Gardening & Medical Supplies

As it gets closer to seed-sprouting time, I'd like to mention an outstanding book I recently purchased and read: "All New Square Foot Gardening" by Mel Bartholomew. The book is designed for the casual gardener, but - as his own website, http://www.squarefootgardening.com - states, the system of ultra-high efficiency agriculture that Mr. Bartholomew has developed is ideal for subsistence farming. Here's a quote from his website:

"SQUARE FOOT GARDENING

THE MOST PRACTICAL PREPAREDNESS GARDEN

During a time of crisis, when we may be living on what we can produce, it will be important that gardening have the features of Square Foot Gardening:

• Easy to understand. Does not require extensive training or years of experience
Anything to make gardening easier or simpler should be done. This is especially true for beginners, but even experienced gardeners will benefit from easier methods.

• Requires much less effort; No Heavy Digging, No Tilling, Very Little Weeding
There will be much to do. Having LESS to do in the garden will really help!

• 5 times more productive than conventional gardening
Few families have enough land to be self-sustaining. Therefore, high production in a small space is needed. The Square Foot Gardening method is at least 5 times more productive in the same amount of space as conventional row gardening.

• Uses much less water - Each plant is given just enough
Water may not be flowing from the tap, and may even have to be carried long distances by hand. Using a minimum amount of water will be important.

• Uses fewer seeds. No seed goes to waste
Seeds may not be easily available. None will go to waste through over-sowing.

• Is not dependant on fertilizers. Your own compost provides the nutrients
Commercial fertilizer may not be available. Compost is renewable and sustainable.

• Does not require a tiller or other expensive tools
Gasoline to run a tiller may not be available, nor may other garden tools.

• Can be done anywhere - Soil is not an issue
Traditional gardening usually takes several years to “condition” the soil. Square Foot Gardening uses an easily prepared soil mixture that replaces “bad soil”, providing excellent results immediately.

As an essential part your preparedness program:

Learn and practice Square Foot Gardening - begin today

During a time of need, many people will be digging up their lawns to plant gardens, only to become frustrated with the results. Please don't be one of them - PREPARE NOW"

I find it interesting that a mainstream gardening author would specifically mention a "time of crisis" during which soil, water, and fertilizer may not be available for extended periods of time. Also worthy of note is that Mr. Bartholomew has started a foundation that has been successfully teaching his "Square Foot Gardening" system to people on the verge of starvation in Third World countries, to help them to supplement their diets. Definitely something worth checking out for anybody interested in growing some of their own food (which, really, should be EVERYBODY).


Earlier today, I read an old post on vikingpreparedness.blogspot.com/ regarding medical supplies. The point of the post was that anyone who thinks having 10,000 rounds of ammo is a good idea needs to consider that if you were actually to need that ammunition, somebody else is likely to be shooting at you, and you should have an appropriately scaled cache of medical supplies. I agree completely, and I recommend purchasing some supplies from www.med101store.com. Unlike other medical wholesalers - who offer thousands of items at decent, but not great, prices - med101store only offers the most frequently needed, quickly used items (bandages, gauze, tape), at extremely deep discounts. For example, a roll of cohesive bandage will cost you about $5 at your local pharmacy. On med101store, you can buy a case of 36 rolls for $25. They also offer free shipping to business addresses, which is nice if you don't mind having stuff sent to your office, and they'll ship to residential addresses for a small flat rate ($3.95, I think).

By the way, I have no affiliation with any product, service, or vendor I endorse on this blog. These are all my genuine, unsolicited (and uncompensated) opinions.