Mike

Are you a budding prepper eager to gain independence from the grocery store and grow your own food? Gardening for survival can give you the peace of mind you crave, allowing you access to fresh, nourishing produce sustainably sourced right in your backyard. 

We know what you’re thinking. “How do I know which foods to grow?” The reality is that there are hundreds of choices for what foods to grow in a survival garden. That’s why we’ve compiled our top picks for the best plants that will give you good, reliable yields season after season. 

Whether you’re just starting out with survival gardening or have been cultivating crops for years, read on as we explore why choosing the right plants to grow is essential for establishing your own food and security during uncertain times.

Why Survival Gardens Are So Great

Survival vegetable garden is the ultimate backyard must-have, providing a unique combination of tasty veggies and medicinal herbs that can be useful during this unpredictable period. Not only are they packed with essential vitamins and minerals, but they can also supply fats and carbohydrates, ensuring you and your family maintain a balanced diet during trying times. 

With fresh produce at your fingertips, you won’t have to worry about leaving your property for months, as your pantry will always be packed full of the nutrition you need. 

When it comes to taste, survival gardens are unbeatable too. The fruits and veggies grown in your backyard are organic and, dare I say it, far superior to store-bought produce. With heirloom varieties that cannot be found anywhere else, your survival garden is sure to hold some tasty surprises. 

Plus, gardening is an excellent way to stay fit, relieve stress, and enjoy some quality time outside. 

The Best Survival Garden Crops

Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes

This unassuming crop has been aiding humanity for centuries, helping populations survive times of famine worldwide. But don’t worry. You don’t have to live in the countryside to grow them. Potatoes can easily be grown in urban settings through the use of containers like five-gallon buckets or grow bags.

Moreover, they’re packed with important vitamins and minerals like potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. Sweet potatoes are also calorie dense and full of carbohydrates. Whether you prefer your spuds mashed, fried, baked, or anything in between, your Yukon golds will be food for your family.

Tomatoes

When planning your survival garden, it’s important to think about what crops will give you the most bang for your buck – or in this case, for your gardening efforts. That’s where tomatoes come in. 

These juicy, delicious fruits are a robust addition to any survival garden, providing not only a versatile ingredient that can be used in countless recipes but also heavy yields that will keep you well-fed in any situation. Whether you’re sun-drying them, canning them for later, or just popping them straight off the vine into your mouth, there’s no doubt that tomatoes are a must-have for any survivalist looking to stock up on tasty, nutritious produce.

Kale

When it comes to survival gardens, you can’t forget about the greens! Not only is kale a hardy crop that can withstand varying weather conditions, but it’s also a nutritional powerhouse. Plus, there are plenty of varieties to choose from, like the crinkled leaves of Red Russian kale or the smooth texture of Lacinato kale, aka dinosaur kale. 

But don’t let its tough exterior fool you–once cooked, kale becomes tender and tasty. So whether you’re whipping up a batch of soup or simply looking for a healthy side dish, kale is a must-have in your survival garden.

Lentils

Another survival garden crop that tends to get overlooked is lentils. These tiny legumes may not look like much, but they pack a powerful punch of protein – almost 18 grams per serving! Not only that, but they’re also one of the oldest crops in existence, which means they’ve been tried and tested for centuries. 

Lentils aren’t just for soups and stews, though. They’re versatile enough to throw into curries or salads, where they can absorb other flavors and become the perfect pairing with almost anything.

Carrots

Among the many plants to consider for your survival garden, carrots (and other root vegetables) should certainly top the list. Not only are they versatile and tasty, but they also come in a variety of fun colors to brighten up your garden. 

Better yet, carrots are known for being rich in antioxidants and nutrients that nourish your vision and overall health. So don’t overlook these crunchy delights when planning out your survival garden.

Garlic

Many preppers are surprised to learn how essential garlic really is for survival gardens. Not only is it a flavorful addition to any dish, but it’s also great for keeping pesky critters away from your other crops. And let’s face it, who doesn’t love the smell of garlic wafting through the air while putting together a delectable meal? 

As a bonus, it’s easy to store once it’s been dried, so you can add it to your emergency stockpile without worrying about it spoiling. All in all, garlic is definitely a must-have in any survival garden.

Lettuce

Lettuce is a great vegetable to grow in your survival garden, providing a tasty addition to any meal. You can choose from five varieties that grow well in home gardens: butterhead, summer crisp, iceberg, looseleaf, and romaine. Feel free to mix and match your lettuces to create a variety of dishes to satisfy your taste buds. 

While lettuce is a cool-weather crop, it can thrive in both spring and fall. One important tip is to make sure you space your seeds according to the lettuce variety so each plant has enough room to grow. With a bit of patience and care, your survival garden can provide fresh, delicious lettuce all year round!

Beans

When it comes to survival gardens, one crop that you absolutely need to consider is beans. And we’re not just talking about your average green beans here. Oh no, we’re talking about a whole world of dried beans that are just begging to be thrown into your favorite soups, stews, and chili recipes. 

From cowpeas to kidney beans to black beans, the possibilities are endless. Better yet, they’re incredibly budget-friendly, which is always a bonus when you’re trying to prepare for uncertain times. So go ahead, add some bean plants to your garden, and get ready to reap the rewards come harvest time.

Grains

Don’t forget to include grains in your survival garden lineup! Though they may require some extra elbow grease for preparation, the satisfaction of growing your own grains and eventually incorporating them into your meals is unbeatable. 

Sure, it may take a little extra effort to prepare the grains for consumption, but the end result will be worth it. Imagine the feeling of pride and self-sufficiency as you bake a loaf of bread using flour you’ve milled from your very own crops.

Start Survival Gardening Today!

Survival gardening can be intimidating at first, but breaking it down into individual crops is an easy and manageable way to get started. With a little planning and the right seeds, you’ll have plenty of fruits, vegetables, and herbs to feed yourself and your family in a time of need. 

As a prepper, you can’t beat the feeling of growing something you know you can depend on, giving you a sense of security amidst trying times. Moreover, if worst comes to worst, the rewards from your successful survival garden can include delicious snacks or tried-and-true recipes for meals that are sure to fortify you both inside and out! 

So don’t wait – get growing with these top crops so you can be prepared during any future emergency situation.

One of the keys to being prepared for a potential survival or SHTF situation is knowing what resources are available in your environment. A food source that can be foraged is particularly valuable. One such resource is moss.

Moss is abundant in many parts of the world. Some moss is edible if prepared properly. Moss can be easily gathered and prepared making it a survival resource you shouldn’t ignore. Keep reading to learn which moss is edible and how to prepare it.

Eating Moss Safely

Some moss is edible but certain varieties of moss are mildly toxic or even poisonous.It can be difficult to identify edible moss. Take great caution if you’re going to forage and eat moss. Do so at your own risk.

Even edible moss can cause illness if eaten raw or in large quantities. Be sure you know what type of moss you’re dealing with and prepare it correctly to avoid sickness. Because many mosses are found on or near the ground it can become contaminated from animal dropping or other things. For this reason cooking the moss is recommended.

Types of Edible Moss

Reindeer Moss (AKA Caribou Moss)

This moss is commonly found in the colder climates in the northern hemisphere. It is a short moss that grows on the ground up to an inch tall.

As the name suggests, Reindeer moss is the favorite food source for Reindeer and Caribou.

If you eat raw Reindeer moss it can cause an upset stomach. Natives in Canada and Alaska would boil Reindeer moss. They would then combine the moss with things like lard, berries, and fish eggs.

In the past natives used the moss to relieve kidney stones and digestive problems

Spanish Moss

This moss is commonly found in the southeast United States, Central, and South America. It thrives in humid subtropical and tropical climates.

Spanish moss will be seen hanging from trees like oaks and cypress trees. The moss can grow seven inches to twenty feet long and has small flowers.

The moss while edible, is only really suited for making tea as the edible portion is so tiny. To prepare Spanish moss steep it in boiling water to make a tea. Some say the flavor is improved by adding sugar.

Native Americans have used Spanish moss to treat pain and fevers. It can also help reduce blood sugar and the moss has antibacterial and medicinal properties.

Oak Moss

Like the name suggests, Oak moss likes to grow on oak trees. It is found in colder and mountainous regions of the northern hemisphere. The moss can resemble deer antlers and grow up to three inches long.

Oak moss should not be eaten raw. The acids in the moss can cause severe stomach pains when raw.

To properly prepare you should boil the moss, dumping the water and reboiling with fresh water at least twice. It is said the moss has a good flavor when prepared in this way.

Iceland Moss

This moss is found in Iceland and other cold parts of Europe and North America. The moss grows up to four inches long and is brown in color. You can safely eat iceland moss raw but like most moss, cooking is recommended.

Historically the moss was ground and used in breads or porridge . The moss is high in starch and can also be boiled to include in soups.

Besides eating, Iceland moss can be used to help constipation.

Wila

This moss is commonly found hanging from tree branches in the northwest United States and British Columbia in Canada. Native Americans in this region frequently harvested and ate Wila. The moss is brown in color and resembles tufts of hair hanging from the branches of conifer trees like pine and fir trees.

There are two main types of Wila. One of which is toxic and contains vulpinic acid. The other Wila variety is non-toxic and fully edible. Both types of Wila are found in the same areas so it and it can be difficult to tell the two apart.

The moss can be harvested any time of year. It can be difficult to reach due to it being high in trees. Traditionally a long stick with a hook was used to harvest the moss by tangling it with the stick then pulling it off the trees.

Preparing Wila requires boiling and thoroughly washing in running water. If boiling you should dump the water and reboil with fresh water multiple times to ensure all vulpinic acid is removed.

The moss can then be eaten plain, dried, or mixed with other ingredients for better flavor.

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