[Metronome]

...would it take to maintain a garden large enough to yield sufficient food to survive? Lets assume a temperate climate, and no natural disasters. For arguments sake we are also assuming that there is an actual winter involved, so excess goodies are presumed to be canned or preserved with relative efficiency.
Are we talking one acre per person? And just how many varieties of plant do you think are needed for effeciency and health sake (I think I could live on just tomatoes and strawberries for some time, but some leafy greens would be nice).

[Cross Hair]

I read somewhere that an acre garden would yield enough to feed a family of four. I would tend to lean towards the acre per person theory. An acre of corn, an acre of wheat, 1/2 acre beans and the final 1 1/2 acre consisting of potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, zuchini, lettuce, spinach and such normal garden fare.

However that would be assuming you would need to put up alot for winter and make your own flour and the whole nine yards. If we had the temperate growing year round luxury I would say a properly rotated acre garden could support 4 people quite easily assuming you are hunting or raising a meat substitute as well.

I garden under an acre and if planned well and good grow conditions persist, it produces so much we give a good portion away after putting up ALOT for ourselves. This year, we are increasing our preserving methods to be even less dependent. BUT if you are considering this for eating every meal in a pioneer survival type situation having an overabundance at one point and putting up well can see you through disaster times!

good post!