Survival Seed Vault: Grow Your Own Garden
What if the secret to survival was not in a bunker full of canned food but in a tiny seed no bigger than a freckle? Sounds too simple to be true, but the power of a survival garden is exactly that: simple yet potentially life-saving.
It makes all the difference when disaster strikes or the food supply chains break down to have the capacity to grow one's own food.
In a world that, day to day, is becoming increasingly unpredictable, knowledge of how to grow your own food can be a very strong way of making sure that your family is safe and sound.
In a survival garden, you do not rely on the grocery store shelves that are emptied any given day; rather, you develop your reliable source of food right in your very own backyard.
Whether it is economic instability, natural disasters, or even a desire for greater self-sufficiency, a survival garden will eliminate those concerns and gain control over those unknowns.
At the heart of every fantastic survival garden is one single ingredient: seeds.
These, again, are not ordinary seeds: heirloom seeds. The special part about growing heirloom varieties is that these types of seeds can be saved and replanted year after year.
Hybrid seeds are bred in general for the single growing season, but with heirloom seeds, your garden will keep going, ensuring sustainable food supplies.
In fact, heirloom crops are supposed to be more robust, favorable, and nutritious than the hybrid or non-hybrid variations.
We'll talk about the best seeds to grow in your survival garden and the essentials you'll want to have built to help create a garden that will not only survive but thrive against all that's thrown its way.
What Makes a Seed "Best" for Survival?
Preparing for an emergency or simply setting up a sustainable lifestyle calls for numerous preparation steps.
Selecting the proper survival seeds to seed the food plot for this very important undertaking would prove essential, making a difference in providing your family and yourself with sustenance every year from here to eternity.
Yet, not all seeds are alike. So, what is perfect for your own garden? Let us dig deep into some of the main characteristics.
• Long shelf life and proper storage.
An extended shelf life is one survival characteristic of seeds. Any seeds packed for long-term storage come within any prepper's budget.
This avoids exposure to the need for moisture, light, or air that degrades its quality.
Seeds under appropriate storage and proper conditions remain in a great state for extended years; 5 to 10 years might not be beyond it. For the future, that's an excellent long-term investment.
Many seed vaults or survival seed kits come with instructions for properly storing seeds to ensure their viability when you actually need them most.
Proper storage concerns the maintenance of conditions through which seeds will hold their germination rates. It is a badly stored seed that loses its chance to sprout and will render you with either a bad yield or, worse still, no food at all.
The best survival seeds are pre-packed and sealed so they keep off temperature shocks, moisture, and infestation by animals, hence making them germinate highly when cultivated.
• High germination rates.
This is, perhaps, the most basic among the greatest characteristics of the top survival seeds in the market; germination rates are very high.
High-germination seeds provide a higher potential for the chances that the seedling will actually grow strong and healthy enough to produce as much food for you and your loved ones as they can.
Waste hours of work and valuable time and resources spent on disappointing harvests with seedlings of subpar quality through low germination rates.
Choose varieties that have been tested and proven to have excellent germination rates when selecting seeds. This is one of the first indicators of a good-quality seed, ensuring that when it's time to plant, your seeds will grow into a reliable food source.
• Suitability for diverse climates and soil types.
Another factor to look for in survival seeds is adaptability to the most diverse of climates and soils.
Whether you are spending your time in a hot, dry desert or a colder, wet region, you will want to select seeds that will thrive well in your particular USDA hardiness zone.
While some seeds have better adaptations for specific climates, it is really important to pair the seed to your environment.
There are seeds that are extremely hardy and will thrive even with conditions that may not be capable of allowing certain plants to live, such as herb seeds.
• Nutritional value and versatility in cooking.
Probably, one of the best qualities that survival seeds possess is that they are not genetically modified and heirloom quality.
Hybrid seeds do not develop viable seeds for further planting after a certain time, but heirloom seeds have been proven and tested by generations of people.
It is lovely when heirloom seeds can be salvaged from a season's harvest and replanted in the future. This will give you a survival seed vault- a collection of seeds that can sustain you over the long run.
With true-to-type heirloom vegetables, fruits, herbs, and vegetables, you could get seeds out of the harvest and end up with the very same crop the following year.
This reusability would make it one of the finest long-term survival options since, come next growing season, you can use seeds again from your very own garden because you won't have to shop for new ones.
• Non-GMO and heirloom qualities for seed saving.
It's the same thing as quantity for a survival garden: quality.
It simply means the search for those seeds that would blossom into those veggies, fruits, and herbs containing the needed vitamins, minerals, and calories.
Beans, potatoes, and squash are high-energy crops since they contain lots of calories. Health and restoration to your immune system are brought by leafy greens and medicinal herbs.
Non-GMO and heirloom seeds have the benefit that the crops you produce will be nutritional but also devoid of any chemicals harmful to the consumer.
The perfect combination of herb seeds and vegetables will provide an assortment of tastes and nutrients for easy preparation of meals that would keep your family healthy and nourished during such challenging times.
Top Essential Seed Varieties for Survival Gardens
While developing a survival garden, you need crops that are both nutritious and resilient enough to withstand the varying conditions.
Be it planning for long-term food security or just wanting to ensure your family can sustain itself in tough times, the seeds chosen are a vital part of that.
Here are some of the best seed varieties for anyone to create a sustainable garden that will provide all of the survival essentials you need.
A. High-Calorie Staples
Corn
Corn is one of those survival crops in high demand and for a host of reasons: it is amazingly versatile, applicable to so many uses -whether flour, meal, or used as a veggie- making it perfect and suitable for almost every survival garden as it can generate high yields through diverse conditions.
On the other hand, corn can furnish calories per square foot that significantly sustain one.
Here are heirloom varieties of corn available in a seed vault that are non-GMO, thereby saved and planted season after season.
These have essential minerals, including magnesium and phosphorus, which enable you to endure trying times while keeping your body healthy.
Potatoes (via seed potatoes)
Potatoes are one more fantastic survival crop because they easily grow and, per square foot, generate a lot of calories.
The seed potatoes for planting are basically small pieces of potatoes and are used in order to have new plants arise. They will thrive in quite a variety of climates.
Therefore, they are incredibly adaptable. They are a great crop to store for a long time since they can be stored in a cool, dry place for months, even during the winter.
When preserved correctly, they can be used in mashed potatoes and soups or even be transformed into dehydrated meals for the future.
The germination rates of potatoes are outstanding, and they're an excellent crop to ensure that your family is fed in the bad times.
Winter Squash
Winter squash is another good crop to store long term, as is butternut or acorn squash.
These squashes are long-lasting on the shelf, full of carbs and vitamins, and thus will be a great source of energy and nutrients for your survival needs.
They grow easily and can tolerate cold temperatures, making them a reliable choice for a survival garden.
Winter squash can also be kept cool for months at a time so that during cold seasons, they will have available food.
Also, they are convenient to prepare as they can either be roasted or mashed or made into soups and stews.
B. Protein-Rich Crops
Beans
Beans are rich in protein and, therefore, must feature at the center of any survival garden for the prepper.
The pole or bush beans can serve as a perfect source of plant-based protein for sustaining energy and strength during emergency periods.
The great thing about beans is that they are easy to grow, and when they grow mature, dried seeds can be maintained for many years.
Dried beans are versatile in many meals, especially in preparing dinner, and they will give all the nutrients a family needs.
Some varieties that are specifically better suited for those climates and kinds of soil are black beans or kidney beans, which will produce much more consistently in survival environments.
Peanuts (or other legumes)
Another excellent source of protein is peanuts, which can be cultivated as an oil crop.
They are not difficult to grow in most climates and require very little care. Peanuts are an excellent crop for long-term storage, and they provide healthy fats that a person needs in a diet.
Sow peanuts in order to produce them on your own in oil or eat raw or roasted, which will provide very valuable protein and fat in a survival food kit.
Other similar legumes that are not genetically modified, like chickpeas and lentils, can provide high amounts of protein because they can be used in a wide variety of foods.
C. Hardy Leafy Greens
Kale
Kale is one of the healthiest plants to grow, and it just happens to be unusually cold-hardy.
It is quite productive and suitable for use throughout the calendar year in lots of climates, particularly if you are in one of the relatively milder USDA hardiness zones.
Here are all the healthy vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants included in kale that help your immune function and your whole body.
They grow fast and need little care, so they are an excellent plant to grow in any survival garden. They can be eaten fresh in salads, cooked with soups, or even dried for long periods of storage.
Swiss Chard or Spinach
Swiss chard or spinach are relatively fast-growing vegetables containing iron and vitamin K. They do well in cool temperatures, and they can also grow well on various soils.
Just like kale, both are rich in antioxidants and can help keep you healthy when it gets really tough.
You can make the following leafy greens part of your salads and soups or serve them with other dishes as side dishes.
However, they grow quickly, so you will be able to reap the benefits many times before you have had them before. Below are medicinal herbs that are multifunctional.
D. Medicinal and Multi-Use Herbs
Basil, Thyme, and Oregano
Herbs such as basil, thyme, and oregano are excellent for adding a burst of flavor to your dishes.
Beyond that, herbs have some medicinal properties, so you could get healthy when disaster strikes.
For instance, herbs can be prepared as teas, tinctures, or infusions to alleviate sore throats and digestive problems or help people relax.
And they grow pretty easily; in fact, most herbs do not require a lot of space in your garden.
Since these herbs can be placed directly into the garden and provide supplemental features in both fresh or dried form, the seeds represent a good choice for stocking away.
Having herb seeds on hand means you'll have ready access to medicinal plants when commercial supplies are unavailable.
Echinacea
Another herb that should be included in your survival garden is Echinacea. The herb is used and known for its immune-boosting features, which help one fight off the common cold and flu.
It is pretty easy to grow and can be harvested to make tinctures or teas. Echinacea is a marvelous plant that is suitable for long-term health.
It should, hence, be included on your survival kit list. Such a plant could be stored or dried for an entire year in preparation for its required use.
E. Essential Fruits and Perennials
Tomatoes (Roma and Cherry Varieties)
Tomatoes are one of the oldest crops and a must-have crop in any survival garden.
They come in several varieties, and the Roma and cherry tomatoes are very productive, with a great deal of which can be canned or dried. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A and C and are a great source of minerals.
Heirloom tomatoes are just perfect for individuals who want a crop to use year after year because you simply collect seeds that you harvested a season ago from the previous to plant the following season.
Their varieties are exhaustive, so their freshness is welcome in salads or cooked in any sauce, allowing them to keep longer. Really a must-grow for any successful self-sustaining garden.
Berries (Strawberries, Blueberries)
Berries, particularly strawberries and blueberries, are nutritionally significant.
They adapt to diverse climates, and since they are free from occupying much space, they are perfect for gardeners who have only just a few square feet to work on.
These fruits can be relished for their lusciousness, and then there is their antioxidant and vitamin content that will keep you healthy through emergencies.
Since you can freeze, dry, or make them into jams and jellies, berries can be kept for a good long time. If you provide the right methods of storage, they will eventually feed your family for many years.
Final Remark: Building a Survival Seed Kit
One of the best ways you could help to prepare for food security in the advent of disaster is having a survival seed kit ready to plant.
Perhaps you're preparing for a natural disaster, a breakdown of supply chains, or trying out a new phenomenon of self-sufficiency.
Whichever the reason for building a survival seed vault, the seed kit stands out among them in simplicity and effectiveness in feeding your family and providing sustenance when food sources are not readily available.
Let's break down why creating a survival seed vault is important.
The Benefits of Having a Ready-to-Plant Survival Seed Kit
A survival seed kit is sure to make you prepared for whatever comes next. Seeds in a survival seed kit would allow you to grow various vegetables, fruits, and herbs.
This could give you a balanced diet in trying times.
A mix of high-calorie crops such as potatoes and corn with beans that are a good source of protein would enable you to take care of the dietary needs of your family without relying on the grocery stores.
Added benefits are that seeds are portable, durable, and can be stored for years, which is a long-term investment in your future survival.
How to Store Seeds for Longevity
Proper seed storage is critical to ensuring that your seeds remain viable over time.
To maximize their shelf life, store your seeds in a cool, dry, and dark environment.
Opt for airtight containers, such as vacuum-sealed bags or mylar bags, to protect them from moisture and light. This method helps maintain the germination rates and overall quality of the seeds.
Moreover, you may also consider the seed vault, where your collection is kept in order and away from external factors that may ruin it, making your seeds always ready to be planted when you need them.
Why Diversified Seeds Matter to Food Security
A balanced survival garden needs a wide variety of seeds. You can grow a wide variety of vegetables and fruits, medicinal herbs, and many other types of crops using both non-GMO and heirloom seeds.
A diverse crop will ensure that you meet all your nutritional needs as well as long-term survival needs.
Every seed variety is something special you add to your diet, like vitamins and minerals, protein, and calories, which would sustain your family in case of an emergency.
Featured Product Highlight: Heaven's Harvest Ultimate Heirloom Vegetable Seed Kit
Heaven's Harvest Ultimate Heirloom Vegetable Seed Kit is one of the survival seed vault options.
Over 30 heirloom varieties of vegetables are contained within this kit, thus offering a rounded selection of crops that will be necessary to obtain all the nutritional benefits.
It is GMO-free and allows for long-term storage, which is perfect for a prepper to ensure that food can be grown in any given situation.
With easy-to-store packaging and an extended shelf life, this kit is ideal for anyone looking to begin survival gardening.
So, what are you waiting for? Prepare today, and tomorrow's harvest will be your greatest asset when survival depends on what you can grow.
