All Things Prepping, Simple Living, Back to the Basics [Survival Today, an on going thread]

vanity | 2/26/18 | CottonBall

[CottonBall]

Got you on it!

[CottonBall]

That makes sense.

My family in Italy all have small apartments. That’s all they can afford. A few people might have houses but none of my family are that well off. The only reason my cousin was able to move out of her parents house is that she inherited my grandmother’s house when she passed away.

Their options have pretty much dwindled down to nothing. But they’re so happy to have “free” school and “free” Medical.

[CottonBall]

Awww, you’re so sweet!

But so wrong. LOL. But I do need to hear from geniuses.

I’m not a good prepper, it just happens to coincide with my love of hoarding and cooking from scratch.

So I’m hoping people will post their experiences and their questions, because I definitely don’t know enough to keep this thread going by myself.

But after yesterday, I realize I need to do more. Because this is not going to turn out good. Our futures, I mean.

[9YearLurker]

Spoons for cookie dough. Your hands for meatballs. A knife for cantaloupe. The rim of a drinking glass for scones.

Really, I think there are higher priorities for preppers than
a collection of ice cream scoops.

You’re welcome.

[9YearLurker]

Oh, sorry—didn’t see that this was such an old and long thread. You must have had many answers re: dishers already!

[pollyshy]

ditto - bfl

[CottonBall]

“Really, I think there are higher priorities for preppers than a collection of ice cream scoops.”

I agree!

I know I suck as a thread moderator, or whatever it is called.

That’s why I’m hoping everyone will join in and come up with your own topics and questions and advice. I just figured this is the time to get this going again. Hopefully some kind of person out there will take over...hint, hint...

[Augie]

I thought that I was ready.

Then one day all of my guns and ammo were lost in a tragic boating accident.

Dang it...

[Vlad The Inhaler]

The only revolution I foresee in our immediate future is the one by leftists to usurp the US Constitution and convert the Republic into just another communist run tyranny.

As they say - The best time to start prepping and practicing Op-Sec was 20 or 30 years ago.
The second best time is today.

IMHO this will be a time for conservatives to maintain a low profile, keep your powder dry and survive to be ready to act at a more propitious time.

Suggestions To Think About:

• Don't make yourself an easy target.
  Build and maintain a low profile. Keep your thoughts, plans, preps, and political ideology to yourself and a small tight circle - close family and, possibly, a few trusted like minded friends.

• Minimize your social/political footprint
  Why be a political activist while democrats have total control of the government and will use and abuse their power to silence any opposition.
  We know the FBI, DOJ, Supreme Court and other federal bureaucracies are corrupt anti-American leftist tools.
  And republican politicians have sold us out and will not be any help.
  We are alone....

• Democrats are planning a vendetta on Trump Supporters and those who oppose their tyranny - why make it easy for them to isolate you and attack you as their enemy?

• Your vote doesn't count - democrats can and will steal any election they please and our republican representatives have and will kiss democrat derrières to save themselves.
  So don't waste energy, time and treasure tilting windmills.

• Disengage from leftist owned social media.
  Cut the addiction to posting on social media - The left owns it so why support them and why make it easy for them to know who you are and identify you as their enemy?

• Get some cash to keep on hand - $20's and smaller - all you can afford.

• Obtain or get access to a LEGAL credit card or two in a name other than your own and keep them for use in the event you run into difficulty with your own.
  Maybe a parent, child, mother-in-law, etc. - but LEGAL.
  After all - you never know what might happen.

• And it goes without saying - As usual stock up on all the common staples and daily necessities.
  Buy them when you see them.
  I was in a big-box store today and was surprised to see many empty shelves.
  There were shortages of common everyday products, not just COVID related products like hand sanitizers and tissue paper.

[TianaHighrider]

Ping and bookmark

[eartick]

That is the NWO my friend. Put us in hovels and do not allow the commoner a chance for advancement.

[Jane Long]

Thanks, CB.

I recently checked our seed stash....and, saw that many are likely expired. I even have some that were canned (as in a sealed #10 can), but I think that those have to be expired, too.

Curious if anyone has a long term seed company they like. We have PLENTY of short term seeds (well, the ones that didn’t get lost in the flood ;-)

(Also pinging a couple of peppers.)

[metmom]

I have found that even seeds that are a couple years old with sprout. Perhaps the germination is not quite as good as fresh seeds, but the only ones that I have heard are really age sensitive are onion seeds.

[Jane Long]

Thanks....hoping they’re okay.....#10 sealed can.....from 2009 😂

[metmom]

You can only try.

Are they heirloom seeds?

I buy nothing but heirloom or OP seeds these days.

No hybrids. I don’t trust anything any more and do not want to be dependent on buying my seeds which may not be available.

There’s been too much talk about people who would control the food supply, as they can control people through hunger.

No thanks. Not going along with that one.

[Jane Long]

Yes. Heirloom seeds. Thx.

[Ellendra]

Some of the seeds in my stash are 15 years old. Last year I decided to plant some of the older ones. The germination rate was slightly lower than with the new ones, but the majority still grew.

There are stories of people finding seeds in ruins or old caves, that still sprouted even though they were hundreds of years old.

I wouldn’t worry too much about “expired” seeds. As long as you keep them dry, and out of the heat, they can last a long long time.

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Seed Viability -long term seed storage
Please consider printing out the list, and place in your seed storage container for future reference.

A commonly asked question is how long will the seeds remain viable?
Much of seed viability depends upon storage conditions.
The ideal storage condition for seeds is somewhere cool and dry.
For many homeowners a capped jar in the refrigerator serves the purpose.
Just looking at the seed will often give an indication of seed quality.
For seeds that are usually smooth and round or plump, they will not germinate well if they are pocked or wrinkled.
Peas, corn, and many other seeds are normally wrinkled but may not look as good as they should.
How long will vegetable seeds last if stored properly?

Seed and(Viability in Years)
Asparagas (3),
Muskmelons (5),
Beans (3),
Onions (1),
Beets (4),
Peas (3),
Broccoli (5),
Peppers (2),
Cabbage (5),
Pumpkins (4),
Carrots (3),
Radishes (5),
Cauliflower (5),
Spinach (5),
Corn (2),
Squash (4),
Cucumbers (5),
Tomatoes (4),
Lettuce (5),
Watermelons (4),

Source : Iowa State Extension
https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/1995/3-3-1995/seedv.html

[Jane Long]

Thx!!

[Tilted Irish Kilt]

Please see Post # 1438 (above) regarding long term seed storage and viability in years.
This is a pdf. that is available from Iowa Extension.
This Extension information sheet also provides for a method of testing seed viability to determine seed germination rate percentages.

This sheet is designed for the standard typical homeowner and gardener . There are other methods that can be employed for longer term (ie.: cold storage/freeze, oxygen absorbers, etc.).