Growing your own food

Planting a garden might not be the easiest way to get fresh produce but it's a great way to save a few dollars and get some exercise at the same time.

Ross Mayes, who lives on Old Mocksville Road, wouldn't dream of buying vegetables and some fruits at the grocery store most of the time.

Mayes plants a garden every year, something he's done since he was a kid.

"I planted beans under the orchard and sold them," he said.

Since those days as a child, Mayes' garden has grown from beans to about 30 different things.

Over the years, he has improved his gardening techniques, like designing raised beds to make weeding and planting easier and putting a fence around his garden to keep out critters that like the fresh veggies as much as he does.

Growing a garden is a time-consuming task, Mayes said, but one that's well worth the time.

He and his wife, Agnes, can or freeze many of the vegetables they grow, and dine on them through the winter months.

What he can't use, he takes to the Salvation Army to be distributed to the needy.

Starting a vegetable garden can be as simple as putting a couple of tomato plants in planters on the deck or front porch or as involved as starting plants from seed in a greenhouse as Mayes does.

Experts say starting a garden from scratch means planning, from what type of tools you'll need to where to put the garden.

One tip is to not to hide the vegetable garden away in a dark corner, saving the sunny spots for flowers. Vegetables need sunlight and open spaces to thrive.

Preparing the soil, as Mayes does with his raised beds, is important, and will help the plants thrive. Dig up the bed to break up compacted soil and remove rocks and weeds.

And like Mayes, look for companion plants — those planted close together that will benefit each other and not inhibit growth.

For example, potatoes inhibit the growth of tomatoes and squash; beans the growth of onions; broccoli the growth of tomatoes; and carrots the growth of dill.

Once the garden is planted, the plants may need to be watered and weeded throughout the growing season.

If space is an issue, consider a container garden for vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, carrots, lettuce, beans, peas and cucumbers.

Mayes said the vegetables he picks fresh from his garden are more tasty than their counterparts in stores, which may have been shipped from various parts of the world and are not as fresh.

Ann Simmons of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Office said growing vegetables is a great way to save money year-round.

She recommended freezing or canning produce to be eaten during the winter months.

Simmons said both are easy to learn, and the extension service offers pressure-canning courses. One is scheduled for June 2.

If you decide to plant a vegetable garden or grow your own fruits, the following is a list of when you can expect to harvest those items in North Carolina:

• January-February - Apples.
• June through September - Green Beans.
• July and August - Butter Beans.
• Late May through July - Blueberries.
• April and May and October and November - Broccoli.
• May through December - Cabbage.
• July and August - Cantaloupes
• June through August - Corn
• June through August and September through November - Cucumbers.
• March through December - Leafy Greens.
• June through September - Peaches.
• June through July - Potatoes.
• April through June - Strawberries.
• July through October - Tomatoes.
• June through August - Watermelons.

Not only does the garden provide his family with lots of good, healthy food, but Mayes said it helps keep him busy.

"It's better for me to keep doing it. It's good for you," he said.