This is why having a closet dedicated to growing food can be what makes the difference. CAF has a friend in Amarillo who converted a walk in closet to a vertical food growing bank. Takes a bit of effort, lights and a way to drain the system, but greens and even potatoes are possible here.
I am in a no dirt zone so I am growing a garden this year in left over cattle mineral tubs. I can space the tubs so the overhanging plants have plenty of space, air, and light and I can use various heights so I can step in and out of the spaces to cultivate and harvest. It is only 10x20 but that is plenty if you are careful with the plant selection. It had to be this size as I have a serious deer conflict (they are a harvestable crop on the ranch) so I fenced in an area next to and surrounded on 3 sides by 3 large Great Pyrenees that don’t like intruders (they are now out 24-7). It helped that I was once in the greenhouse business (organic garden center) but I was also running a design/build business then… AND 25 years younger!
Love your plan and suggestions. All the best, justa, you are indeed a force of nature!
Hope I can be inspirational. We will make it through this.
Sounds like a good plan! Great Pyrenees are awesome dogs! I worked with a fellow trucker who owned a couple of them to protect his livestock. He said that the bark would echo off the mountains in the Oregon Coastal area where he lived and would scare the hell out of the coyotes. Never had a problem with coyote packs!
If you don’t have outdoor space and need something nutrient-dense that’s easy to grow, it’s amazing what you can do with sprouting seeds indoors… Some of these sprouts can even be grown in a few days in a jar, no soil required. This video isn’t exactly succinct, but it has the details:
I’m sure there are other things that can be grown indoors (maybe not this easily). I’m still learning…
Yes all the nefarious goings on and evil plans in their anti human minds is bringing out an opposite mindset and elevated consciousness in the Gizars and like-minded folk. Second year of growing food and finding it enjoyable and challenging.
I’m doing something similar with a greenhouse Justa. I purchased a 10x20 greenhouse to keep at my home. I’m probably going to PM you and ask for suggestions on best way to lay it out to maximize output. It will be here next week. I’m also building “wicking beds” made out of used IBC totes. There’s some really good videos on the topic. I’ll link one I used to design/build mine. I can get IBC totes for free by the dozen. I am going to rework my gutters on my pole barn to drain in the same direction where I’ll collect rain water in some daisy chained totes. This will be considered “non-potable” and used to water my wicking beds and such.
Over the past 2 years, I’ve partnered with a grass fed beef friend of mine and and helping him with beef and he is helping me with grass fed chicken in Salatin style chicken tractors. If anyone is interested in raising their own chicken, PM me and I’ll send you a link to a private youtube channel I started to help out some Solari members get started. It does NOT take much land at all (about 1 acre for 500 birds).
Out at the farm, we purchased a 102’ geothermal greenhouse from here: About Us we are waiting on delivery, sometime in the next 2 weeks.
On top of that, I would recommend everyone look into going to their local Mormon Store House. You do not have to be Mormon to shop there, and they are extremely helpful. Mormons are advised to have 1 years rations for each member in the house. I hear rumors that they are now recommending 2yrs, but can’t confirm. They have checklists and will help you get all the supplies you need, which they sell at extremely fair prices. It is all geared for long term storage. You can look here at prices and such: Find a Home Storage Center
Wicking beds: Wicking Bed System ( IBC ) - MADE EASY - Drought Proof Gardening - YouTube
A great place to start!
Thanks for your offerings, Ronin!
We found that the chicken tractor idea doesn’t work for us due to the predators. Despite the number of GP’s (17) we can’t spread the wealth, so to speak, with a tractor as not all he fields are dog proof. GP’s have a way of wandering off to find.trouble. We have a poultry yard with GPs surrounding it, Guineas come and go, roosters have territories, Pilgrim geese are currently defending hatchlings and the Silver Appleyard ducks are feeling the effects of being half the size of a Pilgrim! Some wild Whistling Ducks add to the diversity, daily. Chickens are in the old house where they are safe from Red-tailed and broad-winged hawks. We have a variety from Delaware (large) to Silver-Spangled Hamburgs. (small with. small white eggs). I have become the ranch restaurant so having the diversity of sizes is very helpful- egg wash on the. pastry with a small. egg and 6 large ones make a quiche.
I have been storing food since I used to live in the Adirondacks on a mountain and could easily get snowed in not able to get to the store for several weeks- or ice storm that put us in the dark for 2 weeks (-20F). Nuts.com is another source of dried nuts, fruits, powders, etc plus unusual flours etc for gluten free or keto diets. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds is a treasure trove of possibilities. I am starting seeds from last year and viability has. been good. (Stored correctly)
Good luck to all- and thanks for the Wicking Bed System idea. No doubt I can modify the mineral tubs to make a similar system. (I am a farmer.)
Thanks again for all of the tips. Do you mind if we all show up for a meal at the restaurant?
Yes, Baker Creek is a good source. Love their Catalog! Here’s another group I like to get seed and product from Territorial Seed Company 2022 Spring Catalog by Territorial Seed Company - Issuu
@nperpetuity
Be careful with all those catalog choices.
I don’t know where you live, but I can promise you that certain crops will grow well, while others will be a disaster. In order not to waste you money, time, or go hungry, PLEASE talk to gardeners in your area and find out what works, esp. root veggies. Greens, etc. is nice, but it will not sustain you for long. You need to find out about potatoes, carrots, turnips, beets, etc. What will grow well, give you nutrition & calories.
Talk to people where you live.
Yes and thanks, I am aware of the micro climates and zones, etc., and also the late start to the growing season in many areas. Lots of balls in the air right now for me and many others, doing what I can not to drop the lot of them, grateful for the suggestions and the tips across the spectrum of contributors.