Preparing for the Unexpected
When calamity strikes, how prepared are you?
Among the top priorities are food and water, especially if supply chains are disrupted.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated, disruptions in food supplies can be sudden and widespread.
An emergency garden at home can provide a sustainable source of nutritious food for your family during times of crisis.
How much emergency food should a family of 4 have?
You would need from 360 to 480 pounds of food per month to sustain a family of 4 during a time of crisis. This is 3 to 4 pounds of food per day per person. Based on a 1,600 – 2,500 calories per day diet.
Let’s explore how you can prepare for unexpected circumstances by growing your own fruits and vegetables at home.
Calculating Your Emergency Food Needs
When you’re strategizing your family’s survival plan, determining your food requirements is a critical piece of the puzzle.
It’s key to understanding that the estimate of 4,380 pounds of food per year for a family of four is based on the bare minimum needed for survival, not a typical, everyday diet.
That equates to around 360 pounds of food per month, or approximately 3 pounds of food per person each day.
However, remember that this is a generalized approximation.
Your family’s exact needs could be different and are dictated by factors such as age, health status, and activity levels of each family member.
Hence, while planning your survival garden, it would be prudent to account for these variables.
Understanding these dynamics will guide you in choosing the right mix of fruits and vegetables that cater to your family’s specific nutritional needs and preferences.
Planning Your Survival Garden
Embarking on the journey to create a survival garden is more than just scattering seeds and hoping for the best.
It’s about meticulous planning, with an emphasis on your family’s needs and your local growing conditions.
Consider what your family enjoys eating and what will thrive in your particular climate and soil.
The strategic selection of plants is key, balancing nutritional value, high yields, and speed of growth.
Once your crop list is set, plot your garden carefully, keeping in mind the needs of each plant, whether it’s full sun or partial shade, rich or lean soil.
The care and nurturing of your garden, from seed to harvest, is the next stage.
Understanding the watering, fertilizing, and pest control needs of your plants will ensure a bountiful yield.
And remember, your survival garden is a long-term project.
Consider using sustainable practices like composting and rainwater collection to support your garden and your family’s needs.
Best Vegetables to Grow in an Emergency Garden
Choosing the right vegetables for your emergency garden is a delicate balancing act, prioritizing ease of growth, nutritional value, and robust yields.
A superstar selection is the humble potato, a breeze to cultivate, high in calories, and easily stored for a long duration.
Plus, potatoes come in various varieties to keep your meals exciting.
Next on the list are beans, a powerhouse of protein, making them an essential part of any survival diet.
Aside from being highly nutritious, beans are generous in giving back to your garden by enhancing your soil’s nitrogen content.
Don’t forget to include leafy greens, such as spinach and kale.
These resilient greens can offer a steady supply of necessary vitamins and minerals as they mature quickly.
They are also highly adaptable to various climates, and their compact size allows for growing large quantities in a limited space.
Your emergency garden wouldn’t be complete without some fast-growing crops that can offer an early harvest.
Radishes, for example, can be ready for the table in less than a month.
Remember, the secret to a successful emergency garden lies not just in the variety, but also in the knowledge of how to grow and care for these plants.
So, start now and learn as you grow.
Each gardening season will bring new understanding and successes, preparing you for any emergency.
Fruitful Selections for Your Survival Garden
When it comes to adding a sweet and nutritious twist to your survival garden, fruits are your best friends.
Not only do they provide a break from the regular vegetable fare, but they also infuse your diet with essential vitamins.
Let’s begin with berries, a charming and hardy addition to your garden.
Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are not just easy to cultivate, but they also promise a quick return on your efforts by producing fruit within their first year.
It’s like having a mini orchard in your backyard!
But why stop at berries?
Let’s go a step further.
Imagine biting into a fresh, crisp apple straight from your garden or enjoying a sweet pear, warmed by the sun.
Apple and pear trees can be a substantial and rewarding addition to your survival garden.
Although they do require a few years to mature and start bearing fruit, the wait is definitely worth it.
Planting these trees now will ensure a steady supply of food in the future.
Remember, good things take time, and this is no exception.
A survival garden is not just about immediate returns, but also about laying the foundation for sustainable food security.
So, go ahead and add some fruity delights to your survival garden, and you’ll reap the benefits when you most need them.
How to Store and Preserve Your Harvest
Your bountiful harvest is not just a testament to your successful gardening but also a critical component of your emergency food plan.
Safeguarding this treasure trove requires effective storage and preservation techniques.
Certain root vegetables like potatoes and carrots are easy to store.
Just tuck them away in a cool, dark place, and they’ll last for several months.
But what about the rest of your harvest?
This is where preservation methods come into play.
Drying fruits and vegetables not only allows them to last for extended periods, but it also enhances their natural sweetness.
The process is simple and can be achieved by using an oven, a dehydrator, or even the sun’s heat.
Canning is another option to consider.
With the proper canning process, fruits and vegetables can be preserved for years, retaining their nutritional value.
The colorful jars of pickled cucumbers, canned tomatoes, or sweet fruit jams could brighten up any winter pantry.
Freezing is a preservation technique often overlooked but is excellent for retaining the flavor and nutrition of your garden-fresh produce.
It’s the closest you can get to eating fresh, right out of the garden, during off-seasons.
Lastly, pickling vegetables adds a tangy twist to your harvest and extends their shelf life.
From dill pickles to sauerkraut, pickled vegetables offer a variety of flavors and health benefits, including improved digestion.
Remember, these methods aren’t mutually exclusive.
Each technique brings its unique advantages and is better suited for certain types of produce.
Explore these methods and find out what works best for your harvest.
Your survival garden’s yield will continue to nourish your family long after the growing season has ended, provided you’ve taken the right steps to store and preserve it.
Benefits of a Home Survival Garden
Beyond the assurance of having a steady food supply during crises, the perks of cultivating a home survival garden are multifold.
Think of it as a gym nestled right in your backyard; the tasks associated with gardening—digging, weeding, pruning—provide an engaging way to stay fit and healthy.
It’s a chance to soak up some sunlight, fill your lungs with fresh air, and connect with nature—a soothing antidote to modern-day stress.
For families, the garden also becomes a dynamic outdoor classroom where kids can learn about plant growth, nutrition, and the environment.
It’s a chance for hands-on learning that goes beyond textbooks, providing invaluable lessons about life and survival.
Plus, the added benefit of knowing precisely what you’re consuming cannot be overstated.
You control every aspect of your produce—from seed to harvest.
This eliminates fears linked to the possible presence of harmful pesticides or synthetic fertilizers in commercially farmed produce.
A home survival garden, in essence, fosters a healthier lifestyle, encourages learning, and nurtures peace of mind, making it a worthy endeavor for any household.
The Reward of Preparation
Navigating through times of unpredictability, the assurance of a self-sufficient food source in your backyard brings immense peace.
While it’s undeniable that launching an emergency garden demands dedication and labor, the returns are immensely gratifying.
Not only does this garden prepare you to face unforeseen circumstances, but it also offers the luxury of daily fresh and wholesome produce, improves your overall health, and empowers you with invaluable skills.
Your journey, from planting the first seed to reaping your first harvest, is filled with learning experiences, each adding to your resilience.
More than just a source of food, your survival garden is a testament to your foresight and preparation.
It’s a lifeline that you cultivate with your own hands, one that ensures your family’s well-being in times of crisis.
In essence, the fruits of your labor today could be the anchor that sustains your family in the future – a result truly worth the toil.
As the saying goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
So go ahead, seize the moment, and sow the seeds of your survival garden today.
Bringing you the best tips to help you build your own emergency survival garden at home. Thank you for coming by.