Not a question that can be definitively answered on a general basis.

There are WAY too many variables. Soil fertility, length of growing
season, WHAT crops you are intending to grow, etc.

Try getting in touch with whatever the New Zealand government has
established to assist gardeners (in the US the Dept. of Agriculture
nationally and the states individually have a variety of programs).

They also probably have a wealth of free handouts to further help you.

I have a daughter in the area of Napier who seems to do well with two
season gardening, but not on the scale you are contemplating.


On Sun, 7 Dec 2003 06:56:32 -0800, Down Under On The Bucket Farm
wrote:

Hi Everybody,

I am working on long-term plans for self-sufficiency, oriented to
buying some bare land and building an off-grid house, rainwater
catchment, composting toilet, etc, etc.

One issue is the question of how much physical space would be
needed to grow enough food to completely support myself?

I am willing to eat anything that is healthy, preferably
remaining vegetarian (although I am quite willing to have
chickens for eggs, and perhaps a goat for milk.)

This would involve one person living alone, in decent physical
condition, willing to do hard work and learn whatever is needed.

I realise that the yearly food yield will have to be spread out
via preserving, canning, etc.

My "day job" can be done remotely, via wireless Internet
connection, with flexible hours, thus leaving time and
opportunity for extensive gardening/farming, etc.

I do understand the risk of, for example, having a bad year, bad
weather, etc, and so would have money set aside to buy food in
that case. But the plan is to avoid that if at all possible.

I live in New Zealand, with plenty of rain in winter, but also
reasonable sunshine in summer.

So... How many acres of flat, farm-able land will I need?


Thanks in advance!

-V.