How Commercial Fertilizers and Lawn Products Can Affect Your Garden’s Health

Growing a healthy garden takes patience, work and lots of care. Oftentimes gardeners use fertilizers and lawn care products in order to improve their grass, plants and garden, not knowing that they may actually be doing more harm than good.

Lawn Products That Can Compromise Your Garden

To have a lush, green yard and robust plants you don’t need to use chemical warfare on weeds and bugs. Non-organic, commercial lawn care products have been shown to cause health as well as environmental problems, yet don’t offer truly better benefits than their organic counterparts.

Fertilizers – When you hear fertilizer you probably think of more natural products added to soil to help plants grow. However, many fertilizers are synthetic and petroleum-based.  The synthetic nitrates are often processed with ammonia and then mixed with formaldehyde and urea. The EPA has deemed fertilizers safe to use, when they are used properly. However, in pursuit of greener pastures people tend to overdo it putting the health of the earth and others at risk.  These unnatural elements will sink into the soil and also runoff into water systems contaminating them.

Pesticides – Many pesticides are comprised of abrasive chemicals that are good at getting rid of bugs but can leech into garden plants that will ultimately be consumed. In fact, pesticides have been known to runoff into waterways and infect fish that are then eaten by people who in turn can become ill. Numerous studies show that many common pesticides have been linked to cancer, birth defects and other health problems. Farmers have begun moving away from using pesticides in recent years, but use on personal lawns hasn’t slowed yet.

Herbicides – Herbicides are also chemicals that can have adverse effects on the health of pets, plants and people. Overuse of herbicides is a common occurrence, especially when fertilizers that already contain herbicides are used. Like Pesticides and non-organic fertilizers, herbicides have been linked to cancer.

Protecting Your Garden from Accidental Exposure

If you plan to use non-organic fertilizers and weed killers on flowerbeds and lawns you’ll have to take a few extra precautions to ensure your garden is safe.

Don’t use chemicals on plants that are upstream from your garden. The runoff from a good rain can run the products down to your fruits and vegetables.

• Clean gardening and yard tools that have come in contact with chemicals and harsh lawn products. 
• A truly sustainable and independent garden uses natural alternatives in for fertilizing, and controlling pests and weeds. Compost and yard clippings make great fertilizers. Instead of preventing possible weeds dig them up if they occur and use ladybugs to get rid of pests.
• Going organic has been on the rise now that people are more aware of the effects that synthetic fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides have on plants and people. There are lots of organic products that can be found at chain home improvement stores and garden centers.

About My Patriot Supply 

My Patriot Supply's Online Survival Store features a wide range of the best emergency preparedness supplies and gear.  Best known for their Survival Seed Vault, they are North America's authority on heritage heirloom seeds and farming.

Spring and Summer Storm Preparedness

In Spring and Summer we can expect a steady rise in temperatures, as well as the likelihood of extreme weather.   There are three top weather hazards every family should watch out for during warmer months.  This blog highlight those possible threats and how to prepare for them.

Tornadoes

Regions – All of the U.S., particularly the Midwest states and the panhandle of Texas. Florida also experiences a high number of tornadoes each year.

Tornado Emergency Kit Supplies – The best way to be prepared for a tornado is by having a home emergency kit already put together. Your kit should include the following:

·         Battery powered or hand crank flashlight

·         Batteries

·         Hand crank or battery operated radio

·         First Aid Kit

·         Glow Sticks

·         Whistle

·         Cell phone with chargers, preferably solar chargers

·         Bottled water

·         Cycle helmets or hard hats

·         Heavy blankets and pillows

·         Extra pair of glasses

·         A few days’ worth of long shelf life food for each family member

·         Tool kit with the basics or at least a pocket multi-tool

Safety Steps – When a tornado hits you may only have minutes or less to make critical decisions. It’s extremely important that you and your family have tornado practice drills regularly so that every family member knows what to do in case of an emergency.

A tornado can produce winds up to 300 miles per hour making even small, light objects dangerous projectiles. During a tornado, get in a structure whenever possible. The best places include:

·         Storm shelters

·         Basements

·         Cellars

·         Interior room on the lowest level of the building

If you are in a mobile home or vehicle get to a structure as quickly as possible. Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls.

Hurricanes

Regions – Gulf coast and east coast states are the most vulnerable, but as hurricane Sandy showed us last year even the northern most eastern seaboard states can be ravaged by a hurricane. It’s critical for all people in states along these coasts and just inland to be prepared for hurricanes.

Emergency Kit Supplies – Be better prepared with the following:

·         3 day supply of water for you and each family member

·         3 days of non-perishable foods for each family member

·         Can opener

·         Hand-crank or battery operated flashligh

·         Hand-crank or battery operated radio

·         Batteries

·         First aid kit

·         Waterproof matches

·         Candles

·         Sanitation supplies such as toilet paper and garbage bags

·         Cell phone with charger and any other communication devices

·         Sturdy shoes

·         Rain gear

·         Blankets

Safety Steps – First and foremost, if an evacuation order has been given, evacuate as early as possible particularly if you live in a mobile home, high-rise or coastal property. If you are unable do evacuate keep yourself as safe as possible by:

·         Boarding up windows

·         Bringing outdoor objects indoors

·         Fill the bathtub and jugs with water for use in the toilet, etc.

·         Stay indoors away from windows and doors

·         Take shelter in an interior room on the lowest level

·         Secure the exterior door

Remember, hurricanes can spawn tornadoes so prepare accordingly using the above information.

Wild Fires

Regions – Entire U.S., particularly the southwestern states of California, Arizona and New Mexico.

Emergency Kit Supplies – Your fire safety kit should include the following:

·         Face masks

·         Gloves

·         Fire extinguisher

·         First Aid Kit

·         Sturdy pair of shoes

·         Fire tools – shovel, rake, bucket, axe

·         3 days’ worth of clean drinking water for you and each family member

·         Cell phone with charger

·         Maps of the local area

·         Copies of important documents and I.D.s

Safety Steps – No matter where you live you should prepare for fires by doing fire safety drills with your entire family. That way everyone knows exactly what to do in the event of a fire and your home has the best possibility of surviving. Fires can consume a home in minutes so preparation is critical.

If you have been ordered to evacuate do so immediately. Don’t delay leaving to pack bags. Grab your emergency kit if there isn’t one already in your car, take only important documents, lock your home and leave. As a part of your preparation map out evacuation routes that can be used in emergencies and take the one that leads you furthest away from the fire.

Being prepared for storms and fires can be life saving. Take precautions today to ensure you and your family can evacuate and react quickly by preparing an emergency kit, practicing safety drills and plotting out escape routes.

Why Prepping is a Growing Urban Movement

When people think of preppers – also known as survivalists – many of them automatically visualize individuals that are off the beaten path, already living off the grid with a rugged lifestyle that wouldn’t change much if civilization were to collapse.

If you think that, you’d be wrong.

Today, more and more preppers are living in urban areas. Recent events like Hurricane Sandy and the constant fear terrorist threats have made many urbanites turn their focus to being prepared for serious disasters. In a lot of ways, people living in large cities have more to consider and prepare for than people living in rural areas.

Urban Obstacles Increase the Need to Prep

In the last few years we have seen an increase in terror threats, natural disasters and financial instability. Natural disasters can strike anywhere. Global economic issues affect everyone no matter where they live. People in cities, suburban areas, small towns and the countryside are all susceptible.  That said, there immediate environment will dictate the types of risks they face.

If you think about it, if you live in an urban environment, having an emergency preparation plan makes a lot of sense. Urbanites have several distinct obstacles that people in smaller, rural areas don’t have to worry about.

·         They often live in areas or have lifestyles that are less conducive to self-sustainability.

·         Urban areas are more likely to be hit by disasters that aren’t natural, like terrorist attacks.

·         There are more people competing for resources.

·         Strong possibility of congestion if there is mass exodus.

·         Emergency service personnel have more people they have to help.

Many people living in urban areas don’t have some of the survival options that are open to people living in rural areas, such as yards big enough for sizable survival gardens and a place for an underground bunker. Because of this and the additional considerations listed above, urbanites especially need to plan, collect the best survival gear for their particular environment, and prepare well in advance.

Prepping Tips for Urbanites

Preparedness is important for everyone. However, where you live can affect how and what you prepare. If you live in an urban area here are things that you need to put at the top of your prepping list.

Personal Safety – Looting, violence, hysteria - these are all issues a person may face when there are thousands, if not millions of people in an area that are facing a disaster. Situations that threaten a person’s wellbeing can make them do desperate things they would never think of doing normally. It’s important that you have the means to protect yourself and your family.

Terrorism Threats – Terrorists are going to try to do the most damage possible incurring the largest loss of life possible, making urban areas attractive targets. As we learned on 9/11 a terrorist attack can take many forms, including bio warfare. An urbanite’s bug out bag should include additional items such as a facemask, a water purification straw and even iodine pills.

Escape Routes – Planning an escape route as well as several alternatives is of key concern for urbanites. History has shown that during disaster situations in urban areas roads can quickly become overwhelmed with bumper-to-bumper traffic, impeding people’s ability to make a quick, safe escape. There are also the issues of having enough gas and the possibility of others trying to confiscate cars if their own mode of transportation fails.

Plan Your Safe Haven – You should always plan your escape destinations ahead of time.  You will want several alternative destinations spread out in various directions. Have an area map for your city as well as the safe haven areas on hand in case roads are blocked. A good location will be outside the “danger zone,” with family or like-minded friends you trust. My Patriot Supply highly recommends collaborating with other preppers to establish locations where you can meet and support one another as a community.        

Whether you live in a rural area or an urban city center, it is always important to have an emergency strategy in case disaster strikes.  This means having on hand an adequate emergency food supply, supplies for purifying drinking water, survival tools, important medication, and a safe haven planned ahead of time.

The time to plan is today! 

Pros and Cons of Planting Survival Garden Crops in Containers

A common question we receive is whether it is best to plant your heirloom seeds in the ground or in a container, as you would in a greenhouse. As with most things in life, there are pros and cons to both. It is our opinion, however, that there is one major advantage and one major disadvantage to planting in containers.

Pro: Plants in Containers Can Be Moved

The biggest advantage of using containers for planting is mobility. Unlike crops, containers can be moved about as needed. Circumstances that warrant a move include:

•    Moving plants indoors or to a greenhouse when there is a freeze.
•    Moving plants into shaded areas during hot summer months or to give them adequate shade/sun.
•    Taking plants with you in the event of an emergency.

This last circumstance is an important one worth careful consideration. Survival gardens may be your best source of sustenance if a food shortage or disaster occurs. If you’re forced to relocate, you must leave behind the garden.

Helpful Tip:  Mobility is meaningless without a method to transport the containers.  A trailer or stacking shelves for your truck will prove invaluable if you ever need to transport your crops.

Con: Planting in Containers Means Limited Space for Your Crops

The advantage of mobility of planting containers comes at a cost – lack of space. If you’re only using containers for planting this means you will be limited in the types of plants you grow. The quantity of what you can produce will also be limited. You’ll want to plant enough to feed everyone in your family with a little extra left over. Depending on how many people you have to feed, this could require many large containers.

Because of this, it is generally recommended that you use both in-ground and container planting for your survival garden, for a more comprehensive emergency preparedness strategy.

Plants That Work Well in Containers

Of course, not all plants are suitable for containers. For instance, plants that need a large amount of space to grow such as corn simply would not thrive in a container. Instead, try the following heirloom vegetables and fruits when planting with containers.

•    Heirloom herbs
•    Tomatoes
•    Strawberries
•    Beans
•    Carrots
•    Beets
•    Cucumbers
•    Radishes
•    Onions
•    Peas
•    Eggplant
•    Peppers
•    Swiss Chard

The key to growing plants in containers is proper soil, sunlight and watering. Understand how much of each different types of fruits and vegetables will need before deciding which ones you want to plant as a part of your survival garden.

Happy growing!

How to Determine the Size of Your Garden

Whether you are growing a survival garden or simply want to source more of your own food at home, you may be wondering just how large of a garden you’ll need to support your family’s needs. In this blog, we’ll try to tackle that daunting question - just how much land does it take to feed a person?

A General Rule of Thumb

For most vegetables, you will need to get enough heirloom seeds to plant in a 10’-15’ row in order to feed a family of four. Of course, if your family consumes a certain crop at a high rate – such as the family favorite heritage sweet corn - you will want to plant more accordingly. And if you plan on eating a particular vegetable with far less frequency, you can plant less. In other words, the particular number of plants you will need for each vegetable will to some degree boil down to personal preference.  In general, however, if it is something you consume with reasonable regularity, 10’-15’ rows will do the trick and you can still get a general idea of the space you will need for a sustainable garden.

Creating a More Precise Survival Garden Space Plan

There are a vast number of variables that can impact on the amount of space you will require. The types of garden vegetables you like to eat, the length of the growing season, and whether or not you intend to preserve some of your supply for the winter months all come into play.

John Jeavons, an expert in the field of small-scale sustainable farming, has estimated the necessary land for a single person at about 200 square feet. For an entire year (meaning, growing so that you can store a large amount of food away for the non-growing season), you will need about 4,000 square feet per person. This sounds like a lot! And for many people, it is. But, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the average American lawn size is 0.225 acres, or 9801 square feet. So, for many people, growing for a year-round supply for themselves (and even a partner or trusted friend) is in reach!

Supplementing Your Garden

From the standpoint of a survivalist, though, you hopefully won’t need to grow enough food to sustain yourself for a long period of time. You can grow some food to protect yourself in the short term while preparing other means of sustenance over the long term (via canning foods at home, storing some long term storage food rations, raising livestock, cooperation with trusted neighbors, etc.) To grow food for a more realistic timeframe, for example, a week or month, you may be able to get buy on about 100 square feet of garden per person, which would let you prepare a garden to feed a family of four on a very manageable 400 square foot plot of land.

Of course, the size of the plot needed also varies based on how you set up your garden and what plants you choose to cultivate. To maximize the yield of your garden, plant in wide rows. Rather than planting in a single line, scatter seeds in 3-foot wide rows. Using wide rows is ideal for vegetables because the plants can quickly establish a leaf canopy to ward off weeds. This technique is particularly relevant for urban cultivation, where space is at a premium.

Your choice of vegetable also impacts on the amount of space you will need. Plants that grow on vines, like cucumbers and squash, typically need plenty of room to spread out (either horizontally or vertically). And some vegetables, like asparagus, are perennial, which means they will have to take up space in your garden for a longer period time, which decreases overall yield. Choosing vegetables with higher yields in denser spaces may help you maximize your garden’s returns.

Happy Growing!