By Susan Duclos – All News PipeLine
From cops guarding grocery store dumpsters to prevent people from scavenging foods that have not gone bad yet, to inflation, to food index projections, we are seeing the results of the arbitrary state lockdowns, flooding, early freezes and a number of issues in between.
Food price increases, food insecurity, joblessness number still extremely high, and a nation that “feels” on edge, are all contributing factors felt in nations before social unrest.
Food in connected to almost everything we do. If hungry, one doesn’t think properly, the worse the hunger, the worse the thinking. One also doesn’t sleep well if terrified of how they are going to keep feeding their children, or even keeping a roof over their head. That stress almost always effects the health of those under the most stress. Doctors bill soon occur, and if one cannot afford to put dinner on the table, they certainly can’t afford to get sick, etc….etc….etc…
That is just one example of the overwhelming chain reaction that one small problem can cause.
With the media still in the “Biden is NOT Orange Man Bad, therefore everything he does we support” mode, the issues of food prices, general inflation, and food insecurity nationally versus globally, is relegated to bottom of the fold news, if they report on it at all.
The point here is that food and water are two things no one can live without, and with food prices rising fast than incomes are, people other than preppers need to start learning about vegetable, fruit and herb gardening.
Sure folks can, and should have a healthy stock of freeze dried fruits and veggies, but nothing even comes close in comparison to your own home grown food. It is fresh, you know what is in it, when it was harvested, no added chemicals to keep it looking fresh, and best of all, aside from the initial gardening and planting costs, free.
After your first harvest, you have generally made your money back on what you spent to start your gardens.
This also applies to preppers that know all about growing their own food, because Spring is almost here and it that time again to get your sprouts started, your garden area tilled in preparation for planting.
Note: For those that have absolutely no time to grow your own fruit and veggie garden due to work, no space, health issues, whatever, we do have our ‘Still Or Back In Stock ANP Shopping Page‘, which I will update again next week.
ARE YOU READY FOR SPRING?
Artichokes, Arugula, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Snow Peas, Carrots, Celery, Swiss Chard, Fennel, Garlic, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Radishes, Rhubarb, Spinach, Corn, Scallions, Potatoes, Cucumbers, Honeydew Melon, Tomatoes, Beans, and Raspberries, are just some of the fruits and vegetables that can be started in the spring.
Survival Garden 15,000 Non GMO Heirloom Vegetable Seeds
For those with the space, time, energy and incentive to keep up with an outdoor garden, sprouting indoors to prepare for planting later, gives you time to get your garden area tilled and prepared.
Keeping books on gardening should always come in handy, especially if for some unforeseen reason one cannot get online to look up some pertinent information on gardening.
Gardening When It Counts: Growing Food in Hard Times
Jobe’s Organics Compost Starter, 4 lb
Roto Tillers have become very affordable these days and certainly makes it much easier to prepare your soil for when you sprouts are ready to be transplanted. A few are listed below, from inexpensive to more expensive so there is a variety dependent on the budget.
Mantis 7940 4-Cycle Gas Powered Cultivator, red
Recommendation: Get soil from a local retailer that sells gardening supplies rather than ordering, the prices are generally far lower than when ordered for delivery.
Grow bags are also an awesome way to grow certain vegetables. Most call themselves potato planting bags, but the can be used for carrots, peppers, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and more.
Bags can also be moved around if necessary, protecting your fruits and/or vegetables from bad weather or other things that can ruin your garden.
YESTORY Potato Planting Bag,Plant Grow Bags Aeration Fabric Pots with Handles (10 Gallon)
Gardzen 20-Pack 2 Gallon Grow Bags, Aeration Fabric Pots with Handles, Pot for Plants
CRITTERS AND CREATURES
One of the most annoying aspects of gardening, at least for Stefan and I, are the critters and creatures that simply love to eat our newly planted gardens. From deer to chipmunks, possums to rabbits and anything else that lives in your specific areas, they can ruin countless hours of works and quite literally take the food off your table.
I see people recommending fences as a first line of defense, but personally those haven’t worked out well for us. The deer jump over them, chipmunks and rabbits just go through the holes in the fencing, and birds are almost impossible to keep out.
Some easy fixes include planting something unappealing to the wildlife, like garlic or onions, surrounding the plants you do want to protect.
Others use things like chili powder, one taste and the chippers run for the hills.
Some use those little foil strips which shine from the sun and blow in the wind and scare animals away.
Resource: 26 Tips to Protect Your Garden Against Bugs, Critters, and Disease
I Must Garden Deer, Rabbit and Groundhog Repellent: All-Weather Granular Formula – 5 lb. Shaker Jar
Messina Wildlife RBW-132 3/4-Inch by 1320-Foot Deer Repellent White Ribbon
BOTTOM LINE
Food insecurity is hitting millions of Americans, from the lockdowns to the job losses, along with the extreme price increases that are expected to rise even more, it has never been as important than right now, to start preparing to rely on only yourself and your family.
Once you are starving, it is too late.
For those that want to garden indoors, we will be addressing that and what is needed in an upcoming piece.
Happy growing everyone!!
https://allnewspipeline.com/Too_Late_When_You_Are_Already_Starving.php