Grew a Week of Groceries
No grocery run. No delivery app. No last-minute panic trip.
For one full week, we ate straight from our messy little suburban backyard – and it actually worked.
I’m Shameem, and with Emma here in the USA, we run Organic Matters. This week we decided to test everything we talk about on the channel with a simple challenge: Can two regular people feed themselves from their own backyard?
We did. And we learned a lot.
If you’re watching from California, Texas, Florida, New York, Ohio, Michigan, or anywhere in between – this one’s for you. You don’t need a farm to grow food. You just need to start.
Here are the 7 biggest myths we busted during our 100% backyard grocery challenge:
- You DON’T Need Acres of Land
You don’t need 5 acres and a tractor. Our best food came from a 10×10 patch, a side yard, and a few buckets on the patio.
If you live in an apartment in LA or Brooklyn, a sunny balcony with 3-4 pots is enough to start. Small space done right beats big space done wrong every time.
- Dirt Isn’t Just Dirt – It’s Alive
This changed everything for us. We stopped trying to feed the plants and started feeding the soil.
Compost, fallen leaves, kitchen scraps, used coffee grounds, and worms – that’s the real secret. When your soil is alive, your plants basically take care of themselves. Healthy soil = healthy food.
- You Don’t Need to Water Every Day
We used to water a little every day and wondered why our plants struggled.
Now we do deep drinks 2-3 times a week and mulch heavily with straw, dry leaves, and wood chips. It holds moisture, keeps roots cool, and means less work, less water, and way juicier tomatoes and greens.
- Bugs Are Not The Enemy
Stop spraying everything that moves.
We started planting marigolds, basil, sunflowers, and dill right next to our veggies. Ladybugs, bees, and lacewings showed up and became our free pest control crew. A little damage is normal – it’s a garden, not a grocery store display.
- You Don’t Need Fancy Seeds or Expensive Gear
Our best harvests didn’t come from a fancy catalog. They came from saved seeds, seeds shared by a neighbor in Alabama, and a community seed swap in Oregon.
Our best beds? 5-gallon buckets from the hardware store, old storage tubs, milk crates, and even laundry baskets. Grow in what you have.
- It’s NOT Just Boring Salads
This was the best part. We ate like kings.
Fresh eggs from our backyard hens, sauteed greens with garlic, the juiciest tomato sandwiches you’ll ever have, zucchini noodles with fresh pesto, herb butter on everything, roasted peppers, and salsa that honestly beats anything from a jar.
Homegrown just tastes better. There’s no comparison.
- It’s Not All Or Nothing
You don’t have to quit your job and become a full-time farmer.
Start with one herb on a windowsill. One tomato plant in a bucket. Think of it like a video game – you level up. One bed becomes two, two becomes four. No pressure, no guilt. Just start where you are.
This isn’t a perfect farm movie. It’s real life. Working in slippers, messy hair, talking to our tomatoes after work, watching bees for 10 minutes because it’s actually relaxing, and sharing extra cucumbers over the fence.
It’s messy, it’s fun, and it’s worth it.
Your Turn: Do you think families in America should try to grow at least some of their own groceries at home – even just herbs on a windowsill – or is it smarter to just leave it to the stores and big farms?
Let us know in the comments. We read every single one.
And if you want to see the numbers – we tracked it: I Grew $100 Worth of Tomatoes From One Plant. That video is next.
Grow with us,
Shameem & Emma
Organic Matters
Disclaimer: This content is for education and entertainment purposes only and is not professional advice. Gardening results vary a lot depending on your location, climate, soil, and season. Growing conditions in Maine are not the same as in Arizona or Florida. Please check your local rules for backyard chickens, HOA guidelines, water use, and composting. Always wash your produce thoroughly and talk to your local extension office if you need advice specific to your area. We’re not experts – just two people sharing what worked in our own backyard.