2022 NJBackyard Garden Box Subscription
A pilot program to promote the enormous potential suburban backyards have to change overall consumption habits and transform land-use practices.
What Is The NJBackyard Garden Box?
The NJBackyard Garden Box is a subscription based bi-weekly pickup of the freshest seasonal harvests grown in one of Metuchen’s most prolific backyard vegetable gardens.
Similar to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) subscription, The NJBackyard Garden Box allows neighbors to reserve a share of the garden harvest and periodically receive vegetables and other agricultural products throughout the growing season.
The NJBackyard Garden Box experiment is the culmination of my passion for gardening, entrepreneurship, sustainability, suburban living, and community.
How It Works
Box Size and Pricing
This season, we are only offering a micro share box - which will contain a sampling of whatever is freshest in our garden that week. Expect to receive a variety of different, locally grown vegetables and treats to sample, taste, and experiment with throughout the season.
Since 2022 is our proof of concept, we are launching with a complete “pay what you want” model. If you don’t see any value, there’s no need to pay! Otherwise, pay what you feel. No tricks! The only commitment you make when picking up a box is to provide us with feedback through our survey which will allow us to properly transition from an experiment to viable product next season.
Subscribe
Ready to join our garden box pilot program to experience all that the NJBackyard garden has to offer? Submit the form below to get on the list.
FAQs
Why are you doing this?
I have a passion for gardening, food, and hospitality. I love entrepreneurship. I’m worried about our planet. I want to do right by my family, friends, and neighbors. I have a strong desire to disrupt.
Why would anyone want to subscribe?
You enjoy the finer things in life. You want to live a more sustainable lifestyle, while eating tastier and healthier food. You support local and want to shop local. You have pride in your neighbors and community.
How many subscribers can you support?
I’m not sure. I’ll figure it out based on interest. If there isn’t much interest, I can provide a weekly box. If there is actual demand this year, I will change the schedule to every 2-3 weeks.
Is this really free?
This 2022 season it is. Pay whatever you feel. I do expect you to provide feedback after each box is received.
Where Is pick up?
Once confirmed there will be porch pickup at a house in the SE section of Metuchen.
Do you offer delivery?
I have no idea what the interest for this type of project will be. All depends on feedback and support.
Is there a set schedule?
Ideally, I’d want to have a box ready every week, and a subscription would receive it every other week. This way I can maximize the number of subscriptions with how much I can produce per week. Not all boxes will be the same - everything is dependent on what is growing (more importantly, what is growing well).
What kind of items should I expect?
Weather, soil, critters, and time all play into how much bounty the garden will provide. At the very least, you can expect a few peppers and possibly a garlic. This year the lineup includes tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, garlic, squash, eggplants, and attempts at some exotics.
This sounds like a lot of work?
You have no idea! But, the more work and love you put into it - the better the final outcome will be.
Are you a farmer?
No. I started with one raised bed three years ago.
This sounds like a scam?
You sound like a scam. Don’t rain on my parade. Message me and come by the garden to check it out.
