summertimeshine

First thing is we live in Oregon and tend to have mild winters. We are also a part of a community co-op where we can trade things we have extra of for things we do not grow. (since dh LOVES to grow strange varieties of tomatoes...we always have a TON of these)
We have three methods that have increased the amount of produce which we grow.
#1 We begin seeds EARLY in a mini green house on out porch. Starting your own seeds allows you to begin gardening before veggie starts are out at the store. We also have investigated and planned out garden to assure that we are growing something for every season. Right now we have peas and onions we can harvest outside. Our goal is to have something we can pick at all times...granted summer is a bounty, but in fall and winter we stager starting squash. We always start early and keep going until winter takes over.
#2 We also garden inside. We have an unfinished basement in which we have hung a fluorescent light and a halide light that we use to grow summer veggies in the winter. We offset this extra power usage by trying to only ever have the light on in the room we are using. Our electric bill went up less then $5. We currently have a tomato, a hanging strawberry, bell peppers, and lettuce ready to harvest inside.
#3 We have our most attention needing plants by our front door (this is the door we use the most) By placing our plants in a place we walk by everyday we are able to see if anything needs our love...

As for being organic we use fish emoltion (sp?) at fertilizer (which is the smelliest stuff ever) . We use beer to catch the dang slugs that are so against our garden.

My recommendations to someone who would like to try the same thing - start early (NOW) and do research to see what grows in late fall/winter in your area. We have not figured out how to grow anything outside in dec-feb (which is why we started our indoor garden) but dh is working on that. Once we buy a home dh will build a permanent green house. Also protect your veggies during clod nights with cloth (burlap or old sheets)