Could you and your family survive off the grid if a disaster struck? If the grocery stores closed, and the power went out, would you have enough food to get by? You would, if you had a survival seed kit. Keeping a seed bank at home and starting an organic survival garden is one way of ensuring that you can control your own food supply, no matter what is going on in the world around you. Here is what you need for a good home survival seed kit to start your crisis garden.
Non-Hybrid Seeds.
Non-hybrid seeds, also called open-pollinated seeds, are original strains of that particular vegetable. They have not been genetically engineered or bred for mass production on the large factory type farms of today. Non-hybrid seeds are just seeds, and they contain higher levels of nutritional content.
Non-hybrid seeds also store very well, and can be saved and re-planted over and over, ensuring that you and your family have a perpetual, sustainable supply of organic vegetables in your garden. Also look for heirloom seeds, which are varieties of vegetables that are not grown in large-scale agriculture and have therefore kept their natural nutritional traits.
Types Of Seeds.
Think about your climate, and what will grow best there. Generally, choose hardy vegetables, like tomatoes, lettuce, onions and carrots that will grow easily. For a crisis garden, you want to get as much nutrition as you can in as little space as you can. A good selection of seeds for your survival seed kit are onions, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, radish, peas, corn and beans.
Storing The Seeds.
Keeping your seed bank away from heat and light is vital for long-term storage. Storing them in an air-tight environment is another way to extend their shelf life. You can vacuum-seal your non-hybrid seeds and freeze them, or put oxygen absorbers in an airtight container, like a canning jar, and freeze or store in a cool dry, dark place. You can store new seeds this way, and also the seeds you harvest from the mature vegetables in your garden.
Of course, once you have a good seed bank you will need to have a place to plant them! A good book on organic gardening will help you figure out how to plan and care for your crisis garden using natural methods. It is best to start at least a small vegetable garden now, before any sort of disaster strikes, so you learn how each plant behaves and what it needs, and what sort of yields you can expect from your plot.
And even if a disaster never happens, a good survival seed bank means you will always have a ready supply of healthy, organic vegetables at home for you and your family to enjoy season after season!
Tags: crisis garden, heritage seeds, non-hybrid seeds, seed bank, survival garden, survival gardening