As the world gets crazier and more unpredictable by the day, there are still some certainties (other than death and taxes!)…
Fuel price increases = Food price increases. Guaranteed.
By this autumn, possibly sooner, you will see it and feel it. By winter, especially if there have been poor yields for whatever reason, food prices could be astronomical. Even if they are not, they will be considerably higher than they are now.
Every single part of our supply chain requires fuel.
Fuel tankers (which can only go about the same speed as a bicycle!) still arrived from the Strait of Hormuz until mid-April and look at the price increases. Now it’s shut for who knows how long, what we’re paying now will look a drop in the ocean as prices soar further.
Yes, I know only about 20% of the fuel comes through the Strait – prices will still spike regardless of that you can guarantee. The moneymen will always maximise their profit from the chaos they cause…
Your best defence is your own garden (or allotment)!
Unless you are somewhere tropical, it takes a minimum of 3 months to grow food.
Start growing right NOW! Preferably something high nutrient and calorie dense like potatoes, which can be stored for the winter months.
“Being prepared is NOT the same as panicking” – Sutton Daze YouTube Channel
Buy a couple of extra tinned food each week and build up some reserves. Cancelling Netflix & Amazon Prime etc and spending on food will be a far better investment.
“I don’t have the space to grow veggies!”
Yes you do.
You just have to get a little bit creative with how…
Stuff it in existing borders – just get growing food… do not wait until you can see you need to!
Make it attractive – especially if your other half is resistant to the idea…
Even modern gardens can grow edibles…
If you’re willing to go whole hog, and convert your entire garden, fantastic! Raised beds will help keep things neat and manageable. And automatic irrigation and mulches to suppress weeds will reduce the hard work dramatically.
Box hedging (or the pest-free, Lonicera alternative) can also make any vegetable growing area look smart. If you have room and the budget for a greenhouse, go for it – it will extend your growing season by a couple of months, maybe more.
Plant plenty of pollinators to attract bug eating wildlife so the pests don’t devour your crops before you do!
I’ve put a few more cunning vegetable growing ideas in this video…
I’ve also created a full course (which I’m in the process of adding more content to) which is currently on half-price sale https://www.successfulgardendesigner.com/food-garden on how to design an attractive food producing garden.
The Food Garden Formula is free with all my other garden design courses which are in the Easter sale until 26th April.
Right now, I’m putting as much time as I possibly can into my allotment. I’ll show you what I’m doing in a future video!
If you’d like to attend one of my free regular online garden design classes you can do so here: https://www.successfulgardendesigner.com/free-classes
