You ever think about how much we depend on the grocery store? You can make it quick and convenient for you and your family to feast from your patio or back porch.
By this time I think most everyone is getting tired of being at home and is ready to hit the open road this is especially true now that summer is among us. While things here in Texas have really started to open up I think (and smartly so) a lot of people are still trying to stay put as much as their cabin fever allows. While we may not be out of the woods yet I am certain there will be similar situation in the future. Through this whole stay-at-home order I think the thing that shock most all of us was the shortage of toilet paper and essential items. I didn’t hoard items but shopped normally and fortunately my family had everything we needed and most of what we wanted. This is mostly due to the trucks, trains and flights delivering everything we need to cities and towns across the world. What if these things stopped or what if manufacturing and farming was forced to a halt due to pandemic or disaster? I mean, this is something we all hope never happens but something certainly worth planning for. I encourage people to keep some extra dry goods and canned foods. If stored properly they can last for a long while and even been consumed (in some cases) past their expiration date in the case of emergency. These are things most people know and many do. What I would like you to consider is some basic and easy to grow patio vegetables and window seal herbs. Planting some vegetables in planters or even 5 gallon buckets can be an easy way to ensure you have a few extra vegetables on hand for your enjoyment at anytime. A few things that are easy to grow and relativity low maintain are red potatoes, onions, peppers, squash, rosemary and thyme. These are all plants that require little attention and have a high yield. If you have ever cooked a meal that included vegetables or herbs you grew yourself then you know there is something special about the experience. A meal I will never forget was one of the simplest but rewarding. I cooked a brunch that included eggs from my chickens, potatoes, peppers and onions. I added a little salt and pepper to taste and it was like nothing I had ever had. While that feeling was probably a lot of nostalgia it was truly fresh and full of flavor. You never know when a national or world event can bring us back to the basics. Just like we saw in many cases with COVID-19 things can change with a single announcement. If there is never another significant event or mass threat of illness we can be prepared and enjoy some homegrown produce along the way. Once your family, children, friends and neighbors see the way you have found creative ways to be prepared they will surely ask question and you will house the knowledge, tools and tips to encourage them along the way. The more you know the more you grow.
Randy
Tattooed Farmer
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