[goodwithagun]

My goal this year is to become self-sufficient with tomatoes, potatoes, garlic, onions, and broccoli. I also want to work on fall and spring gardening so that we only have to buy lettuce and spinach 3-4 months/year. Early January I went to the doctor for what I thought was a bladder infection and came out with a positive pregnancy test, so we will see how this goes with number three on the way! Actually, that is probably more of a reason than any to work on my gardening goals.

Anybody grow and dry black beans and pinto beans? We go through tons of both. Is it worth it to dedicate space to, or should I stick with purchasing them?

[Black Agnes]

Congrats! My third was also a surprise. I didn’t get much gardening done that summer but I was 7m pregnant in MS in August. The inventor of A/C needs to be sainted.

If you have a smallish yard you might just buy the beans. Unless you’re willing to terraform your front lawn too. Not saying this is a bad thing, I plan to do this somewhat this summer. Depends on your neighbors. I plant beans as a second crop in the summer behind corn or something else that really pulls nutrients out of the soil.

[greeneyes]

Beans are one of the cheapest foods to buy, and last a long time. One question is do you think you will always have enough money to buy beans? Also, will non-GMO beans always be availabe to buy?

It is a decision only you can make. For me, I try to grow just a small heirloom patch of everything including peanuts and beans, so that I have viable seed stock on hand, and knowledge/skills to grow what I need. In order to have a full protein, beans need to be paired with something like rice.

I made sure to stock up on long-term storage of rice, because I can’t grow that, and food prices are bound to go up. So I figure I am saving future dollars by buying stores now while things are cheaper and plentiful.

I try to keep at least enough beans and other dried foods on hand to get me through till the next harvest.

[JRandomFreeper]

I grow my own pintos here, but I do it in a 3 sisters kind of way (point your search engine at 3 sisters). Corn, beans, and squash. Some old crones that didn't speak English taught me how to do that, and it works, and I don't mess with it.

Homegrown is better, and I know how old the beans are.

johnny

[fanfan]

Congrats on the baby!

Do you cover your broccoli?
I haven’t done beans yet.