P-Patch gardeners who already have their spots reserved for this year are in a good position. If you are thinking of growing some of your own food this year, you might want to check to see if your local P-Patch has space. I will be growing in pots on my deck (faces north – salad and other greens) and front porch (faces south – strawberries, tomatoes, lemon and lime) again this year. I may just convert some of my ornamental pots to vegetable… I am waiting for the High Point P-Patch to open an ADA gardening space. No sign of construction yet (I know, it is still “winter” even though it is March).

Don’t forget your local farmers market is also a great source of affordable organic vegetables and fruit. If you focus on buying only what you can eat and eliminate wasted food, you can also save money. This is my personal focus this year – eat what I buy. Many vendors have starts already at their stalls. Not as cheap as seeds, but if you didn’t plan very well you can still “grow your own” this year.

A blip from today’s Seattle Times

Seed sales are up 20 to 30 percent at wholesalers such as Irish Eyes Garden Seeds in Ellensburg because of the bad economy and worries about genetically modified crops. Burpee, the world’s largest seed company, says it’s selling thousands of a $10 “Money Garden” package that it says will grow $650 worth of vegetables.

Read Seed companies have a bumper crop of customers
Read How to grow potatoes at home