[cuban leaf]

This year we have a huge garden. And a masticating juicer. And we split a calf with a neighbor that we raise on his property with his other beef.

I’m also building a 30x35 greenhouse.

We might have to cut out bacon, though.

[cuban leaf]

Our chickens also produce an average of 13 eggs a day as well. They turn bugs and food scraps into eggs. They’re like little egg factories.

[Rodamala]

We might have to cut out bacon, though. Closing on farm property on Friday... I am going Galt. Priorities are: 1) Fencing so the goats and sheep can maintain the lawn. 2) Splitting enough wood this summer to carry me through next winter's polar vortexing. 3) Build a smokehouse. BACON! Will be willing to trade unlimited BACON to qualified in-laws. Private message me your daughter's curriculum vitae. Experience washing clothes on a rock at the edge of the river, pulling calves at 3am, and picking cabbages is highly desirable. Candidate will be expected to come equipped with her own truck and gun collection.

[SkyPilot]

Gardening is sometimes not all that economically. I do it for pleasure, but there is no way my family could survive on what I grow. Moreover, it is not economically that feasible. Much of this may be my own lack of skill at gardening, but even from a business approach gardening entails a great deal of "sunk costs." I have grown many plants from seeds, but many fail. The costs of small vegetable plants themselves have skyrocketed. Go price pepper, eggplant, or tomato plants at Lowes or Home Depot. I suppose my compost piles would suffice if they were better, or natural fertilizers would be cheaper, but I find myself having to employ purchased insecticide, plant food, and top soils to achieve any sort of success. Add to this the cost of watering!

The most successful garden I ever had was grown when I lived overseas. All of my domestic gardens are for the joy of it, or to obtain fresh herbs. But the cost of raising one tomato plant today quickly eclipses any economic gain.