Masterblend Hydroponic Fertilizer – 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 Masterblend Complete Fertilizer Combo Pack.  You can get this in various sizes from 2.5 to 62 pounds.  The weight is the combined weight of the three main ingredients which are

  • MasterBlend 4-18-38 Tomato & Vegetable Fertilizer
  • Power Grow Calcium Nitrate 15.5-0-0 Fertilizer
  • Power Grow Epsom Salt

 

You can buy each of them individually but you will do better cost wise with the combo pack and unless you are using other sources of some nutrients you need all three anyway.  While there are some custom formulas most people use one of two different recipes for hydroponic growing.

  • Vegetative Growth – 2 Grams each of MasterBlend and Calcium Nitrate and 1 Gram of Epsom Salt per gallon
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  • Flowering and Fruiting Plants – 3 Grams each of MasterBlend and Calcium Nitrate and 2 Gram of Epsom Salt per gallon

 

The kits are designed with these ratios in mind so say you get a 25 pound kit, you are going to get a ten pound bag of MasterBlend and CalNitrate and one 5 lb bag or Epsom Salt.  This lets easily calculate the cost per gallon of fertilizer because we know a pound of kit makes us 90 gallons of vegetative growth fluid and 56 gallons of fruiting/flowering fluid.  With that we can calculate the following…

  • A 2.5 pound kit yeilds a price of 10 cents a gallon for vegetative growth and 16 cents a gallon for fruiting plants.
  • A 5 pound kit drops the price of vegetative growth to 6 cents a gallon and fruiting down to 10 cents
  • A 25 pound kit, my preferred option will take the cost all the way down to 2.5 cents a gallon for veg growth and 3 cents fruiting
  • The huge 62.5 gallon kit will only take off a fractional cent from the 25 pound kit, so unless you just want more the 25 pounder is your price break sweet spot.

 

Note a 25 pound kit will make a whopping 2250 gallons of fluid, at home scale that is a couple years of growing for salads and what have you.  My indoor vertical farm takes about 34 gallons at start up, then about 8 gallons a week is added to top up the sump.  I then change out just under 50% of the fluid 16 gallons once a month.  This has worked well so far.  Not counting start up that equals 40 gallons a month, fertilizer cost ongoing then is 1 dollar a month.

So if I am only doing leaf crops a 25 pound kit will run my vertical farm for about 36 months.  I know there are some concerns about the environmental impact of hydroponics. It is way over blown, yes these are “mined minerals” you know what else in your home is a mined mineral, well salt is, so are many of the minerals in your multi vitamin.  If this really concerns you, check out this video I made on that subject.  I consider hydro far from perfect but it is a net gain for the environment.

From this point on though I am speaking as a prepper.  No skill I have developed so far has given my family greater ability to feed itself then hydroponics.  The fact that I can turn seed into food in 28-35 days is something that should make every prepper consider at least some level of hydroponics as part of their preps.  For a couple hundred bucks you can build half of my vertical farm and grow food for 3 years with 55 bucks worth of fertilizer.

One thing I have found is lots of people struggle with getting the Calcium Nitrate to dissolve.  Their solution is to make two mixes, one with the Cal-Nitrate at 2x strength and one with the Masterblend and Epsom Salt at 2x, then combine them.  My solution is simply to make up 4 gallons at a time, mix in the Cal-Nitrate first, then the other two and it works for me.  To do this I use a 5 gallon bucket filled to 4 gallons and a mortar mixer in a drill on the lower speed.  This link goes to a 30 minute video but it jumps directly to the part where I do the mixing.

Also this stuff has worked fantastically for kratky but you do get some settling out of nutrient without a pump.  If you want more on kratky vs. pump driven hydro tune in today to the podcast.  Just know there are some real advantages to a pump driven system and both methods have a place.  If you prefer a liquid one step product that is also partially organic, I recommend this one called Texas Tomato Food.  It works great but can’t compete with the cost and storability of MasterBlend.

Again as a prepper I am almost embarrassed that it took me 12 years to give hydro a shot.  What can I say I fell victim to the anti hydro propaganda which I break down into four categories…

  • Lack of knowledge (ignorance)
  • Intentional misinformation (lies)
  • Long distance producers (crappy varieties)
  • Overselling by zealots (bullshit)

 

Again if you want to know more tune in today to hear more about hydro in one of today’s segments.  I will simply close with the following.  Having now grown hydroponically for about a year now I am totally sold on the advantages for some situations.  I still grow a lot in ground and honestly from April to Nov. that is where most of my production will come from.  Still being able to grow indoors, 24/7/365 is an incredible advantage for a prepper.  Hydro in a green house or on a deck is awesome as well.  I am convinced many on small suburban holdings would benefit hugely from hydro, etc.

I also really tried to be as “organic” as possible but when it comes to long term sustainability 55 bucks gives me 3 freaking years with MasterBlend.  It is also the easy button and when you learn a new skill, start with the easy button.  We know it works, we know exactly how much to use, mix, dump grow.  Master your skill then try variations.  So if you want to get started I recommend you give the MasterBlend 3 Part Combo a shot.  Even if you branch out to other options later, it is a great starting point and will store almost definitively if properly stored in a cool dry environment.  Again for my on hydro tune in to today’s podcast and if you want to see my vertical farm the entire playlist on it so far is here.

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

P.S. – Learn from my mistakes and DON’T SCREW UP LIKE I DID!  Seriously this stuff is super hydroscopic.  That is a fancy way to say it loves and takes up water like crazy especially the Masterblend and the Epsom Salt.  It must be stored in an air tight container, taping up the bag will not cut it.  I now store it labeled in ball jars.  The salt and nitrate will turn into a brick, at least you can break this up and use it.  The Masterblend will seep liquid out the bottom and become unusable.

“They say ‘experience is the best teacher’.  I say when it comes to things that hurt or cost money, someone else’s experience is the best teacher.”  ~ Jack Spirko

 

 

Episode-2804- Building Stability though Abundance

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Today I released an older video I found about Brad Lancaster and his water harvesting efforts in Tuscon Arizona.  It really got me thinking about the need to build community though abundance.

As this was happening I had a guest turn out to be and this is as nice as I can put it, “not right for the show” and hence lost my booked guest for today.  So I reached out to fellow Goose Gaggle member and friend of the TSPC community Xavier Hawk about this topic and he was kind enough to join me at the last minute for today’s podcast.

Join Xavier and I today as we lead off discussing how the root of all conflict is scarcity be it actual, artificial or perceived.  We also discuss the need create abundance in the primay areas of human needs. Also known as the primary suvival needs which are food, water, shelter, energy, security and health & sanitation.

From there we continue on with how in th US we have most of this provided by centralization and due to that most don’t understand how fragile our stability is.  We continue from there discussing various solutions and philosophies.  In all this was a great discussion and I think you will really enjoy it.

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.

General Hydroponics Combo Fertilizer Kit- Item of the Day

The Survival Podcast Posted on by  

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 General Hydroponics Combo Fertilizer Kit, this stuff is easy to mix, complete and it works, I mean it really works.  But before I go on, I actually prefer Masterblend for most hydro needs.  As long as you use air tight storage Masterblend Stores infinitely, costs less and ships easier since it is dry.

So why this product at all.  Well I found it when both Masterblend and Texas Tomato Food were impossible to get this spring when everyone and their mother jumped into growing food. And it worked really good and it does have some advantages.

First is as long as you follow the instructions (order of adding to your system) since it is liquid it mixes really easily.   Next if you are growing out plants that fruit it is really easy to fine tune as your plant progresses from growth, to bloom to fruiting.  Last even though I am linking to the combo kit, if all you are doing is starting plants to transplant size, you can get just the Flora Grow and it will do all you need at the lowest recommended level of use.

So it does have a lot going for it and for some with small indoor kratky or seed starting systems they may not mind the cost increase per gallon of actual hydroponics fluid.

Next yes this is “synthetic” fertilizer as most hydroponic fertilizer is, if you want something different you need to be in the world of aquaponicis or wormponics or something like that.  That said I have tons of worms living in my hydro systems, so at the proper levels of use these fertilizers (all of them Texas Tomato, MasterBlend, General Hydroponics, etc) do not create “sterile environments”.  That is a myth and one that needs to die.  If it were so legumes would not set nitrogen nodules in them for one thing.

That said after many experiments with hydro I am now only really using it to grow some herbs in winter and start seeds for my gardens and aquaponic systems etc.  I will say more about that this week on the air.   In the end though hydro works and for some with very little space it is one of the best options you have.  This fertilizer is a great option for specific needs or smaller systems.

If however you are doing larger systems with hydro I think  you own it to yourself purely based on economics to go with MasterBlend.

On the General Hydroponics Combo you can get that either in

 

The combo kits are composed of three parts which is good becuase if you do standardize on this you will run out of Flora Gro before the other two, the three parts are…

  • Flora Gro – a General purpose fertilizer, sufficient for fast growing greens and plant starts as a stand alone.
  • Flora Micro – Provides the micro nutrients plants need for full growth and healthy fruiting.
  • Flora Bloom – Gives a good kick of P and K to encourage blooming.

 

So if you prefer a liquid nutrient consider trying the General Hydroponics Combo Fertilizer Kit in either a quart or gallon size depending on your needs. Oh and right now most of the options are on sale.

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

 

Episode-2803- Listener Questions and Answers for 1-12-21

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:19:16 — 18.1MB)

Time for another round table discussion. I have some announcements and some stuff that has just popped up today. I have some really great listener questions and feedback as well.

Today on The Survival Podcast we cover permaculture, the great purge, cooking, germinating seed, moving, lawns, a new internet, online videos, guns, mead making and more.

 

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 DeeJo Gentleman’s Knife – 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 DeeJo Gentleman’s Knife.  I honestly love this knife and it is the first time in all my years I was sold something with a marketing article!  You know those articles that pretend to be about this cool new thing you need to know about but are really a sales pitch, pretending to be a digital magazine article.

As a knife enthusiast I really enjoy owning different patterns and sizes of knives along with knives that serve multiple purposes.  This is one of those knives you really have to hold in your hand to appreciate.  This is a 27G frame (both the model identifier in the product line and the weight is 27 grams).  They also make a smaller 17G that may be best for some.

The one I own and in the image above is the Juniper Wood with serrations.  If you watch my video my one complaint is that mine does not have wood anywhere near as “charactred” as the one in the image.  DeeJo if you’re listening I recommend selling some as “A grade” and or selling additional scales as they could be swapped out in about 1 minute flat.

Other than that this knife is exceptional but here are some things to know….

  • I really think the best place to window shop is on the main DeeJo site.  It is much easier to browse everything there and find the style and size you want.
    `
  • Then go to Amazon and look up that particular frame there and buy it on Amazon, the reason is while they are priced the same in both locations, shipping on DeeJo.com is about 10 bucks vs. 5 on average on Amazon.  Hence you get it faster and pay a little less.  I mean 5 bucks is 5 bucks right?

 

If you do want to browse Amazon you can do that at the DeeJo Amazon Page it isn’t bad or you can just search Amazon for DeeJo Knife and find a lot of their cool stuff.

If you want the exact one I got you can find it here, DeeJo 37G, Juniper Wood Half Serrated.  This is not a bush crafting knife and certainly not a heavy working knife but it is an amazing EDC knife in the regular old world.  It carries like air and opens like butter.  For more check out the video below.

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

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P.S. – Where is it made?  DeeJo is a French company and the knives are assembled, finished, sharpened in France, I am pretty sure some of the components are sourced from China, Hong Kong or something like that though.

Episode-2802- Big Tech’s Purges and Our Decentralized Future

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:23:41 — 19.2MB)

The topic of the day is by far the recent purging of Parler and their total shut down due to Amazon AWS pulling the plug on their hosting.  This was clearly a well coordinated attack with cooperation between Amazon, FaceBook, Twitter, Apple and Google on a competitor.  There should be lawyers lining up for racketeering and anti trust actions.

That said not only can we not wait for such action to “fix things” we need to see and seize upon the opportunity we now have.  This purging is what so many needed to see to understand the true world we live in.  It will open minds and it will lead to actions that would never occurred otherwise.

Join Me Today to Discuss…

  • I have been waiting for the perfect day for today’s quote, it has arrived
  • How bad the situation really is for Parler and what we should learn from it
  • Please stop taking the drugs that became epidemic in 2020
    1. Hopium
    2. Icantium
  • Please realize this is a war, and there are four primary ways you win a way
    1. Starve the enemy – denial of resources
    2. Exceed or disable their technology
    3. Force the enemy to fight on your terms
    4. Weaken the enemy and his support with false information (propaganda)
  • Why social media is important even if you don’t thinks so, it is the “Pub of 20s”
  • Going forward these are the technological steps we must take
  • Things I see already here or coming soon
    • New devices/phones (one concern is carriers)
    • dVPNs – VPNs are good but can you really trust your VPN company
    • I feel the virtual nation concept I have been discussing since 2014
  • What I am going to do going forward with Youtube (google) and Amazon (TspAz)
  • Using all this for discussions with those on the verge of waking the F up
    • Do you think what happened was okay – explain it in short if they are not aware
    • What do you think should be done – expect state based stuff that won’t happen
    • Explain the solutions – here are things you can do now without waiting for others to act
    • Shut up, the seeds are planted, move on
  • 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

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.

 

Tons of New Content on My Odysee Channel

The Survival Podcast Posted on by 4

First off I am uploading all of this stuff to my personal channel, but I have added two channels that essentially function like playlists do on YouTube and I am sharing the individual content as appropriate to them.  Here are all my channels…

 

Now here are some really great videos I added this just this weekend….

 

If you are not yet on Odysee (which is also the same as being on LRBY.tv by the way) you should be.  If you don’t have an account yet please use my invite link ( https://odysee.com/$/invite/@jackspirko:a ) so I get credit for referring you.

Folks as big tech continues to purge disinters and cut out the tongues of those they disagree with block chain tech like Odysee employees is the way for us to be heard.  Please join myself and others in the real “brave new world” of decentralized communications.  We will only be silenced if we allow ourselves to be.

Episode-006- Miyagi Mornings Weekly Recap

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Welcome to Miyagi mornings weekly recap, a podcast version of our daily video series Miyagi Mornings, links to the video version of each segment can be found in the show notes for this episode. These recap episodes are part of The Survival Podcast feed but are numbered independently as a special weekly edition of our show, in all podcast feeds.

This week the Miyagi Mornings weekly recap podcast covers lifestyle design, bitcoin, dealing with set backs, starting a business, accomplishing goals and more. A link to the videos for each segment is included below, any resources mentioned in any of the segments can be found in the video notes by following either the Youtube or Odysee links.

  • You Can Make Progress or Excuses, Not Both – YouTube – Odysee
  • What Makes Bitcoin Valuable – YouTube – Odysee
  • Even If It Isn’t Your Fault It Is Your Responsibility – YouTube – Odysee
  • Starting a Business, Tips for First Timers – YouTube – Odysee
  • Quit Programming Your Mind with Junk Code – YouTube – Odysee

 

If you want to submit a question for Miyagi Mornings just email jack@thesurvivalpodcast.com with miyagi mornings in the subject line. All subjects other than politics are welcome for this special series.

All episodes of Miyagi Mornings can be found on this YouTube Playlist. I will have an Odysee Playlist for it as soon as they add that feature.

Opening Music Credit To

 

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Episode-2801- Expert Council Q&A for 1-8-21

The Survival Podcast Posted on by 2

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:11:29 — 16.4MB)

Today on The Survival Podcast the expert panel answers your questions on hypothyroidism, power tools, portable solar chargers, cooking, supplements, entrepreneurship 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 – “Stupidity is an attempt to iron out all differences, and not to use them or value them creatively.”  ~ Bill Mollison
  • Dealing with hypothyroidism – Dr. Ken Berry
  • Combining DeWalt tools with Bosch Tools – Tim “Toolman” Cook
  • The truth about “mini” and “portable” solar chargers – Shawn Mills
  • Cooking with woks, seasoning, oil temps and more – Chef Keith Snow
  • The hype vs. reality of health produces like super beets and balance of nature.  – Doc Bones
  • Why I think this is a great time to start a business, it is counterintuitive – Jack

 

Resources for today’s show…

 

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.

 

Lifegard Aquatics Threaded Bulkheads – Item of the Day

The Survival Podcast Posted on by 2

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 Lifegard Aquatics Threaded Bulkheads.  In my estimation they are one of the best deals on bulkheads in the market and they are very reliable.  You can get them in sizes…

 

You should also check out the versions that are “slip” on both sides which eliminate the need for a threaded adapter all together.

Those you can also get in the following sizes.  These are my new go to form factor on these. In fact I never buy the threaded options any longer unless the double slips are out of stock and I need them due to a time crunch.

 

Until now I have recommend Banjo Bulkheads and I still do, they are far more heavy duty but they also cost more than twice as much on equivalent sizes.  The Lifegard Aquatics product is very high quality, just not as heavy duty as the Banjo version, so assess your project and total cost and do you really gain sufficiently to pay the premium for the application.

Here is my standard, if it is an outdoor four season application I go with Banjo, if it is an indoor application or an outdoor application that is shut down in winter (as many aquatic systems are) I go with Lifegard.  Consider in a large system with say 10 bulkheads, you are talking over 50 dollars in savings just on the bulkheads.  That is why I wanted to bring these to your attention.

I actually learned about them in an aquarium group I am part of and everyone loves them, zero reported failures with them.  So I gave them a shot on my Hydro Systems this year and they have worked flawlessly.  So give them a shot and have a look at the video in the PS for more info on them.

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

P.S. – You might be thinking those one inch ones are less then the 3/4ths, you may also be thinking the 1.5 inch ones are stupid cheap at that size.  Well you are correct and I have always said no one ever says, “gee I wish my return lines were smaller”.

Yet over kill is a thing and cost of pipe and fittings is a thing.  You may find for instance that a savings by going from 3/4 to 1 inch is totally consumed and becomes far more expensive due to the cost differential between 3/4th and 1 inch Schedule 40 pipes and fittings.  In fact, it is inevitable in a system of any size.

The take away?  These bulkheads are the best value of quality and cost I can find.  Use the size right for your application.  The cost between sizes should be far less a factor in your choice then the volume of water you need to deal with.

P.S.S. – For more on these and why I love them see the video below.  And for one thing that can go wrong with them I would never have considered and how to prevent it, tune into today’s TSP episode.  Episode 2708.

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