Episode-2563- Thirty New Plants from Baker Creek to Grow in 2020

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Episode-2563- Thirty New Plants from Baker Creek to Grow in 2020 [ 1:20:44 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Well the dang Baker Creek catalog showed up and I got sucked in.  As I paged though it thinking about all the new grow space I will have in the coming season I started dog-earing pages.  As I did so I thought hell, why not a show on some cool stuff to grow from the Rare Seeds catalog this year?

Some of this stuff is hard to find anywhere but Baker Creek, some you can find at many other places.  Remember we need lots of small seed companies in business to keep the diversity so even though I am focusing on Baker Creek today, spread your business around.

Baker just does an amazing job of finding stuff from all around the world and bringing it to home gardeners and market growers and their fricken catalog is a dag gone coffee table picture book that sucks you right in.  So join me today for thirty, yep thirty new or unusual options for your 2020 garden.  Note that many of these items I have not yet grown, quite a few I have. I will try to be clear about that as I go though this extensive list today.

Quote of the Day – No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, & no culture comparable to that of the garden. – Thomas Jefferson.

Seeds to Consider Growing in 2020

  1. Chinese Multicolor Spinach – Link
  2. Python Snake Bean – Link
  3. Japanese Winged Bean – Link
  4. Chinese Red Noodle Bean – Link
  5. Yod Fah Chinese Broccoli/Kale – Link
  6. Chinese Pink Celery – Link
  7. Mouse Melons – Link
  8. China Jade Cucumber – Link
  9. Ping Tung Eggplant – Link
  10. Nagaski Long Eggplant – Link
  11. Pepino Melon – Link
  12. Dwarf Tamarillo – Link
  13. Zucca Melon Giant Gourd – Link
  14. Purple Lady Bok Choy – Link
  15. Beni Houshi Mizuna – Link
  16. Italiko Rosso Dandelion (actually a chicory) – Link
  17. Aurora Mixed Orach – Link
  18. Walking Stick Kale – Link
  19. Green Mountain Winter Celtuce – Link
  20. White Okinawan Bitter Melon – Link
  21. Jing Orange Okra – Link
  22. Green Beauty Pea – Link
  23. Sugar Rush Hot Pepper – Peach – Red
  24. Murasaki Purple Pepper – Link
  25. Red Malabar Spinach – Link
  26. Perpetual Spinach (a type of chard) – Link
  27. Agastache Texas Hummingbird Mint – Link
  28. Lettuce Leaf Basil – Link
  29. Kiwi Blue Honeywort – Link
  30. Orchid Cream Nasturtium – Link

 

Resources for today’s show…

 

Sponsors of the Day

 

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

Join the MSB Today

Join the MSB Today

Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

Remember in addition to discounts to over 40 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.

The Gerber EAB Lite – TSP Item of the Day

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gerber

The Gerber EAB Lite is a Huge Bang for Your Buck as an EDC Tool.

 

Special Notice – I have recommended the Gerber EAB series for a very long time.  I have tended to the EAB Lite version for only one reason.  That is that it has historically been a few dollars less than the Standard EAB.  The two are really for all intents the same damn thing.  The “Lite” has some cuts in the handle, they don’t really do much, just sit there and look kind of cool.  The Standard EAB is the same thing without the little cuts in the handle.

Over the years the price of the Lite has been slowly increased to almost 12 bucks, and the standard one is now on a “deal” for $7.39.  So if you think the little cuts are worth the roughly $4.50 price difference, go ahead and get it.  To me though the entire point of the EAB is an always sharp as a razor compact folding knife.  The two models do that equally well.  The way I look at it is while these are on sale for the price of 2 EAB Lites you can get 3 Standard EABs.  Again I only recommended the Lites over the Standard because until recently they were the lower priced option.  Everything below applies to both models equally.  In any event at about 7 bucks pick up a few as gifts if nothing else.

These are amazing stocking stuffers and they are also the number one all time to selling item on TspAz.com!

Every day I bring you an item on Amazon that I personally use or has been purchased by many members of the audience and I have researched enough to recommend.

Today’s TSP Amazon Item of the day is the Gerber EAB Lite Pocket Knife.  This little guy is one of my absolute favorite little pieces of EDC.

You may wonder why a guy that carries knives that cost 200-700 dollars would turn around and carry this little 11 dollar tool.  Simple I have no desire to dull and gum up my expensive knives on things like opening boxes with my good knives.  And it is one thing to get tape goo all over your 300 dollar custom it is another to dull it to the extreme cutting up boxes into pieces.

What the Gerber EAB Lite does is ensure you always have a razor sharp blade available because, well, you use razor blades in it.  Now think about this you can get a hundred pack of blades for 10 bucks.  Each blade can be used till dull, then flipped and you use up the other side.  That means with one 100 pack of blades you can flip or change a blade each week and will will have a brand new blade in your knife for almost 4 years!

Long term listeners of TSP know I have recommended this product for almost as long as there has been a TSP.  This little tool sells for about 11 bucks and ships free on Amazon Prime to boot.  I give these away to friends and family all the time.  It is a great way to share prepping in a very soft way.  People see it and are like wow what is that, or you are always prepared.  I just hand it to them, show them how the blade is changed and say, “if you promise to carry it you can have it”.

Important – One little safety tip.  Like most houses we have a “junk drawer” in our kitchen, right near the garbage.  I keep my extra blades and a small screwdriver in that drawer with and old vitamin bottle.

When I change my blade, I drop the old blade into the bottle and cap it.  This way no one will get hurt handling the garbage.  I would feel awful if Charlie got hurt in one of his weak garbage eating moments.  It also protects us when we take out the trash and hey garbage men are people too right!  Just understand when your blade is “dull” likely parts of it are still sharp and can be dangerous.  Always and I mean always do something to prevent injuries from old blades when discarding them.

Anyway if you don’t already have one give the Gerber EAB Lite a try, for the price you can’t beat it.  And consider picking up a few to give away and perhaps one for each glove box in your vehicles.  I have even used this to skin squirrels and rabbits, with the way I do it, it is all you need.

Remember you can always find all of our reviews at TspAz.com

P.S. –  These little things are one of the best ways to spread personal preparedness and EDC there is.  They are inexpensive enough to give away with a condition only that the person get some blades and carry it.  Every time they use it (which will be often) they will think of you and your crazy thoughts about being prepared.

 

 

 

 

 

Episode-2562- Listener Feedback for 12-9-19

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Episode-2562- Listener Feedback for 12-9-19 [ 1:22:12 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today on The Survival Podcast I answer your questions on history, impeachment, cooking, composting, gardening, cold frames, education, social media, zero waste and more.

Make sure if you submit content for a feedback show that you put something like “comment for jack”, “question for jack” or “article for jack” in the subject line to assure proper identification for my screening process.

Please understand I receive several hundred emails a day and can’t get them all on the air.

I also do put out a lot of information on Facebook from emails that I can’t fit on the program though so keep em coming.

Join Me Today As I Respond to Your Calls and Discuss…

  • Quote of the day – “There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know”
  • Why the Trump Impeachment means nothing but even the right is trying to convince you otherwise
  • Some unconsidered components to the care or carbon steel pans
  • What to do with compostables in freezing climates in winter time
  • Multiple cold frames or one big greenhouse, which is right for you
  • How realistic is it that Youtube is the future of real education, what are the limits
  • Thoughts on “the story of stuff” and the zero waste concept

 

Resources for today’s show…

 

Sponsors of the Day

 

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

Join the MSB Today

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Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

Remember in addition to discounts to over 40 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.

Heads Up – Anker Charging Accessories are on Sale

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Title says it all, Anker Charging Accessories are on Sale at up to 40% off no less!

Well that is almost all of it, as a lot of other Anker Gear is on sale period right now.

As you guys know I love Anker, I basically consider them the Costco of Electronics.  As in they sell top end gear for just a little less than their competitors instead of selling low end crap super cheap.  So I wanted to give you guys a heads up on this.

 

Again not everything is on sale from Anker but it seems like a ton of it is.

 

Anker Soundcore Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker – Item of the Day

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ATTENTION – Update for 12-9-19 – Right now the price has been dropped on the Motion B to only 16.99.

Every day I bring you an item on Amazon that I personally use or has been purchased by many members of the audience and I have researched enough to recommend.

Today’s TSP Amazon Item of the day the Anker Soundcore Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker specifically the “Motion B” version.  Why?  Because the Motion B is the older model that was recently upgraded to the Anker Soundcore 2.  Hold on this is about to get confusing because the “Soundcore 2 “is slated for an “upgrade” to the “Soundcore Boost“.  Worse all three are currently available.  What the heck?  Don’t worry, in the end I am going to show you why you should ignore the Soundcore 2 and why the Motion B is a stupid good value.  Here we go…

  • The Motion B is the oldest model and what I personally own.  It is a great little speaker, waterproof to the point you can shower with it and the sound is exceptional.  Since it is slated to be phased out in time it is being sold for only $21.00.
    `
  • The Soundcore 2 is newer than the Motion B, has a bit of a different look but it is FUNCTIONALLY identical to the Motion B, except for a longer battery life, and it sells for $40.00.
    `
  • The Soundcore Boost is actually an upgrade as it has 20 watts of output and deeper base than the Motion B or Soundcore 2, both of which are 12 Watts.  It sells for 50.00.

 

What all this means is if you want a speaker that can play louder and have the base to go with it, the Boost is a better speaker.  In my opinion though, no matter how you look at it the Motion B is the best deal.   Here are the specs on the Motion B, 12 watts output, IPX7 water proof (this means it can go under water), 12 hours play time on one charge and Bluetooth 4.2 (66 foot range).  Oh and it has 2X paring, meaning you can pair two of them to one device.

Don’t over look that 2X paring!  Yes all three have it, BUT, what this means is for 42 dollars, you can get two Motion Bs, and create a true stereo environment with any bluetooth device.  Think cheap surround sound with say a laptop playing movies.  Or any TV with bluetooth ability.  Or think two on each corner of a deck or patio.  They also do play while plugged in for charging.  So if you have power in an area they are essentially a permanent system.

Again all current Anker Speakers do this, but not for fricken 42 bucks a pair!  I mean guys if you have a shop or garage with power, for 42 bucks you have a stereo sound system out there.  Honestly when you look at it that way, upgrading to the Boost with 20 watts a speaker for 50 bucks each isn’t a bad way to go.  Yet to me, come on 42 bucks and you have a great music system on your patio, in your garage, in your shop, etc.  Now do you see why I find the Motion B to be such a good value.

Oh and if you are willing to buy a refurbished model, you can get the a  “renewed” Motion B for only 16.79 a piece.  I don’t really recommend that, as the price difference so small.  You will also be dealing with “Amazon Renewed” for any warranty issues.  Mostly I am betting these are returned items with no issues.  But I know Anker and if you get an item that has a problem, they are just going to send you a new one.  I don’t have any idea what Amazon Renewed will do.  Still I wanted you to know about the option.

Now the only advantage the Soundcore 2 has over the Motion B is battery life, which is I will admit 2 times as long.  Yet you can pretty much buy 2 of the Motion Bs for the cost of one Soundcore 2.   Okay it isn’t really a survival item, but 2 is 1 and 1 is none right?  I mean if you think the larger battery is worth twice the cost, go ahead and get the Soundcore 2, like everything Anker makes it is fantastic.

Here is the key though, to me it is very clear where this is going.  Anker will at some point, likely fairly soon discontinue the Motion B, which is why it is being sold so cheaply right now.  How do I know this?  Honestly I don’t know it but I have recommended and used Anker products for 6 years.  So my pattern recognition is strong here.  New tech comes out all the time, I mean constantly.  Anker builds great gear and sells for a bit less then similar quality brands.  They are constantly trying to do a little more, with a bit less in cost, yay capitalism!

Over the years I have had to change out my TSPAZ recommendations as they have discontinued older items.  Most recently this happened with the Anker 24 watt dual charger.  I have sold a few thousand of these over the years.  And here is what happened, Anker introduced a new version, dropped the price of the older one and when it sold out, it was gone.  So I can’t guarantee that this is going to happen but again they do this consistently.  So much so that I now watch all my recommended Anker products for this pattern.  So right now you can get a great product from a company that always stands by its warranty and has resulted in exactly 0 complaints to me from this audience after selling thousands of their various items for about 20 bucks.

Anyone will love this as a gift, and it is the kind of speaker you don’t freak out about taking to public places.  I own a 300 dollar Bose speaker, it is fricken awesome, but it is also 300 fricken dollars.  I am not sitting it on a table at a camp ground!  Hell I don’t even trust myself not to forget it and leave it out in the rain when working on the back end of my property.  And for all that money it isn’t water proof so it doesn’t go to the poolside either.

So how good is the dang thing after all that.  It is very good, now it isn’t shake windows loud but I’ll put it this way.  If you are hanging out in a group and chatting with music on, you won’t want it all the way up, it will be too loud.  But if you are listening by yourself and do turn it all the way up it can handle the power and still sounds great.  In the end what do you want for 21 bucks?  A good sounding speaker with a great warranty that you can drop in a bath tub and not ruin.  That will 2X pair as well.  Seems about as good as it gets to me.

The biggest complaint I have personally had with various bluetooth speakers and other bluetooth devices is syncing.  Some sync easily, some are buggy as crap.  Every Anker bluetooth device I have used works flawlessly.  So the choice is yours here…

  • The Motion B gives Fantastic Value – All be it a shorter battery life but again you can get two for only 2 bucks more than one Soundcore 2.
    `
  • The Soundcore 2 Gives the Same Audio Performance as the Motion B – But you are paying 20 bucks for a longer lasting battery.
    `
  • The Soundcore Boost is More Powerful – It is more suited for a lager patio environment, etc. Yet 30 bucks more each, about 60 bucks more if you want a pair of them.

 

In the end they are all great pieces of gear but I wanted to give you the opportunity to get a great deal on an item I expect to disappear in the near future.  Especially given that this is the time of year you are often seeking high quality yet inexpensive gifts for friends and family.  On quality what I can say is, I have had the Motion B for three years, it still works and still plays all day long on a single charge.  Finally, let me say based on my dealings with Anker, if you want a more powerful speaker, or set of them, they have a lot of options, I don’t think you’d be disappointed with any of them.

Still in the end, you guys know me, I am big on the price to value ratio and at 21 fricken dollars that ratio is off the damn charts with the Motion B, at least in my opinion.

Episode-2561- The Expert Council Show for 11-15-19

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Episode-2561- The Expert Council Show for 11-15-19 [ 1:28:48 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today its Friday so it’s time for the expert council show. To ask a question for a show like this, just send an email to me at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with “TSPC Expert” in the subject line.

Today on The Survival Podcast, the expert council answers questions on freedom, medical prep, web security, guns and scopes, hiking with dogs, sports injuries, fuel storage, seed starting and more.

In the body of your email first tell me the council member your question is for. Second ask your question concisely in one to two sentences maximum. Third any and all details after that. This is the formula to give you the best chance of getting on the air.

I do what I can to get as many of your questions as possible on the air but can’t always get to all of them. Our council is made of a wide variety of experts in everything from the tactical to the practical and everything in between.

To get more information on our Expert Council visit our “Meet the Expert Council Page” to learn more about them and their specific areas of expertise.

Join Me Today As Our Experts Discuss…

  • Quote of the day – “What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value”. ~ Thomas Paine
  • A breakdown of various vet meds and potential human use – Doc Bones
  • Securing your word press based website from evil doers – Nicole Sauce
  • Scoping your AR10 without mortgaging your house – J.R. Haley
  • Through hiking with a canine companion – Jessica Mills (yep she is back)
  • Rethinking the RICE method of minor injury recovery – Gary Collins
  • Of fuel storage and ethanol gas – Derek Bonpietro
  • A new lighting option for starting your seedlings – Jack

 

Resources for today’s show…

 

Geoff Lawton’s Permaculture Videos

 

Websites of the Expert Council Members

 

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

Join the MSB Today

Join the MSB Today

Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

Remember in addition to discounts to over 40 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.

Heads Up on a New Grow Light – Barina LED 6 Packs for 60 Bucks!

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Okay first this is not yet an official item of the day.  But I just got a referral on them from a listener named “Chuck” and after doing some initial research I just ordered a set for my own use this coming seed starting season.  I have been recommending the Kingbo Grow Lights for a few years now.  I recommend them for starting seeds not growing out plants.  They are great for that, thousands of them have been purchased for that purpose, I have not had any complaints.

They do have their limits though.  Chiefly they need to be VERY close to the plants, if you do that they can even do a decent job growing plants to a decent size.  Again though they are limited, as I have always said.  I have been looking for a new light to start recommending for the same purpose (seed starting) yet with more power so you can fully grow with them as well.

It simply stands to reason that after three years time now tech should have gotten better and we should be able to get something better for about the same price.  It looks like we can get something a LOT  better for a LOT less which is frankly awesome.

I found a few videos of people using these Barinna Grow Lights that Chuck recommended, all seem happy with them.  They seem to me like especially for indoor growing of greens, etc. they would be exceptional.  Chuck grew an um, “traditional herbal remedy” indoors with them.  He also did this with the Kingbo’s and said,

“They did a much better job than the Kingbo lights for the full, long term growth of the plant to harvest.  Let’s just say that the plants I grew, did much better with these lights than Kingbo, following the seedling phase.  The Kingbo just didn’t have the output.”

Looking at the specs that is exactly what I would expect. The simple fact is when I started recommending the Kingbos nothing like this was available for this price.  Because check out what you get with these, you choices are…

 

Compare that to the Kingbo’s which are a single 45 watt light for 27.99 or (62 cents a watt), but it gets better.  First the Kingbo’s are square, at about 1 foot square it takes 2 to light a 2 foot shelf and 4 to light a four foot shelf. The Barina’s are shaped like a T8 fixture, so you can use two of them to light a shelf of the same length.  Meaning the 6 pack of either would fully light three shelves of equivalent length.  Next up they Barnia’s daisy chain link so you can have all 6 of them running on one timed outlet with out a bazillion cords to manage.

Frankly I am sold and just ordered a set for myself to set up a new system with.  So why are they not an official item of the day?  Well I have not personally trialed them yet, that is why.  I totally trust the listener’s recommendation, the product seems to vet out well, but I have not yet trialed it, so it can’t be an item of the day.

So why didn’t I wait until I did trial them?

Well, you guys follow my recommendations and it is always a balance for me with finding new items.  The very day I put out a new item, 2-3 people will likely email me with something like, “man I just bought 5 of the old item two weeks ago, wish I had seen this first”.  It happens, there is no way to prevent it.  But what I can say for these lights is I have NO DOUBT they work better than the Kingbo’s.  I mean absolute zero doubt about that, and they cost a lot less per watt.  Given we have been discussing hydro, it is winter (indoor growing time) and we are headed into next year soon (seed starting time) I wanted to head this off at the pass so to say.

I do not recommend the Kingbo’s over these, even though I haven’t tried them yet.  I am going to post an update on the Kingbo page saying not to buy them and link it to this post.  I can’t yet say you can really run an “indoor hydro farm” with them, I am betting you can, but I can’t say that yet.  I can say for starting these would be my go to.  Coupled with simple cheap shelving and may be even a mini greenhouse indoor shelf system like this guy used, (note I recommend to lights to a shelf level, you will note this guy used one and he plants are a bit leggy) these are going to be my absolute new go to with seed starting systems and small indoor systems.  I am thinking they will do more, but I am holding my official endorsement until I get to give them a shot.

What I didn’t want was a guy looking to do a three shelf system 4 feet wide buying 12 Kingbo’s for 336 freaking dollars when that same guy could get a 6 pack of 4 foot Barina’s for 99 bucks!  For crying out loud you could buy 2 six packs, run 4 lights a shelf and still save 138 bucks.  I just didn’t want that to happen only for me to come back in January and say, “hey here is my new grow light recommendation”.  I mean we are not talking a small savings here, nor a small jump in quality.

So there you go, not yet fully “Spirko endorsed” but I am sold enough to spend my own money on them.  They are a fairly proven tech and have been out quite a while.  People who use them seem to like them and the price is just awesome.  I do think in the coming years LED tech will continue to get better and cheaper.  There are so many indoor grow operations that economy of scale is going to keep this trend going.  For now though I have to say these look like one hell of a great deal.  Of course the beauty with Amazon is if you don’t like them or get a dead one out of the box you can just return it.

Anyway if you have Kingbo’s don’t get rid of them, use them for what they are good for, but if you are looking to expand, grow indoors, start seeds, etc. I say give these a chance, they will save a ton of money and will be at least as good, likely a hell of a lot better.

P.S. – That indoor Mini Greenhouse is on a FREAKING HELL OF A DEAL TODAY FOR 29 bucks.  You’d want the 2 foot lights with it, but man you can start a ton of seed with that set up for a total of 80 bucks.  If you are doing hydro, you have three shelves and room for a sump tank at the dang bottom to boot.  Damn it, now I have to get one of these things too!  Don’t forget to get a timer to go with it!  Let me add this thing is LIGHT DUTY, I wouldn’t even use it in direct sun, it will get too hot.  I see this as a good item to start seeds with, not much more. Tune in today for more on this.

Episode-2560- Raised Bed Gardening for Dummies

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Episode-2560- Raised Bed Gardening for Dummies [ 1:33:58 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I got an email recently that said…

I have not had much success the past few years in growing food. I tried Mel Bartholomew’s square foot gardening last year without luck, problems with bugs, too little or too much water not sure.

Here’s my plan:

  • 16′ x 3′ raised bed about a 16″ deep in an area that gets sun from around 9 or 10 am through nightfall.
  • I plan to use part of this space for composing until I get a full bed of nice topsoil. And I’d like to add some PVC irrigation to the bed that I could hook a hose up to.
  • There is good soil on the ground in this spot now so I was thinking I could pile up as much as possible on one side while I work on getting the other side up to snuff.
  • Should I just throw some dirt from under my leaf pile into there as a filler? Should I bury some wood in the bed? Am I too late to get the soil proper before the next growing season? Worms?

 

I live in zone 7b (Richmond Va) and we have wet springs and the end of our summers can be very dry. So how can you tell when the plants have the proper amount of water?  Thanks, Walker

I realize after reading it that it has been a long time since we talked about this subject.  Also that winter is a great time to plan out and often to build raised beds.  I also realized that many people might (note might) be doing raised beds when going with “in ground” or “on ground” beds may be a better option.

Join Me Today to Discuss…

  • What are the goal of a garden more over what should they be?
    • Grow plants, today we are looking at food but plants are plants
    • Optimize the growth of what you want vs. what wants to grow in that spot
    • Minimize your work load
    • Give organization to chaos, ie create a pattern you can manage
  • My issues with “square foot gardening”
    • 4×4 beds dry out fast
    • In the end it is just a planting pattern
    • Attempts to oversimplify
    • I still love Mel!  Don’t get me wrong
  • What are the advantages of raised beds
    • Total control of “soil mix”
    • Start weed free and usually disease free
    • Good drainage
    • Clear demarcation point between “lawn” and garden
    • Easy to install irrigation during construction
  • What are the disadvantages of raised beds
    • Cost of construction
    • Cost of fill materials
    • Dries out far more quickly in hot weather/climates
    • Initially requires more labor
    • Semi permanent structures
  • Raised Bed Construction Material Options
    • Timbers
    • Treated Lumber
    • Cinder blocks or or other man made hardscape materials
    • Natural stone, rock, etc.
  • My rules for raised beds
    • 4 feet wide unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise
    • If your ground really sucks (rock etc) go deep
    • Be sure of your location before building them
    • Be sure a raised bed really makes sense, sometimes they are the best option
    • Employ weed blockers
    • Get over your fear or treated lumber or don’t use wood
    • Consider heavy mulch and weed blocking around and in between beds
  • Building soil
    • Use my fertility regiment
    • Mulch, then mulch, then mulch again
    • Cover crop or tarp in winter, or anytime not in use
    • Compost, then compost more, always compost
  • Bed orientation and location
    • If you can’t see it, you won’t take care of it
    • Ideal locations have eastern sun and western shade (subject to your climate)
    • Wind can be your enemy, for many reasons, set up wind blocks
  • Managing your garden
    • Weed early and weed often
    • Keep records of what grows, when things happen, etc.
    • Irrigate on a schedule, automation is best
    • Fertilize on a schedule, this is on you
    • Harvest frequently, you will get more production
    • No matter the technique the soil is the key, we grow soil, soil grows plants
  • Final Thoughts

 

Resources for today’s show…

 

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

Join the MSB Today

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STX-3000 Turboforce Meat Grinder – Item of the Day

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Every day I bring you an item on Amazon that I personally use or has been purchased by many members of the audience and I have researched enough to recommend.

Today’s TSP Amazon Item of the day is the STX-3000 Turboforce Meat Grinder.  I spent a lot of time in 2017 deciding on what meat grinder I wanted to buy.  I was pretty much in love with the Cabela’s Carnivore but had a real hard time paying 400-500 dollars for a grinder.  Specifically since I use one heavily 2-3 times a year during hunting season, then only about 1-2 times a month for small amounts throughout the year.

So I looked at a lot of options but came down on the STX-3000 Turboforce Meat Grinder because I firmly believe it is the best value under 300 dollars on the market.  First it is a size 12, in other words big, it has great capacity.  It also has two speeds and a reverse setting, which at times can be important.

It comes with three blades, most only come with one and while such blades are a standard product in all grinders they usually cost 12-20 bucks a piece to replace.  It is also powerful.  The first weekend I had it,I put 20lbs of deer and pork though it in about 15 minutes and it worked flawlessly.  One day I had a beef roast that I wasn’t thrilled with as a roast, so I picked up some pork and ground up both with the wagon wheel for chili meat.  It took longer to take it out than it did to put 10 lbs of meat though it.

After months of research, using several different grinders and finally buying and using this one I have found THE GRINDER I recommend.  I can promise you that you will not be disappointed with this one.

On another note we made about 20 lbs of sausage with this grinder using the sausage stuffer attachment.  Dorothy and I ended up getting pretty good at it, but it will be the last time I use a grinder, any grinder to stuff sausage.  I have now added the LEM 5 pound stuffer to our pantry.  The grinder worked fine but likely it took 2-4 times as long as using a dedicated stuffer.

It also makes keeping meat more chunky if that is what you are looking for in a sausage impossible.  Even if you grind your meat chunky, that second time around the screw breaks it down a lot more even without the cutting blades involved.   A stuffer simply pushes the meat into the casing with no screw or friction, so it is a better tool for the job.  Yes it is a unitasker, but for some tasks a unitasker is the right fit.

In this case for grinding you just can’t beat the STX-3000 Turboforce Meat Grinder unless you spend hundreds of dollars more, and then, you don’t beat it by that much.  So if you need a grinder in your kitchen, I can’t recommend this highly enough.

Remember you can always find all of our reviews at TspAz.com

 P.S.  – Here are a few videos I posted to facebook using this grinder.

 

Even though these videos are on facebook, you should be able to see them even if you don’t have a facebook account as they are publicly posted.

Episode-2559- Rob Greenfield Reflects on a Year of 100% Living Off the Land

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Episode-2559- Rob Greenfield Reflects on a Year of 100% Living Off the Land [ 1:38:14 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Rob Greenfield is an adventurer, activist, humanitarian, and just a plain old good dude making a difference. He embarks on extreme adventures and activism campaigns to bring attention to important global issues and inspire change. He created The Food Waste Fiasco, cycled across the USA three times on a bamboo bicycle, and in 2015-2016 lived off the grid in a 50 square-foot tiny home in San Diego before auctioning it and raising funds to build 10 tiny houses for people with no homes. He then simplified his life down to just 111 possessions, all of which fit onto his back or his bike.

He currently lives in Orlando, Florida in a tiny house he built near zero waste, with 99% repurposed materials for under $1,500. His current project is to grow and forage 100% of the food he eats for an entire year (from 11/11/2018 to 11/11/2019). Let me be clear when I say 100% I mean 100%, to the degree that if he wants salt he needs to evaporate sea water.

He is the host of Free Ride on Discovery Channel, the author of Dude Making a Difference, and has spoken at over 130 events in 13 countries. Rob donates 100% of his media income to grassroots nonprofits and has committed to living simply and responsibly for life.

Resources for today’s show…

 

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Join the MSB Today

Join the MSB Today

Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

Remember in addition to discounts to over 40 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.