What FOOD STORAGE looks like for one person for one year! And, that is just the BASIC'S!
How to Store Food in Glass Jars
Vital for long term storage of your favorite foods
Queen Quet displaying glass jaw storage of vegetables
Rice and Beans, A Survival Combination
October 4, 2014, by Ken Jorgustin
174 Print
rice-and-beans-survival-food
Rice is rich in starch, and an excellent source of energy. Beans are rich in protein, and contain other minerals. The consumption of the two together provides all the essential amino acids and it is no wonder that this combination is a staple of many diets throughout the world.
Here’s why they are a good combination for long-term survival food storage, and their calories per pound, survival days, etc…
(UPDATED)
WHITE RICE
5 gallon bucket of White Rice (30 lbs of rice)
50,000 calories
25 survival days
1655 calories per pound (uncooked)
590 calories per pound (cooked)
675 calories per cup (uncooked)
205 calories per cup (cooked)
Note: For long term food storage, do not use brown rice (use only white rice) because it will go rancid within a year from it’s oils.
Long Term Food Storage: Bulk Buying Tips For Frugal Budgets!
***Recommended book***
Steve Sando founded Rancho Gordo with the simple idea that saving our New World foods is a critical pursuit, and his passion for heirloom beans has made his business a huge success. Sando’s beans are sought after by famous chefs like Thomas Keller (Vallarta is his favorite), and he’s frequently profiled in publications such as Bon Appetit, Saveur, and the New York Times.
In The Rancho Gordo Heirloom Bean Grower's Guide, Sando invites the gardener and home cook to share his passion, profiling the fifty best beans to grow, cook, and save. From the silky flavor of Good Mother Stallard to the buttery Runner Cannellinis, the most delicious varieties are presented in these pages along with growing tips, flavor notes, stories of their heritage, and beautiful photographs that showcase the unique beauty of each bean.
In reintroducing the best of the New World heirloom beans, Sando has created a sensation, and food-lovers everywhere will relish transforming this humble staple into a celebrated delicacy.
BEANs
5 gallon bucket of Beans (30 lbs of beans)
47,000 calories
24 survival days
1574 calories per pound (uncooked)
650 calories per pound (cooked)
670 calories per cup (uncooked)
245 calories per cup (cooked)
Note: There is a slight variation of calories per pound for different bean varieties. Numbers listed above are an average. They are mostly similar…
Note: After many years, beans loose their ability to soften up while re-hydrating in water, and the cooking process may result al dente. The beans will remain edible and will not have lost their food value – just saying. Maybe you rotate your beans every so many years…
Having one 5 gallon bucket each of rice and beans will provide nearly 50 days of ‘survival’ calories.
While you will not want to eat rice and beans every day and every meal, the combination is an inexpensive food storage ‘staple’ as part of your overall food storage diversity.
Some food storage outlets will sell you rice and/or beans already packed and sealed for long term food storage in buckets. However you can also do it yourself by purchasing in bulk and then use Mylar bags, oxygen absorbers, and your own 5 gallon buckets. You might also choose to use an ordinary kitchen vacuum sealer and store smaller quantities (which could still be held in 5 gallon buckets for safe keeping).
How To Seal A Mylar Bag In A 5 Gallon Bucket
Rice, White, Long Grain – Nutrition Per Cup, Cooked
Very low in saturated fat
No cholesterol
Very low in sodium
Very low in sugar
Very high in dietary fiber
Very high in protein
By themselves, rice and beans are bland. No doubt there are countless spices and other ingredients you can add to increase nutrition and make them more palatable. http://www.AGRIVIVE.com
Purchase Bulk Rice for Sale, Food Rice, Buy Bulk Rice, Bulk Wholesale Rice, Buy Bulk Rice
Please follow the link provided in the pix.
This leads to the African gardening section that shows methods of growing food from raised beds and in pots!
Although growing your own veggies is not too terribly difficult, there’s more to it than just scratching some seeds in the ground and hoping they’ll germinate. As in any endeavor, the more you know about how to grow vegetables, the more successful you’re likely to be.
Here are 10 important tips to get you started:
Vegetable gardens can be both productive and good-looking with a basic knowledge of what veggies need to thrive.
Location matters. Most vegetables grow best in full-sun– especially fruit-bearing crops such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and melons. Pick a spot that gets at least 8 hours of direct sun daily. Stay far away from trees; a dense leaf canopy casts too much shade, and thirsty tree roots quickly grow into veggie-garden soil and out-compete your crops. Tree roots often spread at least twice as far out beyond the canopy.
Invest in the soil. Few gardeners are blessed with such good soil that they can just dig and plant. Some soil is clayish, causing poor drainage and difficult root growth. Some soil is sandy, which dries almost as fast as you water it. And some soil is just nutritionally poor, or too acid or alkaline for optimal growth. Test the soil to see what fertilizer, lime, sulfur or other products are needed to improve it suitably for vegetables. Most garden centers and county Cooperative Extension offices do soil tests or offer inexpensive, do-it-yourself soil test kits. Additionally improve the soil texture of new garden beds by working about 2” of compost, rotted leaves, or similar organic matter into the top 10 or 12 inches of existing soil.
Raised beds
Maximize vegetable production by growing in beds that are raised 4" -6" above grade.
Consider raised beds. Growing in beds that are 4’ wide, and built up 4" – 6" above grade level ensures good drainage and encourages good root growth. Most people build boxes of stone, blocks, brick, recycled plastic timbers, or rot-resistant wood to contain the soil. Otherwise just mound up the beds without any edging, but this may become messy. If you use organic matter to add extra depth, work it in to improve the soil at the same time. Another advantage of raised beds is that you won’t be walking on the beds. Stay on the paths between the beds and avoid compacting the soil. This virtually eliminates the need for tilling and heavy digging.
Blocks of greens
You’ll get higher yield by planting in blocks instead of skinny, straight rows with wasted space in the paths.
You’ll get higher yield by planting in blocks instead of skinny, straight rows with wasted space in the paths.
Plant in blocks, not rows. Traditionally vegetable gardens are planted in straight rows with room between to walk. This layout requires season-long hoeing to keep the rows free of weeds. A better idea, especially on a small plot, is to plant in blocks with the same spacing in all directions. Ignore seed packet suggestions that instruct to “…plant beans 3” apart in the row but then 2’ between rows.” The beans will grow just as well 3” apart north and south and 3” apart east and west. Yields will be higher by planting in blocks, and more garden space will be devoted to production and less to unnecessary walking (and hoeing) space.
Varieties make a huge difference. The fancy names you see on seed packets (‘Big Boy’ tomatoes, ‘County Fair’ cucumbers, ‘King Arthur’ peppers, for example) aren’t just cutesy variations of the same thing. Some varieties perform markedly better than others under differing circumstances. Some are bred or selected primarily for best taste, while others vary in time to harvest, overall yield, or ability to fight off bugs and disease. Select high-quality seeds from name companies such as Park Seed, Burpee, Renee’s Garden, Cook’s Garden, or Botanical Interests among others. Experiment each year until you find the particular varieties that you prefer and that perform best in your garden. Also do homework by asking veteran gardeners their favorites or consulting your local county Cooperative Extension office.
It’s not just a May thing. Many beginner gardeners think “planting the vegetable garden” is a one-day affair, done right after the threat of frost is gone in spring, earlier in warm winter zones. That’s good timing for season-long warm-weather crops including tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, cucumbers, pumpkins and melons, but it’s too late for crops that prefer cool weather. Vegetables such as peas, onions, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and radishes are best planted in cool weather – including as soon as soil is workable, weeks before the last spring frost in the North. They’ll mature before hot weather turns them bitter or causes them to shut down altogether. In the south these are considered winter crops. Get to know ideal planting times for each crop in your particular area. Typically, Cooperative Extension offices have localized lists. The most productive vegetable gardens have no empty spaces throughout the growing season. Plant throughout the season. Keep young plants of another crop ready to fill the gaps. As one crop is harvested, fill the space with something seasonally appropriate.
Consistent water. Water is the magic ingredient in vegetable gardening. Lack of it causes the intense growth of vegetables to short-circuit, and if the soil gets dry enough result in wilting. The plants may die of thirst or at the least yield will be compromised. Water often enough that the soil is always moist, but not enough that it becomes soggy. Add sufficient water so that the soil is damp to the root zone. Check with a pencil or stick to determine how deep the water has gone. Repeat watering if it remains dry at the base. Watering may be required every day or two in hot, dry weather. Raised beds dry out faster than in-ground plantings.
Control those weeds. Weeds compete for nutrients and moisture in the garden. Yank them as soon as any emerge and definitely before they go to seed. Better yet, put down a light layer of mulch of chopped leaves or straw between plants to suppress weeds and conserve moisture. In addition, discourage weeds by applying granular, organic Preen Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer every 4 weeks around established plantings.
Floating row cover is a light-weight non-woven fabric that is placed over crops to protect against flying bugs.
Control bugs and disease. Assorted bugs and diseases target different vegetables, lessening yield or rendering them inedible. The most effective pest strategy is to select seed or plants of naturally bug and disease resistant varieties in the first place, so do your homework. Keep plants as healthy as possible by supplying good soil, adequate moisture, and nutrition to maximize plant immune systems. Strong, healthy plants fight off bug and disease pressure readily. Monitor regularly for early signs of trouble, but don’t just spray the whole garden at the first sign of something crawling. Research the damage to determine what’s causing it and determine if it’s just temporary and cosmetic, or a true health threat. All sorts of remedies are available if action is needed, including mechanical bug barriers such as floating row covers (installed at planting time), mint-scented repellents, and “soft” (non-toxic) sprays such as oils and soaps.
Be prepared for animals. Assorted animals (especially deer, rabbits, groundhogs, and voles) love vegetables as much as people do. Plan to fence the garden right off the bat. To stop both climbing and burrowing pests, sink a 6-inch board completely around the perimeter, then erect a 3’-tall, narrow-opening fence, left unsecured at the top (so groundhogs lack support to climb over). Taller fencing – 8’ and up – is needed to stop deer. Motion-activated sprinklers, repellents, and other scare tactics may prove effective.
Follow these basic but significant suggestions and you will be able to improve your diet with healthy veggies all season long.
Agriculture means more than Subsistence farming... With agriculture, young people can explore career options in Permaculture design, Bio dynamic farming, Communication technologies, Forecasting, Marketing, Logistics, Quality assurance, Urban agriculture projects, Food Preparation, Environmental Sciences, Advanced technologies and more. Farmers, businesses, policy makers, and educators need to promote agriculture as an intellectually stimulating and economically sustainable career and make jobs in the agriculture and food system for young people in Sub-Saharan Africa. By Farmer Kiama Robert , Nairobi, Kenya
African Gardening For Life
Square Foot Gardening 101
Square Foot Gardening (SFG): Growing More in Less Space
Want to grow beans and/or peas, you will need a trellis? As these plants grow up/vertical.
Trellis for Square Foot Gardening
How to put a trellis on a Square Foot Garden
***Special Article***
Gardening for Life By Wayne & Connie Burleson Ways to triple your food garden production Square Foot Gardening GO WILD! Ideas to Work Less and Grow More Long Box Gardens
2. Why Grow Your Own Food? The E.A.R.T.H provides the answer E= To capture free sunlight ENERGY A= To help ALLEVIATE world hunger problems and help improve your family’s nutrition – save lives R= To make use of you own local RESOURCES T= To save TIME, money and less TRANSPORTATION H= To grow your own HEALTH This method is based upon:Healthy soils produce - healthy plants - produce healthy people All done with very little money, & with work less to grow more
3. Class Outline You can do it!• Introduction Class introduce themselves• WHY SMALL GARDENS WORK?• Prove it!• Ownership, purpose• Soils/compost (the foundation to success)• Garden designs, location, layout, construction, shade trees, drainage• Starting seeds, transplanting, controlling light, temperature, water• Planting and plant spacing• Garden care: watering ideas, weed and pest control, shade hoop houses• Which vegetable to plant
4. WHY SMALL GARDENS WORK? … Planting seeds for those in need …• Small gardens are very easy to assemble and they draw crowds• Simple. Anyone can do it. Anywhere in the world• Requires very little water (safe to use waste water)• Gardens are constructed without money or commercial fertilizers• Very easy to take care of (less work, less weeds, less water, more food)• Highly productive from very small spaces• Can produce 45 kilos (100 pounds) of food from a 4’ X 4’ area• Each home can construct several of these handy small kitchen gardens• Literally help feed millions of people• Also an evangelistic outreach – presents an opportunity to share the good news• Empty stomachs have no ears These gardens are sustainable, lifetime, hand-up endeavors, not a hand-out
5. Prove it!!!!!!
6. This one box is 4’ by 8’ (122cm by 244cm). It has 32 carrots per square foot = (32 carrots/sq (times) 32 square feet box = 1,024 carrots)
***Recommended Read***
Whether you live on a small suburban lot or have a many acres in the country, this inspiring collection will empower you to increase your self-sufficiently and embrace a more independent lifestyle. A variety of authors share their specialized knowledge and provide practical instructions for basic country skills like preserving vegetables, developing water systems, keeping farm animals, and renovating barns. From sharpening an axe to baking your own bread, you’ll be amazed at the many ways learning traditional skills can enrich your life.
A comprehensive, no-nonsense guide to kitchen gardening on any scale.
"Filled with rich illustrations and photographs, this book will appeal to a wide range of gardeners, making this a useful book for all types of public libraries."
--American Reference Books Annual 2012
"Gianfrancesco's easy-to-understand-and-follow guide provides clearly delineated, step-by-step, fully detailed and remarkably informative instructions for growing an exciting spectrum of edible plants."
--Booklist
How to Grow Food is a complete, illustrated guide to the hundreds of plants that are easy to grow in the home garden. The author emphasizes gardening techniques that can be applied to any size of garden, from a window box to a small side yard plot to the biggest backyard.
This practical book features a comprehensive directory of more than 125 crop plants, from traditional choices to more unusual varieties, to suit all growing conditions in all regions using simple organic and biodynamic gardening methods. Gardeners can choose from roots and tubers; leafy crops; seed and fruit crops; grains; peppers and chilies; stem and flower crops; tree fruits; soft, bush and cane fruits; tender fruits; nuts; herbs; and edible flowers.
How to Grow Food features thorough instructions and a month-by-month calendar of tasks, plus:
Types of gardens and choosing the best site
Designing, preparing and planting a productive garden
Maximizing the use of space, such as vertical planting and fruit cages
Harvesting, storing and preserving
Training and pruning plants for maximum yield
Tools, pests, weeds and growing from seed
Helpful dos and don'ts
Plant ratings related to variety, value, maintenance and season
The author's special selection of star plants.
7. 70 Days The success has started as these boxes held together in several torrential rainfall events (like several inches of hard rain in a matter of minutes). The miracle happened, for soil amendment we ended up using several sacks of old chicken manure mixed in with small wood chips that we added to each box. The native soils are mostly hard clay, which is a poor growing environment. The wood chips became a surface mulch and held the soil in place during the wind driven downpour. Strong mulching is a great aid for any gardening efforts in the tropics. We thank the Lord.
8. The wood chip mulching protected the soil surface from rain drop impact This is especially on sloping on hillside gardens
9. Success in Africa A Church Demonstration Garden Small Village in Rwanda, AfricaGrowth in 61 days
10. Begin with the end in mind salsa, guacamole, chips
11. Economics of the Long Box Long Box 4 by 40 = 160 sq foot Each 40 days cut 3 bags greens 3 bags X 160 = 480 bags of greens Each bag sells for $3.00 $3.00 X 480 bags = $1,440.00 For a 40 day crop Then you replant the Long Box The potential for 4 crops/ year = $5,760 Gross Income in US$
12. Teaching with photos helps
Three types of soil
Different types of soil
How to test soil Ph levels?
Do it yourself soil testing?
What is Mulch?
How to make Mulch?
How to make mulch from leaves?
How to mulch a garden bed?
13. Step #1 Soils/compost (the foundation to success) How to make your own Top Soil Go On a Treasure Hunt - Searching for Hidden Resources Step 1 Walk-about looking for then bag up the following? •Old dry livestock dung •Leave mold •Black looking top soil under bushes •Old dry chicken manure •Anything looking like dark soil Step 2 Dig up sod from garden plot 1.3 meter by 3 meters, and then remove old plants and root for plot African Cow House = decomposed organic matter Mix with native soil which makes great topsoil
14. How to Make Good Compost Ingredients needed: Why compost? Compost is decomposed organic matter that has turned into black colored humus that is called “black gold.” Compost makes excellent organic plant food. Millions of micro-organisms digest (eat) the dry grass and green grass causing the pile to heat up. Compost does not feed the plants directly. Instead it feeds the soil microbes which in turn release insoluble minerals for the plants to feed upon (fertilizers). This amazing process makes your garden a sustainable food factory - if you keep adding compost to your soils. Repeat all layers until 1 Meter high Add small amount of wood ash Add water to dry layers Vegetable waste ------ Thin layer old manure - Thin layer top soil----- Green grass 30 cm --- Dry grass 30 cm---- Bottom layer maze for air ->
16. Step #3 Planting/plant spacing Why have a grid?
How to grow food in Winter? Three ways.
How to grow food in the snow?
17. How to Precisely Plant Your Seeds Take your time For 1 or 4 plants and plant each per square make a seed correctly small dish shaped for good success depression in the soil and place the seeds in the center. Water only where the seeds are located Mr Brite 16 Plants Mr Brite 30 Plants 9 Plants 4 Plants 1 Plant Per Per Per Per Per Square Square Square Square Square33 cm 33 cm Pea Lettuce These Tomato Radish Pepper Onion Seeds Beet Swiss chard Plants Carrot Broccoli Can also Cabbage Green Bean 1.5 cm deep Onion Sets Marigold Be started Onions 2 cm deep Spinach from Cucumber 1.5 cm deep Transplants Cantaloupe Small 2.5 cm deep 2.5 cm deep Carrots Potato 8 cm deep 1 to 2 cm deep
18. Steps to make Crops in Small PlotsStep 1 Research which vegetables is there a demand for in your area and at what time of year Come up with a list of marketable vegetables that you could grow & sell.Step 2 Plan your harvest according to the market … hint: Have your crop ready before other people offer the same vegetables. Also think about adding value like cooking.Step 3 Construct several raised beds and/or garden boxes with in your water limitations. Fill each area with your best soils & compost to at least 12 to 24 inches (30cm to 60 cm)Step 4 Plant each raised bed with the correct plant spacing and timing for the marketStep 5 Harvest early when vegetable are young and prime. Hint: Share and/or trade for your other needs. A Garden Box First planting Second planting Third planting Seed different block areas within a raised bed at different times for multiple harvests.
19. Which vegetables seeds to plant Tomato Pepper SquashCucumber LettuceSwiss chard Radish Beet Cabbage Spinach Carrots What do you love to eat? Beans
20. Step #4 Garden care:Water, Weeds, and Ownership
21. Wise water use
22. This lady in Shone, Ethiopia, Africa is a very good gardener as she knows how to place valuable water on each seed zone, which saves her much labor - hauling hard to acquire water for her garden. Re-cycled Water Ladies washing dishes and clothes in Malawi. Look where the water is going! Question:Could you dump this waste water safely on a small kitchen garden?
23. Why Add Mulch to Your Gardens Don’t let your soils see daylight Mr Brite One smart farmerCool shaded soils = 22 deg C (72 deg F) = holds water, Adds soil nutrients and slows weed germination Hot bare soils - 55 deg C (130 deg F) = evaporates water fast, Cooks and kills valuable microorganisms, no added soil nutrients and weeds can germinate
24. Don’t Weed Instead Cultivate
25. Step #6 Vegetable harvest and replanting
26. Add a scoop of compost and replant harvested squares
27. Worms provide fertilizersTHEIR WORM CASTINGSAND they work for free
How To Make Compost
28. 12-Day Compost To use as fertilizeSpread completed compost around the base of your plants
29. When you keep your soils healthy and look what can happen One Radish growing in Ethiopia
30. One Radish makes a great salad Seeking information outside the box Radish leaves have 3 times the nutrient value as the roots And taste great!
31. Think Holisticallyfrom seed to stomach
32. A Life Giving StorySalmon River Pumpkin (A Winter Squash) From Seed to Seeds
33. Seed saving techniques Beets Cucumber Biennial as it takes Let ripen past two year. Store roots Pumpkin edible stage and for several months, Cut ripe & mature Spinach turn yellow. Cut Pick out the strong replant to grow pumpkin open. lengthwise, scoop plants and let them bolt seeds, harvest seeds Remove seeds. seeds out seeds into a flower stalk and when dry. Wash with water. and dry go to seed. Pull the seed Place on screen or stalks out of the ground cloth to dry. and let dry. Thresh the seeds into a container. Pepper Let ripe to full Onion color, no sign ofLet a few plants disease.form round Remove seedflower clusters. off core andWhen dry, pick place on screenand thresh the or cloth to dry.seed out. Lettuce Allow plant to bolt, Tomato to form a seed stalk. Pick ripe Cover to protect tomatoes from from birds & rain. several plants. Harvest seeds for 2 Squeeze seed to 3 weeks. This will out, wash and require repeated spread on cloth harvesting. to dry. Certain plant varieties will cross-pollinate with other members of their same family. If you are raising your own pure seeds, only plant one variety within that family. Visit www.seedsavers.org for more information
34. Sharing the harvest and teaching others
35. Gardens open the doors to teaching others & building life giving skills
36. Closing YOU CAN DO IT!Planting seeds for those in need
Planning Irrigation of Your Garden
The Incredible Self Watering Pop Bottle Garden Grow System! You Got To See This!
37. Gardening for Life By Wayne & Connie Burleson“Planting seeds for those in need” A Humanitarian Effort
Want to heal yourself and family naturally? Then try Gullah Hoodoo Medicine by Faith Mitchell
Faith Mitchell earned her Doctorate in Medical Anthropology in 1980 from the University of California, Berkeley. She is the President and CEO at Grantmakers In Health. Formerly, Mitchell was a senior staff member of the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC, the Senior Coordinator for Population in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration in the US State Department, and a program officer at the Hewlett and San Francisco foundations.
Buy the book now
If you want to purchase gardening equipment, high quality, and have shipped to you for free, then go to www.gardeninggiftsformother.com Any order over $35.00 gets shipped free via Amazon. This can reach you almost anywhere in the world. So if you want to set up a community garden and need to know what you need to get going then check our quick list. This list is designed to help you get started quick with the right tools for the jobs. Tools, like irrigation systems, hoses, shovels, picks, wheel barrows, seeds, mosquito repellants, paint to prevent wood root, how to plant what next to what, etc.
How to Grow Food The Quick and Easy Way
Container Gardening for those with small space like Apartments
Still Updating!
Follow the link for more info:
15 Edible plants you can grow in doors.
Three Sisters Method for Pots
***Good Video***
Follow the link.
Companion Planting Three Sisters Method
Companion planting has become more popular in recent years because it helps to maximize available garden space and provides a sustainable environment for better crop production.
The truth is companion planting methods have been around for a very long time. In fact, the Native Americans might be some of the earliest known gardeners to use companion planting.
They used a planting technique called “The Three Sisters Method“.
Companion planting with the Three Sisters Method is a wise way of using available garden space and maximize yields.
What Is the Three Sisters Method?
The Three Sisters Method uses three different vegetables – corn, pole beans and squash.
Each vegetable is interplanted together so they benefit one another while growing and producing fruit.
The corn stalk provides a climbing support for the pole beans to grow up, the pole beans provide nitrogen in the soil for the corn, and the squash creates a living mulch to block out weeds and to conserve soil moisture for the pole beans and corn.
They are known as the “sisters”. A trio that works in complete harmony.
How to Plant a Three Sister Garden
For best results using the Three Sisters Garden, you will need an area that receives full sun and large enough to create a mound of soil that is about four square feet.
Mound up the soil about one foot high and two feet wide.
Flatten the top of the mound to create a level planting surface. You can also use a raised bed for the Three Sisters method if you have poor soil or drainage.
If you plan to create more than one make sure they are at least four to six feet apart.
In the center of the mound, plant the corn in a circle with the seeds spaced about six to seven inches apart. Water the seeds well after planting and continue to water each day until the seeds have sprouted in a couple weeks.
A Few Weeks After Planting the Three Sisters GardenOnce the corn has reached a height of ten to twelve inches sow the pole bean seeds in a circle six inches outside of the corn stalks.
The pole beans should sprout in seven to fourteen days. Remember to keep the mound well watered during this time.
A week after the pole beans have sprouted it is time to sow the squash seeds. Sow six squash seeds in a circle that is about twelve to fifteen inches away from the pole beans. Keep the entire mound watered well and the squash should pop up in about a week.
Make sure to train the pole beans to begin climbing up the corn stalks. You may need to begin wrapping the pole bean vines around the corn stalks to get them going in the right direction.
In just a few weeks the squash leaves will begin spreading out, shading the area and keeping the soil cool and moist.
Companion Planting with the Three Sisters Method
Using the Three Sisters method for growing corn, pole beans and squash is a really fun, space-saving way to incorporate companion planting in your vegetable garden.
Basic Garden Tools List
Want to know what gardening tools are and what ones you may need to do the job?
Example:
Garden Spade:
This tool is a must have for digging soil, making holes or shifting soil from one place to another. Border spade and digging spade are primarily two types of garden spades used by most gardeners. People with weak arms or back looking forward to dig large amount of soil can opt for a border spade.
Hoe:
This tool is helpful in cutting weeds just below the soil’s surface in vegetable plots. It helps in killing weeds and slowing down perennial weeds. If you intend to preserve your plantation and its produce, then you should positively get this gardening tool.
Hand Pruners or Secateurs:
This tool is ideally used for pruning stems up to 19mm thick. Anvil and bypass are two major types of secateurs. Most people go for bypass as they are capable of getting into tight spaces with ease. Thanks to their amazing cutting action, they prevent various plant diseases.
Watering can:
Applying targeted water to seedlings and young plants becomes an easy affair with watering cans. Their gentle spray doesn’t harm the plants.
Wheelbarrow:
They can come in handy for taking composts or tools from one place to another in garden. You can also use them for transporting debris to the compost pit.
Hand shears:
You can get a pair of good quality shears to trim hedges or overhanging grass at the edges of lawn.
Have a large group project and you need lots of the same tools and would like to buy wholesale? Buy wholesale direct from China all types gardening tools, cheap, affordable quality.
The Importance of Water/Oshun
Worldwide, the application of water and its managed use has been an essential factor in raising productivity of agriculture and ensuring predictability in outputs. Water is essential to bring forth the potential of the land and to enable improved varieties of both plants and animals to make full use of other yield-enhancing production factors. By raising productivity, sustainable water management (especially when combined with adequate soil husbandry) helps to ensure better production both for direct consumption and for commercial disposal, so enhancing the generation of necessary economic surpluses for uplifting rural economies.
Since the 1960s, global food production has at least kept pace with world population growth, providing more food per capita at generally declining prices, but at a cost to water resources. At the close of the 20th century, agriculture used a global average of 70% of all water withdrawals, and FAO estimates that global abstractions for irrigation will grow by some 14% by 2030.While this is a much slower rate than experienced in the 1990's, water scarcity stress is projected to grow locally and, in some cases, regionally, constraining local food production.
Improved agricultural water use in irrigated and rainfed agriculture will play a key-role in coping with the expected water scarcity stress. Improving water use or water productivity is often understood in terms of obtaining as much crop as possible per volume of water - "more crop for the drop". Money-wise farmers may prefer to target a maximum income per unit of water - "more dollars for the drop", while community leaders and policy makers may aim for maximum employment and income generated through the agricultural sector - "more jobs for the drop". Thus in a broad sense, increasing productivity in agriculture can result in more benefit for every unit of water withdrawn from natural water sources. However, the resulting shifts in agricultural water use require responses by governments to ensure the productive and sustainable use of the land and water resources upon which agriculture depends.
1. Ensure water supply for a secure and economically viable agriculture
Agricultural water use is consumptive and irrigated agriculture will by necessity claim large quantities of water to produce food. However, water-saving technologies are available and can significantly reduce waste. Desalinized and waste water are recognised as non conventional water sources. Solutions for sustainable allocation of water among users have to be secured.
2. Build new approaches in agricultural water management
Huge investments have been made to develop existing irrigation systems. However operation/maintenance and rehabilitation are under-funded in the public and private sectors. Reforming efforts include the institutional changes with the transfer of operation and maintenance responsibilities to water users' associations, and new cost-recovery approaches.
3. Build pro-poor and affordable agricultural water management
Low cost and small scale options in water harvesting, irrigation and drainage are necessary for small rural communities, who may have to rely only on manual and animal power (e.g. treadle pumps).
4. Mitigation of environmental and health impacts of new and existing systems
Poor irrigation and drainage have led to water loss and also to the spread of water borne diseases, waterlogging and salinization of nearly 10% of the world's irrigation land, thereby reducing productivity. Improved design and management of irrigation and drainage systems is a priority.
Importance of Water in Afrika
By
Published on Dec 12, 2015
Elphas Were - Founder of KEYNET (Kenya Economic Youth Network) talks about the importance of water provision.
We caught up with him, on the sidelines of the first African Young Water Professionals’ and Fourth Biennial Young Water Professionals’ conference, in Pretoria, South Africa, November 2015 where he was presenting a paper
Water Conservation Interview w/ Phil Yates in WBC Children's Peace Garden
Water Gardening 101
Small Water Gardens - How To Build
Best Plants for a Water Garden
How to build a Rain Garden A rain garden is a garden which takes advantage of rainfall and stormwater runoff in its design and plant selection. Usually, it is a small garden which is designed to withstand the extremes of moisture and concentrations of nutrients, particularly Nitrogen and Phosphorus, that are found in stormwater runoff.
Very good template shows what to do
How To Create A Rain Garden In Your Yard with Senga Landscape Architect
Dew Collection/Rain collectors
Amazing techological advancement Dew Collecting Greenhouses Purpose: Cure drought stricken land and grow food in harsh drought affected environment
Rain Shower in a Tropical Greenhouse
Amazing!
Poor Man's Dew Collector
How to collect dew for drinking water
Rain Water Collection Systems This series of videos show how to set up and build a system to capture rain water.
This Old House Rain Water System
This is a heavy duty system more for community garden growers 30,000 Gallons collecting system
15,000 Gallon Collecting System
600 Gallon Simple Rain Water Collection System & First Flush - Part 1
600 Gallon Simple Rain Water Collection System - Pump - Part 2
Low cost Rain Collection system 5 Dollar RAIN BARRELS 55 gallons to 1000 gallons - RAIN WATER COLLECTION & STORAGE
9 Best Rain Barrels
Rain Water Harvesting Rainwater Harvesting Basics (1) Brad Lancaster
Japanese Water Gardens
Drilling Water Wells Educational video showing step by step, the processes of well drilling, well construction and equipment installation needed to provide a safe home water supply.
How a Water well is drilled
Water well drilling costs per foot This quote gives a U.S estimate but may be much cheaper in Africa or other nations Water well drilling costs per foot vary by casing diameter. A 6 inch casing diameter is the current standard for domestic wells in Canada. The cost per foot varies from as low as $36 per foot to $55 for standard 6″ casing. Sometimes there are extra charges for the annular seal, pitless adapter, stainless steel screen, pump test, well development ( to increase yield and to “clean up the zone” by: airlifting, jetting, surging, surge block, etc.), and the drive shoe. If there is a productive water well drilled and not a dry hole you will need to have a trench dug for the waterline and power. If you find a low production zone when drilling you may also need install a cistern which costs upwards of $2000 and have the well keep it full. You will also need a water pump installed that is appropriately sized for the depth of well and gallons per minute. Most well drillers also have a minimum charge, usually around 100ft minimum which at $45 per foot would be $4500. Drilling a water well is a long term investment and most people are reluctant to drill without knowing if they will find water, and if so at what depth. If you would like to find aquifer depth and yield (gpm), and make an informed decision of where to drill your water well give us a call at 250-788-9118
We have regular runs throughout BC and AB call us to see when we are coming through your area. Seismic Waterfinder will travel to almost anywhere, please give as much lead time as possible so we can come at the date that is most suitable for you. If you need a high production water well for irrigation, or a domestic water well for your acreage, we can help you.
Want to drill the well yourself, you and your team? DIY Water Well Drilling (Off-The-Grid Water Supply)
Off Grid Water: How To Find A Spring Or Seep
How to Make a "Water Ram" off-grid Water Pump, requires no electricity
CHEAP and EASY, Emergency Well Pump Requires No Electricity
Our 100% Off Grid Gravity Water System
How to make Water wheels Note: Mosquitoes usually come with slow moving water but a water wheel can speed up the flow of a created stream.
Water Wheel Farming Talking of Irrigation!
Water Wheel Science Project Try build it yourself to understand the concept
Water Wheel building for large community groups with finacing
Purifying water Here is a secret little way to purify water using a simple food grade plastic water bottle. This method is approved by the WHO (world health organization) and is in use in many countries around the world. Uses sunlight and UV rays to pasteurize the water and remove water borne parasites and viruses
Demonstrating how you can use a food saver type vacuum bag to purify 11.5 gallons of water using the SODIS water purification method. Bag should be filled with clear water and placed in direct sunlight for 6-8 hours. This method uses UV "ultra violet" light to kill bacteria and viruses in the water. This method will do noting for chemical contamination.
Make A Water Filtration System Clean Water Science Lab Demonstrated This is a demonstration of the clean water science lab I recently purchased. It teaches you the basics of water filtration and purification. There are multiple experiments in the box. For today I am trying out the water filter. This is the same principal used by the large water treatment plants in the city. You can use this idea to make your own clean water filter for your off grid home.
11 REASONS WHY EARTHSHIPS ARE THE FUTURE
First Earthbag House at Manimutharu, TamilNadu, India
The $500 House - Build A House Dirt Cheap? (Part 1 of 4)
The $500 House - Build A House Dirt Cheap? (Part 2 of 4)
The $500 House - Build A House Dirt Cheap? (Part 3 of 4)
Earthship : Strange and Alternate Homes - Episode 2 Eloy, AZ
Earthships are the 21st century’s 100% sustainable homes that offer comforts like no other green building style you have ever seen! They are the modern way of living cheap and in harmony with nature. Here are 11 reasons why Earthships are so amazing:
1. GROW YOUR OWN FOOD!
The Earthship is equipped with 2 greenhouses that can grow crops through the whole year! That means that no matter what the climate is, you can eat vegetables and fruits for free by growing them in your own house. If you need meat or eggs, you can also build a chicken coop into your Earthship. A fish pond is also a great option for the seafood lovers!
2. CHEAP ENERGY!
You can use renewable sources like solar panels and wind turbines to provide all the power your home needs. That is, of course, if you’re not the senseless consumer modern society taught you to be.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
3. SUSTAINABLE WATER SYSTEM.
Whenever it rains, the roof of the Earthship collects the water in a cistern, which then distributes it to sinks and showers. The used ‘gray water’ from the sinks and showers is then pumped into the greenhouse to water the plants. At this point water is cleaned by the plants and it’s ready for use again– that’s why it’s pumped back to the bathrooms for the toilets. After that the water from the toilet is pumped to the outdoor garden to give nutrients to non-edible plants.
4. A SECURE SHELTER FOR ANY WEATHER.
Earthships are adapted to any kind of climate– no matter if it’s freezing cold or hot like hell, Earthships sustain a constant temperature of around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius). The secret is in the structure of the building– tires filled with dirt or ‘thermal mass’. Through this method, solar power is being absorbed and can also be released depending on the interior’s temperature. In order for the sun to heat up the thermal mass, the large front windows of the greenhouse should be facing south.
5. NO BILLS = FREEDOM.
Having all those basic necessities for free brings us to the next huge advantage– you’ve freed yourself from the modern form of slavery! You no longer need to work in order to survive– no more wasted valuable time! You can fully concentrate on the things you love doing and on improving yourself and the world around you. The only responsibility you’ll have will be to take care of your greenhouse and Earthship, which is totally worth it! Imagine the world we’d live in if everyone had that much free time to do the things they truly love to do instead of working jobs they don’t even like!
6. BUILD YOUR OWN ONE!
This can be done surprisingly fast even by an amateur builder! A fine example of that is a married couple, who built their own 3-story Earthship by themselves in 3 months. They both had no experience in construction and managed to build their green home using only printed schematics. No workers were hired nor were the costs for equipment high. If a couple in their forties can do it– anyone can, too.
Read: The first completely sustainable island is in Scotland
7. CHEAP
Earthships are pretty cheap compared to universal houses. They vary from 7,000 to 70,000, depending on whether you want an average or a huge one. The price fits buyers from all social classes.
8. SUSTAINABLE AND TRENDY.
Most people picture a primitive home that lacks the comforts the 21st century has to offer, when they hear sustainable or Eco-homes. Take a look at these pictures and you decide if Earthships have anything to do with primitive or old-fashioned:
9.MADE OF BYPRODUCTS OF MODERN SOCIETY
The basic parts of the Earthship are recycled byproducts– that’s the reason why they are so cheap. As I mentioned above, tires filled with dirt make up the structure of the Earthship. Used tires are pretty easy to acquire and there are places where they’ll actually pay you to take them away! Another example are the walls– they are concreted plastic and glass bottles. I’m sure you can find these and a lot of the other materials needed pretty easily in every urban environment.
10. OPEN-MINDED.
Earthships succeed in one thing for sure– encouraging people to think differently. They inspire us to build our human society in harmony with nature and not against it. What if we apply the sustainable model not only in our homes but in the world around us? What else can we make cheaper, more sustainable and Eco-friendly ?
Read: Sapiosexuality: Why Some of Us are Attracted Purely by Intelligence (backed by science, of course)
11. THE EARTHSHIPS CREW
The supporters and activists of the Earthships carry the same values as the Earthship itself. There are widely spread movements around the world that build sustainable homes in different countries. If you don’t want to live alone or build one by yourself, you can always contact such organizations and be a part of spreading the change!
Low Cost Greenhouses for Community Gardens
This Greenhouse could feed an entire community or provide a stable business for a family or group.
This Greenhouse was invented in Kenya, made entirely of natural material that is found in the local area. It only costs $600.00 to build. It lasts for 10 years! The space is huge. You will need a crew of 20 or so. Saws, ladders and gardening tools. Greenhouse sheets and mosquito net covering.
For small investors and small workforce.
This is the most affordable greenhouse you could ever build -- total cost even with everything store bought is about $225 for a 12X40 greenhouse.
