Okay...on with our story. My homesteading adventure
started with a simple question: "How can I grow a ton
of food for my family that's delicious, nutrient-dense,
and requires the least amount of work?" Sounds like
the gardening equivalent of a magic formula, right?
Turns out my quest did uncover the magic, revealed in
the lasting beauty and easy effort of... perennial
plants!
But like all great adventures, my journey didn't start
out looking so brilliant; in fact, it was kind of
depressing. Like many fresh-faced homesteaders, I too
started with big ambitions of growing the majority of
my family's food. Knowing the unparalleled nutritional
value and flavor of home-grown food, I was excited to
bring this gift to my own family's table after two
decades of guiding others toward healthier lifestyles.
After years of dreaming, I finally got my plot of land,
strapped on my gardening tool belt, and ordered an
embarrassing amount of vegetable seeds from The
Baker Creek seed catalog. And I was off to the races!
But let me tell you, my reality of annual gardening
was less "The Secret Garden" and more "Survivor:
Garden Edition."
I N T R O D U C T I O N