|
|
Post by swmogc18 on Dec 29, 2020 23:14:53 GMT
Hello there, I was wondering what kind of preps people usually work on during the colder months? Truth be told most of my prepping has been grocery store related and I would like to learn from some of the seasoned peppers. Timing isn't the best but trying my hand at gardening is on the menu next spring.
|
|
|
|
Post by oldie on Dec 30, 2020 7:00:56 GMT
swmogc18 I would say now is the time to be laying out your garden, size, and what types of plants you want to grow. Then make your seed list and get them ordered. Last year there was a seed shortage so order early. Keep prepping from the stores as much as you can. Do you put food up in jars?
|
|
|
|
Post by swmogc18 on Dec 30, 2020 23:54:21 GMT
swmogc18 I would say now is the time to be laying out your garden, size, and what types of plants you want to grow. Then make your seed list and get them ordered. Last year there was a seed shortage so order early. Keep prepping from the stores as much as you can. Do you put food up in jars? Well right now I have a single raised garden bed (10' x 4') with no filling, a decent stockpile of non-gmo seeds for my region, which I hear are actually harder to grow. Just a few garden tools like a trowel and a spade. I have a small compost pile that's been going since last spring but its just me contributing to it so not much there. I have a water bath canner that I've never used. Thankfully I do have a sibling not too far away who's into canning. I think having her teach me a thing or two would be a good idea. I'm adding jars to the shopping list even though you can only find pints right now. I appreciate the heads up on the seed shortage, do you have a place you usually order them from? |
|
shawnb
Junior Member
Posts: 51 
|
Post by shawnb on Dec 31, 2020 2:38:48 GMT
swmogc18 I would say now is the time to be laying out your garden, size, and what types of plants you want to grow. Then make your seed list and get them ordered. Last year there was a seed shortage so order early. Keep prepping from the stores as much as you can. Do you put food up in jars? Well right now I have a single raised garden bed (10' x 4') with no filling, a decent stockpile of non-gmo seeds for my region, which I hear are actually harder to grow. Just a few garden tools like a trowel and a spade. I have a small compost pile that's been going since last spring but its just me contributing to it so not much there. I have a water bath canner that I've never used. Thankfully I do have a sibling not too far away who's into canning. I think having her teach me a thing or two would be a good idea. I'm adding jars to the shopping list even though you can only find pints right now. I appreciate the heads up on the seed shortage, do you have a place you usually order them from? Baker Creek Heirloom seeds, at www.rareseeds.com is a popular place to buy seeds. Winter is a good time to do the hard work that will melt you during summer! |
|
|
|
Post by swmogc18 on Jan 1, 2021 21:15:44 GMT
Well right now I have a single raised garden bed (10' x 4') with no filling, a decent stockpile of non-gmo seeds for my region, which I hear are actually harder to grow. Just a few garden tools like a trowel and a spade. I have a small compost pile that's been going since last spring but its just me contributing to it so not much there. I have a water bath canner that I've never used. Thankfully I do have a sibling not too far away who's into canning. I think having her teach me a thing or two would be a good idea. I'm adding jars to the shopping list even though you can only find pints right now. I appreciate the heads up on the seed shortage, do you have a place you usually order them from? Baker Creek Heirloom seeds, at www.rareseeds.com is a popular place to buy seeds. Winter is a good time to do the hard work that will melt you during summer! thanks shawnb I'll check them out. Hopefully things aren't getting as bad as they seem but at the same time God is with us all and we'll follow his plans. Happy new year to everyone! |
|
|
|
Post by oldie on Jan 2, 2021 2:14:07 GMT
swmogc18 if you are finding pint jars and can afford them, I would pick up a few. Jar are very hard to find around here, and pints are better than nothing. For a single person or small family, sometimes a pint is enough. Water bath canning is ok for some things, but a pressure caner is best for all around preserving. www.rareseeds.com is a good place to get seeds and they will mail you a free catalog. We order a lot of seed from them and have always had good luck with them. If you are looking for soil for your raised bed now is the time to shop for bargains. |
|
|
|
Post by swmogc18 on Jan 3, 2021 23:36:39 GMT
swmogc18 if you are finding pint jars and can afford them, I would pick up a few. Jar are very hard to find around here, and pints are better than nothing. For a single person or small family, sometimes a pint is enough. Water bath canning is ok for some things, but a pressure caner is best for all around preserving. www.rareseeds.com is a good place to get seeds and they will mail you a free catalog. We order a lot of seed from them and have always had good luck with them. If you are looking for soil for your raised bed now is the time to shop for bargains. well I spoke too soon on the jars. The shelf was cleaned out today and I didnt have time to shop around. I appreciate your advice on the seeds as there is now a catalog coming my way. Lowe's had plenty of soil but not really any outstanding deals. I'm hoping theres still time to get things in order but it feels like its going quick. I think people are starting to figure out how bad things are getting. Right now I have enough food to make it through the winter and into spring but I'd be SOL if the power went out, mainly because of heat. Hopefully you all are doing good. |
|
|
|
Post by oldie on Jan 4, 2021 3:11:48 GMT
swmogc18 that seems to be the story on jars, and has been for a couple months. As soon as someone sees them they disappear. So far, all our seeds have been shipped, however there are reports of some types being out of stock or back ordered. Soil choices seem to be doing ok, but its still the middle of winter here, so I don't know what will happen in a few weeks. Just a suggestion, but you may look into some kind of back up heat, if just for one room, if you feel that could become an issue where you live.
|
|
|
|
Post by swmogc18 on Jan 4, 2021 23:05:37 GMT
swmogc18 that seems to be the story on jars, and has been for a couple months. As soon as someone sees them they disappear. So far, all our seeds have been shipped, however there are reports of some types being out of stock or back ordered. Soil choices seem to be doing ok, but its still the middle of winter here, so I don't know what will happen in a few weeks. Just a suggestion, but you may look into some kind of back up heat, if just for one room, if you feel that could become an issue where you live. Thank you oldie. Yes I worry about heating in the winter. My home is completely on grid unfortunately. I do have a little buddy propane heater and could probably run it for a few days but thats also my backup cooking fuel. I'll see if I can do some research on some alternatives. Thanks again, I really appreciate you guys sharing what you know. |
|
shawnb
Junior Member
Posts: 51
|
Post by shawnb on Jan 5, 2021 1:30:23 GMT
swmogc18 that seems to be the story on jars, and has been for a couple months. As soon as someone sees them they disappear. So far, all our seeds have been shipped, however there are reports of some types being out of stock or back ordered. Soil choices seem to be doing ok, but its still the middle of winter here, so I don't know what will happen in a few weeks. Just a suggestion, but you may look into some kind of back up heat, if just for one room, if you feel that could become an issue where you live. Thank you oldie. Yes I worry about heating in the winter. My home is completely on grid unfortunately. I do have a little buddy propane heater and could probably run it for a few days but thats also my backup cooking fuel. I'll see if I can do some research on some alternatives. Thanks again, I really appreciate you guys sharing what you know. Maybe get an emergency wood stove until you can get a permanent solution.....buy one, or make one www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYcav7O435cwww.cylinderstoves.com/www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LgArTl_BSU |
|
shawnb
Junior Member
Posts: 51
|
Post by shawnb on Jan 5, 2021 1:32:19 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by swmogc18 on Jan 15, 2021 5:05:02 GMT
I appreciate the heads up. I know I disappeared for a little while, got caught up in work and such. In regards to the wood stove wouldnt I need to cut a hole somewhere for pipe or could I just rig up a piece of wood with a hole in it through a window in an emergency? I know the stove would have to be on and around nonflammable material. Unfortunately I never really learned much about wood heat other than from my grandpa talking about how he hated the extra work and uneven heating, that was back in the mid fifties though. Plus as much as I wish I had some land out and away, my house is right in town and getting ahold of wood might be a problem. Does anyone know if its possible to burn wood pallets? I really appreciate you gentlemen sharing what you know. |
|
|
|
Post by oldie on Jan 15, 2021 5:51:37 GMT
swmogc18 I dont know where you live but many communities have rules and regs on wood burning stoves and there installation. It might be wise to check into it before looking into a stove. A small propane heater may work to keep 1 room comfortable, and easier to get fuel for. I have a friend that uses a " Buddy Heater " uses the small propane cyl. I dont know how economical it is as he uses it only part time, but may be better than nothing especially if you have to buy your wood.
|
|
|
|
Post by swmogc18 on Jan 16, 2021 5:10:31 GMT
swmogc18 I dont know where you live but many communities have rules and regs on wood burning stoves and there installation. It might be wise to check into it before looking into a stove. A small propane heater may work to keep 1 room comfortable, and easier to get fuel for. I have a friend that uses a " Buddy Heater " uses the small propane cyl. I dont know how economical it is as he uses it only part time, but may be better than nothing especially if you have to buy your wood. chances are you're right about the regulations. It's a small town west of springfield but I'm pretty close to the center unfortunately. I do happen to have one of those buddy heaters, my only concern is that I'd use up all my cooking fuel running it. Nothing's really perfect though and regardless I thank you for your suggestion. |
|
shawnb
Junior Member
Posts: 51
|
Post by shawnb on Jan 16, 2021 17:49:07 GMT
I appreciate the heads up. I know I disappeared for a little while, got caught up in work and such. In regards to the wood stove wouldnt I need to cut a hole somewhere for pipe or could I just rig up a piece of wood with a hole in it through a window in an emergency? I know the stove would have to be on and around nonflammable material. Unfortunately I never really learned much about wood heat other than from my grandpa talking about how he hated the extra work and uneven heating, that was back in the mid fifties though. Plus as much as I wish I had some land out and away, my house is right in town and getting ahold of wood might be a problem. Does anyone know if its possible to burn wood pallets? I really appreciate you gentlemen sharing what you know. Oldie is probably right about regulations....being able to cook and stay warm trumps regulations in some situations. Pallet wood will burn...the question of what is the best wood to burn won't matter if it comes to this. I would watch some youtube videos about installing an emergency wood heater. Propane cook stoves and heaters would be best until you run out of propane....the wood stove would be backup. |
|
