Hi Everyone,
Sorry it's been so long since my last post, but it has been a hectic week at work. It was 10:30 pm when I walked in my door last night and I left a lot of things undone there. But enough for the mundane things like work. Let's talk about more important things in life.
I realized the other day as I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, that I was making an assumption about all of you that maybe I shouldn't, and thereby doing you a disservice. And for that I want to apologize.
I was assuming that everyone out there knew what I meant at the end of each posting when I say, "Keep prepping because what you do matters". Maybe some of the audience doesn't know what I mean by "prepping" or if they do, they might not know why it matters. So I'd like to start a short series to cover this subject.
When I talk about prepping, I'm talking about being prepared for the inevitable "what if". We all know things can go wrong in life. A lot of people worry about the big "what ifs".... What if the economy collapses..... What if there's a nuclear terrorist attack.....What if the world falls apart in 2012......? Some of these things are, I suppose, possible, but none are very likely.
When we first start becoming prepared, we need to prepare for the most likely things that could happen and those things will probaby affect no one other than our immediate family. These are things like.... job loss.....death of a loved one....a protracted illness or injury.....loss of income. These are all things that have a much higher probability of happening than the earth being struck by a meteor and would only be "the end of the world as we know it" for us individually.
In the current economy, loss of income either from job loss or loss of investment returns are on the minds of many people. "What if " I loose my job. Can I find another quickly? Will it pay enough to pay the bills? Or will I have to take a major pay cut just to get something? These are concerns that many people face daily right now. As we get older we worry about other things too. What if my retirement fund runs out before I do? What if my loved one gets cancer and needs medication we can't afford? What if I break a hip and I can't take care of myself for a while? What if................?
Prepping means acting before the "What Ifs" happens to avoid them if possible or have systems in place to make life more pleasant if they do. But lets start with one of the smallest "What ifs" out there. Something easy, not scary and that all of us can do with little or not problem.
What is one of the most common small "What ifs" that happens? .... A power outage. These happen regularly all over the country for various reasons: too much draw on the electrical system during a heat wave, ice storms, tornados, a car crashed into an electrical pole. It really doesn't matter why it happens, your immediate problem is the same..no electricity.
In the day time, if it's not going to be prolonged it's really not much of a problem except in extreme weather and even then it will take most houses a while to get uncomfortable. But after dark or a prolonged outage presents us with problems.
One of your preps for this is to make a Blackout Kit. A small bag or plastic box to keep a couple of flashlights, extra batteries, some candles, and matches can be put together for little of nothing. Maybe even throw in a deck of cards and a cribbage board, or a board game to give you something to do while you're waiting for the lights to come back on. Then an inconvenience, becomes an adventure or maybe even a romantic evening.
Your Blackout kit should be kept in a location easily accessed from any place in the house in the dark. And everyone who lives there should know that location. Waiting for the electricity to come back on is much more pleasant if you don't have to do it in the dark.
If you live in a climate where it gets cold and your source of heat is electric or relies on electric to move the heat around, do you have a fireplace where you can burn wood. (Can you tell I live in Southern PRC where people actually have fireplaces where they can't burn wood?) Do you have wood available? And kindling? Matches? Do you see where I'm going with this. We all play the "what if " game when we're worrying about something that's happened. But if we play that game BEFORE something happens, we can act beforehand and have a system in place to deal with the situation so a problem becomes only a minor inconvenience. It doesn't make you a paranoid to do this. It makes you "prepared".
If this were a podcast and we were having a conversation, I'd continue on, but since this is only a blog, I'm going to split this up into a few segments.
So until then, keep prepping because what you do matters, and remember, "Just 'cause there's snow on the rooftop, doesn't mean there ain't a fire in the fireplace."
See you next time.
Candy
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Raised beds Victory Garden
Good Morning Everyone,
I had mentioned in an earlier post about an interesting raised bed garden I've seen here in town. Along with The Survival Podcast, this garden was one of the reasons I started this blog. I will try to include pictures of this garden if the owner will give me permission.
Working in the garden is rewarding, fulfilling and liberating. It makes us less dependent on the global food system, keeps us healthy and helps our bottom line. But it can be hard work physically. For many of us as we become Seasoned, this can be a problem.
Raised beds have been a long time standard for gardeners. But by raised beds, the raised part is usually 8 to 12 inches.This is helpful for keeping control of the garden area for weeds and soil quality, but does nothing for achy backs or sore knees, unless the construction materials are wide enough to sit on.
These beds are approximately 2 1/2 feet above the normal ground level. My first thought when I saw this garden was, "What a great idea for someone confined to a wheelchair or who needs to use a scooter". But it would also be helpful for anyone who has back or knee problems.
For someone in a wheelchair, it would probably be a good height for planting, weeding and harvesting shorter plants. There was corn planted which would have been beyond the reach of someone confined to a wheelchair. Pole beans would also be a problem under these circumstances, but if you arched the supporting wire over the pathways between the beds, not only would reaching the beans be possible, but you could utilize the space between the beds for production as well.
The major disadvantages I can see in beds of this sort is in the initial set up. Raised beds are usually made with landscaping timbers or 2x8s. The additional building material costs for timbers, lumber or even cinderblock to get to 30" height would triple. But be creative. I have seen raise beds made from many "scavanged items" such as broken concrete and river rock.
Projects of this scope are also difficult physically. Many High Schools require that students preform "community service hours" for graduation, usually 40 to 80 hours. Helping with the physical construction of these beds could fulfill a great deal of that requirement.
This type of project might also be applicable to Boy Scouts working toward their Eagle Scout award. http://search.scouting.org/BsaSearchPages/NationalResults.aspx?k=eagle+scout+projects&s=Scouting.org will help you find a troop in your area.
Additionally, if you have a local Sea Cadet Unit, Sea Cadets need to accumulate 40 hours of community service to earn their Community Service Ribbon. You can check at http://dolphin.seacadets.org/US_units/index_public.asp to find a unit in your area. Speak with the commanding officer and tell them what your needs are. If you are former military, offer to get involved. Talk to the Cadets about your experiences, listen to them about theirs. Units are always eager for prior service personnel to share their wisdom. What a great way to build community.
The second problem with the initial set up is that even at the regular depth of 8 to 10 inches, a 4' x 8' bed takes approximately 24 to 32 cubic feet of soil. This can be a substantial cost if you are not producing your own compost and topsoil. A good investment to be sure with a good return on that investment which increases each year as the soil "matures". Then, take that amount of soil and triple it. You would however have some of the deepest, nicest soil on the block.
Also, if you are confined to a wheelchair or scooter, you probably would not want to build the beds to the usual 4 foot width. You need to be able to reach to the center of each bed from your chair or scooter. Figure out how far you can reach and double that to get the width, assuming that you will be able to go around the entire bed. Perhaps a 2' by 8' bed would work better. Figure out what would work best for you. You can probably do this by reaching over a counter top or table.
Hopefully this will give you some ideas on how to bring raised beds into Victory Garden Arsenal and along with that the sense of joy and self-reliance that comes with it.
Well, that's it for now. Till next time, keep prepping because what you do matters. and remember "Just 'cause there's snow on the roof top, doesn't mean there ain't a fire in the fireplace.
Candy
I had mentioned in an earlier post about an interesting raised bed garden I've seen here in town. Along with The Survival Podcast, this garden was one of the reasons I started this blog. I will try to include pictures of this garden if the owner will give me permission.
Working in the garden is rewarding, fulfilling and liberating. It makes us less dependent on the global food system, keeps us healthy and helps our bottom line. But it can be hard work physically. For many of us as we become Seasoned, this can be a problem.
Raised beds have been a long time standard for gardeners. But by raised beds, the raised part is usually 8 to 12 inches.This is helpful for keeping control of the garden area for weeds and soil quality, but does nothing for achy backs or sore knees, unless the construction materials are wide enough to sit on.
These beds are approximately 2 1/2 feet above the normal ground level. My first thought when I saw this garden was, "What a great idea for someone confined to a wheelchair or who needs to use a scooter". But it would also be helpful for anyone who has back or knee problems.
For someone in a wheelchair, it would probably be a good height for planting, weeding and harvesting shorter plants. There was corn planted which would have been beyond the reach of someone confined to a wheelchair. Pole beans would also be a problem under these circumstances, but if you arched the supporting wire over the pathways between the beds, not only would reaching the beans be possible, but you could utilize the space between the beds for production as well.
The major disadvantages I can see in beds of this sort is in the initial set up. Raised beds are usually made with landscaping timbers or 2x8s. The additional building material costs for timbers, lumber or even cinderblock to get to 30" height would triple. But be creative. I have seen raise beds made from many "scavanged items" such as broken concrete and river rock.
Projects of this scope are also difficult physically. Many High Schools require that students preform "community service hours" for graduation, usually 40 to 80 hours. Helping with the physical construction of these beds could fulfill a great deal of that requirement.
This type of project might also be applicable to Boy Scouts working toward their Eagle Scout award. http://search.scouting.org/BsaSearchPages/NationalResults.aspx?k=eagle+scout+projects&s=Scouting.org will help you find a troop in your area.
Additionally, if you have a local Sea Cadet Unit, Sea Cadets need to accumulate 40 hours of community service to earn their Community Service Ribbon. You can check at http://dolphin.seacadets.org/US_units/index_public.asp to find a unit in your area. Speak with the commanding officer and tell them what your needs are. If you are former military, offer to get involved. Talk to the Cadets about your experiences, listen to them about theirs. Units are always eager for prior service personnel to share their wisdom. What a great way to build community.
The second problem with the initial set up is that even at the regular depth of 8 to 10 inches, a 4' x 8' bed takes approximately 24 to 32 cubic feet of soil. This can be a substantial cost if you are not producing your own compost and topsoil. A good investment to be sure with a good return on that investment which increases each year as the soil "matures". Then, take that amount of soil and triple it. You would however have some of the deepest, nicest soil on the block.
Also, if you are confined to a wheelchair or scooter, you probably would not want to build the beds to the usual 4 foot width. You need to be able to reach to the center of each bed from your chair or scooter. Figure out how far you can reach and double that to get the width, assuming that you will be able to go around the entire bed. Perhaps a 2' by 8' bed would work better. Figure out what would work best for you. You can probably do this by reaching over a counter top or table.
Hopefully this will give you some ideas on how to bring raised beds into Victory Garden Arsenal and along with that the sense of joy and self-reliance that comes with it.
Well, that's it for now. Till next time, keep prepping because what you do matters. and remember "Just 'cause there's snow on the roof top, doesn't mean there ain't a fire in the fireplace.
Candy
Friday, September 3, 2010
Your Victory Container Garden
Hi Everyone,
In keeping with the Victory Garden theme started last episode, I wanted to touch on some garden projects you can do in containers for those who live in apartments or condos and have space limited to a front porch or a balcony. Even if you grow only enough to feed yourself a salad once a month, that's one less time you're dependent on the current global food system that is stealing our freedom and threatening our countries productivity.
Often plants are grown in containers not only because of space constraints, but to give you the ability to protect them from frost or excessive heat. It also gives you the opportunity to take the plant with you if you move.
Although you can use any soil in containers, a good potting soil is best. Many come with slow release organic fertilizers already mixed in. Since this is closed system, regular feeding will be necessary. Good drainage is also necessary so choose a container with a drain hole. Container plants can add beauty to your home, but be careful about color choices for pots kept outdoors in the sun. Dark colors could cause the root system to get too hot. Containers are also a good way to get a jump start of your fall or spring garden by starting your seedlings indoors where they are protected from the harshest elements. There are many opportunities to get creative when it comes to the choice of containers, including recycling unusual items or making your own. Be creative.
Greens grow wonderfully in containers, especially those gourmet baby greens that are so popular, also cut and come again lettuces. Depending on the size of the pot, a 30" pot should do, you can make a "salad garden" container. Plant a small variety of tomato such as Tiny Tim in the center, and a few varieties of baby lettuces around the outside. There is one variety of tomato, Micro Tom, that grows to only 6 to 8 inches tall. There are also varieties of dwarf cucumber, such as Bush Slicer, that do very well. There you are, your own salad growing in one container. If a 30" pot is too large, use several smaller containers. There are also hanging varieties of tomatoes such as Tumbler Hybrid.
Don't hesitate to experiment. Try other veggies you like. I even grew zucchini in a container once. Starting your plants from seed for this will give you more varieties to choose from than you can get at Home Depot or Lowe's and 30 to 50 seeds will cost you what one plant will.
To keep the salad coming, plant your lettuces in succession, about 2 weeks apart. This should keep you going all season. When one plant is finished, remove it, and replant it its place. Or start a second container and alternate.
If your circumstance doesn't allow you to put your plants outdoors, a couple of good full spectrum grow lights can be placed over your containers either as the entire light source or to supplement the ambient light from a window.
There are also some perenials that can be grown in containers. Probably the most popular of these are strawberries. The ever popular Strawberry Pot is well known. These can be bought as terracotta decorative pots, but you can make one from wood or even large PVC pipe with holes drilled in the side. A small pvc pipe with holes drilled around it, placed in the center of the pot will help with watering. Choose a variety of strawberry that is labeled as "everbearing" so you don't have to replant every year.
There are many varieties of genetic dwarf fruit trees that can be kept in good size containers on a patio. Peaches and Nectarines are probably the most common and can be picked up as bareroot during bareroot season. For those who live in states that allow shipping of fruit trees there are also good online nurseries. I will add some links later today. Small varieties of citrus also make good candidates. Some of these can even be grown indoors. Four Winds Growers has a chart of these varieties.
There are even varieties of berries suitable for containers. Upright or short caned varieties of blackberries, rasberries such as "Autumn Bliss", and dwarf varieties of blueberries such as northsky, bluecrop or sunshine blue. Rasberries and blackberries will need a trellis.
Whatever you grow, it will make you that much more self-sufficient, less dependent and give you more control over your life. Consider adding some container gardening to your life.
Well, that's it for today. Keep on prepping because what you do matters. And remember "Just cause there's snow on the rooftop, doesn't mean there ain't a fire in the fireplace."
See you next time,
Candy
In keeping with the Victory Garden theme started last episode, I wanted to touch on some garden projects you can do in containers for those who live in apartments or condos and have space limited to a front porch or a balcony. Even if you grow only enough to feed yourself a salad once a month, that's one less time you're dependent on the current global food system that is stealing our freedom and threatening our countries productivity.
Often plants are grown in containers not only because of space constraints, but to give you the ability to protect them from frost or excessive heat. It also gives you the opportunity to take the plant with you if you move.
Although you can use any soil in containers, a good potting soil is best. Many come with slow release organic fertilizers already mixed in. Since this is closed system, regular feeding will be necessary. Good drainage is also necessary so choose a container with a drain hole. Container plants can add beauty to your home, but be careful about color choices for pots kept outdoors in the sun. Dark colors could cause the root system to get too hot. Containers are also a good way to get a jump start of your fall or spring garden by starting your seedlings indoors where they are protected from the harshest elements. There are many opportunities to get creative when it comes to the choice of containers, including recycling unusual items or making your own. Be creative.
Greens grow wonderfully in containers, especially those gourmet baby greens that are so popular, also cut and come again lettuces. Depending on the size of the pot, a 30" pot should do, you can make a "salad garden" container. Plant a small variety of tomato such as Tiny Tim in the center, and a few varieties of baby lettuces around the outside. There is one variety of tomato, Micro Tom, that grows to only 6 to 8 inches tall. There are also varieties of dwarf cucumber, such as Bush Slicer, that do very well. There you are, your own salad growing in one container. If a 30" pot is too large, use several smaller containers. There are also hanging varieties of tomatoes such as Tumbler Hybrid.
Don't hesitate to experiment. Try other veggies you like. I even grew zucchini in a container once. Starting your plants from seed for this will give you more varieties to choose from than you can get at Home Depot or Lowe's and 30 to 50 seeds will cost you what one plant will.
To keep the salad coming, plant your lettuces in succession, about 2 weeks apart. This should keep you going all season. When one plant is finished, remove it, and replant it its place. Or start a second container and alternate.
If your circumstance doesn't allow you to put your plants outdoors, a couple of good full spectrum grow lights can be placed over your containers either as the entire light source or to supplement the ambient light from a window.
There are also some perenials that can be grown in containers. Probably the most popular of these are strawberries. The ever popular Strawberry Pot is well known. These can be bought as terracotta decorative pots, but you can make one from wood or even large PVC pipe with holes drilled in the side. A small pvc pipe with holes drilled around it, placed in the center of the pot will help with watering. Choose a variety of strawberry that is labeled as "everbearing" so you don't have to replant every year.
There are many varieties of genetic dwarf fruit trees that can be kept in good size containers on a patio. Peaches and Nectarines are probably the most common and can be picked up as bareroot during bareroot season. For those who live in states that allow shipping of fruit trees there are also good online nurseries. I will add some links later today. Small varieties of citrus also make good candidates. Some of these can even be grown indoors. Four Winds Growers has a chart of these varieties.
There are even varieties of berries suitable for containers. Upright or short caned varieties of blackberries, rasberries such as "Autumn Bliss", and dwarf varieties of blueberries such as northsky, bluecrop or sunshine blue. Rasberries and blackberries will need a trellis.
Whatever you grow, it will make you that much more self-sufficient, less dependent and give you more control over your life. Consider adding some container gardening to your life.
Well, that's it for today. Keep on prepping because what you do matters. And remember "Just cause there's snow on the rooftop, doesn't mean there ain't a fire in the fireplace."
See you next time,
Candy
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Revival of The Victory Garden
After a hard day at work, there is nothing more soul replenishing than having a quiet time in the garden, either watering, pulling a few weeds or picking something fresh to have with dinner. A time to reflect on what's really important in life and put the pressures of the day behind you. There is wonderful feeling of self-sufficiency you get by doing something as simple as growing some of your own food.
Times are tough for many right now, between high unemployment rates, which are reported well below their actual levels when those who are "under employed", limited to part-time employment, or have given up all together are taken into account, and the beating so many have taken to their retirement accounts in the stockmarket down turn. One of the few things everyone can do to help their own situation is to grow some of their own food. IT IS TIME TO REVIVE THE VICTORY GARDEN.
During WWII, everyone made sacrifices, many things were rationed. The call to plant "Gardens for Victory" went out and was answered overwhelmingly. It became a patriotic duty to grab onto self-reliance by growning some of our own food, making it possible for more supplys to be sent to the troops.
Today, planting a garden and regaining that sense of self-reliance is still patriotic, perhaps, in some ways, maybe more patriotic now than during WWII. Many have become soft in this entitlement based, global economy society we have become. Even organizations geared for the "Greatest Generation", namely the AARP, promote entitlement and looking to the Government to solve every problem. That is not the job of Government. That is our job: to care for ourselves, our families and each other.
Jules Dervaes, a man in Pasadena, California, who grows 6,000 lbs of food a year on a tenth of an acre, says that "growing food might just be one of the most dangerous occupations on earth, because you are in danger of becoming free." Take a few minutes and watch their video on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCPEBM5ol0Q . See what can be done in a very limited space when you make what you already have work for you.
We have lost so many freedoms over the years as we, as a society, became more and more dependent on Government. Growing at least some of our own food is probably the simplest way to start down that path to regaining our freedom. Even if you live in a small apartment, you can grow gourmet lettuce in a window sill. Do something, because "WHAT YOU DO MATTERS." This is not only a path to personal freedom, but for our country as well.
As a nation, we have now become a consumer, not a producer. We no longer produce enough food to feed ourselves. We have "out sourced" feeding our population to the other countries of the world, just as we out sourced energy production. We can't dig a hole in the backyard and get gas for the car, but we can dig a hole in the backyard, put in a seed and grow a tomato, a head of lettuce or some green beans. Doing so will help fill our bellies, nourish our bodies and heal our spirits. It is the easiest path to freedom.
In the next episode, we talk about ways to start your own Victory Garden, making what you have work for you and taking those steps down the path to freedom.
Until then, know what you do matters, keep preparing and remember, "Just 'cause there's snow on the rooftop, doesn't mean there ain't a fire in the fireplace." See you next time.
Candy
Times are tough for many right now, between high unemployment rates, which are reported well below their actual levels when those who are "under employed", limited to part-time employment, or have given up all together are taken into account, and the beating so many have taken to their retirement accounts in the stockmarket down turn. One of the few things everyone can do to help their own situation is to grow some of their own food. IT IS TIME TO REVIVE THE VICTORY GARDEN.
During WWII, everyone made sacrifices, many things were rationed. The call to plant "Gardens for Victory" went out and was answered overwhelmingly. It became a patriotic duty to grab onto self-reliance by growning some of our own food, making it possible for more supplys to be sent to the troops.
Today, planting a garden and regaining that sense of self-reliance is still patriotic, perhaps, in some ways, maybe more patriotic now than during WWII. Many have become soft in this entitlement based, global economy society we have become. Even organizations geared for the "Greatest Generation", namely the AARP, promote entitlement and looking to the Government to solve every problem. That is not the job of Government. That is our job: to care for ourselves, our families and each other.
Jules Dervaes, a man in Pasadena, California, who grows 6,000 lbs of food a year on a tenth of an acre, says that "growing food might just be one of the most dangerous occupations on earth, because you are in danger of becoming free." Take a few minutes and watch their video on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCPEBM5ol0Q . See what can be done in a very limited space when you make what you already have work for you.
We have lost so many freedoms over the years as we, as a society, became more and more dependent on Government. Growing at least some of our own food is probably the simplest way to start down that path to regaining our freedom. Even if you live in a small apartment, you can grow gourmet lettuce in a window sill. Do something, because "WHAT YOU DO MATTERS." This is not only a path to personal freedom, but for our country as well.
As a nation, we have now become a consumer, not a producer. We no longer produce enough food to feed ourselves. We have "out sourced" feeding our population to the other countries of the world, just as we out sourced energy production. We can't dig a hole in the backyard and get gas for the car, but we can dig a hole in the backyard, put in a seed and grow a tomato, a head of lettuce or some green beans. Doing so will help fill our bellies, nourish our bodies and heal our spirits. It is the easiest path to freedom.
In the next episode, we talk about ways to start your own Victory Garden, making what you have work for you and taking those steps down the path to freedom.
Until then, know what you do matters, keep preparing and remember, "Just 'cause there's snow on the rooftop, doesn't mean there ain't a fire in the fireplace." See you next time.
Candy
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