Pandemic a threat..Drought a problem now!
While a pandemic continues to threaten the world not only through illness but also the economy, today there is an immediate threat we need to be aware of. I have warned you the drought continues here in California but now everyone is talking about what is likely to happen with the planting of crops this year. Last year very large avocado grower in San Diego cut his trees down to stumps because he did not have enough water to keep them alive. It will be 3-4 years before they produce again, if he can get water this year.
This is just one more reason our food storage journey must become a priority for all of us. Please, please let me know where you would like me to begin. If you don’t you’ll be stuck with what I think. We will discuss planting a garden as this may be the only way you can afford some of your favorite veggies this year. We will discuss canning and the latest breakthroughs and guidelines. I was noticing a site today that explained how to can butter. I know many have done this but l studies have shown home canned butter is very susceptible to Salmonella. A very bad thing.
If you know someone who needs a gentle push to get going please have them read the following reports about the drought. With the crummy economy I know many are thinking they can not afford food storage. Yes, you can. I will show you how. Now is the time. Many states are going broke and in California they are even talking about giving IOUs in place of tax returns this year. If you don’t prepare to care for your own needs who will? I know I’m preaching to the choir but I feel so very, very convinced that we need to do this now.
California drought
http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=53427
Indiana drought
http://www.pal-item.com/article/20090117/NEWS01/901170318/1008/rss
Florida drought
http://carbon-based-ghg.blogspot.com/2008/12/despite-soaking-from-fay-florida-faces.html
Texas drought
http://www.physorg.com/news151310036.html
South Carolina drought
http://www.physorg.com/news151310036.html
New Zealand drought
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10550735
Dengue fever and drought
http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=544462
I have a stocked pantry, but I know I have some holes in my food storage.
Since I live alone, I need to store foods I’ll not only want to eat in case of a “I can’t shop” scenario, but foods that I’ll eat “NOW” so nothing goes bad before it gets used.
The holes I can think of include canned meat, supplies to make bread (I really don’t eat much bread, but sandwiches in a disaster scenario makes sense), milk, butter, eggs and more probably.
Thanks for your blog.
dicity
Just found your blog and really appreciate all the information. Wish I had stumbled on it sooner! EASY gardening ideas would be so helpful as I haven’t gardened in years! And where can I find heirloom seeds? Any food storage ideas and tips would be great. I have been working hard this last year to be more prepared but I know I can do more. I am canning chicken tomorrow. First time, so wish me luck! Thanks so much.
I would love a play by play plan for my garden. I live in CA and my husband wants to turn our entire back yard into a garden–it sounds like a possible disaster, but maybe with the right steps and info, we could do it. my concern would be if the city decides to ration water.
also, i too missed the step program you did last year, so how does a person catch up?
thanks for this wonderful website!
Looks like gardening is on everyone’s minds this year. I will make sure we make that a priority in our food storage so we will all be ready to plant in just a few weeks.
Armeda..good luck with the chicken! Good for you. I have done chicken and loved using it. I felt very accomplished!
I am working on my three month food storage right now. I have gardened in the past, and did last year. This year I am gardening with long term storage in mind. I love Seed Savers Exchange for heirloom seeds -many are organic and they work very hard to make sure that none of them have been genetically engineered – so you can save the seeds from year to year yourself, if you learn how. (Many commercial seeds are genetically alterned so that you cannot save the seeds from the produce you grow, and have to buy more seeds the next year). They also work very hard to perserve these great heirloom seeds – just wonderful!
I am not affiliated in anyway – just a fan! http://www.seedsavers.org
Organic, heirloom seeds
Seeds of Change http://www.seedsofchange.com
Wood Prairie Farm-organic potato varieties-delicious, including a super blue!
http://www.woodprairie.com 1-800-829-9765
Johnny’s Selected Seeds-many organic
http://www.johnnyseeds.com 1-877-564-6697
Burpee Gardening some organic
http://www.burpee.com 1-800-888-1447
Vermont Bean Seed Company-not organic but some fun varieties
http://www.VermontBean.com 1-800-349-1071
Pinetree Garden Seeds-not organic but no genetically engineered
http://www.superseeds.com 1-888-52seeds
Mountain Valley Growers -organic but I haven’t ordered from them yet http://www.mountainvalleygrowers.com 1-559-338-2775
High Country Gardens plants for western gardens-waterwise
http://www.highcountrygardens.com 1-800-925-9387
Abundant Life Seeds- organic
http://www.abundantlifeseeds.com 1-541-767-9606
Milk Ranch Specialty Potatoes LLC—certified natural and organic http://www.potatogarden.com 1-970-641-5634
Grandma’s Garden from Underwood Gardens, Ltd., Organic, native plants and open pollinated http://www.grandmasgarden.com or underwoogardens.com 1-815-338-6279
Very interesting perspective. I am involved in an organic community garden. After reading your article, I’m even more glad that I am.
FYI, I have a site about the medical and cooking uses of lavender and other essential oils at http://www.lovely-lavender.com