This is a collaborative post
Right now, it’s a good idea to grow your own survival garden. There is no food shortage just yet, but the pandemic is making people even more anxious about their food supply in case other emergencies arise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that there is no evidence backing up the claim that the coronavirus can be transmitted through food and/or its packaging, but it does give you peace of mind to know how your food has been handled.
When you’re growing your survival garden, you think about how much resources, time, and space you have. After all, you can only work at a pace that you can manage. You also have to consider your nutritional requirements, so you should plant calorie-intense fruits and vegetables that also have supplementary nutrients (i.e., vitamins and minerals).
Here are some of the crops you can plant to keep you healthy and well fed whatever the situation may be. In fact, you can even use some of them for medicinal purposes.
Herbs and Spices
You can easily grow herbs in pots by your kitchen window, so they’re accessible and low maintenance. Some herbs (e.g., lavender, mint, and thyme) are perennials, so you won’t need to replant them every year. Other herbs (e.g., coriander, dill, and basil) are annuals, which means they need to be replanted after every growing season. When the herbs have been harvested, you can dry them, keep them in airtight containers, and use them as seasoning to your meals.
Aside from being culinary staples that add an extra kick of flavor to food, herbs and spices have a range of health benefits. Sage and rosemary, for instance, are rich in antioxidants, compounds that help prevent the damage of cells. Peppers have capsaicin, a compound linked to appetite suppression and the burning of fat, and these two processes are helpful when one is trying to reduce weight.
Leafy Greens
You can cook them in soups and stews, or you can include them in your salad. There are simply many ways you can eat them.
Perennials include tree collards, Sylvetta arugula, and sorrel. Leafy vegetables that are annuals may be classified as warm-season crops or cold-season crops. Warm-season annuals include mustard leaves, amaranth, and Okinawa spinach. Cool-season annuals include kale, lettuce, and chard.
Some people may have needed some gentle prodding as kids to eat their veggies, but there is no denying that leafy greens are nutritious. Salad greens, for example, are abundant sources of vitamins A, C, E, and K. They contain carotinoids, compounds that are linked to the prevention of cancer, especially its early onset. Spinach is full of folate, a chemical that is crucial to neural tube development and the production of hemoglobin.
In general, leafy green vegetables have a low glycemic index, so diabetics will surely benefit from eating them. Those who have cardiovascular problems can munch on the fact that leafy greens have low levels of calories and cholesterol.
Root Vegetables
These are plants that grow underground, such as rhizomes (e.g., ginger and turmeric), taproots (e.g., carrot, turnip, radish), and stem tubers (e.g., potato, sweet potato, yam, taro). Perennials include arrowhead, Jerusalem artichokes, and turnip. Annuals include potatoes, garlic, and onions.
The health benefits of root vegetables are undoubtedly numerous. Turmeric, for example, has curcumin, and studies suggest that this compound has anti-inflammatory properties and helps prevent oxidative damage. Meanwhile, ginger contains gingerol, a compound that helps prevent the growth of oral bacteria. Carrots are full of vitamin A, which is important for good vision and a healthy immune system.
Starchy stem tubers provide your daily dose of carbohydrates, which, in turn, give you the energy you need to take on a busy day. Potatoes are very classic examples of tubers that will tide you over even during a famine. They’re rich in potassium and vitamin B6. Sweet potatoes have antioxidants and fiber, which are linked to gut health.
A Few More Reminders
Consider the climate in your area so you know how to keep your plants hydrated and safe from extreme temperatures. If possible, choose drought-resistant plants and plants that can be preserved or stored without any hassle. Check the pH levels of your soil as well.
Use sustainable gardening methods to avoid using too much electricity and water. Use organic fertilizers to ensure that your plants are free from harmful chemicals. With careful and consistent efforts to grow a sustainable survival garden, it is also possible to have a bountiful harvest. The excess produce can be sold online, and you can use the profit for contingencies.
Start doing your research now, and reap the benefits later. Happy gardening!
What are your choices of plants for your survival garden? Please let us know in the comments.