Introduction: Getting off the consumer band wagon.
Whether it's to cut down on grocery bills, or to survive an extended stay in a post-apocalyptic environment, there are certain skills that are necessary to live without the assistance of the producers; which we have become reliant on in our consumer-based economy. There are three basic things that are required for a person to survive. Those are, food, clean water, and shelter. Depending on your location and situation, number three isn't likely to be a major issue for many reading this; however I will cover it towards the end, regardless.
Chapter one: Food
Food is the most common and easiest to address, so let's begin there. When it comes to supplying your own food, the easiest way is with a garden. Depending on the number of people you are trying to support, a garden's size can vary as much as a two foot by four foot plot of land, to a six square foot plot of land, or simply a few potted plants that you can keep with you. Plants like zucchini, okra, and corn, can feed several people with only a couple of plants, and they make good crop plants. The left over stalks and husks after harvest are also good for starting a compost heap with which to nourish future crops.
Ensuring your plants receive lots of sunlight is key. The more sun your plants get, the healthier and larger they will grow. If you can, plant your crops on a slope or terrace facing the south. this will ensure maximum exposure to each plant. Sunlight will provide a more bountiful harvest, and has even been found to improve the sweetness and flavor of some fruits.
When planting your crops, the best way, and the way most farmers use, is to set up your crops on raised rows. Each should be one foot wide with one foot in between each row. The plants themselves should be one foot apart, as well; creating a sort of grid pattern in your garden. Some plants, like corn, prefer to be planted closer together, so you may want to adjust your crops accordingly.
With most crops, you should see a good yield within twenty days. For the first week, you will need to ensure your garden is watered regularly, and that the seedlings are kept moist until they are about two inches tall, allowing them to take root enough to survive in a drier climate. Irrigation systems are easy to manufacture, however a location close to your water source will make things much easier. If you cannot settle near a lake or river, you should focus on a water collection apparatus, which I will detail in the water portion of this essay. You should also be aware of what you planted and what it looks like. Anything else that grows is likely to be a weed, and should be pulled. A good way to protect your garden from weeds is with cover crops, which fill in the spaces in between your regular plants. This, however is an extensive subject to cover, so I will instead refer you to a website that already covers the matter extensively.
http://www.hort.cornell.edu/bjorkman/lab/covercrops/Once you have your first harvest, you will likely have leftovers, which you will ant to save for the months that will not lend themselves to your farming needs. The two most common ways to preserve your vegetables are canning/jarring and drying/dehydrating. This, too is an extensive subject, which I still need to do research on, but you can find all the information you require at
http://Http://www.Preservefood.com.
