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What plants should I grow for survival gardening?

Some of the most nutrient-dense crops to grow are:

  • Kale
  • Spinach
  • Swiss chard
  • Broccoli
  • Collard greens
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Carrots
  • Beets
  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Potatoes
  • Beans

You don’t have to grow all of these, choose which ones your family will eat and what will grow best in your area. Don’t forget to push your grow zone! You will want a variety of food, not just one or two options, as you can’t rely on just one or two types of vegetables for all of your nutritional needs.

I also recommend planting plenty of herbs for additional health as well as plenty of flowers for pollinators.

How do I maximize yield in limited space?

Here are some ideas to maximize your space, because you can absolutely grow food anywhere!

  • Vertically
  • Containers
  • Hydroponics/aquaponics
  • Interplanting; plant quick-growing crops like lettuce around tomatoes or peppers.
  • Companion planting; plant mutually beneficial plants near each other to reduce pests and disease.
  • Succession planting; replace harvest crops with new ones, and/or plant new crops a few weeks apart to have an abundant harvest at different times throughout the season
  • Choose dwarf varieties that are great for limited space

Choose the option(s) that are best for you and start growing food.

What are the best methods for preserving produce?

The best preservation methods are the ones that suit your needs best. There may also be some methods that work better for some applications than others. For instance, you might smoke meat, root cellar vegetables, and pickle eggs.

You may also decide to start with one method because it’s within your budget and move on to others later.

Here are some preservation ideas:

  • Water bath and pressure canning
  • Freeze drying
  • Pickling
  • Smoking
  • Drying
  • Freezing
  • Root cellar
  • Fermentation

The best way to get started with any of these methods is by taking a class or picking up a book on the subject(s). With the wealth of knowledge we have these days, there is no end to the amount of information we can learn to safely do any of these methods, no matter your space.

How do I deal with pests and diseases without access to conventional pesticides?

There are plenty of natural ways to prevent disease and keep pests off of your crops.

  • Companion planting; planting certain crops together can repel certain insects and/or attract the beneficial insects.
  • Rotate crops; By rotating crops, you disrupt the life cycles of pests and reduce the likelihood of disease transmission between plants.
  • Beneficial insects; encourage natural, beneficial insects to roam your garden by planting flowers that attract those insects.
  • Handpick; many times you’ll have to simply hand pick the bugs off by being diligent in your garden
  • Diatomaceous Earth; this is a natural, abrasive powder made from fossilized algae that can help control crawling insects like ants, cockroaches, and slugs.
  • Other methods such as a soap spray, neem oil, garlic and chili pepper, and various other natural methods have been proven for a variety of insects. Keep in mind when is the best time to use these treatments and how often to use them or how to dilute them so you don’t harm your plants. For instance, if using a soap spray, make sure you do it in the early morning or late evening so the sun doesn’t react with the soap spray and scorch your plants.
  • Bird netting and other barriers; some use crushed egg shells to combat against slugs, while others will use bird netting to keep birds from feasting on their goods. In addition, electric fences or general tall fences may be in order to keep moose or deer out.

How can I ensure a sustainable water supply for my garden?

Water could be a real concern in a survival situation, let alone everyday, especially depending on where you live.

Here are some tips to manage the water for your garden:

  • Set up a rain harvesting system. This is one of the best ways to have a dedicated supply of water for your garden. No matter where you live, you can collect rainwater for your garden.
  • Mulch; whatever water you do use, make sure it’s being retained by mulching with straw or wood chips.
  • Drip irrigation is an effective way to reduce water usage because you’re getting the water directly to the source.
  • Water in the mornings or evenings. While mulch will help to retain, it’s a good idea to water in the early morning or later afternoon so the sun doesn’t immediately evaporate the water.
  • Plant drought-resistant crops. While even drought-resistant plants will need a good amount of water to get started, once they’re established, they don’t need as much water.
  • Reuse gray water; there have been some amazing underground gray water systems that use the gray water from your home to water your plants. You could install a gray water recycling system.
  • Improve your soil by adding amendments like compost, peat moss, and other natural additives to help retain the moisture in the soil.

How do I start a garden from scratch?

Here are some starting points to get your garden going:

  • Look into your local area; find master gardeners and all other local gardeners to get their insight about how to grow in your specific area. Go to the local greenhouse and ask them endless questions. You may even be able to find local gardening books that can help you be prepared for success.
  • Figure out what you want to grow; start growing foods that you know you and your household will eat. Don’t worry about plants that are ‘easy’, as it’s all relative; what is easy for one person is a nightmare for another.
  • Find a good location; sun exposure, pathways, plant spacing and accessibility for watering and harvesting should be taken into consideration.
  • Plan your layout; will it be in-ground, garden beds, containers, etc? What will the layout be and what will you plant where?
  • Prepare the soil; if you’re going to plant in-ground, get your soil tested. If you’re going to create or buy a mix, make sure it’s a proper mixture of soil, compost and any fertilizer you may want/need. Clean up the area and get it ready for your garden space.
  • Start your seeds or buy transplants; you can do both, it’s ok to buy starters in the beginning and learn to grow from seed as you progress in your gardening journey.
  • Water and mulch; water regularly in the beginning and water deeply at the root as needed. Be sure to add a layer of mulch to retain water.
  • Supports as needed; if there are any plants that need supports such as trellis beans, tomatoes and peas, add those supports early so they have something to hang onto when they need it.
  • Take care of them and harvest when ready!

Remember, gardening is a journey, you will learn something new every day. Take it in stride and keep moving forward.

How do I save seeds for future plantings?

Knowing how to save seeds from your current crop to save for next years crop is an essential part of being self-sustained with your survival garden.

However, each plant will produce seeds differently. It’s essential to know how each plant produces them, when to save them and how to properly save them for next year.

The best way to learn about seed saving is from master gardeners or books. Here are a couple books to look into:

What are the best practices for composting?

Making your own compost is one of the greatest ways to keep your garden thriving without having to rely much (or at all) on fertilizer.

There are several ways to make your own compost, but in general, there are some basic best practices for creating your own compost:

  • Composting requires a balance of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials. Green materials include kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and grass clippings. Brown materials include dry leaves, straw, shredded paper, and cardboard. Aim for a ratio of roughly 2 parts brown materials to 1 part green materials by volume.
  • Chop or shred large materials into smaller pieces to accelerate decomposition and improve airflow within the compost pile.
  • Alternate layers of green and brown materials as you add them to the compost pile. This helps maintain the proper balance of nitrogen and carbon.
  • Oxygen is essential as aerobic microorganisms require oxygen to break down organic matter. Turn or aerate the compost pile regularly.
  • Keep the compost pile consistently moist, not soaking, just moist.
  • Cover the compost pile with a tarp or lid to help retain moisture, regulate temperature, and prevent excess rainfall from saturating the pile.
  • Composting is a microbial process that generates heat as organic matter decomposes. Ideally, the temperature should reach between 130°F and 160°F (55°C to 71°C) to accelerate decomposition.
  • Avoid adding meat, dairy, oily foods, and pet waste to the compost pile, as these materials can attract pests, produce odors, and slow down decomposition. Also, avoid composting weeds with mature seeds or diseased plant material that may spread pests or diseases to your garden.
  • When the compost is dark, crumbly, and earthy-smelling, it’s ready to use in the garden. Harvest finished compost from the bottom of the pile and incorporate it into garden beds or containers to improve soil fertility, structure, and water retention.

There are many ways to compost and you will find a way that works for you. You can compost in a bin, in buckets or in a hole in the ground; experiment and find out which way(s) work best for you.