May 7, 2013 update

My ultimate goal is to grow 100% of everything I eat. This isn't too hard to do during the summer months but to do this during the winter I'm going to need a greenhouse outside and some type of grow-light/hydroponic system for the inside. Growing microgreens would be the easiest. What are microgreens? Watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blBwFvAghTs

To help me reach my goal, I've just bought some apple trees, almond trees,  plum trees and grapes. These things you especially want to buy organic because they are some of the "dirtiest" fruit out there as far as pesticides, etc, go.  I keep this picture on my phone as a reminder:

I'm growing all 12 of the "dirty dozen" except number 6.

Another reason to grow your own is cost. Growing your own food is like printing your own money!

For example, a 10 ounce thing of almonds after tax is roughly $8.

I eat almonds at least every other day so this gets expensive. So I'm planting two all-in-one semi-dwarf almond trees at $60 each. 60x2=120 divided by $8 is 15. If I get 15 (10 ounces) worth of almonds out of these trees I will have broke even. But I should get way more than that out of the trees over the years. Not to mention the lessened environmental impact of not having to ship the almonds from California or where ever. I don't want to support our monoculture crops if possible.

I also eat or juice at least 1 apple a day. If you buy organic apples, they are

$6 for 8 apples. Or you can buy an apple tree for $20 (Lowes) and have pesticide free apples right out your door. I just bought 4 apples trees. Two that bloom mid-season, two that bloom late-season. I also bought two plum trees. Not because I eat that many plums but you need at least two for pollination.

Growing your own grapes make economical sense too. You can pay $4 a pound or buy a vine for $10

I just bought 2 seedless Concord grape vines for $20 that will produce for years. Of course all of these things are seasonal. But even when you factor in the cost of the grape vine trellis (a high cordon system in my case), you'll come out ahead.

Here's my front and backyard plans drawn out. Everything listed above will be grown on the right side along my driveway where it will get the best sun (and a nice privacy screen from the neighbor). I have yet to get the things highlighted in yellow. They're on my To Do List.

Of course the pool, shed, patio and greenhouse will be expensive so who knows when that'll happen but they're part of my plan. The honeysuckle will be free and fairly easy because it grows crazy at the park across the street. I'm just going to clip the existing vines and propagate them back home. It'll be nice to lay in my hammock with the smell of honeysuckle everywhere.

I'm actually waiting to plant the 4 apples trees, 2 plum trees, 2 almond tress and 2 grape vines until I settle a property line dispute with my neighbor. We are waiting for a surveyor to come out and settle it officially. Unfortunately I've bought everything already. They're just sitting in containers near my garden until this gets settled. The trees kept blowing over so I've used spare pallets to keep them upright.