Being ready for a crisis or disaster by stockpiling food is smart - but, stashed food does run out.  For long-term survival, knowing how to grow your own vegetables and herbs is prepping in a way that will give you food, for a long as you need it. Gardening takes you from being a consumer to someone who produces what they need. You don't have to have a multi-acre farm - you can easily grow food in raised beds, on your balcony or porch, in containers and even on your windowsills.  If you are new to gardening, start with easy to grow, high-yield plants like; lettuce tomatoes radishes beans potatoes Learn what grows best in your climate and soil type. Study how to compost your food scraps, which plants to grow near each other and natural pest control. Growing your own food helps you learn about the rhythms of nature. It teaches you what it takes to sow, hoe to know when food is ripe, harvest time and and how to preserve the excess bounty.  Gardening builds patience and self...

If you want to save money or if you want to eat more wholesome foods, there are thousands of wild edible plants that can feed you.  But, if you choose the wrong plants, eating them can also make you very ill - or even kill you.  That’s why it's so important - before you need to look for food - for preppers to learn how to identify both edible and  nonedible, poisonous plants, in their region.  Wild edibles are a free and ongoing food source, that includes; berries roots nuts leaves and flowers  But many of these edible finds have unforgiving, toxic lookalikes that can cause you a lot of regret, if you eat the wrong one.  One bite of the wrong plant can lead to nausea, allergic reaction, paralysis, hospitalization or worse. How to Identify Five Wild Edible Plants Start by studying reliable field guides specific to your location and ecosystem.  Learn five to ten safe, easy-to-identify wild edibles like;  Dandelion - Leaves, flowers and roots are all...

What if you are in a terrible situation and you need to get away, but your vehicle won't start? What if there are no mechanics, no handymen and no stores nearby? What are you going to do?  Your survival depends on your ability to fix your car, yourself.  Every prepper and  every person should have at least a basic knowledge of; vehicle mechanical systems how to repair a generator how to fix a leaky pipe how to patch a tire how to clean a spark plug.  Learn to troubleshoot small engines, learn how to change oil, tighten belts and unclog fuel lines. You can practice on old lawnmowers, bikes and other small powered appliances.  Study and read about your own vehicle and get a clear understanding of the mechanics. Learn; what the battery does how to install the brakes how to change the air filter how to use a tire jack the fluid systems how to sharpen blades replace fuses repair leaky seals  Know which tools you need for different fixes. A great idea is to ...

Get to know your local environment, because it will be your life line, your resource base and your safe place. The more you know about your neighborhood and surrounding area, the easier it will be for you when that time comes, because you are already informed.  Every prepper should know their local terrain, average seasonal temperatures and weather patterns, for the year and take detailed notes.  Learn where the rivers and natural water sources flow, know which roads flood, what areas freeze first, where the nut trees are and where you can find natural shelter. Take walks and hikes to get to know your region and take notes on; elevation changes wind funnels wildlife corridors potential choke points where the sun rises and sets how shadows move where to find south-facing slopes, for warmth.  Understand seasonal shifts; when storms are most likely to hit how long snow fall lasts when the leave start to change how long it takes for all leaves to fall Track wind patterns...

Things are going from bad to worse than bad and now is the time to get ready for the next shock. Wars are raging and we never know when it will hit closer to home. Prepping is more than just preparing for when a disaster strikes, it's also about being prepared if you lose your job, if your bank account is frozen after being hacked, or if you have to close your business. It's about building sustainability that you can depend on, when your life depends on it.  Prices at the pump and at the grocery stores are rising a lot faster than our income. So, you should take a critical look at your spending habits. You need to let go of unnecessary expenses and cut back, now. Avoid impulse purchases, buying with a credit card, added debt and you need to live within or below your means - if you want your future to be financially stable.  Debt is a debilitating weight that keeps itself wrapped around your peace of mind as drags your spirit  down..  Debt limits your choices, it redu...

No matter how much you prep, you will still need your family and some community support. Family and community are more that just a support system,  they will multiply the skills needed to survive.  A lone prepper can make it but it is a lot easier if there are a group of people available to help. Surviving with a group means more people to share labor, be on the lookout and diverse skills and more emotional strength. In your household, start by building trust and allegiance within. Talk openly about the importance to be prepared. Practice building fires and escape drills, together. Discuss sharing tasks and trade knowledge that will be needed.  Then find like-minded neighbors or prepper groups. Offer value, gardening, first aid, carpentry, communication.  Relationships built before a crisis become your lifeline during one. A strong group can divide roles—security, cooking, repairs, intel—while watching each other’s backs. And beyond tasks, people provide hope, humor,...

It is almost certain that all of us will, one day, be faced with a life-changing disaster or situation. If you have real concerns, you have taken the first step - not toward panic, but toward being prepared for what is to come.  Prepping isn’t about living in fear of what if,  it’s about being confident that you know you can handle whatever the situation turns out to be. You have to be ready and these tips about; food water shelter security medical care communication tools mindset and more will help you prepare But remember, prepping isn't a race - but, it does have a starting line. Don’t try to gather everything you need, all at once - this will lead to food spoilage and confusion.  When you start as a prepper, focus on the essential supplies that are for basic survival. Here are the important items to start with:  Food - Water Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days Non-perishable food items like canned goods, rice, and be...

Dehydrating food is one of the oldest preservation methods ever used and, for centuries, it was done without a food dehydrator and this is one of the most effective ways for preppers to make sure their food is safe to eat.  When you dehydrate food, the moisture is removed, which drastically reduces the chances of spoilage, while keeping those essential nutrients intact.  What Foods Can Be Dehydrated? The best foods to dehydrate without a dehydrator include: Fruits : Apples, bananas, grapes, orange slices and mangoes are excellent choices due to their high water content and natural sugars, which help preserve flavor and nutrients Vegetables : Carrots, zucchini and bell peppers work well as they have lower acidity and can be easily dried using alternative methods. Herbs : Fresh herbs like basil and parsley can be air-dried or oven-dried effectively Lean meats : Options like chicken or turkey can be dehydrated, but it's crucial to ensure they are low in fat. Foods to avoid includ...