If you're tired of making trips to the grocery store, why not take matters into your own hands.
"There have been more people buying plants this year than years past," said Brent Barbee of Barbee Farms. "The home garden thing is really picking up this year."
Barbee offers some advice for those of us just starting out, including recommendations of basic plants to start a garden for a family of four:
Tomatoes
Two or three tomato plants. He also recommends succession planting changing the tomato plants out two or three times a year to get the "pretty, premium tomatoes."
Basil and thyme
These herbs are easy to grow. Two or three basil, but only one thyme is necessary.
Rosemary
Rosemary is extremely easy, and one is all you need. Everywhere it touches the ground it sets roots. It keeps on going year after year.
Squash
One squash plant will feed a family of four. With the one plant you will get one or two squash everyday, and you can keep them in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are the same way. One cucumber plant will produce two to three a day at least.
Barbee says to plant right in the ground. Depending on seed size, some plants should be planted deeper in the soil.
"If you have red clay, like everyone in Cabarrus County, it will crust on top when you sow your seeds," Barbee said. "If it's trying to push up, keep in mind you need to water it, and soften the crust up so it will come on through."
Tomato plants can also go right into the ground with a little fertilizer.
"You want to bury a tomato plant," Barbee said. "Moisture wicks from the top of the ground first. The deeper you get your plant the better off you'll be. The deeper it is, the more roots there are, and you'll need less water."
That's not the case for other vegetables, which won't need to be buried deep.
If you want to give a gardening a try, Barbee has one final piece of advice.
"You have a bunch to learn. Ask. That's really the only advice I know to give. You have something you're unsure about, ask."
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