Essential Plants to Cultivate During Emergency Situations
Need some quick guidance on what crops to grow during uncertain times? With the global pandemic shaking things up in 2020, many folks are looking to start a garden or make smarter decisions about their plant choices. Here's a breakdown of the best veggies to grow for a crisis garden or simply for preparing yourself in advance.
Talking to gardening gurus Kevin Espiritu of Epic Gardening and Melissa K. Norris of Pioneering Today, I learned some valuable insights about what crops excel in a disaster garden. During our chat, we discovered a whopping nine different picks for the ultimate crisis cropping!
The key takeaways from our conversation are:
- Grow what YOU and your fam will slurp down.
- Pick veggies that thrive in YOUR region.
- There isn't a "one-size-fits-all" solution – what works best for you will vary based on your specific situation and preferences.
So, without further ado, let's dive into our top nine crisis-proof crops.
Potatoes
Kevin's all-time favorite is the humble potato. They're a breeze to grow, harvest quickly, and pack a serious calorie punch, making them an excellent choice for survival situations. Plus, they can grow in raised beds, containers, or the ground with a high yield per square foot.
Learn how to potato-tastrophe-proof your garden (And get tips on storage here).
Beans
Melissa's numero uno choice is beans! They're simple to grow, versatile, and can be harvested as snap beans or shelling beans – or both! Melissa and I both favor pole beans for their increased productivity in a small space.
Find out which type of bean beans your beans about (Discover which bean is right for your bean game here).
Sweet Potatoes
My top pick is sweet potatoes, and I have several reasons for that:
- If you live in a region with a warm climate, like the southern US, sweet potatoes grow like a dream.
- The yield per square foot is fantastic, and you can consume both the greens and tubers for a nutritious meal.
- Sweet potatoes store like a boss, meaning you'll have a stash to feed your fam throughout the winter after your fall harvest.
Corn
Next on Kevin's list is corn. This calorie-dense crop is a winner during hard times. Plus, you can opt for sweet corn for tasty summer eats, or go for dent corn to make cornmeal for year-round cooking.
Snag some tips on cornucopia (Get the lowdown on growing corn).
Tomatoes
Melissa's second fave is the tasty tomato (but not just any tomato – we're talking paste tomatoes like San Marzano Lungo #2, Romas, or Amish Paste). They're perfect for preserving in sauces, salsas, and other canned goods for year-round use.
Get savvy about sowing salad-worthy tomatoes (Discover how to grow tomato-tastic tomatoes).
Lettuce/Greens
My second go-to is lettuce or other greens. As long as you can plant in early spring or fall, these bad boys grow fast and provide a concentrate of nutrients. Plus, they're simple and flexible – they can thrive in containers, raised beds, or ground gardens.
Herbs
Kevin rounds out his top three with an ace in the hole – herbs! Adding these flavor enhancers to your garden will make every meal delectable, even in crunch times. Since some herbs are annual (like basil and cilantro) and others are perennial (like rosemary and thyme), be sure to include both categories in your garden to keep it flavorful all year long.
Onions
Melissa's third choice is onions. She cooks with them pretty much daily, so she wants plenty on hand for family feasts. Onions are a versatile veggie and store well, provided you choose the right type, like yellow onions.
Need an onion-understanding guide? Check it out here (Discover how to grow onion-a-licious onions).
Squash/Winter Squash
I close out my top three with a slew of squash options (summer squashes, zucchini, and winter squash like spaghetti squash or butternut squash). Summer squashes are easy-peasy, grow fast in the spring and summer, and provide you with fresh veggies for sumptuous eats. Plus, winter squash can keep you fed during the chilly months.
While preparing a garden for a disaster situation isn't exactly a picnic, rest assured that Kevin, Melissa, and I all agree it's a smart move to get prepped. By growing your own food, you can reduce your dependence on grocery stores and help secure sustenance for yourself and your loved ones in challenging times. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's the importance of self-reliance and adaptability.
So, stock up on seeds, roll up your sleeves, and get to work on your crisis garden! Want even more knowledge? Check out these books Kevin, Melissa, and I wrote to help you become a master gardener – whether you're gardening in a crisis or just covering the basics.
Kevin's book, Urban Gardening
Melissa's book, The Family Garden Plan
My book, Vegetable Gardening for Beginners
- Enhance your veggie garden with a beneficial mix of crops, such as potatoes, beans, sweet potatoes, corn, tomatoes, lettuce/greens, herbs, onions, and squash/winter squash, as suggested by Kevin Espiritu and Melissa K. Norris, for a home-and-garden lifestyle that thrives healthy and sustainably, especially during uncertain times.
- To excel in your gardening endeavors, be sure to consider garden printables and podcasts, like those offered by Kevin, Melissa, and other experts, for additional guidance on techniques, plant selection, and creative approaches to gardening in challenging conditions.
- As you embark on your gardening journey, embrace a lifestyle that focuses on self-reliance and adaptability, connecting with nature and cultivating a deeper appreciation for the art of gardening, whether geared toward a crisis garden or for preparing yourself in advance.
