The Trials of Desert Gardens

Happy Lughnasa!

Sunflower path to our front door

Living off grid is about sustainability for the most part, but it's also in part about self-reliance. Without being connected to the corporate or government utilities, we don't have to be concerned if there is an outage, shortage, contamination, rate increase or any other unforeseen issues that go along with relying on others for your basic needs. However, there is one basic need that we still have to concern ourselves with and that is food. 

At this time in our lives, we are vegan and eat a plant-based diet. So, we don't rely on animals for food in any way and while many homesteaders have animals for meat, eggs and milk, we don't consume those products. The upside to that is that we don't have to provide feed or land for the animals. The downside is that I have to get really good at gardening. 

Every time people hear I am vegan, they ask me how I get my protein. Plants are packed full of protein, especially beans, nuts and seeds. At this time, my garden …