to unsuspecting neighbours who left their car door unlocked. For the most part, gardening has been more for fun than out of necessity for most Americans. That time is changing. Not since World War II, has there been such a need for people to grow and preserve their own food.
Food Prices on the Rise
Food prices are currently rising around the world. This rise in food prices can be attributed to a variety of factors. Rising prices of fuel makes the cost of transporting food more expensive, the cost of which is then passed on to consumers. Energy is also used to manufacture synthetic fertilizers, translating into a rise in fertilizer costs. All of the costs of growing food are eventually passed along to consumers. When you consider that your average jar of applesauce went from growing, harvesting, packing, shipping, made into applesauce, packing and shipping before you bought it, you can see how the costs can multiply quickly.
Cut out the Middleman-Grow Your Own
To keep food prices reasonable, one way is to grow and preserve your own food. Growing your own food does have costs, but you will avoid all of the fuel expenses incurred when purchasing highly processed foods. Additionally, when you grow your own fruits and vegetables, you can harvest them at the peak of freshness and preserve all of their nutrients. When you grow your own vegetables, you can also control the inputs into your garden. You have the choice of fertilizing your plants with natural and seaweed based fertilizers that are better for your plants, add more nutritional value to the produce, and are better for the environment.
Preserve Your Harvest
Once you become a practiced gardener, you will be amazed at the amount of food you will produce. In order to preserve your bountiful harvest for the future and prepare your family for long-term price increases and decreases in availability of some products, you will need to preserve your food. The best method to preserve food for long periods of time is canning. Canning does require following some instructions closely, so it is best to research and learn before you do it. If you can improperly, you could put your family at risk of bacterial illnesses. There are, however, many references available to teach you how to can your own food. Start with one of those resources, and you and your family are on your way to long-term peace of mind.