Seed Package Expiration Myths, Debunked!

We've all noticed those dates on the back of the seed packages we buy, but what exactly does that mean? Do the seeds really expire? Let's find out...

According to Marie Woodie of Horticulture Magazine, it's not so much the date that matters, but the variety of seeds and how they've been stored. It's true that some seeds will keep much longer than others depending on the variety of the seeds themselves. So how do you know which ones are viable Without testing them you won't, so let's look into how to exactly do that.

How to Test for Germination:

First, you will need 10 seeds of the same variety, a paper towel, and some water. Place your seeds in a line on a damp paper towel. Fold the paper towel over and place it in a Ziploc bag. Place the bag in a warm area, but out of direct sunlight and keep it moistened. Make sure to check the seeds daily and remoisten the paper towel if it begins drying out. You should generally see germination within ten days, though depending on the seed variety it can take up to a couple of weeks. With this method, a pretty good result would be if at least half of the seeds germinate. You could also sow the 10 seeds directly into the soil in your garden to check the germination rate and the seeds reaction to your soil.

One very interesting article provides remarkable information regarding the longevity of seed life:

"Beyond the realm of vegetables, some seeds stay viable for very long periods. Last year, with a little expert care, some seeds from botanical specimens found tucked inside a book for 200 years were successfully germinated. And seeds of the common wild poppy are thought to remain viable for up to 100 years. The incredible display of poppies which bloomed on the First World War battlefields in the years immediately following the armistice was a mass germination of dormant seeds in the soil. Poppies are adapted as a cornfield weed and are sensitive to soil disturbance, so four years of pelting with mortar shells was just what they needed to trigger them off - generations of accumulated seed suddenly brought to life" You can read more from this article titled Why I Love Out of Date Seeds.

Did you read that 100-200 Years! So test those seeds and get to growing people!



Recently on our Facebook Fan Page, we gave away tons of free packets of seeds to participates in Our 3rd Annual Christmas Card Swap. Each package we sent out included a variety of 25 Certified Organic and/or Heirloom packets and a Garden Pouch Herb Kit all from 'Seeds of Change'.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our card swap, we gave away over 300 packets of seeds! We would love to see pictures of your gardens this season, so be sure to share pictures of your harvest with us. Happy Planting!

Secrets For Getting the BEST Deals at the Farmers' Market

 

 

While I do love growing my own vegetables, I also really love farmers markets. They offer such diverse products including fruits, vegetables, eggs, honey, and some also offer meats and dairy products. You can also find a great deal of homemade products such as jams, jellies, or spice mixes there; also along with many other types of products.
 

So are there benefits of buying these types of items at a farmers market, rather than a grocery store?

1.      The first benefit is that you are supporting your local farmers and small business owners by purchasing their products, rather than those that are imported to the big box stores from other states or even other countries. Did you know that when you buy produce at the grocery store the farmer actually only receive less than 10 cents from each retail dollar? But when you purchase directly such as a farmers market or a CSA program, your local farmer is able to earn a larger profit to sustain their business and bring you more produce in the future.

 

 2.      The second benefit is that these products are fresh! They haven’t traveled for days in a truck or shipping container. They are directly from a farm near you, which also gives you the opportunity to ask questions of the seller such as what types of growing methods were used or are the products organic? You can also get tips for new ways to prepare the product. Supporting your local agricultural business help to build your community and helps to ensure that those farmers are able to offer those products in the future.

 

3.       The third benefit is really two fold, they are able to bring products to people who otherwise would not have the opportunity to get seasonal produce or other unique items and because their selling direct, the prices are often times much cheaper. You don’t have a middleman marking up prices or tacking on extra for the transportation of the products.

 

4.       The fourth benefit of buying from a farmers’ market is that it is a healthier option. You actually ask the farmer what pesticides they used; if any, whether the produce is from hybrid, heirloom, certified organic, non-gmo, treated, or untreated seeds.

 

5.      The last benefit is that the profit that the farmer does make generally stays in the community. So it’s a circle of community, you buy from them and in turn they use that money to help further support your community by also shopping locally.

  

 

Now let’s get to those tips for getting the best deals at farmers’ markets….

 Plan Ahead:

 

As you already know, before you go grocery shopping in general, you should always plan ahead. Make a list of what you’re looking to purchase and set a budget. So why would this be important? Because a majority of us make impulse purchases based on how we’re feeling and what we see. And let me tell you, everything at a farmers’ market looks terrific and while that is not a bad thing, if you over-purchase and are not able to either eat or preserve your bounty; it is liable to go to waste.  

Don’t be Too Early:
 

This tip may surprise you, but going too early can cost you money. Are you confused yet? Let me explain why this is important. When you show up to the farmers market day one at the opening time, you are going to pay full-price for everything. Now if that doesn’t bother you, then by all means get there early. However, if you are like me and a bit more frugal minded, showing up too early will cost you more. Just like at garage sales, farmers tend to reduce their prices towards the end of the day. They don’t want to tote a bunch of left over produce home after sitting out in the sun all day. So go a bit later in the day towards the closing time. Now I mean maybe a couple hours before close, if they're set to close at 5:00 don’t show up just at 4:50. If you do, the selection might minimal and you might not find what you need.

Be Flexible:
 

If you go with the intention of buying one item for a specific pie for instance, and they're either out of it or the price for that certain thing is too high; be flexible. Look around! There are many more options so instead of getting peaches, maybe grab some strawberries or blueberries and so forth. And while you’re there, it’s perfectly acceptable to price match the different vendors. Prices do vary, based on the costs related to each particular farmer for growing their crops.

Be Loyal:
 

I know this sounds contrary to what I just mentioned but it’s not. If you stay loyal to a couple different vendors, you can earn discounts! That’s right, saving at the produce stand is possible. Through your repeat business, you build a relationship with your farmer. Trust me, they appreciate this. They are more likely to reward your loyalty with discounts too. Take the time to talk with them, get to know them and build that relationship. If you buy something from them and really enjoyed it last week, tell them. They love to hear that you enjoy their product.

Don’t be Afraid to Buy in Bulk:
 

Buying in bulk can seem intimidating to some people, but it shouldn’t be. There are many benefits to buying in bulk. The first of these is that farmers tend to give you better deals, sometimes up to 20-30% off. Another benefit from buying in bulk is that you can preserve the items to build your food storage. Many of the items can be canned, dehydrated, or frozen for later use. Now let’s say you did all that, but still have too much? Donate the leftovers if you are not able to use them before they go bad. Don’t waste it. You can share it with family, friends, or donate it to local food banks or churches. This is a great way to bless others with your bounty.

If you’re not sure how or where to find a farmers market near you, I found a couple resources to help.

The United States Department of Agriculture has an Agricultural Marketing Service page that has a Farmers Markets Search. You just enter your zip code and a radius size, like 5 miles, and it will show you locations of farmers markets around you:
 

 United States Department of Agriculture

 

  

Another great resource for you is localharvest.org This site helps connect you with local farmers markets, CSAs, events, and even farms in your area:
 

            Local Harvest

    

 

Community Supported Agriculture

 

Now if you have trouble finding farmers markets in your area, you can also look into CSAs. If you’re not familiar with what these are, it stands for community supported agriculture.

  

Farmers at CSAs offer what they call “shares” to the public. These shares are boxes typically of vegetables, fruits, or eggs and in some cases farms also offer milk or meat products. You would pay a subscription fee to the farm in advance and you can set up to receive your share weekly, biweekly, or monthly based on how the program works. Some of the boxes have a standard variety of food, so everyone receives the same items, or at some CSAs you can personalize your box by your own choices.

 

Farmers encourage CSAs because getting the money early in the season helps them to maintain the expenses of their farm and it’s a way to market their products.

 

A shareholder, that’s you, benefit because you get fresh produce on a routine schedule and you get to know your personal farmers. Some CSAs will have you stop by on your scheduled pickup day, but a few of them also deliver or have a local meeting place for pick up.

  

One thing to remember if you choose to sign up for a CSA, is to read the fine print. The idea of a CSA is that “we’re all in this together”, so that means if a drought hits and the farmer loses their crops; members do too. Each Farm has their own rules and contingency plans for these situations so check with them before because many farms will not refund the money.

 

 

You can find more information on CSAs at:

Local Harvest

  or
United States Department of Agriculture

 

 

Container Gardening and Fertilizing Methods

Listen to the Show Here: Container Gardening and Fertilizer Methods

Today we are going to look into container gardening and discuss fertilizing methods to ensure the success of your plants. One of the best ways to grow vegetables if you have limited space, is through the use of containers. But how do you know what type of container to choose? And what types of fertilizing methods can you use? For new gardeners this can seem a bit confusing, but today we will help to show you how simple it can be to grow your own food regardless of how much space you have to work with.

Some examples of good containers include clay, pottery, wood, plastic, or you can make your own out of items you find around your home and re-purpose them.

Choosing the right container is pretty simple, you just need to make sure that it holds soil and has drainage holes in the bottom. If you have a container that does not already have holes for drainage such as a tote, you can easily drill them yourself. An important note is to make sure that whichever type of container you choose that it provides adequate space for the roots.

The next step, which is very important, is making sure you are using a good soil mixture. First you need to make sure that the soil need is well aerated and well drained, but yet is able to retain enough moisture for your plants.

Different plants have different needs, so remember to research their needs prior to planting. Garden soil for instance generally should never be used by itself. This is because when you put it in a container the aeration and drainage are already severely impeded and using garden soil alone may cause your plants to grow poorly.

Instead look for specific soils that are made specifically for container gardening. These often include peat, bark, coir fiber (ground coconut hulls), and vermiculite.

If garden soil is used, it is recommended to mix one part of the soil, and one part peat moss, and one part per-lite and make sure to slightly moisten the soil mixture prior to planting.
When I do my containers, I also put either straw in the bottom of the containers to help with aeration and drainage or I ball up old newspaper and use that.

As with any type of gardening, you have to consider the environmental factors, for instance making sure you situate your plants in an area that is well lite; especially, if the plant requires a lot of light. One benefit to using containers is that they are obviously portable. If you’re growing something that only requires a few hours of light for instance, then you can easily move it into shade later in the day. Make sure you are aware if the plants you are growing are heat tolerable.

Here in Oklahoma we can have some really hot summers and go for days without rain. So, keeping the plants at a comfortable temperature is vital. Where we specifically live, it is very open so another thing we have to keep in mind is the wind.

Make sure you locate your containers are in a spot where they will not blow right over. And remember, if you choose a container that is a dark color, it will absorb more heat. This is important to consider as some plants will not tolerate it very well.

When watering your container plants there is no absolute rules, however remember to regularly check the soil. If the first inch of soil is dry, then you know it needs water. Give the plants enough water so that you see a few drips come out of the drainage holes. This helps you also know that you have gotten some leaching of the soil. Leaching moves away any harmful buildup of soluble salts in the soil; which often comes from fertilizers and water sources.

Regular watering can also cause the nutrients to leach out. To help prevent this, you may need to add in additional nutrients back to the soil. One way most people do this is from using fertilizers. You can purchase slow release or liquid versions of these, generally reapplying every two weeks. Make sure that you use the appropriate type for the plants or vegetables you are growing.

An example of this is that plants need a fertilizer with high nitrogen sources, while vegetables need lower amount of nitrogen and higher phosphorous types. If you prefer to use organic methods to fertilize the soil you can use compost, rock powders along with compost, manures, worm castings, manure teas, or fish emulsion fertilizer.



 

Let’s look into each of these for some clarification:



First let’s talk about compost.

You can make your own compost using a bin or a compost container, which can be either purchased or homemade.  All you do is add in green material such as food scraps like fruit and veggie scraps, (no grease, bones or meat), egg shells, grass trimmings, tea bags, coffee grounds and filters, sawdust or wood shavings (untreated), dryer lint and manure. You should also use a mix of brown material like leaves, shredded paper and cardboard, and hay.

Keep this mixture moist, turning every 7-10 days. Turning it also allows you to check the moisture level. There are some people who don’t think that it needs turned, but it is said to speed up the decomposition process.

Rock fertilizers provide trace elements to the soil as they break down slowly. They should be applied with the compost because they do not supply any nitrogen and last 5 to 10 years.Manure is also a good natural fertilizer to use and the most widely available. There are five basic manure types that are used. These are cow, hog, sheep, poultry, and horse. Cow and hog manure is considered cold manure because it has high water content and ferments slowly.

Sheep, poultry, and horse manure is known as hot manure. It is richer in nitrogen and ferments more easily. Manure should only be added after it has decomposed properly, because of the bacteria’s it contains.  Using manure to make a tea for your garden or plants is also a great method to fertilize.
Worm castings are an excellent fertilizer because one tablespoon provides enough organic nutrients to feed a 6” potted plant for more than two months. They stimulate growth, and are absorbed easily by plants. They also help the soil retain water and inhibits diseases like root rot. Worm castings also contain more than 50% more humus than what is found in topsoil.

Some of you may or may not have ever heard of fertilizing with fish emulsion. This can be purchased or you can make your own pretty easily. You can use either fresh fish, or fresh or dried kelp or seaweed. Basically how this works is you take the fish parts and put them in a 5 gallon bucket that is filled half full with sawdust, leaves, or straw and then add in some un-sulfured molasses or dry molasses powder; either one and then seal up the bucket. You let this all rot of 1-2 weeks, but be sure to open and stir daily or every other day. The molasses will help to speed up the process and control some of the odors. After the 2 weeks, dump this mixture into your compost pile. Never apply it to the plants.

If you opt to use dried seaweed or kelp you can use it to make a tea, just put it in a bucket, cover with water, and let it brew for a week and stir every few days. By the end of the week it should have a yeast smell and foamy top.  To apply you need to dilute this in a 1:5 ratio, one part tea to 5 parts water, and drench the soil near plant roots.

So now you know that container gardening is so easy to do. Just choose an appropriate container, make sure you have the right soil type, remember to consider climate and environmental factors to the placement of your containers, and choose a method for fertilizing.

Container gardening is a great method for those of us who are growing in small spaces. Even if you live in an apartment or high-rise, there are ways to be able to grow your own food. Maybe it’s not the big garden you dream about, but it is a start and you can take pride in knowing that you are making efforts toward becoming more self-sufficient.

Five Steps To Becoming More Self Sufficient...

Listen to the Show Here

Here in the Park, we usually refer to ourselves as "Prepsteaders."

If you haven't heard the term used before, you're probably first wondering what we mean by "Prepsteader"?

Here is the Official Trailer Park Homesteader Definition:

Prepsteader: a person or persons who are equal parts both prepper and homesteader.

(Ta Da...Snazzy, Huh !)

While we strive to be more self-sufficient daily utilizing all of the basic homesteading skills, we also prepare for coming major hardships whether man-made or natural disasters. This helps to provide for immediate needs and teaches important skills that will be beneficial in the future.

So How Can a Person Become More Self-Sufficient or Prepsteader-ish ?

1. Make Your Own Products

This can be cleaning products, hygiene products, clothing, tools, anything really !
The point is learning knowledge and skills to help you now and in the future. 

2. Grow Your Own Food

If you have never grown your own food, you are definitely missing out.
Prices are rising and growing your own can help to sustain your family.

3. Preserve Your Own Food

Can, Dehydrate, Package Dry Foods, or Freeze that bounty.
 Having a great food storage supply is not only important, but is rewarding.

4. Simplify Where You Can

Remove clutter, that means all types of it: material items not needed;
fears, doubts, and negativity too. Simplify all aspects and let just go!

5. Different Means of Income 

Many people already have a job, so why have other means of income..?
If that job was lost, do you have other funds to get by on, at least for a little while?
Is there a product or service you can offer, to earn extra money?
If times become tough, these skills will make you invaluable. 

Are You Already Using Some of These Steps?

If So, Let Us Know !

The Indoor Greenhouse Experiment

So… you're probably wondering why we would have a walk-in greenhouse inside? Honestly, it was the only way we could think of to be able to start our seeds indoors and keep our cat from eating them! Now… the crazy idea has turned into much more of an experiment really.
 

As you know we live in a trailer or mobile home if you prefer; and we are very limited on space! The room pictured has been our storage room for the past 3 years. We had intended on redecorating it and giving it to one of our daughters, but once we finally got it cleared out….well the greenhouse idea had came about! (Sorry, Brat) The first thing to mention is that we chose to try totally organic gardening this year. Last year we bought seedlings and did it the quick and easy way. Though we had great results once we overcame a few hiccups, we were disappointed that we had not considered ahead of time, that we couldn’t save and regrow the seeds. bummer!

This year we chose to do some research and really take the time to learn about the types of seeds that could be saved. We decided on heirloom seeds and purchased a kit that contained thousands of seeds! Even though we will not be able to use them all this year, if we store them properly they are supposed to have at least a 5 year shelf life. Imagine if you will, the possibility of buying one kit and through seed saving, hardly having to buy any future seeds..if ever !  (more on this later)

 



Our Experiment:

On March 22nd, we planted our first seeds in the new greenhouse. Our seed choices included: 10 varieties of tomatoes, 2 kinds of cucumbers, banana peppers, red and white onions, dill, iceberg lettuce, and cabbage. Because we were not positive how many might germinate, we planted doubles of everything. We had read the information on all of the seeds and felt mildly comfortable beginning our adventure. Because many of the seeds mentioned that the soil had to be above 70 degrees before the seeds were sown, we placed a heater in the greenhouse on low and constantly monitored the temp. We water once a day just to moisten and are careful not to over saturate. (we are not experts, simply learning as we go !)

In just a few days our seeds began to sprout and within a week our tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce, and cabbage had all sprouted!
 

As you can tell in the following pictures, we’re calling week one a success !

 

Stay tuned, we will update further in the coming weeks !
 

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Author Information:

Sharon Pannell is a self proclaimed "Prepsteader", both prepper and homesteader. She authors the blog The Trailer Park Homesteader where she teaches others about the importance of disaster preparedness and self-sufficiency. Sharon believes everyday the stuff can hit the fan, it is not one big epic event necessarily and it only takes one set back to create a hardship; so big or small prepare for it all ! Along with her blog, Sharon can also be found managing her other social media sites including her Facebook Page The Trailer Park Homesteader, TTPH Pinterest Page, and TTPH Twitter Page.

Homesteading vs. Prepping

Are They Really So Different ?

Although some people think you can either be a prepper or a homesteader, they are both very similar.

What is a Homesteader?

Homesteading refers to “an act or instance of establishing a homestead”. So what exactly is a homestead? It is “1. a dwelling with its land and buildings, occupied by the owner as a home and exempted by a homestead law from seizure or sale for debt 2. any dwelling with its land and buildings where a family makes its home 3. a tract of land acquired under the Homestead Act 4. a house in an urban area acquired under a homesteading program.

Ok, so that definition isn’t quite how I would define a homestead. I would say that homesteading is about becoming more self-sufficient. This can be done through growing and preserving your own foods, animal husbandry, making your own textiles or clothing, cleaning & household products, finding green energy alternatives, and leading a more simplistic lifestyle.

What is a Prepper?

Now looking at Prepping, it is essentially preparing for emergency situations. Preppers store large amounts of long-term food & water storages, learn survival skills such as fire making, shelter building, water purification, trapping, communication skills, defense skills, and basic medical or first aid skills. Preppers use many of the same methods as homesteaders to ensure that in the event of an emergency they are able to be fully self-sufficient and self-reliant. That’s not to say that there are not some slight differences.

One difference would be that it is common for preppers to also stockpile weapons and ammunition for self defense situations depending on their preparedness plans. Because preppers prepare for different threats and emergencies the amount of this particular defense prep varies. Many Preppers also tend to prepare for life after critical events, whereas homesteaders tend to focus on the present.

A Third Option: Prepsteading !

A Prepsteader would be a variation of the above two; both homesteader and prepper. While they strive to be self-sufficient in the short-term utilizing all of the basic homesteading skills, they also prepare for coming major hardships whether man-made or natural disasters. This helps to provide for immediate needs and teaches important skills that will be beneficial in the future.

(Here at The Trailer Park Homesteader, we believe that it is important to be a good mixture of both!)

Are You A Homesteader, Prepper, or Prepsteader?

What Are Your Thoughts?

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