Tag Archives: gardening

Episode-1449- Seed Saving and Land Races with Justin Huhn

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Modern Survival| 13 Comments
Episode-1449- Seed Saving and Land Races with Justin Huhn [ 1:24:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Learn more About Justin's Work at TheSeedKeepers.com

Learn more About Justin’s Work at TheSeedKeepers.com

Justin is an organic farmer & seed grower, and an impassioned gardening and seed-saving educator. He co-founded All Good Things Organic Seeds, a farm-based seed company in Ojai, CA.

Through the process of establishing an organic seed company, Justin became an expert in growing, harvesting, cleaning, and storing seeds of hundreds of different species. Now with his current project, The Seedkeepers, he is focused entirely on supporting and educating gardeners to grow more food and successfully save quality seed.

Justin is a long time TSP listener and community member and joins us today to discuss, the role of Hybrid seeds in a survival garden. Developing LandRaces and why every survivalist and homesteader should be doing it.  The importance of seed quality, starting with good seed, and why seeds you save yourself are the best.

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.

Also remember we have an expert council you can address your calls to. If you do this you should email me right after your call at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with expert council call in the subject line. In the body of your email tell me that you just called in a question for the council and what number you called in from. I will then give the call priority when I screen calls.

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Episode-1429- Steven Scott on Seed Saving

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Modern Survival| 9 Comments
Episode-1429- Steven Scott on Seed Saving [ 1:57:02 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Cindy and Stephen Scott of Terroir Seeds

Cindy and Stephen Scott of Terroir Seeds

Stephen Scott is an Heirloom Seedsman, soil building advocate, locavore, amateur chef, artist and co-owner with his wife Cindy of Terroir Seeds, having been involved with heirloom seeds, environmental education, habitat restoration, soil health and building local food pathways for more than 20 years.

He’s an author, speaker and educator on seed, soil, food and health and how they relate to and strengthen each other. They welcome dialogue and can be reached at Seeds@UnderwoodGardens.com or 888-878-5247.

Steve joins us today to discuss saving seed and a new online course he has released in partnership with Marjory Wildcraft on the same subject.

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.

Also remember we have an expert council you can address your calls to. If you do this you should email me right after your call at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with expert council call in the subject line. In the body of your email tell me that you just called in a question for the council and what number you called in from. I will then give the call priority when I screen calls.

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Episode-1413- 12 More Herbs Every Survivalist Should Grow

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Modern Survival| 26 Comments
Episode-1413- 12 More Herbs Every Survivalist Should Grow [ 1:31:28 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Lemon Balm Growing in My Food Forest Edge

Lemon Balm Growing in My Food Forest Edge

Today we do part two of a series on herbs every survivalist should grow.  Herbs are great because even if have a tiny yard these are 12 plants you can easily find space for even on a postage stamp city lot.

The key is these 12 plants will provide you food, medicine, relaxation and beauty and require very little of you in return. I truly believe that ones quality of life can be improved just by growing and using fresh herbs.

This first show in this series was Episode-1410- 12 Herbs Every Modern Survivalist Should Grow, so if you don’t see your favorite herb here, it may have been covered in that episode.

The truth is I could go on an list 12 more off the top of my head but these 12 will do so much and ask so little of you that is why I chose them for today’s show.  We may in fact do one more show in this series.

Join me Today As I Discuss the Following 18 Herbs You Should be Growing

  1. Lemon Balm
  2. Peppermint
  3. Comfrey
  4. Dill
  5. Sage
  6. Thyme
  7. Calendula
  8. Rosemary
  9. Bee Balm
  10. Roses
  11. Lavender
  12. Marsh Mallow

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.

Also remember we have an expert council you can address your calls to. If you do this you should email me right after your call at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with expert council call in the subject line. In the body of your email tell me that you just called in a question for the council and what number you called in from. I will then give the call priority when I screen calls.

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Episode-1403- Planning the Fall Garden

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Modern Survival| 41 Comments
Episode-1403- Planning the Fall Garden [ 1:29:39 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

New Garden Beds Under Construction at the TSP Homestead

“Fall Garden?  What the heck Jack, do you not see your own weather forecast?  Hellllloooo earth to Jack, it is going to be 103 degrees in your town today, the next 5 days will have highs of 104, 101, 101, 100 and 100.  Are you Daft?  This is the time to be planning a fall garden?”

Well indeed, yes it is.  Consider that your spring garden planning begins when frost and snow are still on the ground does it not.   Yes it is 103 today but our average first frost date is Nov. 17th.

There are two things to consider around this first frost date.  The first is that currently I have about 102 days on the average before our fist frost.  Hence anything that will frost kill and requires more than 102 days to produce is out of the question for a second crop right now.

So I now must choose any frost sensitive crops carefully for my second season.  I also likely need to start most seed in flats or pots in a shaded and climate controlled area right now.  Germination is poor to say the least at 100 plus degree temps.

The second is with frost hardy crops, like carrots, peas, lettuce, etc.  While they are frost hardy, one must get them well established by the frost date if they are to continue to grow in thrive in cold and short days.

Join Me Today as We Discuss…

  • Bed maintenance for beds you won’t be planting with “crops”
    • Biochar, manure, green sand, other amendments
    • Mulch
    • Cover Crops
    • Heavy Harvest of the Summer Crops
  • New Bed Establishment
    • My new beds currently being installed
    • Why this is a good time to establish new beds
  • Getting ready for the fall crops
    • Protection or not?
    • Killing Weeds
    • Starting seeds (sometimes indoors)
    • Selecting plants from a nursery
  • 10 Crops for the fall garden
    • Spinach
    • Chard
    • Beets
    • Garlic (planting for next fall)
    • Onions and Leeks
    • Broccoli
    • Cabbage
    • Kale
    • Carrots – Frankly most root crops
    • Lettuce
  • Getting the Edge on Cool Weather
    • Windbreaks
    • Southern Exposure
    • Row Covers
    • Micro Green Houses

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.

Also remember we have an expert council you can address your calls to. If you do this you should email me right after your call at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with expert council call in the subject line. In the body of your email tell me that you just called in a question for the council and what number you called in from. I will then give the call priority when I screen calls.

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Episode-1317- Building the Backyard Orchard

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Modern Survival| 62 Comments
Episode-1317- Building the Backyard Orchard [ 1:24:02 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
The Loquat, Citrus Hardy to Zone 7!

The Loquat, A Citrus that is Hardy to Zone-7!

Today is sort of kind of a permaculture episode, but not necessarily one.  I think we have a lot of people in the audience that want more food production but do not necessarily really care about “permaculture” as a concept unto itself.  I think this show will make both camps pretty happy.

The truth is we have lost a lot of knowledge about growing fruits and nuts in our nation.  We have equated trees with large giant things you could never reach the top of. We see trees as things to climb, hand ropes from and build a fort in.

Due to this many seem to feel a large variety of productive trees could never exist on a small piece of land, such as the average 1/10th  – 1/5th acre yards most suburban homes have. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Today I will discuss the basics of setting up an intensive perennial system based on mostly trees, bushes, shrubs and vines.  How to get multiple yields across a full season, keep the work load minimal and even tell you about some species you have likely never heard of.

Join Me Today to Discuss…

  • How fruit was grown at “Manor Houses” in England
  • How trees really “work” and why you can treat a tree like a shrub
  • The importance of balancing top to root structure
  • Why you should “thin” fruit at times
  • The importance of heavy mulch
  • Cultivation of mushrooms
  • The role of shrubs, vines, bushes
  • Why I have changed my view of multi-graft trees to positive
  • Some Unusual Trees/Plants to consider
    • Jujube
    • Sea Berry (awesome medicinal)
    • Paw Paw
    • Cornelian Cherry
      • Cornus Mas (red and yellow)
      • Cornus Kousa (sometimes called big apple kousa)
    • Dwarf Mulberry (Morus Alba Issai)
    • Elderberry (awesome medicinal)
    • Honey Berry
    • Chinquapin (like little chestnuts)
    • Hazelnuts – Filberts
    • Loquats – (citrus in zone 7)
  • Potted trees for citrus and other things
  • Final thoughts

Resources for today’s show…

Sources of Many of the Plants I Mentioned Today and Other Cool Stuff

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.

Also remember we have an expert council you can address your calls to. If you do this you should email me right after your call at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with expert council call in the subject line. In the body of your email tell me that you just called in a question for the council and what number you called in from. I will then give the call priority when I screen calls.

Our Expert Council is Made Up of…

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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.

 

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Episode-1294- Getting Ready for Spring Planting

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Modern Survival| 27 Comments
Episode-1294- Getting Ready for Spring [ 59:02 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Right now it is in the 30s and we will be down in the teens tonight and this is in the middle of the global warming crisis in north Texas so spring seems a long way off but it isn’t.  Frankly here are how the numbers break down for me…

  • Average last frost date is March 15th
  • Today is Feb. 4th
  • Weeks till planting remaining 6
  • Average time seeds need to be ready to plant out 6 weeks

Simply put the time for us to be planing is now, and we have a ton more to do.  Join me today as I go though our current planned activities over then next two months and see how it fits with your plans.

Join Me Today As I Discuss…

  • Last frost date, can you trust it, NO!
  • Starting seeds, why indoors is best for fast germination
  • We are doing some trees from seed this year here is how and what
  • Getting beds ready and designing planting layouts
  • Planning and completing construction projects

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.

Also remember we have an expert council you can address your calls to. If you do this you should email me right after your call at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with expert council call in the subject line. In the body of your email tell me that you just called in a question for the council and what number you called in from. I will then give the call priority when I screen calls.

Our Expert Council is Made Up of…

Join the MSB Today

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Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

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Episode-1280- Stephen Scott of Terroir Seeds on Seed Saving

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Modern Survival| 26 Comments
Episode-1280- Steven Scott of Terroir Seeds on Seed Saving [ 1:37:45 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Cindy and Stephen Scott of Terroir Seeds

Cindy and Stephen Scott of Terroir Seeds

Stephen Scott is co-owner of Terroir Seeds along with his wife Cindy. Terroir is a family owned and operated heirloom seed company that focuses on the “Cycle of Terroir” defined as “from the soil, to the seed, to the food you eat”. Terroir seeds provides unique varieties of heirloom seeds, education and information for all phases of the “Terroir Cycle”.

Stephen has a business background, from management of a nationally known rental car agency to warranty administrator for a local car dealership. He is an acknowledged chili-head who loves the hotter side of things and loves to cook.

He feels one of the biggest appeals of the garden and growing is to supply the freshest ingredients for the meals! He has a large interest in self sustainability and resiliency- being able to do and produce most of what one needs, and building a strong community of local food producers.

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.

Also remember we have an expert council you can address your calls to. If you do this you should email me right after your call at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with expert council call in the subject line. In the body of your email tell me that you just called in a question for the council and what number you called in from. I will then give the call priority when I screen calls.

Our Expert Council is Made Up of…

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.

 

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Episode-1236- Plans for the TSP Homestead and Upcoming Workshops

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Modern Survival| 32 Comments
Episode-1236- Plans for the TSP Homestead and Upcoming Workshops [ 1:15:54 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I am going to continue with some fun stuff that is informative and not so deep into the world of politics, economics, etc.  Today I am going to line out the planned projects for our 3 acre property and what they will be doing for us long term.

The first principle of permaculture in my mind is “observe and interact” and while interact is part of it, to me on a new property about a year of observation is really ideal for the planning process.  At this point I have been on my property for about 10 months.  I now know it intimately.  I know where the winds blow including when they don’t line up with the “official information” from the weather service.

I know where my soils are a foot deep and where they are only a few inches above the limestone reef that is under this part of north Texas.  I know where water flows and where it pools.  I know the species that do well here on their own in all seasons.  I  have seen the results of my work with my animals an I know it works.  Islands of deep green now exist in pastures that are tired and mostly brown.

I have had the great fortune to have my intern Josiah Wallingford of Bring of Freedom on property now for 3 months to aid in my planning.  We now have a much deeper understanding of many of our subtle contours.  Then we did an urban design workshop.  30 students received certification in Urban Design and we got amazing ideas for a small space design on the property.  Josiah and I have expanded these plans and it is all coming together.  Today I will do my best to explain our future plans and how this homestead is going to be transformed over the next year into a holistic system that is self supporting and will generate its own fertility.

Join Me Today As We Discuss…

  • The tactical greenhouse with a “climate battery”
  • 6000-7500 gallons of catchment tanks are going in, just for starters
  • Why we will use some pumps in our systems, yet we will not “need” them
  • Taking swales to an extreme level even on land anyone would call flat
  • Road catchment diversion, more water then we could ever need
  • Cell grazing of geese and chickens in our system, perhaps sheep next year
  • Building a 60,000 gallon pond where you can’t go below grade and making it self sustaining
  • Making hugul swales where we can only dig about 2 inches into the soil
  • Building top soil at a massive rate in the interswales
  • Berms, berms and more berms
  • A food forest going in this spring, 40 productive trees, 280 support trees
  • The contour beds are due to become a massive “micro food forest”
  • This is just the beginning!

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.

Also remember we have an expert council you can address your calls to. If you do this you should email me right after your call at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with expert council call in the subject line. In the body of your email tell me that you just called in a question for the council and what number you called in from. I will then give the call priority when I screen calls.

Our Expert Council is Made Up of…

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.

 

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Episode-1167- Lori and Jeff Haynes on Olla Irrigation

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Modern Survival| 31 Comments
Episode-1167- Lori and Jeff Haynes on Olla Irrigation [ 1:20:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Lori and Jeff Haynes of Dripping Springs Ollas

Lori and Jeff Haynes of Dripping Springs Ollas

In 2009 Lori and Jeff Haynes returned to the United States to a town called Dripping Springs, just west of Austin, Texas. After Jeff’s twenty-four year career as a Marine the couple was anxious to get back home to Texas and put down roots.

In 2011, Lori founded Dripping Springs OLLAS (DSO) with the mission of making the OLLA (pronounced oi ya) – a natural, geographically appropriate option for irrigation by self-reliant Southwestern gardeners. Lori designed and field tested the Dripping Springs OLLA which are made from Tecate clay per Lori’s specifications.

Today Jeff and Lori join us to discuss ollas as a low tech, traditional solution to Texas’ (and other areas) water issues, irrigation reduction and self reliance as well as integration in to your families system of nutritious and nourishing food production.

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 and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-1074- Contour Gardening and Woody Beds

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Modern Survival| 25 Comments
Episode-1074- All about Contour Gardening and Woody Beds [ 1:07:57 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

As many of you know I have suggested that we call what most (not all) people are doing in America woody beds vs hugulkultur.  I suggest this for two reasons.

1.  People who don’t know about it already understand “woody bed” but look at you like you have a snake crawling out of your ear when you say hugulkultur.

2.  It is more accurate, hugul in the term hugulkultur pretty much means high as in high bed.  As in 1.5-2 yards high.  This is simply not what we are doing in America in most instances.

Since first learning about the entire concept from Paul Wheaton (as practiced by Sepp Holzer) I have worked with it in many different formats, from 6 foot high true huguls to in ground versions that appear like any typical framed in raised bed.  I have also studied the work of Permaculture visionary Geoff Lawton and become a huge fan of his swale based design systems.

As I continued both studying the work of others and putting it into actual field level work (I can’t stress how important that is) I have also learned how Geoff takes “swale like design” into raised bed gardening.   I have now found that taking the disciplines of swale style raised beds and adding wood core design to the mix is an incredibly efficient design structure.

Today I discuss the primary design structures of this type of system, why they work and what limitations each has.  From there we can see how a proper integration of all of them makes up a great deal for where each has certain weaknesses.

Join Me Today As I Discuss…

  • What is a swale and why does it work
  • What is the difference between a “swale like” structure and a true swale
  • How can contour paths act like swales when they are not below grade
  • Does it make sense to cut paths below grade (may be, it depends)
  • What is traditional hugulkultur
  • Why did Sepp Holzer and other actually bury wood in the first place
  • The limits of a “spongy core” based on mathematics as a simply reservior
  • What are mycelium and what role do they play in permaculture
  • How does the internal composting action protect roots in cold weather
  • Why isn’t the heat a danger in hot weather
  • Why deep mulching is a must
  • How you can practice polyculture, clumpy polyculture or even row mono culture
  • How does a contour based wood core system function end to end
  • Info on the upcoming workshop that will teach these techniques

Videos Of the Described Project – Direct Links to Youtube in the Resource List Below

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 and you might hear yourself on the air.

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