15 Survival Seeds You Need For Your Garden
In preparation for an economic crisis or another disaster, you will have a better chance of survival if you know how to grow your own food. It will pay off to educate yourself on the topics of micro-farming, seasonal planting, natural insect repellents, and the collection and storing of seeds. You should also learn about how much fruit or vegetable you will get from each plant. Here are 15 seeds you should grow in your survival garden.
Radish
Radishes are the fastest-growing vegetable, boasting a plant-to-harvest time of only 20-30 days. You can plant seeds and harvest them within the same month. If you plant radish seeds every few days throughout the growing season, you will be able to reap a continuous harvest. Radishes are a must-have for your survival garden.
Asparagus
Asparagus is grown by digging trenches and planting asparagus crowns. It will take a few years before you can harvest, but being a perennial vegetable, asparagus will come back every year, continuously supplying you with food. Make sure that you wait at least a year after planting before you harvest spears because the plant needs to develop a strong root system. In the second year, you can harvest spears longer than a pencil for a week. The third year you can increase the harvest period to two weeks, and after the fourth year, you will be able to harvest all the spears for six weeks.
Spinach
Spinach is cold hardy and easy to grow. With high amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron, it is often called a super food. Take your health into your own hands by growing spinach in your garden.
Broccoli
Broccoli is nutritious and ready to harvest in three months. A compact grower, one head of broccoli can be planted for every square foot. After harvesting the head, side shoots will grow, which can also be harvested and eaten, thus prolonging your harvest.
Beans
There are two main types of beans – bush beans and pole beans. Pole beans give a higher yield but will need to be staked. Beans should be planted in the early summer. You can stagger your plantings and obtain continuous yields. Rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, and fibre, beans are a must-have for your survival garden.
Squash
Squashes and pumpkins will produce prolifically, and winter squash stores well. The seeds can be saved, or roasted and eaten. Squash is very nutritious, being high in vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium. It will be a great plant to grow in your garden.
Onions
Onions are an essential cooking ingredient. They are usually grown from onion sets, but you can grow them from seeds if you have four months of growing season. You can also start them as seedlings indoors. Spring onions and onion greens can be harvested while you are waiting, and onions are a good companion plant for carrots.
Carrots
A cool weather crop, carrots should be grown in fall, winter, and early spring. They are easy to grow and do not take too long to mature. You can plant seeds every two weeks for a continuous harvest. Carrots are delicious and high in vitamin A.
Beets
Beets are easy to grow. Both the roots and the leaves can be eaten, making them a dual-purpose crop. They are cold tolerant, so they can be planted in the early spring, several weeks before the last frost. They prefer to grow in full sun.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a favourite of many gardeners. You can choose from cherry, currant, and beefsteak varieties. In limited space situations, they can be staked and grown vertically. Extra tomatoes can be dried or processed into a sauce to preserve the harvest.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a cool weather crop. It doesn’t take too long to grow, and it has a good yield. Cauliflower is high in fibre, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Make sure you blanch them by pulling the leaves over the head with a clothespin.
Peppers
Peppers need a lot of sunlight to grow. They are high in vitamins A and C and hot peppers, such as cayenne, are used in natural remedies. Peppers will be a tasty and welcome addition to your garden.
Cabbage
A cool weather crop, cabbage will give you a lot of harvest per plant. Planting every two weeks will ensure a continuous supply, and if you use both early and late varieties, you can extend the growing season as well. Any extra winter cabbage will keep in cold storage for five to six months, and making sauerkraut is also an option.
Corn
Corn is a warm weather crop and should be planted after the last frost. Each stalk of corn will produce two ears. It contains a decent amount of protein, calcium, and iron. A classic crop, corn will make a good addition to your survival garden.
Amaranth
Amaranth is a dual-purpose plant. The seeds can be eaten as a grain, similar to quinoa, and the leaves can be picked while young and tender and eaten like spinach. Amaranth is naturally drought tolerant, making it a handy option for your garden.
Another thing to consider growing when planning your survival garden is cover crops, such as clover or hairy vetch. Planting cover crops will loosen up the soil and feed it with nitrogen. They can also be used as food for animals such as cattle, sheep, and rabbits. When mowed, the cuttings can be used as mulch for your garden which will provide nutrition to the soil when it breaks down.
Having a wide variety of food options from your garden will be of much benefit during food rationing in a time of crisis.. Be sure to research which plants will serve you and your family best. Become familiar with the seasons in your local area, and find out the quality of your soil. Research natural fertilisers and how to start seeds. The more prepared you are, the more food you will have when you need it the most.