Can I Feed my Family of 4 with a Greenhouse? (2024)

FAQs

Can I Feed my Family of 4 with a Greenhouse? ›

Yes. The more difficult question lies in the specifics. How big does my greenhouse need to be?

A 12 'x 18' or 12' x 24' can be the appropriate size, if the family is growing fairly intensively. An 18' x 24' might be more ideal if you want to include fruit trees because they take up more space. Around 400 sq ft (20' x 20') is what we would recommend to eliminate the need for the grocery store.

The optimal size of your greenhouse is a critical decision that hinges on the number of mouths to feed and their preference for fresh produce. Our extensive experience suggests that allocating 100–200 sq. ft. per person gives you a versatile and resilient garden.

For a non-vegetarian individual, however, we'd estimate that you need about 200 square feet of garden space to allow for a harvest that feeds everyone year-round. So, for an average family of four, plan for an 800 square-foot garden—a plot that is 20 feet by 40 feet in size.

For the average family of four, you can expect to grow a year's worth of food on three to five acres. We really do think that five acres is the sweet spot because it allows you to stack your animals and really utilize permaculture practices. One acre for gardens, perennials and fruit trees.

Generally speaking, 200 square feet of garden space per person will allow for a harvest that feeds everyone year-round. For an average family of four, plan for an 800 square-foot garden—a plot that's 20 feet by 40 feet in size should do the trick. If your family is larger (or smaller), scale up or down as needed.

On average, a greenhouse can be up to 30˚F warmer than the outside environment. However, this can vary based on the type and insulation of the greenhouse. What is this? For instance, a single-layer greenhouse might show a temperature difference of 5 to 10˚F, while a double layer can be around 9 to 14˚F warmer.

Green Beans

For fresh eating, plant 10 (bush)/person or 5 (pole)/person. For preserving, plant 100 (bush) plants or 50 (pole) for 50 pounds of green beans. Planting a mix of bush and pole will maximize your harvest season.

On average, a family of four can expect to spend anywhere between $500 to $1,000 per month on groceries, depending on factors such as dietary choices, quality of ingredients, and location.

How big of a farm do you need to be self sufficient? ›

Wondering how much land is required for a self-sustaining farm? The good news is you don't need acres upon acres to start producing veggies. With efficient planning and the use of raised beds or intensive planting techniques, it's possible to have abundant yields even on just 1/4 acre.

Subsistence agriculture occurs when farmers grow crops to meet the needs of themselves and their families on smallholdings.

This reminds me of a question I have been asked numerous times, i.e., “How much land does it take to feed somebody for a year?” To rid you of any suspense, I usually give the answer as about one acre when referring to the U.S. today.

The most common Glasshouse size for growers is 8 to 10 feet wide, however large Greenhouses for sale may range from 12 to 20 feet in width.

A general guideline for a summer vegetable garden is to plan on about 100 square feet per person. Advanced: If you're more ambitious and want year-round groceries, plan on about 200 square feet per person. Freeze or can at least half of the harvest for winter use.

We found that with average gardening skills and productivity, the Growing Dome can produce 2.5 pounds of fresh food per square foot every year, off-setting the value of organic produce against the initial cost of the Growing Dome.

These elder-centered, long-term care residences are smaller than most long-term care facilities and designed to look like and feel a typical residential home. Green House homes support about a dozen residents at a time, but units are often grouped together, so people feel like part of a community.