Hi Chris, That sounds like a ffasinating, challenging and exciting project. As a youngster, my Dad used a book called Five Acres and independance almost as hard as a Bible. I'm sore with new hybrid varieties you can get even more out of a plot that they could then. If you can get ahold of a copy of that book it may offer some good tips. Another that may be useful, would be "Square Foot Gardening". This is a method of very tight planting and Keeping the soil in produgtion as much of the year as the weather permits.. It is non traditional, but very practical. I know this does not answer your specific question but may help you do some informed planning. Wishing you all the best. Beth

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Howdy, Chris. If you choose to use Square Meter Gardening, you can just scan through Mel Bartholomew's Squarefoot Gardening Web site.

For the average adult, a 4x4 foot square (about 1 square meter) provides either salad, veggies, or winter storage. So average 3 square meters per adult. YMMV, depending on climate, weather, plant culture, what you grow, etc. My layouts always include edible cutting flowers and herbs.

I find square gardening gives the greatest reward for the least "sweat equity" - and produces the largest amount of the most varied foods.

If you choose to "farm garden," I seriously recommend that you try at least one experimental square-meter block.

I also recommend that you learn all you can about composting, composting in the garden, and mulching - especially where you can get good stuff free or at low cost. (Also what to avoid - like hay that's full of prickle seeds, etc.)

A Google search works for "squarefoot gardening" - I expect other search engines will also work.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mel's Web Site

Howdy, Chris. If you choose to use Square Meter Gardening, you can just scan through Mel Bartholomew's Squarefoot Gardening Web site.

For the average adult, a 4x4 foot square (about 1 square meter) provides either salad, veggies, or winter storage. So average 3 square meters per adult. YMMV, depending on climate, weather, plant culture, what you grow, etc. My layouts always include edible cutting flowers and herbs.

I find square gardening gives the greatest reward for the least "sweat equity" - and produces the largest amount of the most varied foods.

If you choose to "farm garden," I seriously recommend that you try at least one experimental square-meter block.

I also recommend that you learn all you can about composting, composting in the garden, and mulching - especially where you can get good stuff free or at low cost. (Also what to avoid - like hay that's full of prickle seeds, etc.)

A Google search works for "squarefoot gardening" - I expect other search engines will also work.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mel's Web Site

Have you tried the 'lasagna gardening' forum?

I love it when I realize I can get MORE doing LESS strenuous work...