We preppers are famous for those big old buckets of rice, wheat and beans and #10 cans of freeze-dried butter. Powdered milk and cans of pineapple, our shelves bow under the weight. Today, I spent hours on my hands and knees in the mud and the rain, planting blackberries, strawberries, elderberries and a gorgeous cranberry bush, I could have shot off an impressive order to Emergency Essentials for about what I spent on all of my plants, season extenders, rock amendments and such but what I would have ended up with was short-term security rather than long-term sustainability. Don’t get me wrong. I will always buy grains and such in bulk as well as the occasional #10 can of freeze-dried butter but it feels really good to be doing the work that means my kids and grandkids will eat well.
The weather has been so dreadful here. It’s cold and wet and windy. The sun is random, breaking through just long enough to tease us but not long enough to do any good. I’m fortunate that my soil drains well. I’ve seen some gardens that are nothing but mud puddles. I am hoping that we aren’t looking at another miserable garden year. The summer of blight is still fresh in our collective memories. Last summer, the summer of heat and drought was nearly as bad. This unstable weather has got me thinking about season extenders. I spent too much money this week and bought some Wall O’Waters. I want to give them a try to see if I can get enough extra grow time to maybe avoid the blight. Early planting also makes it possible to have corn or squash flower before my neighbors. That way I can save seed without cross breeding.
I suspect we will all have to figure out how to make growing food work during coming hard times. The curve is steep and I’m not getting any younger. That’s the most appealing thing about permaculture. Once established, the asparagus and the raspberries just keep producing. The chickens eat the garden wastes and provide eggs and manure. The bees pollinate and give us wonderful honey. I really urge you to get a copy of Gaia’s Garden or any other good permaculture book. The day may come when I can’t afford to experiment with expensive Wall O’Waters or buy those pulverized rock amendments. I need to know how to regenerate my soil.
Nature note: The ramps are up and so is the rhubarb. The turkey vultures have returned. The climate may not be stable but the earth does go on.
April 19, 2011 at 9:51 pm
I’m afraid that time is coming soon. The last of my plant order just arrived, so I’ll be the new strawberries and elderberries as soon as the sun breaks through (maybe Thursday)…
As you say, the buckets and cans are needed, but it’s really the garden and the work that we put into them that will feed you.
I have those squash seeds for you when we catch up with each other.
April 19, 2011 at 11:15 pm
Tonight we are under a tornado watch with a week of rain predicted. My major garden bed is a pit of muck.
My acre+ is awash in a sea of color as thousands of spring bulbs boom. The oranmental trees promise to take over very soon. The former owners spent tens of thousands on the landscaping and there is not a single plant here we can eat. There is a hand-dug stone lined well (with a custom made ornamental cover) and a pump installed but the former owner said she had to coordinate with when Mr. Major League watered his golf course or the well would go dry so she didn’t bother, she just used city water.
Our world may keep on going without coming to goom and doom but I remember everyday that this place only became ours because the former owners met their own end of a comfortable life. Thousands of little spendthrift actions pushed them right out of here. And we plan accordingly….
April 20, 2011 at 6:56 am
I’m ready any time next week Emily. I would love to show you around. Just be sure to bring boots. We’ll be thinking about you way2tired. The ornamentals are lovely to look at but tulip soup isn’t much of a dinner. I apologize for the mispelled word in the title. I fixed it but it took a while. I knew it looked funny.
April 20, 2011 at 11:32 am
Having lived in CT for 20+ years I’m always surprised when someone has to buy elderberry plants – we had them along the sides of all rural roads and our long driveway. I used them for jam/jelly, eating fresh and the blossoms make a wonderful tea. Did have to protect them from the birds – left one uncovered and when the birds dined I knew it was time to harvest. Best done by rubbing on a piece of hardware cloth, berries just dropped thru.
Somewhere – I think a Mother Earth News article- I read about planting tomatoes in a deep hole then filling in – worked like a Wall of Water. I’ve used a tomato cage wrapped in black plastic with good results.
Hoppy Spring to all = harvest time is just around the corner for all those delicious spring crops.
April 20, 2011 at 12:13 pm
FYI – one of my groups (Americans Networking to Survive) posted this – thought you would be interested.
http://www.saveourskills.com/gravity-fed-home-water-filtration-system
April 21, 2011 at 10:46 am
We have just moved to the Niagara Falls region of Ontario, Canada, finally we have our acre – and it’s just grass so I can plan at last. However, I am having trouble sourcing fruit and nut trees. Garden centres charge an arm and a leg, and local nurseries aren’t replying to my emails. Can any of your readers who may live around here recommend anything to help me please?
April 21, 2011 at 11:34 am
The weather is so odd this year. Now they are predicting 7 days straight of rain. Thank goodness for raised rows and good draining soil. My potato order is supposed to come this week…don’t want them to drown. Took a chance and planted 2 doz each cabbage,cauliflower,broccoli but left the others in the greenhouse. They seem to survive the violent storms we had Tuesday night. I’m with you …hope it doesn’t portend a bad growing season again this year…but gardeners’ hope springs eternal and there are 3 little blueberries on each of my newly planted babies! Plus none of the fruit tree blossoms got touched and the bees are busy working….DEE
April 21, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Jessica, Fedco is one. Also, I’m originally from Western NY so maybe Miller Nursuries near Canadaigua (Finger lakes)?
Just got my tomatoes in the mail. My cherry ones are tiny. I usually snip off all but the top couple leaves and bury them up to the leaves. Hope they still grow.
Half way through the Good Life.
Question – Any tips on covering strawberry and blueberry plants from birds?
April 21, 2011 at 8:05 pm
I use ReMay (I’m not sure of the spelling and it’s out in the greenhouse so I can’t check.)
April 21, 2011 at 11:31 pm
Jessica, I second the Fedco and Miller Nurseries suggestions. Also, have you tried NAFEX – the North American Fruit Explorers?
I used to know a prepper named Maxine, who lived in a yellow house on the outskirts of a certain quaint village in WNY…
April 23, 2011 at 10:15 am
Our forecast has just predicted a straight week of rain, with storms and such mixed in throughout. I’m making sure to stay prepared for the disasters that could come our way. We’ve already experienced some mild flooding. Thanks for posting and keeping us updated
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April 24, 2011 at 8:20 am
Thrivalista – Not me, but your post made me smile as yellow is my favorite color and I’d love to return to WNY.
Although I’m further south now and love that it’s warm and sunny. My poor family up north is still dealing with snow at the end of April.
April 25, 2011 at 2:36 am
I love the concept of permaculture. It makes complete sense to me.
There’s a great book called ‘Perennial Vegetables: From Artichokes to Zuiki Taro, A Gardener’s Guide to Over 100 Delicious, Easy-to-Grow Edibles’ by Eric Toensmeier. His website is http://perennialvegetables.org/ One particular thing I like about the site is that he also shares the lists from the book of those plants that can be grown as a perennial or an annual in each particular climate, and sources for the seeds and starts. However it’s in the book where he goes into depth on the plant profiles, with other common names for the vegetables, and maps indicating where (again) each climate will support the plants as perennials or annuals.