hmm, starting to think about spring!

So I'm starting to think about spring already.  I always plant flowers and a small garden each year.  This year I'm thinking a bit bigger.  I've read several gardening books so far. My favorites so far are "The Backyard Homestead" and "The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It." I have a few others on my list at the local library.  ***Key*** Check out what your local library has to offer before you hit Amazon.  There are some really good materials out there, and some that are not so hot, at least for me. So I check out a book from the library, pour some time into and then decide if I think I need to purchase it for my stockpile. Sure, living in a rural area my selections are limited, but the library combined from reviews and recommendations on line are helping me streamline what I think I should have on hand for reference.I don't see much point in spending a bunch of money on books that I may or may not glean anything from when that money would be better spent on rice or building a dehydrator.

So, I have a nice big backyard, for living in town, I am working on a plan to convert more of my yard to food production than I have in the past. I'm not super woman, nor do I plan to do this all at once.  I have prioritized what I feel I should definitely get moved or started this year, and what can wait until next year. 

First, flowers that serve no purpose other than decoration-bye bye!  There are plenty of fruit bearing plants and herbs that will produce beauty with a purpose.  Given that I live toward the northern end of Zone 5 I need to be careful when considering my choices.  Along with books, I am utilizing my University Extension website for tips and ideas on what grows best in my area.  But, I must also consider what I've grown in the past, what's done well, and what hasn't.
For example, I live in the corn capital of the universe, however, after several failed attempts I know that corn doesn't like my backyard.  However, if I go a mile down the road to my in-laws, corn grows easily.  So, I'll use that space in my yard for something else and convince my mother-in-law to let me use some of her lawn to grow corn. (wish me luck on that one!)
My husband works for one of the largest fertilizer producers in the country, yet this year I plan to start composting so that down the road, I'll have what I need, just in case.
Plus, in the past I've grown things that I like, but most of my household won't touch - green peppers - so I'm going to container a few things that aren't well received and give that space over to something we go through tons of - like more onions.
I'll post my crop plan when I get it finalized. If you have any ideas, please leave me a note.