This photo, taken Monday, August 18^th, shows Missouri Wonder pole beans, planted in 3-gallon buckets of soil, growing up strings on a bean tower.

            Time for true confessions.  I had good intensions of showing this last month when the beans looked like a lush, green tropical jungle.  They’re past their prime now, but are still producing, in spite of having been through storms, including hail once.  Insect damage hasn’t been too serious.  Weather is a little cool for August at my location, so maybe plants are getting ready for fall.  There are probably 30 plants growing up the tower.  At least one couldn’t be dissuaded from latching onto the electric pole guy wire.

            From my reading of the experiences of other gardeners, Missouri Wonder beans may not be as flavorful as the more popular Kentucky Wonder beans or similar varieties, but the vines are said to handle stress well.  When it comes to survival gardening, having a productive bean is more important than having the most flavorful bean in my opinion.

            These beans had excellent germination when I planted them in late April.  They started producing abundantly in late June and early July, but slowed a little as the summer has progressed.  At first I got handfuls of large beans daily, but now I harvest about every other day.  So far we’ve put at least a dozen bags in the freezer, in addition to several bags kept in the fridge now and then for fresh eating.  I’ve never grown pole beans before, so have been quite impressed with the results.  I plan to save some of the seeds as well.

            I share all of this with you to show you what is possible for your survival gardening efforts, even if you have limited space, poor soil, or other adverse conditions.  Choose pole beans you like, try them on a tower, then watch the bean factory go to work.  If you have experiences you’d like to share regarding beans you’ve grown, please feel free to leave a comment.

            Many are looking for any way possible to save on food, energy, and transportation costs.  Consider hydroponic gardening.  It enables you to grow indoors, all year round, without using soil.  Hydroponic gardening uses less space and can produce high yields.  Hydroponics allows you greater control over what you grow.  Since you can grow during winter months, you don’t have to go without fresh, home grown greens or herbs.

Hydroponics doesn’t have to be complicated.  There are several methods ranging from the simple to the very complex, and they all work, providing you give your plants what they need.  Like you and me, they need food, water, a comfortable temperature, and air.  Of course, plants also need light for photosynthesis.

As for nutrients, pre-mixed nutrient solutions can be found from a variety of sources or can be made by you, the home gardener.  If you are a beginner at hydroponic gardening you don’t have to be a chemistry whiz.  You may want to keep things simple and opt for the pre-mixed nutrient solutions.  You just need to be sure that nutrients are fully dissolved in the mixture before being circulated through the vegetable plants' root systems.  The nutrient solution can be used for a maximum of two weeks when plants are small.  When your plants have matured the nutrient solution should be replaced every week. One benefit of hydroponics is it doesn’t require nearly as much water as soil gardening.

            Plants have different requirements for light, temperature, and humidity.  Often a serious problem growing indoors is that plants don’t get enough light.  You can spend a lot of money on lighting systems, or buy shop lamps and fluorescent bulbs to place close to your plants.

            One of the simplest ways to grow hydroponically is to use self watering planters, such as those you can purchase from WindowBox.com and Gardener’s Supply, whose logos you see on this page.

            I recommend getting a copy of The Hydroponic Garden Guide.  Just click here.  It provides you with everything you need to know to get started with hydroponics and covers all of the bases so that you understand the essentials.  The Hydroponic Garden Guide doesn't just focus on the advantages of hydroponics in a theoretical way. As noted on the author’s web site, it combines a broad outlook with step-by-step instructions, handy checklists and solid "do this" information.  The Hydroponic Garden Guide gives you a wealth of information and tips for making hydroponic gardening part of your life. It's an honest, straightforward guide.

            Why wait?  Get started now by clicking here for your copy of The Hydroponic Garden Guide and discover the fun and efficiency of survival gardening year round for yourself.

            Earlier this summer we featured Survival Sally’s series of seven articles called “Family Survival School”.  They pass along 27 suggestions for activities you and your family can do together to develop or enhance your survival skills.  Now, you can have these same 27 tips in one place, and there’s no cost to you.  That’s right.  This $14.97 e-booklet is yours absolutely free!

Among the activities, you’ll discover some  are fun and some are challenging; but the objective is to discover practical new ways of being prepared.  For example, how well could you go for a day or the whole weekend without electricity or electronic devices?  What survival supplies could you purchase from the coupons and ads in the Sunday paper?  How well can you and your children identify edible wild plants and animals?  Those are just three hints about the family activities you’ll discover in “Family Survival School”.  You can do any or all of these 27 activities.  Give one or two a try this weekend.

Of course, in “Family Survival School” there are no quizzes or grades.  Life will present you with enough tests.

            You can get your free copy of “Family Survival School”—valued at $14.97–simply by filling in your name and e-mail address in the upper part of the right sidebar on this page.  Plus, you’ll discover you get a bonus when you get your e-booklet, and everybody likes a little icing on the cake.  So, get your free copy of “Family Survival School” right away.  Start strengthening family bonds while at the same time you’re preparing for survival.

            It surprised me to learn that a couple of my nephews started school on Wednesday.  That seems awfully early to me.  Where did the summer go?  Regardless of when your children are going to school, you should investigate how well your family and the school are each prepared in the event of a major emergency.

You’ll want to check your child’s school Web site or call the school office to request a copy of the school’s emergency plan.  Then keep a copy at home and work or other places where you spend a lot of your time.  Make sure the school’s plan is incorporated into your family’s emergency plan.

This would also be a good time to learn about the disaster plans at your place of work.  How well prepared are you in the event of an emergency while you’re at work and your child is at school?

A really neat kit idea is the One Person Economy Lunchbox Survival Kit from QuakeKare.  Here’s a list of its contents.

 (1) ER Food Bars - U.S. Coast Guard approved. 3 day supply for 1 person, 5 Year Shelf-life.

(3) Water Boxes w/ Straws - U.S. Coast Guard approved. 3 day supply for 1 person, 5 Year Shelf-life.

(1) Thermal Blankets - Designed by NASA to retain body heat! Lightweight and compact. Fits in your pocket!

(10) Water Purification Tablets - To purify unsanitary water. One tablet purifies one liter of water.

(1) Lightsticks - 12 hours of bright green light at the snap of a finger! 4 year shelf life formula.

(1) 33-piece First Aid Kit - Comprehensive first aid kit in plastic case. Lightweight and compact.

(1) Tissue Packs - Help maintain sanitary conditions. Multi-task sheet.

(1) Dust Masks - Prevents dust and germ inhalation. Reduces risk of inhaling toxins.

(1) Pair Vinyl Gloves (in 1st aid kit) - Protects hands from infection. Maintains sanitary conditions.

All of the above is packaged in a lunchbox style container.  That makes it easy to store.  QuakeKare offers quantity discounts so your school or office can order as many as they need.

To find out more about the discounts or to order your own personal lunchbox survival kit, click on the quakeKare Logo, then go to the School Kits category near the top of the left sidebar on their home page.  You'll see a page with several choices.  Click on the picture of the 1 Person Economy Lunchbox Survival Kit. 

Add this kit to your child’s school supplies and be ready for the unexpected.  Get one for that college bound student, too. 

            If you’re new to hunting or fishing for survival, but aren’t sure you’re ready for reading books and watching DVD’s, subscribe to a magazine.  You’ll get acquainted with a number of topics and get tips you might not know how to find on your own.  There are dozens of magazines devoted to hunting, fishing, and other aspects of outdoor life, so which one do you choose?

            Allow me to suggest “Fishing and Hunting News”.  Magazania says it’s the most complete source of local outdoor information and features expert advice on where to go and what to use to land more fresh and saltwater species, as well as local hunting opportunities.

            “Fishing and Hunting News” publishes 24 issues a year, so you know you’ll be kept up to date.  Right now, Magazania is offering a 61% discount off the cover price!  To subscribe, click on the image of “Fishing and Hunting News” below, which will take you to Magazania’s site so you can order.

            The next time you’re waiting at the doctor’s office, you don’t have to flip through their six month old magazines.  Take your copy of “Fishing and Hunting News” and read what you want to read. To enhance your knowledge for survival.