Posted on 06/01/2009 7:48:24 PM PDT by appleseed
Growing your own food is for everyone not just people that want “organic” fruit and vegetables.
Every day I get into my car and do a podcast on self sufficiency during my morning commute called The Survival Podcast. Over past few months I have dedicated a great deal of time to the subjects of Agriculture and Permaculture for a very simple reason. While the “prepper” community is of course very big on food storage there is a finite limit to how much food any individual or family can store. Once you stored food runs out in a true long term emergency you had better have some level or production capacity.
In addition to the limitations of stored food the “green movement” is huge right now and new gardens are popping up in every corner of the nation. From those that simply want better quality food to those that actually think carbon footprints matter, it seems millions Americans are putting in gardens in a new “back to the land” movement. Many in the media are claiming the recession is driving people to garden, in some ways it is true but the reality is in the first year a garden is often a financial loss. In my view what is really driving the new gardening revolution is that people are actually becoming aware of the many risks to our food supply.
(Excerpt) Read more at thesurvivalpodcast.com ...
topsoil dries out by evening from morning water, but straw underneath absorbs the water so am using less water overall, getting deeper roots, and seeing a lot less snails/slugs. No weeds to speak of except for the straw seedheads sprouting but easy enough to grab the area of straw, pull up the roots of the sprouted seedhead and then drop all of it back in place. We used left-over straw to mulch around the fruit trees' drip line.
This late in spring, a lot of places are putting their seeds on sale so we grab new varieties with an eye on heirlooms. We keep our seeds in plastic bags in a Tupperware container, sorted by planting time, in the back of the fridge, lower shelf. It's considered part of our bug-out gear. We also keep a garden diary/diagram and calendar of when we planted and where, and expected thin-out date, fruiting date and harvest date. In the diary we write down pest issues, if we had to replant because of seed failure or bug banquets, and what bugs and diseases (and their cures) we dealt with. We also write down what we wouldn't grow again, and why, as well as how many estimated pounds (or salads)yield per x-foot row was harvested. One section of the dairy is set aside for simple recipes - how to make plant fertilizer, or use soap to kill bugs, how to dry beans, how to cook beets or collards or green tomatoes, or how to make catsup or zucchini bread, just in case the cook doesn't survive the diary.
still left to experiment with is camouflaging the garden in event economy goes completely south and we shelter in place for a while before bugging out so we are also collecting flower/ornamentals seeds. Having some ornamental bushes, etc, in pots that may help disguise some plantings - the visibility/recognizability of corn, as opposed to say, swiss chard or potatoes or beets - or what nutrients one plant has than can be obtained from other less recognizable or more compact or faster growing plants. IMO Camouflage planting will useful both for sheltering in place, and for growing at the fallback property if it comes to that
Happy gardening!
I had a heck of a time trying to figure that one out. Now that the light bulb clicked on I get it and it's the best description I've seen on making a raised bed garden. Camouflaging the garden is something I never thought of doing. Dang, this is one of the most informative posts I've seen on gardening. Thanks for sharing!
Me too, and I agree. He does get wound a little tight sometimes though, but I guess we all do about our own hot button issues. I'd recommend his podcasts to anyone wanting a good overview of things to do to be prepared.
I love your suggestions! May I use some of them? Thanks so much for visiting my blog.
I’ll send it to SP. Thanks! :-)
Anything that holds in water also holds in fungus.
Your garden sounds fantastic - can I move in? :) I grow herbs and a couple tomato plants every year and always want to do more but never take the plunge. I actually just ordered a square foot gardening book because that raised style sounds very appealing, as does yours.
Question, with regard to your refrigerated seeds - how long do seeds keep and remain able to sprout?
homeowners consider the fruit that falls from these trees to be “lawn litter”, only an arrogant people would consider food to be garbage
although i havent found it, the Text Book prolly says something to the effect of mans folly being arrogant to the point of burning his food...
My garden size and variety has grown every year since weve lived here and is often more productive than we can process or even simply give away...its amazin how many folks will turn their noses up to fresh produce cause it needs to be 'cleaned'...
sad really...
www.thesurvivalmom.com
well done...
That IS amazing because there is absolutely no comparison between the flavor of fresh grown produce and store bought. My sister has a large garden every year and I take whatever she's willing to give away for that reason; that and the fact that I know exactly where it came from and what it was (or wasn't) enhanced with.
Great idea for Squantos’ copy plan, I added that to my list as well as CCC’s book idea. I already have a bug out plan book with evac maps and family plan, contact info, etc, etc.... but CCC had good stuff to add to that.
I will also read the PDF book that you suggested. I really wish it was on podcast or audio as I find more time to read in odd hours that way (multitask while driving or doing house chores). I run my own business so time is at a premium.
I have something on my to-do list that perhaps someone here can help with. Hubby and I were on our way back from our get-away cabin this weekend. It’s in a different state than where we currently live. We have carry permits in GA. But the laws are so different in different states. Plus I am still not totally clear on the laws about what is allowed to protect one’s property when it comes to shooting an attacker, nor are we clear on the reciprocal laws on carrying when traveling from state to state. So we were discussing what the law allows in both states. Any idea where could we find clear, accurate info for each state.... hopefully without wading through pages and pages of legaleeze?
i also would like plain english translations of the pertinant firearms laws, but alas most of em are shrouded in legalese, IMHO basically because weve allowed the definition of ‘is’ trump the very clear language of ‘shall NOT be infringed’...
Thanks for reminding me of maps!!!
I, too, like the binder.
Instead of ornamental, plant edible flowers and herbs. Most people don't know which flowers are edible and you've got yourself another food source. Many herbs look like weeds so that's another two for one.
BTW, thanks to whomever posted nitro-pak.com. I recieved my order today. It’s a small order but I feel better because I’d been wanting/needing a couple items. Mr. G thought I’d lost my mind but came around that at least I was thinking about the family’s safety. Yeah, buddy, who was it that was in panic mode last time we evacuated due to floods? It wasn’t me!
Not only is it good to have maps..... but also a family plan that all members of extended family know. For instance if everyone is at school and work and sudden evacuation is necessary, who will pick up who and where will you all meet if its not possible to get back home. That sort of thing.
we generally rotate thru our garden seed by the third year, and, other than carrots and lettuce, we’ve had pretty good success with everything. Lettuce seed packets say on them to buy new seed each year - we’ve planted two-year old lettuce seed kept in the fridge with no problem but found them very iffy after that - same with carrots - so when in doubt, we germinate a few seeds between wet paper towels and if not much is germinating after 7 days we know to plant newer seed.
(sorry for the late reply, we’re dodging some pretty rare electrical/thunderstorms here from a monster storm cell - the lightening is amazing - ball and bolts, lighting up the whole night sky, over and over - most too high to hear the thunder - like starwars, lol! newscast said over 800 strikes in 30 minutes and we’re in for more in a few minutes - yikes! luckily it’s warm enough that the hail is melting before it hits the ground - this is turning out to be one interesting gardening year so far!)
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