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As inflation and prices soar, working families seek different ways to put food on the table without breaking the budget. When food scarcity and economic recession is on the horizon, how can Nebraskans weather the storm?
In addition to hunting and fishing, gardening and backyard chickens are fun and delicious ways for your family to become more self-sufficient. While the summer harvest months are already well underway, it's never too late to consider starting a garden. July is the perfect month to prepare for fall crops and even begin thinking about planting for winter and next spring.
Liberty Gardens started during WWI in an effort to combat food shortages and were later renamed Victory Gardens closer to
the end of the war. Armed conflict is not
the only thing which can cause famine and food insecurity: drought, pests, and excessive storms in regions which heavily export product, lack of labor in the agricultural sector, government policies and trade agreements, and other factors can impact worldwide food networks. Individuals face their own economic hardships with single income households, loss of a job, underemployment and skyrocketing food prices.
When so much is out of our control, it's important to put into perspective what IS within our control. Being empowered is the difference between struggling and thriving during hard times. Starting a small garden can save a few hundred dollars per month in food costs. 500 square feet of garden space can comfortably feed two people plus a little extra. 1,000 square feet can feed a family. Starting with a few patio pots can help build confidence and alleviate a bit of your grocery bill.
As summer crops are producing, the act of canning, fermenting, and freezing extra food can help fill in the gap during winter. Regardless of if you started a spring/summer garden or not, now is the perfect time to begin prepping cool season crops which grow better outside of the sweltering Nebraska heat.
Start seeds in July to plant in late August or early September:
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Lettuce
Radishes
Spinach
and more!
Plant crops such as carrots, squash, onions, and pumpkins directly in the ground. Even tomatoes make a great autumn crop until the first frost. Most crops are container friendly if you're starting with a patio garden.
Did you know you can plant in fall for a winter harvest, too? The chill even enhances the flavor of these vegetables, producing more sugar which acts as type of anti-freeze. Consider cold-hardy plants such as carrots, cabbage, and collard greens. While many hens tend to reduce egg production during the winter, some will lay well in the cold months if they are well fed. Lights in the coop will also encourage laying during the darker months. If you're fortunate to have a wood burning stove, now is a good type to procure seasoned wood for the upcoming cool weather to warm your home. Remember to clean your chimney of creosote to prevent a potential house fire.
Self-sufficiency through gardening isn't just for the warm half of the year. We can work with nature's seasons to produce food all year long. Read more about Liberty Gardens and advocating for food freedom in Nebraska here.
Without too much extra effort, casual homesteading prepares folks for the worst case scenario and benefits the household rain or shine by cutting expenses and creating fun activities for the whole family to do together. Once we're stable, we can better help others in need, as well, giving back to our communities through farmers markets and donating to food pantries. There's also nothing quite like eating a freshly picked fruit or vegetable from your own garden.
The Lancaster County Libertarian Party hosts business meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at Big Red Keno on West O St in Lincoln, NE at 7pm. Consider joining us for burgers and beer sometime soon!
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