For our family, homesteading is very much about living a simple and frugal lifestyle while tending the land to provide for our living needs. We work to include every member of our family in our process of growing and tending to our garden and livestock.
When you’re living off the vegetables you’ve planted, your health is bound to prosper from the organic nourishment. If you intend to hone your gardening skills, here are some simple ideas we’ve found for better homesteading:
Cultivate Potatoes in Barrels
Potatoes can be grown in plastic 50 gallon barrels, which are difficult for rodents to chew. Stack the barrels on a raised platform, then drill a few holes at the base for drainage purposes. Take a few potatoes, which have begun to sprout, and slice them into squares. Dry them out to prevent wet rot, then plant them in the barrels with some soil and compost. As the plant reaches the top of the barrel, plant horseradish or bush beans as a companion plant to ward off pests. . When the potatoes are ripe for harvest, kick over the barrel and collect your crop.
Plant Herbs and Flowers with Your Garden Produce
You can attract pollinators to your vegetable garden by inter-planting your crop with a variety of herbs and flower species. Flowers in rich hues of blue and yellow lure bees, which encourage pollination. You’ll be assured of good crops in your harvest of tomatoes, eggplant and peppers. Herbs such as dill, fennel and parsley entice beneficial insects like ladybird beetles. These feed on the pollen and nectar of flowers and lay their eggs on the crops. The larvae will gorge on pests that threaten your vegetables.
Mulch Your Garden
You can prevent weeds from insidiously destroying your vegetables, and retain ground moisture, by mulching. Additionally, mulching permits you to moderate the temperature of the soil. It’s best to resort to material that decomposes, thereby adding organic matter to the soil. Your mulch material can range from shredded leaves to newspaper and cardboard:
- Shredded leaves. This nutrient-rich mulch is ideal for vegetables, flowerbeds and fruits. Shred the leaves with a lawn mower before covering the ground.
- Newspapers and cardboard. Smother the weeds around the pathways and plants with several layers of newsprint and cardboard. Blanket the material with shredded leaves or bark in a thick covering. Replace the paper as your garden grows.
- Tree bark. The most common form of mulching, you can obtain them by the bag from gardening stores. Take care that you purchase real bark. Then spread the pieces over the soil in your garden.
You’ll be a happy homesteader by following the pointers for better gardening and homesteading. Watch your vegetable garden flourish!
Popular Questions
How do you cultivate potatoes in barrels?
Choose a food-safe barrel with drainage holes and place it in a sunny location. Add several inches of loose soil mixed with compost, then plant seed potatoes with the eyes facing upward. As the plants grow, gradually add more soil around the stems while leaving the upper leaves exposed. Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged.
What type of barrel is best for growing potatoes?
A food-grade plastic barrel, wooden barrel, or large grow bag can work well for cultivating potatoes in barrels. Avoid containers that previously held chemicals, fuel, or other hazardous materials. The barrel should be at least 18 inches wide and have plenty of drainage holes in the bottom and lower sides. A light-colored container can help prevent excessive heat around the roots.
How much soil do potatoes need when grown in a barrel?
Start with about 4 to 6 inches of well-draining soil and compost in the bottom of the barrel. Plant the seed potatoes, then add soil in stages as the stems grow, covering roughly the lower third of the plant each time. Stop adding soil when the barrel is nearly full and the foliage remains above the surface. Do not bury the leaves, because they need sunlight for healthy growth.
How often should you water potatoes cultivated in barrels?
Check the soil frequently because barrel-grown potatoes can dry out faster than potatoes planted in the ground. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry, allowing excess water to drain through the holes. During hot weather, the plants may need watering daily, while cooler or rainy conditions require less. Consistent moisture is especially important when tubers are forming, but saturated soil can cause rot.