Weekly Preppers' Thread

5/18/12 | Kartographer

[Kartographer]

Weekly Preppers' Thread to post progress, good buys, DIY projects, advice and ideas

[Kartographer]

I will start out with Honeyville has a 15% off sale going on now. Shipping is $4.99 for your whole order.

http://store.honeyvillegrain.com/

[Kartographer]

Preppers’ PING!

[Drango]

http://waltonfeed.com/

Good superpail (SP) prices especially on wheat.

[Iron Munro]

Recreational Reading - Online post-apocalypse fiction.

“The Union Creek Journal - A Chronicle of Survival”

Pretty good read

http://unioncreekjournal.wordpress.com/the-union-creek-jounral-entries-in-chronological-order/

Short excerpt from first chapter:

November 2, 2014: The New Normal

I’m looking out the window and the first snow of the season is falling. The flakes are nearly as large as the tip of my thumb; they’re slushy and coming down hard and fast. It’s early November and the snow bespeaks the promise of a long, hard winter. The Farmer’s Almanac on my kitchen table suggests as much – a winter colder and wetter than average.

The one thing the Farmer’s Almanac didn’t predict is probably the single-most important thing in our lives these days – the fact that this will be the first winter in modern history where hundreds of thousands or millions of people could literally freeze to death in their homes. I know that may sound strange. Given all of the modern conveniences of the twenty-first century, how in the world could the majority of citizens of the northern United States be at risk of freezing to death?

Technically, I suppose it’s not just the citizens of the United States that are at risk. I’m pretty sure that nearly anyone who lives anywhere in the world where the temperatures drop to freezing or below is at risk as well. I have to assume, though, as we really don’t have much contact with the world outside of North America. For that matter, we really don’t have much contact with people, period. Air travel, automotive travel – travel over any significant distance at all – is pretty much out of the question. Electronic communication is all but gone too, with the exception of a few short-wave radios and Ham operators. We’re living in a virtual stone age. The skeletons of modern conveniences are a constant reminder of what used to be. The harsh reality is that the world has devolved to a point on par with the early nineteenth century in many ways.

http://unioncreekjournal.wordpress.com/the-union-creek-jounral-entries-in-chronological-order/

[Donnafrflorida]

just purchased chimney fire starter from home depot. eliminates need for lighter fluid.
learned how to pollinate tomatoes. shake the branches with flowers.
learned how to make laundry detergent. fels naptha soap , borax, washing soda. all at walmart.

[blam]

The 5 First Symptoms of SHTF

[Blueflag]

Best source(s) for “heritage” non-hybrid seeds?

Looking for the voices of experience.

[agere_contra]

Over here on the ‘Get prepared for Argentina 2014’ track: I added 50L of water storage and 1/2 a Kg of silver this month. Plus about 100 bucks worth of tinned goods.

And ... that’s it. I’ll see if I can do better.

[MrB]

I need some more kamut and rolled oats...

Doesn’t look like they have the kamut.

[Lurker]

For later.

[Lurker]

Cabela’s: Herters brand .223 ammo. 62 gr HP, steel case. 4.69 for a box of 20.

Went “bang” every time I dropped the hammer in a Rock River M-4gery.

[Iron Munro]

SOUP BASE

Rice and beans are good to eat anytime and are probably the #1 basic food for long term storage. But both definately benefit from a piece of ham or pork thrown in the cooking pot.

But in a remote camp or a SHTF scenario we won't be able to take a leftover hambone out of the freezer or run to the food market for some ham hocks. And plain rice and beans will get pretty boring after the first fifty pound bag or two.

That's where an item called "Soup Base" will come in handy.
Throw about a tablespoon of soup base in with a pound of rice and beans and it flavors them nicely.

Dry "Soup Base" is used by professional cooks and places where larger quantities of food are prepared. It is similar to boullion powder and comes in various flavors like pork, beef, bacon, chicken, Turkey shrimp, vegetable etc. Not only can it be used as a base for soup or to flavor rice and beans, it also makes a good dry rub for meats.

Look for it in your local wholesale or commercial food warehouse.

Minors and Knorr are the brands I most commonly see but there are other brands as well as no-name generic. It usually comes in one or two pound cans and will keep almost indefinately, even after it is opened. It usually costs around $8 to $10 a pound in the local stores, a little more on the net. But since it is concentrated it doesn't take much to flavor a pot of beans and/or rice.

For more info: http://www.soupbase.com/Soup-Bases/departments/1/

. .

[Donnafrflorida]

oh and if u want a bunch of recipes for standard shtf prep supplies like flour salt etc. www.grandpappy.com
wealth of info on cooking and gardening for preppers.

[Donnafrflorida]

we bought fr patriot supply

[Kartographer]

These help:

[Tammy8]

I have had good luck with the Heirloom Seed Company in Pennsylvania www.heirloomseeds.com and they have a large selection for veggies and flowers.

[Iron Munro]

Best source(s) for “heritage” non-hybrid seeds?

For larger quantities and a huge selection of varieties I buy here:

Hazards Greenhouse

For common varieties at economical prices check out your local Wal-Mart.

Click this link for more information:

Bargain Heirloom Vegetable Seeds Now Available at Some Walmarts for 20-Cents per Packet of Seeds

[duckbutt]

Question about the heirloom seeds —how long would those packets last? Is there a special way to make them last longer? Freezing, storing in cool, dark place? suggestions?

Pat

[Georgia Girl 2]

We decided to open up a can of freeze dried peach chunks from Emergency Essentials. They make a delicious snack. They also rehydrate beautifully. We are going to order another case.

[Iron Munro]

Question about the heirloom seeds

This should help with some of your concerns:

Home Gardening Tips

How to Survive Hard Times (Index of Articles)

During Hard Times Should You Know Some Basic Gardening Skills?

Vegetable Recommendations for New Gardeners

How to Harvest, Process, and Store Vegetable Seeds

How to Grow Each Type of Vegetable Seed

Heirloom Vegetable Seeds Available on the Internet

How to Grow Fruits, Nuts, Grapes, and Berries

How to Grow Fruit Trees From Seed

How to Convert Human Waste into a Safe Garden Compost Fertilizer

The Benefits of Mulch

[carriage_hill]

Great stories! Thanks!

[carriage_hill]

Are you sure that this is the right link?

http://www.grandpappy.com/

I got a Grandpappy Point Resort & Marina... no SHTF/prepping there that I can find.

[carriage_hill]

Or is this it?

http://www.grandpappy.info/index.htm

[Donnafrflorida]

try wo info part

[Donnafrflorida]

try wo info part

[Donnafrflorida]

http://www.grandpappy.info/indexrec.htm

[Donnafrflorida]

http://www.grandpappy.info/indexrec.htm

[Donnafrflorida]

http://www.grandpappy.info/indexrec.htm

[carriage_hill]

Got it now; thanks!

[Uncle Ike]

” For common varieties at economical prices check out your local Wal-Mart. “

Our screwed-up Walmart has already taken down its seed displays - guess they’ve never heard of “Fall Crops”, even though we live in a 2-growing-season area...

(BTW - is it just this area, or are turnip seeds in short supply all over?? I’ve been to every store that I know of that sells garden supplies, or even seeds, all over Southern NM, and nobody has them... Does anybody know if this is a local hiccup, or is it a national phenomenon???)

[cherry]

I find that those canned hams don’t carry exp dates...I still have some....they are very salty and I think one would want the whole can to be used for a very large supper for several people....

[steerpike100]

ping

[MasonGal]

Would you please add me to your ping list? This topic interests me very much, and I am beginning to realize the importance of being informed about things like this. Thanks!

[Uncle Ike]

” I think one would want the whole can to be used for a very large supper for several people.... “

Dollar General quite often has the smaller (1#? 1.5#?) Danish canned hams (sufficient for dinner-for-two, or for cutting up for soups or beans..) I think they’re in the $2-#3 range... ;)

[Donnafrflorida]

walmart best price for dak ham. cvs is EXPENSIVE!

[Donnafrflorida]

my dak says good til 2015

[Iron Munro]

BTW - is it just this area, or are turnip seeds in short supply all over??

I'll take a look around my area tomorrow and give you some feedback.

Hazards Seeds shows 16 varieties of turnip seeds in stock.

Hazards Turnip Seeds - Click Here

[Donnafrflorida]

p.s you can make sugar from beets.
i am buying my honey from sams. 12.00 for 3 pounds

[tbw2]

What is a good place to find Dak hams? The Walmarts around us have either stopped stocking it or just keep running out.

[piroque]

That price waltonfeed.com on wheat is a rip-off , as wheat on the chicago market fgtcoop.com/ is going for $6.95a bu. today , a lot of farmers will sell you a couple buckets for less (cash) ,

@W - WHEAT - CBOT

Month Open High Low Last Change Time More

Jul 12 656'6 697'4 652'4 695'2s 37'4 03:04P

Sep 12 668'0 707'4 664'2 703'0s 33'4 03:08P

Dec 12 687'0 725'2 683'4 720'0s 31'2 03:19P

[Kartographer]

CVS runs them on sale about ever 8 Months or so 2 for $5.00. Big Lots carry Celebrity for around $3.00 and they taste about the same to me.

[Drango]

I have no idea about the cost of wheat or grains. What I do know is that putting the wheat into a superpail with the process of a oxygen absorber, vacuum seal and the mylar bag etc and achieving a 30 year self life, is something I rather have done by others. So the cost to me isn’t what I can buy a bushel of wheat for, it’s the cost of what vendors sell the superpail for.

So as I look at other superpail vendors, calculate shipping....Walton Foods comes out the best. Anyone see a better site? I’m price shopping!

[piroque]

What your doing is giving 80 something dollars for a 7 dollar a bushel product , the bucket you can buy for about 8 dollars the mylar bags , just off hand I think I saw them at 12 or 13 dollars a dozen. You can cheap hand warmers and use as the oxygen absorbers.

just trying to help you out ,everything on the net is not always the best buy.

[Kartographer]

CVS runs the Dak on sale about ever 8 Months weeks or so 2 for $5.00 and Walgreens does the same for Celebrity. Big Lots carry Celebrity for around $3.00 and they taste about the same to me.

I also believe Dollar General and Dollar Family carry them, but not sure of the price.

[mojo114]

Walmart.com or amazon.com
I was surprised how many plants you can buy on line at amazon. I ordered Sweet 100 tomato plants. They came fast and looked good, planted they are great.
Have ordered through Walmart.com and items come fast also. Or you can have items sent to your local Walmart for pickup without paying shipping.

[EasySt]

Here’s good prepper reading, if you haven’t got your copy yet:

Starving the Monkeys: Fight Back Smarter
by Tom Baugh

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0982543107/ref=sc_pgp__m_A9222F4SBTLQ6_2?ie=UTF8&m=A9222F4SBTLQ6&n=&s=&v=glance

[tbw2]

Thank you.

[Iron Munro]

BTW - is it just this area, or are turnip seeds in short supply all over??

I checked our local Walmart.
They still have their seed displays out but they are picked over and there are no turnip seeds. I can't tell if there were any to begin with or not and no one there could tell me.

[Uncle Ike]

Thanks for checking, FRiend... ;)

It appears that, even if the turnip seeds ain’t available in the retail stores, there’s plenty online.. It’s too late, now, for Spring planting, but should be able to order them and get ‘em in time for August plant to harvest in November....

[Iron Munro]

Here is something interesting:

Free Seed Swap at:

Heirloom Seed Swap - The FREE Seed Exchange for Seed Savers

http://www.heirloomseedswap.com/