Tactical gardening—is it for real? The very idea sounds far-fetched, right? Think again! As wild as it seems, tactical gardening is a growing pastime for survivalists and self-reliant individuals. Learn what it’s all about, and you might decide it’s something you want to do!
THE FOUNDATIONS OF TACTICAL GARDENING
The concept of tactical gardening can mean different things to different people. We’re using the term in the context of rugged individualism, self reliance and survival prepping. The idea is to practice self-sufficient gardening with the goal of being able to live off the grid, eventually. Or at least make that a viable possibility in the event that you get cut off from a commercial food supply.
Apart from the goal of establishing a prepper food source, tactical gardening also prizes concealment. You don’t want strangers raiding produce from your garden, after all. While you can set up a secure perimeter, that could also draw attention to your prepper activities. In certain cases, you might find it more effective to employ hidden garden techniques.
In the long run, survival gardening is all about resilience. Long-term food security is vital to any prepper future you may be building toward. Preparing a resilient homestead will require growing all of the necessities for you and your family to survive and to thrive.
HIDDEN GARDEN TECHNIQUES: TIPS AND TRICKS
One of the biggest challenges of the sustainable food supply prepper is finding a way to conceal the garden you are relying on. We’re going to discuss some hidden garden techniques that can help you keep your survival crops safe and secure!
Growing crops in portable planters and pots may be a good approach. It’s practically the only approach open to many urban survival garden growers. Depending on your resources, you may choose not to grow everything in pots—as it can mean more limited output—but it may be a good idea to employ this method for some of your plants.
Using native edible plants can aid in concealing your garden as well. These plants look like naturally growing foliage in the environment, and may appear wild to the untrained eye. They’ll hide the fact that someone is cultivating a garden in the area. Similarly, perennial crops such as kale, asparagus, rhubarb and edible berries can blend into the surroundings.You can also use low profile plants, which don’t catch attention. Root crops such as beets, onions, potatoes and carrots could work, for example.
BEST CROPS FOR A SURVIVAL GARDEN
You’ll want to cultivate crops that can provide a high yield or a high value (in terms of nutrients or calories), while enjoying low maintenance requirements. There are other considerations as well, which we’ll get into. Here’s an initial list of recommendations, which you should adjust according to your region and your circumstances.
Potatoes. A staple food in many parts of the world. Potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, and they can be prepared into calorie dense meals, with baked potatoes providing the best “bang for your buck” here. As a food source, potatoes are fairly easy to cultivate in most parts of the United States. As for storage life, raw potatoes kept in a dry, cold place can last for 2-3 months.
Sweet potatoes. Another excellent source of calories, sweet potatoes can easily be grown in the warmer regions of the United States. They’re a nutritious food source, containing a high percentage of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, beta carotene, manganese and antioxidants. Sweet potatoes are easy to prepare, just like regular potatoes, and the leaves of the plants are edible as well.
Field corn. A variety of maize that is not as tasty as commercially grown sweet corn, this grain is nevertheless a high yield crop worth cultivating as a sustainable food supply. Field corn can be made into flour or cornmeal, and can also be turned into animal feed—sustain animals such as chickens or goats!
Beans (dry varieties). Various types of dry beans—such as kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans and lentils—can make good survival crops. Beans are full of fiber and protein, and can substitute for other protein rich foods (like meat dishes) when those are hard to come by. They also grow easily and store for a long time if kept properly. Dry beans packed into food grade bags can be maintained well in storage for about a year. The main downside to beans is that some varieties are difficult to prepare, requiring you to soak or even boil them for a very long time.
Leafy greens. Vegetables such as kale and spinach are highly nutritious. Kale is a particularly hardy crop, even capable of surviving through winter at times.
Winter squash. This vegetable comes in an assortment of varieties, including acorn and butternut. Another calorie rich food staple, winter squash can store exceptionally well due to its tough skin.
Herbs. These versatile plants have a variety of uses, from flavoring food to improving bodily health. Basil, thyme, sage, mint, tarragon, anise hyssop, oregano, rosemary and lavender are some examples of herbs that you can cultivate as part of your prepper food source. Mint is an especially hardy plant that can thrive in all manner of environments.
Medicinal plants. While creating a sustainable food supply is the main goal of survival gardening, don’t forget other useful plants that you can grow—medicinal plants in particular. Yarrow is a good example. A hardy perennial and easy to cultivate, yarrow has leaves that can be used to treat wounds, cuts and scrapes. It can help wounds heal nicely and reduce inflammation. Echinacea, or purple cornflower, offers a variety of benefits, such as boosting the immune system and providing relief from cold and flu symptoms. Chamomile is a daisy-like plant that can be made into a tea or a compress. It provides a calming effect and reduces inflammation, while also acting as a sleep aid and digestive treatment. Other medicinal plants to consider include peppermint, ginger, garlic, thyme, lemon balm and calendula. Several of these may already be available in the herb section of your urban survival garden!
INCORPORATING WILD EDIBLES
Cultivating edible wild plants can be a good strategy. These plants are often easy to grow and quite hardy. Since they are wild and native, they can help with concealment. Many of these edible wild plants are seen as weeds in their native regions. That can certainly help your urban survival garden appear even more unobtrusive.
Another good reason to plant wild edibles is to build up the health of your garden. These edible wild plants provide improved biodiversity, which can bring in a lot of pollinators—helping your garden grow! Biodiversity also provides other advantages, such as making your garden more resistant to infestation and disease.
You will need to do extensive research on edible wild plants before integrating them into a long-term food security solution. Many wild plants are different from their domesticated counterparts. You need to make sure that the plants you incorporate are not toxic or dangerous in some way. Some wild plants are indeed weeds and will thrive at the expense of your survival crops—and you don’t want that! So be sure to learn about the edible wild plants in your area. Talk to other folks who practice self-sufficient gardening. They will surely have good advice to offer.
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