I guess I am in between-er, as I prep, and also have an orchard and big garden (just us two). Two years ago, we had a wonderful fruit harvest, then last year was terrible. Since I put up so much the prior good harvest, had enough this year. Now, since I also garden, I have plenty of berries growing (Grapes, Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Marionberries, Thornless Blackberries, and plenty of wild edibles on our property). Since those did fairly well, we had those, even though we didn't get much fresh orchard fruit. Now, a word on diversity...
Our orchard includes 8 apple trees (7 varieties), 3 cherry trees, 4 Pear trees, 1 Peach tree, 3 Plum trees, 1 Italian Prune tree, and 1 Fig tree. Out of all those apple varieties, our Liberty Apple was the best bearer last year. Next, was our King Apple. Then, our big Yellow Transparent. Only 1 Pear bore, the Bartlett! The rest of our fruit trees didn't bear at all or only a couple of fruit on each tree. All but 2 trees are older mature bearing fruit trees. The bad weather at the wrong time messed up our harvest.
Our garden? As diverse as you can imagine. I figure if one crop fails, another won't. So, I am the mad-gardener planting a wide variety for just two people. My friends, family, and special neighbors just love it!
So, absolutely, I would have bought those barrels and almost everything else you listed! I also harvest my own seeds, prep them, too.
What you don't need, you can sell or share, right?!
