No, all cucumbers are not imported. The US grows in season produce. During off season or low crop yields, we get food from Mexico & Canada. Southern states supply northern states but usually only east & west regions. So Florida supplies cucumbers to the east half, California to the west. Other states do grow them like Texas & Arizona. But we get a lot from Mexico, like a shit ton from Mexico, they make a lot of money from that supply line. That’s just cucumbers.
It’s very similar with other produce. Canada supplies a lot of hot house tomatos of all types and mini sweet peppers.
The interesting thing is, we export a lot of white corn to Mexico and there is no tariff on that export. Dumb donnie is literally punishing Americans while selling our exports for less than what we would pay. This is why we have NAFTA, for fairness and cooperation.
Have you tried carrots? They can grow in negative 8 degrees Celsius (around 19 degrees freedom units)
I think broccoli and Brussels sprouts also do well.
When it comes to cucumbers, however, growing a ton, and pickling them is perfect for using all year round, and pickling is also way easier than I first thought.
I’ve never tried this but how about one of those small DIY greenhouses? Apparently they’re pretty easy to make. I’m not sure how cold it gets at your latitude but with a greenhouse you could manage to lower your zone a level. Maybe enough for those carrots.
Worst case I guess is just grow winter crops during the summer. Half a year of cheaper food is better than nothing.
I’ve never tried this but how about one of those small DIY greenhouses?
It’s super easy to build a greenhouse for very little money. My greenhouse, used commercially, is an old Costco “barn” someone was throwing out. I spent $125 on good quality greenhouse plastic and another $100 or so for automatic vent openers and then reinforced it all with scrap wood. Another small farm down the road built one mostly out of old windows they got from a neighbor who was replacing theirs.
You can also just make a smaller cold frame with an old window and/or plastic. It’s also really helpful to have frost “blankets”, either as old used blankets/comforters or row covers like Remay or Agribon. I use Agribon 50 which gets you about 8F of protection. Not very environmentally friendly though!
I like growing vegetables and flowers. It is the only think keeping me sane living in the city.
I know some do not, but the tariffs are happening, so best you can do is adapt, though honestly I would suggest it even if the tariffs were cancelled. It saves money, is good for the environment and your mental health.
Roma’s $1.25/lb + trump = $1.56/lb Cucumbers .85/ea + trump = $1.06/ea Avocado .99/ea + trump = $1.24/ea Asparagus 2.99/lb + trump = $3.73/lb
And that’s at an affordable supermarket. Add 10-15% more for places like walmart, albertsons, kroger, etc.
Don’t forget to add an extra 25% for all the companies using the tariffs as excuses to raise prices further to extract profit.
They did it with covid, they’ll do it again now.
Are all cucumbers imported? Those can be farmed in the US, I believe.
I suggest starting a small garden for various vegetables and spices to save money. For those living in apartments, you can make some in your windows.
Mini leeks are probably the easiest. I actually got an overwhelming amount just from two pots and barely needed to do any kind of maintenance.
No, all cucumbers are not imported. The US grows in season produce. During off season or low crop yields, we get food from Mexico & Canada. Southern states supply northern states but usually only east & west regions. So Florida supplies cucumbers to the east half, California to the west. Other states do grow them like Texas & Arizona. But we get a lot from Mexico, like a shit ton from Mexico, they make a lot of money from that supply line. That’s just cucumbers. It’s very similar with other produce. Canada supplies a lot of hot house tomatos of all types and mini sweet peppers. The interesting thing is, we export a lot of white corn to Mexico and there is no tariff on that export. Dumb donnie is literally punishing Americans while selling our exports for less than what we would pay. This is why we have NAFTA, for fairness and cooperation.
My garden doesn’t produce during winter, due to all the snow and ice. The lack of sun doesn’t help either.
Have you tried carrots? They can grow in negative 8 degrees Celsius (around 19 degrees freedom units)
I think broccoli and Brussels sprouts also do well.
When it comes to cucumbers, however, growing a ton, and pickling them is perfect for using all year round, and pickling is also way easier than I first thought.
Nah, not much makes it through winter at my latitude. Though I suppose with the rising temps, there’s always a chance this could be the year.
I’ve never tried this but how about one of those small DIY greenhouses? Apparently they’re pretty easy to make. I’m not sure how cold it gets at your latitude but with a greenhouse you could manage to lower your zone a level. Maybe enough for those carrots.
Worst case I guess is just grow winter crops during the summer. Half a year of cheaper food is better than nothing.
It’s super easy to build a greenhouse for very little money. My greenhouse, used commercially, is an old Costco “barn” someone was throwing out. I spent $125 on good quality greenhouse plastic and another $100 or so for automatic vent openers and then reinforced it all with scrap wood. Another small farm down the road built one mostly out of old windows they got from a neighbor who was replacing theirs.
You can also just make a smaller cold frame with an old window and/or plastic. It’s also really helpful to have frost “blankets”, either as old used blankets/comforters or row covers like Remay or Agribon. I use Agribon 50 which gets you about 8F of protection. Not very environmentally friendly though!
In the winter, they are. English cukes you might find hothouse.
No because being forced to grow food on my balcony it’s totally why all of us enjoy living in an advanced economy.
I like growing vegetables and flowers. It is the only think keeping me sane living in the city.
I know some do not, but the tariffs are happening, so best you can do is adapt, though honestly I would suggest it even if the tariffs were cancelled. It saves money, is good for the environment and your mental health.
Oh how terrible. Someone might think you are one of the poors! A peasant even!