Foods for Survival Gardening: A Comprehensive Guide
Due to recent global events, the ability to grow your own food has garnered attention, especially in the context of self-sufficiency and survival gardening. Self gardening means being able to grow your own food and supply yourself with nourishment as well as connect to nature and live sustainably.
Among the numerous crops, blackberries and the other mulberries, stand out for being hardy and abundant. However, the variety of crops suitable for self survival goes far beyond blackberries. This article seeks to explore survival gardening foods and their contributions to outdoor self reliance.
Why Survival Gardening Matters:
Growing food is one thing, and food gardening is an entirely different philosophy. Food gardening is the philosophy of gardening to cultivate resilience as well. With concerns regarding the economy, grocery reliance, and natural disasters, a good survival garden design will provide a person with sustenance and peace of mind. Choosing easy to grow crops that are full of nutrients will provide peace of mind, and a reliable food source.
Best Choices for Survival Gardening
Blackberries: The Tough Berry
A survival gardening champion. Blackberries are incredibly resilient and are perfect for novice and seasoned gardeners. Blackberries are extremely healthy, high in numerous nutrients, and antioxidants like the one called anthocyanins, which help battle the oxidative damage. Their natural propagation through root suckers makes sure they are self-sustaining, and dry, weather tight containers are enough to keep them for years. They are gold in survival gardens and a great blackberry recipe.
Potatoes: The Carbohydrate King
With their high storable carbohydrate content and versatility, they are a survival gardening favorite. Potatoes are great for gathering energy and have many different options. They grow in all soil conditions, and their carbohydrate content is very high, so they are an energy source. They also have a very long shelf life, which makes them a great source of comfort and sustenance.
Kale: King of the Nutritional World
Kale is a veggie green packed with vitamins like A, C and K. It also has a lot of great nutrients like fiber and antioxidants. It can grow very hardy in almost all regions, and is great for nutrition, Kale can be eaten in many different meals like salad, soup, and so it is a great option for any survival option.
Beans: The Protein Provider
Beans- both bush and pole are nitrogen-fixing plants that contribute to soil life. The richness in protein and dietary fiber makes beans a staple to a balanced diet. Beans are easily grown and stored thus making them a great choice for long term sustenance.
Carrots: The Sweet and Nutritious Root
Carrots are both delicious and sweet roots as well as a great source of beta-carotene, aka, vitamin A. Their sweetness adds variety to survival diets, plus they can be stored for months if harvested and kept in a cool and dry place.
Spinach: The Space-Saving Superfood
Spinach is a space-saving, versatile, and nutrient-dense green that grows well in small spaces and partial shade. The vitamin K, spinach is packed with vitamins and other nutrients. It can be eaten fresh, cooked, and dumped in a smoothie for nutritional enhancement.
Tomatoes: The Flavorful Favorite
Among the numerous growable food items in the garden, tomatoes, packed with vitamins A and C are great and an even better addition to the garden. Their vitamins are great and they can be used in a great number of meals once harvested- salads, sauces, and as a garnish.
Quinoa: The Complete Protein
Quinoa is a seed that is consumed as a grain, and it is very high in protein. Unlike with most other protein-rich foods, though, quinoa actually contains all nine essential amino acids. It does require unique growing conditions, but it is worth it to have in a diversified survival garden.
Zucchini: The Prolific Producer
Zucchini is a versatile and productive summer squash. It grows fast and its abundant harvests can be used in many recipes. Plus, its high water content is great for hydration and it's rich in vitamins and minerals.
Herbs: The Flavorful Healers
Basil, mint, and oregano are all wonderful and easy-to-grow herbs that can be grown alongside other crops and used to enhance the flavors of meals. \They are also quite healthy as basil has antioxidants, mint helps with digestion, and oregano has bacteria and fungus fighting powers.
Cabbage: The Cold-Weather Champion
Cabbage is a robust and chilly vegetable that is full of vitamin C and can be made into sauerkraut for long-lasting nutrition. Cabbage is also great for emergencies as its leaves can be used as natural band-aids to cover wounds.
You can start your survival garden now!
If you are ready to start your survival garden, TN Nursery would love to help you. They have many beautifully grown plants, such as blackberries and apple trees, ready to go to their new homes.
If you are new to gardening or have years of experience, TN Nursery will help you make a wonderful garden. They have many supplies and plants to help you reach your gardening goals. Visit TN Nursery to start your survival garden and help yourself become more sustainable.
FAQs
What is the best survival food to grow?
Of the food you can grow yourself, the best option is potatoes. Choosing survival food to grow yourself comes down to nutritional value, calories, versatility, and ease of cultivation and potatoes hit the mark in all categories.
What is the 70/30 rule in gardening?
70-30 in gardening is a simple rule that suggests devoting 70 percent of your gardening to crops that are more reliable to grow in the area and 30 percent to crops that might not grow well because of the area or that are challenging to grow. It gives a good balance to your gardening.
What is one single food you can survive on?
Most single foods aren't complete in nutrition but potatoes have a good balance of protein, carbohydrates and essential vitamins but you also need a different variety of foods in your diet for long-term health.
What is the 3-year rule in gardening?
It describes the way perennials grow through the seasons. In the first year, they sleep, and focus on getting their roots established. In the second year, they creep, and grow their first leaves. In the third year, they leap and start growing lots of flowers and leaves. So, patience is really important!
What is the most common mistake of first-time gardeners?
Overwatering is a mistake many first-time gardeners make. It can be really tempting to give plants lots of water, but too much can actually kill them. Check the soil moisture first before adding more water.
Can plants feel pain when cut?
Plants don’t have a brain or a nervous system, so they can’t feel pain the way we do at all. They do know when you cut them, though, and they try to protect themselves by sending out chemical clues.
