Jailed Inmates Must Feed Themselves by Growing Vegetables

With the economy barely showing signs of recovery, many are still trying to find ways to save money. That apparently includes a county sheriff in Sandusky County, Ohio, who has become an expert of sorts in cutting costs for the county jail. Sandusky Sheriff Kyle Overmyer, who once banned pancakes from the prisoners' menu in an effort to curb costs, came up with another way to save on money: inmates growing vegetables. That's right, incarcerated criminals in this small facility are growing vegetables in an attempt to help reduce the jail's food budget - a budget the sheriff says he is being forced to cut by $75,000.

While few of us look to get inspiration from convicted criminals, this occasion could be the exception. The fact is you too can save a lot of money by growing your own vegetables. But, what if you've spent you're life in the big city and the idea of growing vegetables in the dirt sounds as daunting as taking apart your home computer? Well, take heart. Growing your own vegetables is not as hard as it sounds. With the help of just a few simple tips, even the most inexperienced gardener can be successful at growing vegetables.

Growing Vegetables - Things to Consider

Probably the most important thing to consider when growing your own vegetables is gardener location. The best location for a backyard garden is somewhere relatively near your house, in full sun in a spot that has good drainage. These two factors are very important to consider when growing vegetables. Most vegetables need at least six hours of full sun each day to grow properly. Absolutely no amount of water, fertilizer or coddling will make up for poor sunlight. Growing vegetables requires a lot of sun, so if your backyard has tall trees that create shade, you'll have to find another place to plant.

Proper drainage is also important. Growing your own vegetables can quickly go from fun to frustrating if you allow water to pool up in your garden. Good air movement through the garden is also important, but avoid especially windy areas as these places often result in dry plants and broken stems. Soil quality is also vital. If you plan on growing vegetables in your thick clay backyard mud, you can save your time. They will not grow. Poor soil should be removed and replaced with a good blend of manure and top soil to give the plants the proper nutrients they need.

Growing your own vegetables can be a rewarding endeavor. Not only can it save you money at the grocery store, but it can also give you a sense of accomplishment. Even an amateur can be successful growing vegetables if they read and follow the planting directions that come with their plants. Different vegetables need different things. But, if you read the instructions and follow them exactly, you should have little problems growing vegetables. Although, there are a few complications that can arise from time to time, a quick trip to the gardening shop to talk to a pro usually does the trick.

Sometimes imitating a convicted criminal can be a good thing. In this case, growing your own vegetables applies.

Contributing source: http://news.aol.com/article/doing-thyme-oh-inmates-growing-food-to/502641