Getting into the world of hydroponics can be more than a little intimidating. If you’re new to this type of gardening and just want to get your feet wet (no pun intended), you don’t have to have an extensive growing system with complicated pumps, electricity, or miles of land. All you need is a few basic supplies, and you can get started growing your own food right away…no work required.
Potatoes are one of those staple foods that you should always have on hand. They last for a long time (especially when stored properly), are super filling, and can be incorporated into a wide variety of dishes. Plus, they are incredibly easy to grow, even in a tiny space like a balcony, porch, or small yard. All you need is some soil and a few five-gallon buckets, and you are well on your way to a bountiful potato harvest.
If you’re feeling the stress of current events, you’ve probably spared a thought to the security of your food supply. What would happen if there was nothing on the shelves at the grocery store next week? Though that is unlikely to happen, it is still important to be prepared.
One thing this pandemic has taught us is that we rely too heavily on modern supply chains for food. What happens if grocery stores run out of food? The solution is simple; grow your own. In a not too distant future, growing vegetables and fruits in containers could be a necessity. And you don’t have to live in the country. Today, urban and rural gardeners alike rely on patios, balconies, rooftops, alleyways, or whatever space is available to grow their produce. Here’s a list of some of the best fruits and veggies you can grow in containers.
If you’re like me, you eagerly await the arrival of spring so that you can escape the house and start gardening again. You probably work hard on your garden like I do – with one of the biggest chores, of course, being weeding. Until recently, I had a serious vendetta against weeds. But then I found out that by obsessively removing all the weeds from the garden, I was actually throwing away valuable produce!
In the wake of WWI and WWII, millions of American citizens embraced the idea of the victory garden. With food shortages, rising costs, and the need to support the war effort overseas, the government called upon communities and individuals to grow their own food for nourishment and to keep up morale in a country afflicted by the mounting effects of such an enormous war. Citizens answered the call with relish, and by 1943, almost 40% of all fruits and vegetables in the U.S. were being produced in victory gardens.
While stockpiling seeds is a great idea, keep in mind that seeds do have a shelf life. They don’t last forever, and if you’re planning to have some on hand for an emergency, it is important that you practice growing them so that you can guarantee success when it matters most. Use a rotating seed system to plant, store, and refresh your stored seeds regularly and add these plants to your garden today to deepen your emergency gardening experience. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Start your emergency garden today.
Food preservation is an ancient technique that allows you to stockpile a large amount of food for a rainy day, or even a global health or economic crisis. Dehydration is easy once you get the hang of it and the food you preserve goes a long way! Read on to find out how you can get started saving food today.
While all fresh produce has great value, especially when you grow it yourself, spinach is a crop that you don’t want to forget about. Not only is it easy to grow from seed, but it is loaded with nutrients and highly versatile in cooking. In fact, if you were to plant only one seed during the present crisis, spinach would be the winner!
Mustard is an ancient plant that has plenty of appeal for today’s gardeners. This hardy plant is easy to grow and produces seed in as little as 60 days. The greens are edible and can be used in salads, soups, stews, egg and potato dishes, casseroles, and more. Mustard flowers are a beautiful bright yellow, and when you allow the seeds to mature, they will self sow and allow for more and more mustard.
There is nothing quite so delicious as homegrown cucumbers. I love them right off the vine. Like tomatoes, cucumbers are summer vegetables that thrive in warm weather. There are lots of tricks for getting a seriously huge harvest of healthy and delicious cucumbers in your garden this season.
Susan has been nurturing her gardening tips and advice for over 00 years, it’s fair to say she knows her beans. She’ll be sharing her knowledge from tried and tested methods.
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