Are you intrigued by the idea of homesteading, but you don't think you can until you have a big house with a lot of acreage? At its essence, homesteading is about self-sufficiency, and there are many ways you can increase your independence no matter where you live. Here are some ways you can begin your homesteading journey even while still living in an … [Read more...]
11 Garden Soil Hacks To Maximize Your Harvest This Year
By far one of the most important factors contributing to the size and quality of your harvest is the soil in which your garden is planted. While it may seem like you're stuck with the soil you have, the truth is there are quite a few things you can do to improve the quality of your soil and maximize your harvest. Below, we’ll take a look at 11 garden … [Read more...]
The One Plant Every Survivalist Should Grow
If you could only grow one food as part of your emergency preps, which one would it be? If you ask me, it should most assuredly be garlic. This tiny little powerhouse of a crop not only improves the flavor of long-term storage meals, it also boasts potent medicinal and household uses. Allicin is the compound contained in garlic that is primarily … [Read more...]
Survival Gardening: 9 Organic Pest Control Methods
If you are relying on a garden to help you survive a long-term disaster, going organic probably won’t be your number one concern. However, a willingness to use chemical pest control doesn’t necessarily mean you'll be able to use chemical pest control. Unless you have a large supply of pest control products stockpiled, you’re going to have to turn to more … [Read more...]
How to Build a Survival Seed Bank so You Can Grow Food After the Collapse
Food, water, and shelter are the three essential requirements for survival after an apocalyptic disaster. Of the three, though, it is food that will be the most difficult to acquire. Making sure you have enough food to survive after the supermarkets are permanently closed requires a multi-faceted approach. While stockpiling canned food and other foods … [Read more...]
20 Vegetables that Grow Well in Shady Areas
Do you want to grow a vegetable garden, but you're worried about all the shade in your yard? Then I have some good news! There are many vegetables that grow well in shady areas. If your entire yard is covered in shade all day long, then there's not much you can do since most vegetables need at least a little bit of sunlight. However, if there are parts … [Read more...]
Top 10 Ways to Grow Your Own Food
Growing your own food is one of the most satisfying aspects of self-reliance. There is nothing quite as rewarding as serving up a meal comprised of home-grown ingredients. Growing your own food saves money, and it provides your family with fresh, nutrition-packed produce. Plus, you get the added benefit of knowing exactly what chemicals have – and have … [Read more...]
Survival Gardening: 18 Plants & Trees That Can Survive a Drought
Planting a survival garden requires you to foresee and prepare for a number of possible scenarios that could kill your plants and leave you without a source of food. One of the most dreaded of these scenarios is an extended drought. Many plants are unable to survive more than a few days without water. In a survival scenario where no rain is falling, … [Read more...]
5 Reasons Potatoes Are The Best Survival Food To Grow
In the Andy Weir novel, The Martian -- which was made into the movie of the same name starring Matt Damon -- the main character, Mark Watney, is stranded on Mars for months. When his supply of packaged food runs out, he grows and eats only potatoes for several weeks and is able to survive until his rescue. Potatoes may be the ultimate urban survival crop. … [Read more...]
Urban Survival Gardening: A Guide for Beginners
According to a 2015 survey, 62.7 percent of people in the United States live in the city, despite US cities taking up just 3.5 percent of the total land area. No doubt, living in a city provides plenty of advantages, from dining and entertainment options to proximity to your place of employment. One advantage that it does not provide, however, is easy … [Read more...]
11 Highest Calorie Crops for Your Survival Garden
Right now, most of us live in a world where the fewer calories a food has, the better. Should the day ever come when food is in short supply, though, that trend will reverse. When preparing to grow a survival garden, the number of calories a crop offers is an important consideration. Although veggies like tomatoes and cucumbers are nutritious and easy to … [Read more...]
23 Herbs and Veggies You Can Grow on Your Porch
Urban gardening is all about making the most out of the space you’ve got. All it takes to turn your outdoor balcony or back porch into a full-on garden is a pinch of creativity and a dash of strategy. Rather than planting one crop in one small pot, we are going to focus on planting multiple crops in one sizeable pot. This method makes the most of your … [Read more...]
5 Everyday Items You Can Use to Fertilize Your Garden
Your options for garden fertilizer are either Miracle Grow Plant Food (whose Amazon page includes a legal disclaimer that their phosphorus-containing fertilizer may cause harmful water runoff), or organic fertilizer. Easy choice. If you’re reading this, then organic is probably very important to you. You aren’t okay with a little pesticide on your salad … [Read more...]
10 Healthy Veggies You Can Grow in Water
Store-bought or homegrown, you can reuse those veggie scraps to grow an endless supply of food starting with just a container of water at home. DIY water gardens are ideal for anyone who wants to minimize waste, grow organic, save money, and make fewer trips to the market. Homesteaders and city dwellers--this one’s for you. What you’re going to need: … [Read more...]
Composting Guerrilla Style
This is an entertaining video from The Urban Farming Guys who are doing their best to make urban farming exciting. There is no shortage of talent and resource in most urban areas, but there is a serious shortage of fresh foods. This is a giant problem in America today. This food shortage would only be compounded by a serious disaster. The effort of urban … [Read more...]
10 Healthy Herbs You Can Grow in Water
No garden? No Problem! You can grow your own indoor herb garden without a pinch of soil. Even if you live in an apartment with nothing more than a tiny back porch or balcony, there is still room to grow some fragrant herbs. All you need is water, sunlight, and a place for your plants to spread their roots. Add a burst of flavor to your meals with Basil … [Read more...]
15 Most Nutritious Plants To Grow In Your Garden
When planning a survival garden, you can't just focus on the number of plants you can grow--you also have to think about the nutritional value of those plants. Most survival food isn't very nutritious due to all the processing and preservatives, so it's a good idea to supplement your stockpile with healthy produce from your garden. Not celery, cucumbers, and … [Read more...]
