Destiny Survival

Archive for June, 2008

            Believe it or not, it’s time to start planning for crops you can harvest this fall from your survival garden.  While many gardeners are harvesting green beans, you can be planting some for harvest later.  If you plant in July, you may be able to avoid pests that bother beans earlier in the season.  Also, there should be no problem with germination, since the soil will be warm.

            Growing beans in containers is a good idea.  There are plenty of varieties of bush beans out there to choose from.  Unlike pole or runner beans, bush beans don’t need support because they don’t run or climb all over the place.  You can control soil temperature and moisture more easily in buckets, nursery pots, or even grow bags.  They’ll blossom and set beans sooner, too.  Imagine impressing your city neighbors by growing beans on your balcony.

            This may seem elementary, but beans are simply seeds.  If you let green beans, or any other beans, grow to full maturity on the plant, you’ll have seeds you can use next season.  Naturally, if you’ve planted a variety of dry beans, you’ll want them to grow to maturity.  It’s fun to pop them out of their shells when they’re ready.  Of course, if you’re saving bean seeds, you’ll want to save seeds from open pollinated varieties, since hybrids won’t produce true next season.  Hybrids may revert to one of the characteristics of the plants used for breeding them.

            I’ve heard the flowers are edible, though I’ve never tried eating them.  If you start your beans late or have a really short season, that might be something you’ll want to keep in mind.  After all, we’re talking about survival gardening, and every angle is worth considering.

            I’ve had good success with Provider bush beans for green beans.  They produce a lot at first, then slow down in the heat of the summer.  A variety called Hurricane has done well for me, too, and seems to hold up better and produce longer than Provider.  Whatever variety you choose, beans are so easy to grow and so good, how can you resist?

            “Survival Sam has left the building.”  Duane waved at Sam as he drove out of the Café 23 parking lot.  Then he turned to me as he put on his baseball cap.  “Well, now that we’ve solved the world’s most critical problems and got our bellies full of breakfast, what’s on your agenda for today?”

            “I’m planning to go to see what’s happening at the local amateur radio club’s Field day activity later today,” I said.

            “What’s Field Day?” he asked.

            “It’s an annual event held by ham radio clubs all over the country to operate in what you might call survival mode.  They set up a kind of survival radio camp for the weekend.”

            “Really?”  Duane fumbled with his keys, preparing to unlock his car door.

            “Yeah, they operate radio equipment off the power grid by using generators.  Some smaller radios can even operate with solar power.  Then they also  practice various communications skills.  It’s good practice in case of emergency situations,” I said.

            “I’ll bet the ham operators have been busy with all the crazy weather and fires and such.”

            “Right.  They’ve been called out to help in several states this spring and summer.”

            “Can anybody go see what’s happening, or do you have to be a ham radio operator?”

            “Oh, sure, they invite anybody to come see what they’re doing.  In fact, many clubs have a Get On The Air station, where non-hams can get on the radio with the help of a licensed operator.  Also, some clubs arrange to have local media coverage or maybe a visit from a mayor or some other public official,” I said.

            Duane looked thoughtful.  “Cool.  I’ll check it out.  When is it?”

            “Our local club is probably putting up antennas and getting equipment set up this morning at the state park near here, but the communications part starts early this afternoon and goes through early Sunday afternoon.  The diehards who stay through the whole things are pretty wiped out by then, as you might imagine.”

            “When you say the communications part, what do you mean?” asked Duane.

            “Well, they talk to other stations participating in Field Day around the country and try to see how many contacts they can make on the different ham bands.  They also contact other stations using Morse code and computerized digital modes.”

            “The digital thing sounds pretty cool, but isn’t Morse code pretty old fashioned?” Duane asked.  “Does anybody really still use it?”

            “Ham radio operators will tell you Morse code cuts through static and fading better than voice transmissions,” I said.  “It’s not necessary to learn it to get a ham radio license any more, but there are plenty of hams who still do code.  It’s not dead, in spite of all the newer technologies out there.”

            Duane brightened for a second.  “Hey, can I hear this on my shortwave radio?”

            “If it picks up the ham bands, and if your radio has the ability to listen to single sideband.  Without that, ham radio talk will sound like Donald Duck with a mouth full of Oreos.”

            Duane laughed.

            “But there is a way you can hear Field Day on shortwave this year,” I went on.  “A guy by the name of Ted Randall in Lebanon, Tennessee, will be broadcasting live from Field Day in his location.  He’ll be on WBCQ shortwave at 7.415 MHz. at two different times today.”

            Duane opened his car glove compartment and pulled out a pen and small notepad.  “I’ve heard WBCQ on my shortwave radio.  When is he on?”

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            “Today from 2-5 Eastern and again from 11 PM to 2 AM Eastern,” I said.  I gave Duane a second to write.  “Randall will be connected to a radio studio and invites calls from ham operators involved in Field Day.

            “Phone calls?”

            “Yeah, I guess this is one time hams will need cell phones,” I said as I fished for a piece of paper in my shirt pocket.  “Let’s see.  The number to call during the broadcast times to get on-the-air or any time during Field Day for information is (931)528-0133.  Nobody’s ever done anything like this before, so this should be interesting.  If you listen to WBCQ on 7.415, you can hear calls from hams all over the country, and people in many parts of the world will hear it, too.”

            “That’s pretty cool,” Duane said.  “What if somebody wants to visit the site where their local ham radio club is doing Field Day?  How would they find it?”

            “Good question.  The ARRL—that’s the Amateur Radio Relay League—has a link on their site for that.  I’ll do a blog post and put the link there.”

            “Sounds great,” Duane said.  “If I don’t make it out to Field day, I’ll try to remember to check out WBCQ."

For a Field Day site near you, check out the ARRL Field Day Locator here:

http://www.arrl.org/contests/announcements/fd/locator.php

Listen to the Field Day broadcasts on WBCQ shortwave live online at http://www.wbcq.com.

            Have you tried any of the family activities I’ve shared with you so far?  Here are a few more for you to get the family in on.  Try one this weekend.

            This one’s a tough one, knowing how addicted most of us have become to our gadgets and computers.  Turn off all electronics for the weekend.  If that’ seems like too tall of an order, try it for a 24 hour period, then try it for the weekend a few weeks later.  Leave off your TV, computer, cell phone, iPod, and so on.  You know what the biggies are in the family.  Everybody in the family has to participate in this.

            Now, this isn’t a game you can just shrug off.  As has happened a couple of times over the past winters, the power was out for days and many folks were in shock because they didn’t know how to live without their precious  electronics gadgets.  Flooding and storms have knocked out power for many this summer, too.  How will you cope without air conditioning this summer or no heat in the winter?  Now is the time to think about it.  You know, I hear in the news that a lot of people can’t pay their electric bills, so the utility company cuts their power off.  I hope that doesn’t happen to you.  Take the opportunity to use this electronics free day or weekend to focus on other activities such as reading, playing games, baking cookies, gardening, or working on that certain project you say you never have time for.

            Our next activity is a different kind of challenge.  Have a "no spend" weekend.  How well can you and your family go for the whole two days without spending a dime?  It’s such a temptation to run to the nearest convenience store to buy a gallon of milk or those nasty cigarettes, but what if you couldn’t do that?  What if it weren’t possible?  What if banks were closed or unable to operate for some reason and you and everyone else couldn’t get to their money?

            Our last family activity suggestion today is also financially oriented.  Have a family council meeting and set a financial goal together, then brainstorm ways to reach your goal.  Whether it is a camping vacation, buying storage food and survival supplies, or paying off a debt, have the whole family get involved.   No reason the children shouldn’t be in on this.  This affects all of you.  Research the amount needed for your goal, then have everyone get busy on reaching that goal.  Do things like recycling cans, selling stuff on EBay, or mowing yards.  Get creative.

            I really would like to know how you make out when you try these ideas on for size with your family.  Don’t be afraid to leave a comment and share the good, the bad, and the ugly.  More next week.

Click here for part 3.

            If you’re gardening for the first time this year, you may have more of some vegetables than you expected.  What do you do with all those green beans?  One option is to practice that old time summer ritual of canning them in jars, like Grandma or Great Grandma used to.  Does that sound a little scary?  If you’ve never canned anything, or if you haven’t done it in years, you’ll be glad to know Lehman’s has a Beginner’s Home Canning Kit to help you out.

            Lehman’s Beginner’s Home Canning Kit has everything you need to start canning.  As many are discovering, canning is a great way to beat the high food prices by preserving your own fruits and vegetables.  Canning allows you to provide nutritious, delicious food for your family even during the long winter months.  You’ll be pleased with yourself when you open a jar of something you grew yourself or purchased from the local farmer’s market.  Besides, there’s something special in winter about looking at rows of jars with those beautiful yellows, greens, oranges, or reds that remind us of summer.  This year it could possibly make a difference for your family’s survival.

            Lehman’s has made getting started easy by having the right tools and supplies in this kit.  You’ll save money, too, by buying this kit, rather than buying all of these items separately.  Here’s what the Beginner’s Home Canning Kit includes.

• High performance black granny-ware canner with jar rack
• Stainless steel jar funnel for pouring liquids, fruit or jelly into canning jars
• Chrome-plated jar lifter to safely lift jars from hot water
• 12 regular 1-quart Ball® canning jars with lids and bands
• The famous Ball® Blue Book canning guide–one of the most trusted resources, with     complete instructions and dozens of great canning recipes

            Click on the Lehman’s logo, then type Canning Kit in their home page search box.  That takes you to a page where a couple of kits are pictured.  Click on the Beginner’s Home Canning Kit and order.  Lehman’s also has more canning jars and supplies when you’re ready for them.

            Oh, by the way, if you know someone who’s getting married this summer, one of these kits would make a thoughtful gift for a bride-to-be.

            Happy canning!

            A local news story mentioned that state parks and camp sites are seeing a decline in attendance this season.  I have to admit I was surprised to hear that.  Granted, with gas prices up, many are changing priorities and becoming more frugal; but I thought more people might choose to camp out and do it in our own state close to home, instead of taking more costly vacations.

            As you change your own lifestyle these days, don’t forget that camping provides terrific opportunities.  Survival Sam and I were just discussing the other day that camping is a great way to learn and practice survival skills, in addition to being a good way to take a family vacation.  You don’t need a lot of expensive gear and equipment.  In fact, click here to get the Camping Guy’s recommendations about that, especially if you’re considering camping for the first time.

            Seed companies and gardening centers are seeing a boom in business this year like nothing for 30 some years.  Some say it’s a once-in-a-career event.  Many people are gardening for the first time or expanding the gardens they already have.  This is all without the urging of any sort of official campaign, such as Victory Gardens in WWII.  The rising cost of food prices and fear over possible shortages have been key motivators.  It’s a wonderful thing to see such interest in survival gardening, but a few words of caution and helpful guidance are in order, especially for first time gardeners.

            Before I address this, let’s step back just a bit.  If you’re someone who expects calamity but isn’t gardening, thinking you’ll buy food for storage, then garden when that runs out, you may be in for a shock.  You’re not going to become proficient at survival gardening in one season, no matter how optimistic you may be.  Gardening should be part of your survival strategy now, in addition to anything else you may be doing.  There’s still time this season to plant some salad greens or vegetables that will be ready this fall.

            If you start with a big garden, thinking you’re going to feed your family all the produce you need, you may be disappointed.  Chances are you’ll only be able to grow enough to supplement what you ordinarily eat.  Enjoy every bit of it, no matter how much or meager the result.  The miracle of producing food from seeds is remarkable and rewarding.  There’s nothing like that which you’ve grown yourself.

            While gardening can be fun, especially if you get the family involved, it’s also work.  Are you prepared to deal with weeds, big and small animals and other pests, and changing climate conditions?  How much do you know about your soil and the nutrient requirements of the plants you’re growing?  Do you know how to can or freeze the extra produce you’re raising?  In a nutshell, how well have you planned and prepared for gardening?  Are you prepared for failures?

            If those questions sound negative, and if the task of survival gardening seems overwhelming, then let’s turn negatives into positives.  Though it may take a few years of experience at gardening before you have the confidence and skills you may wish to have, don’t be discouraged.  You can do it, and if you’ve started this year, congratulations.  You have no reason to regret anything you’ve done this season already.  Gardening is truly a process of discovery, filled with hopes, dreams, and even a little adventure. Old timers will tell you they learn new things every year.  So, make mistakes.  Learn from those mistakes and move on.  Capitalize on failures.  If your carrots didn’t make it this spring, replant or try something else in that space.  Don’t give up.

            There’s much about gardening that attracts us to it.  Without getting philosophical or mystical, once you’ve started, you’ll be drawn in and will desire to learn all you can.  Do so.  Talk to more experienced gardeners.  Buy gardening how-to books.  Subscribe to gardening magazines.  Take a Master Gardening course from your local university extension center.  Take advantage of resources offered on this blog page.

            One very important resource available here is the Mittleider Gardening Course.  I’m going to pull a few quotes directly from this e-book’s description, and you’ll see how practical its instruction is for you.

            “This gardening book is truly in a class by itself.  It’s SO simple to read and follow  you can’t mess up. And it’s so thorough in covering everything you need to do that you are guaranteed “a great garden in any soil, and in virtually any climate.”

            “…Dr. Jacob R. Mittleider created the materials for it from the unique wealth of experience he gained helping people grow gardens all over the world for over 35 years…but Jacob wanted one book that would be easy to understand and use, would work for gardens in any soil or container…and could be used by people in any country or language. He wanted the methods taught to be ‘bullet proof’ and work great for everyone, no matter where they were or what their gardening experience was…

Dr. Mittleider has adapted the best features of several major methods of gardening, including organic, conventional, and hydroponic into one simple, rewarding, highly efficient, and enjoyable gardening experience.”

            “Whether you grow in a large or small soil-bed garden, or in containers  on your patio, exactly what you need is right there for you, and equal success is achieved either way. Follow the simple steps in this book for growing your fruits and vegetables and you can also save many hundreds of dollars a year on your food bills. There are hundreds of graphics and pictures, clearly illustrating everything you need to know, explained logically and clearly for quick understanding.”

            As you know, an e-book allows you to download to your computer immediately.  You can have the Mittleider Gardening Course today and begin discovering its guidance for you.  If the word “Course” puts you off, don’t worry about whether you’ll pass or fail.  Give your plants what they need, help feed yourself and your family by doing so, and you will have passed with flying colors.  The only way to fail is to simply do nothing.  Your next step toward successful survival gardening is to click here now and order the Mittleider Gardening Course.