Seeds

There are different ways to plant your garden. Our first year we purchased all seedlings from the nursery except for the corn. This is a good choice when you are just getting started. The next year I tried starting my own seedlings, but I don't have a good indoor natural light location, so I had to carry my plants in and out. I also did not start some of my plants like tomatoes and peppers early enough. I have a grow light on my wish list so that I can start plants more effectively.

I have discovered that most plants do best when they are planted as seeds right in the ground. Especially squash and melons. Plants like, peas, corn, and carrots need to be planted from seeds. I always purchase tomatoes and peppers, and although I plant broccoli from seed, I always end up buying started plants, maybe this will be my lucky broccoli year :)

I buy my seeds a year in advance, so I always have my year supply of seeds. I have read and heard that seeds last well for two years, after that you get fewer seeds germinating. Seeds should be kept in a cool, dark place while you store them.

I buy my seeds from my favorite local nursery. Buy your seeds early this year as many nurseries are seeing increased demand and are expecting to sell out of some seeds.

Grow a Garden!

I am not a master gardener nor am I a garden expert, but I have been planting, caring for and preserving the harvest of my garden now for 5 years. I've learned a lot and enjoy learning more and trying new ideas. I feel that a garden, whether large or small is an excellent way to be self-reliant and an important part of any food storage plan. It's also very trendy to be "green" right now, and you can't get any greener than a garden. :)

I plan to keep a record on this blog of this years garden. I will be planting my large row garden, I will be trying some square foot gardening and I will be trying strawberries and landscaping plants in some layered beds I made last year. We have also added chickens to our garden experiment this year and hope to be gathering eggs soon. As I harvest crops I will also blog about how I use and preserve my goods. I welcome any comments, suggestions or questions.

Getting Started

I love being prepared!! "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear," and I don't like to be afraid. When I taught school I would have my copies ready at least two terms in advance. So when I was able to stay home with my family, being prepared was very attractive. I believe in the importance of being self reliant. I think that we can improve our self reliance by preparing for things to come. This blog's goal is to share a little bit of what I have learned and to share new things as I learn them. I will be focusing on Food Storage and Gardening Ideas to help families become more self-reliant and prepare for unforeseen roadblocks in life.