FOOD NEEDS & YIELDS

Olivia StohrWeek 3

Integrated Backyard Homesteading“The most important bond between us and earth Is that we eat what it

provides.” (Bane. Pg 105)

My homestead site sits on an approximate 3/4 acre lot. The household consists of two people, my fiancé and I. Of course my dog, Bentley, is family too but he has his own food! When analyzing my calculations, I used the lowest average yield (lbs/100 sqft) listed on the chart in the article, “A Plan for Food Self Sufficiency.” This will allow some wiggle room for a small surplus to be shared, traded, or sold within the community. According to Peter Bane’s description, my homestead is classified as a “microfarm.”

“Properties on this scale can achieve a significant fraction of self-provision with some surplus for local trade, barter, and supply to neighbors.” (Bane. Pg 111)

VEGETABLE SERVINGS/ YEAR

LBS. NEEDED # 100 sq ft BEDS NEEDED

SPINACH 312 27 .75TOMATOES 312 136 2LETTUCE 312 47 1SNAP BEANS 208 47 3.25WINTER SQUASH

208 83 1.5

CUCUMBERS 208 47.25 1CARROTS 208 74.25 1.75CROOKNECK SQUASH

208 61 1.75

PEPPERS 208 35.75 .5ONIONS 624 30.25 .25CALORIE CROP

SERVINGS/YEAR

LBS. NEEDED # 100 sq ft BEDS NEEDED

SWEET POTATOES

208 67 2

RYE 208 13 3.25OATS 104 6.5 1.25

LEGUMES SERVINGS/YEAR

LBS. NEEDED #100 sq ft BEDS NEEDED

BLACK BEANS 104 6.75 1.75PINTO BEANS 104 7.25 1.75CHICKPEAS 104 8.75 2.25

FRUIT SERVINGS/YEAR

LBS. NEEDED # 100 sg ft BEDS NEEDED

APPLES 312 111.5 2.25BLACKBERRIES 208 50.75 3,5STRAWBERRIES 208 34.75 .25PEARS 208 61 1WATERMELONS 312 115.5 2.5

*Each estimated # of 100 sq ft beds needed is rounded to the nearest 1/4 bed.

MICRO-CLIMATE:“…observation is the key to understanding microclimates.” (Bane. Pg 136)Due to the coarse, sandy soils of Cape Cod, it is generally dry throughout. I did not indicate “dry soil” and “moist soil” as separate entities because they simply are dependent upon the sun exposure of my site. Therefore, my “full sun” areas are also my “dry soil” areas and my “full shade” labels also indicate where the soil is mostly “moist.” The microclimate areas indicating “full sun” are ideal for growing the majority of the food I listed on the previous chart because this particular produce requires majority sunlight conditions to thrive.

“We contemplated the infinite complexity of land and sky around us in the process of stalking animals, netting fish, and searching for ripe seeds. (Bane. Pg 105)