Imagine a pantry filled not only with jars and cans but with vibrant, live plants that can sustain a family through every season. This approach, known as “living food storage,” goes beyond traditional methods, allowing fresh food to thrive even in the harshest climates. At Shaome Cooperative, we embrace sustainable gardening methods like these, which empower our communities and create a direct, resilient link to fresh produce year-round.
Living food storage involves cultivating crops that can grow throughout the winter and reemerge in the spring, providing a dependable source of nutrition. Some excellent options include cold-hardy greens, perennial vegetables, and root crops. These plants are not just sustenance; they’re a way to reconnect with the land, learn sustainable practices, and create a healthier future.
Why Living Food Storage Matters
- Environmental Sustainability: These crops can withstand diverse weather conditions, reducing the need for refrigeration and other energy-dependent preservation methods. Living food storage contributes to a lower carbon footprint, aligning with Shaome’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
- Enhanced Food Security: In uncertain times, living food storage offers peace of mind. Imagine having a “living pantry” right in your backyard—a sustainable, replenishing source of food that can help families weather unexpected challenges.
- Empowerment Through Education: Shaome Cooperative’s programs focus on teaching families and individuals to grow their own food. Living food storage is a natural extension, fostering the knowledge and skills to become self-sufficient while engaging with the environment.
What We Recommend (Zone 8)
Several crops are well-suited for “living food storage,” allowing you to harvest fresh produce throughout the year. Here are some recommended options:
Perennial Vegetables:
- Asparagus: Once established, asparagus provides annual harvests each Spring.
- Jerusalem Artichokes (Sunchokes): These tubers are hardy and can be harvested from late summer into fall.
- Rhubarb: Thrives in cooler months and offers tart stalks for various dishes.
Root Vegetables:
- Carrots: Varieties like ‘Danvers’ and ‘Nantes’ can be sown in late summer for fall and winter harvesting.
- Beets: Plant in late summer; they store well in the ground during cooler months.
- Turnips: Fast-growing and can be sown in late summer for fall harvests.
Leafy Greens:
- Collard Greens: Tolerant of heat and cold, providing leaves year-round.
- Kale: Varieties such as ‘Lacinato’ and ‘Red Russian’ are hardy and can be harvested through winter.
- Swiss Chard: Offers continuous harvests and withstands light frosts.
Alliums:
- Garlic: Plant cloves in the fall for a summer harvest the following year.
- Onions: Short-day varieties are ideal for fall planting in Georgia.
Herbs:
- Rosemary: Evergreen and provides fresh sprigs year-round.
- Thyme: Perennial that thrives in Georgia’s climate.
- Oregano: Hardy and offers fresh leaves throughout the year.
Incorporating these crops into your garden can enhance food security and ensure a continuous supply of fresh produce. For detailed planting dates and care instructions, refer to the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension’s resources on vegetable gardening in Georgia.
How You Can Support This Vision
At Shaome Cooperative, we’re passionate about bringing sustainable food solutions to every community. Our programs provide schools and the surrounding communities with the tools to start their own gardens and create food storage systems that will last. But we need your support to continue this work.
Your contribution can help us plant these “living pantries” across Georgia. Every donation funds workshops, provides plants and soil, and supports the development of resilient Food Forests.
Visit our website to donate or volunteer with Shaome Cooperative today. Together, we can make sustainable food security a reality for all.
