Victory gardens, 2026 version: what are your plans?

At the moment, the bunnies and deer have won.

Luckily, a friend's husband built me a 10x4 ft slightly raised bed in the back yard of the house they bought for her parents to move into. No Bunnies. No deer. And it's a bit of a heat trap. I planted 8 tomato plants, 5 sweet peppers and a bunch of lettuce on the shady side which probably will bolt soon. I just added a small squash plant, but my pumpkin seeds didn't germinate so I need to try again. Last year, that one bed, with no danger from herbivores, out produced everything I attempted on my land except my garlic patch. I should raise a few beans to add - I tried to direct seed, but I don't think any of them made it.

This year I have tried to reinforce one area, but it is only suitable for tree pots and 1/2 barrels. For the same square footage of growing space, I would need 5 pots and 5 half barrels. However, so far they have given me some lovely strawberries every couple of days, and I have a bunch of beans planted, and have a few more seeds on my window ledge that will have space.  I wish I could be sure these planters will be safe, but with the drought starting early, I suspect the animals will get desperate enough that they'll find a way in.

Agustin Podesta wrote:I would probably focus less on maximizing calories and more on building the habit of growing something every day..

That's the goal for us, and for whoever follows us in this place. We can already find something to eat in our yard just about year round, and can pick at least one fresh meal a day from spring to first frost. We're looking to build a place that provides groceries for us and the wild things through all four seasons.