growing garden in Mexico

Itobys wrote:

Since I am still trying to figure out the best place to move, I wanted to ask this question. I like to eat healthy, lots of fruits and veggies. I know they are cheap in Mexico but having my small farm is my ultimate goal. After travelling for a year or two, my ideal place to settle down would be a place with a good weather year around where I can have a half acre of land, few chickens, fruit trees and a garden. I would like to eat out of my garden and take care of it. It will give me peace and joy. So far I see here people who knows price of one beer at a local restaurant and how much a made cost. I would like to live in a country and have a very simple, self sustainable life. Is it safe, is it possible? What would be the best area to do that? Is anyone here just like me? I want to wake up hearing birds, get some beets and carrots out of my garden, get a fresh egg, eat, relax, work in a garden...etc. This is my dream life.

t's possible , there are some farm areas in many states, but the problems and the pests might be different than those you are familiar with. You might also have to shift you crops to something more compatible to Mexico. Some fruits grow easily and others not well at all. Here is a map of primary areas http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/agpc/doc/coun … exico.htm.

My friend started a organic farm close to here. There are things to know like that the government does not like natural trees and brush just clear cut. They have a law about that. The Mennonites recently got into big trouble about that after they clear cut a natural section then tried to say they could farm there because it was just brush now. They also had a deal with Monsanto to grow test wheat, which is also illegal. So first find out what you can do and what you can grow.

I have Moringa's, orchids , oregano, curcuma, ginger and onions in my yard currently. That's about all I can deal with at the moment. I think you would require some local expertise, and help for awhile so figure that into the budget.

Things are a little different in the hills. I have a friend with a small coffee farm; she also grows tomatoes and strawberries. I have a really small garden, mostly full of flowers, but I do grow basil, ginger and curcuma. I couldn't grow anything at the coast. Too sandy! I have not heard of anyone in this area being restricted by the government about what they can grow or where.

I love tomatoes. If I could grow them there, that would be a huge plus. That means the climate has enough sunshine and heat, which I like too.

The article about the Mennonites was in a copy of La Jornada that I picked up while on vacation. A lot of my Yucatan information comes from people I know who are involved with the government regulation of agriculture.
There are not a lot of posted signs, but there are rules. Most of them would have no effect at all on home gardens.

You can accomplish what you want in many parts of Mexico.Sinaloa is the tomato capitol of Mexico. I would suggest the Los Mochis area.
Also Baja CALIFORNIA has a temperate climate where anything from grapes to oranges grove.
Good Luck.

I noticed on you profile that you are interested in Rosarito BC. Everything you want to do you can do there. You have probably already been there so I would start there That way it's not such a radical change for you

That is why I am thinking about Rosarito. I do not speak Spanish so it would be an easier transition. Also I could have an office in San Diego and get some tax clients there so I could travel back and forth, have a lower cost of living and have my ocean near by. The only thing I do not like about Rosarito is cold Pacific ocean. But I guess you cannot have it all, right. Other than that I think it is a more realistic move for me, I could drive there in my car from Sacramento.

Itobys wrote:

That is why I am thinking about Rosarito. I do not speak Spanish so it would be an easier transition. Also I could have an office in San Diego and get some tax clients there so I could travel back and forth, have a lower cost of living and have my ocean near by. The only thing I do not like about Rosarito is cold Pacific ocean. But I guess you cannot have it all, right. Other than that I think it is a more realistic move for me, I could drive there in my car from Sacramento.

That is the way I would do it. Afterall in the summer you can swim the the pool at the Rosarito hotel.In the winter go south where the water is warm. That's what I do. I live in the Baja 9 months and then In Los Mochis for 3.