The Crops I'd Grow If Food Prices Got Worse

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares essential crops to grow in response to rising food prices. Emphasizing calorie-dense and nutritious options, they recommend potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squash, and beans as top choices for long-term food security. They also highlight supporting crops like garlic, onions, cabbage, ginger, and turmeric, which offer medicinal benefits and promote gut health. The speaker encourages efficient gardening practices and stresses the importance of growing crops that provide both sustenance and well-being, while also offering a gardening course to optimize results. Overall, the goal is to thrive despite economic challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rising food prices are a growing concern, and growing your own crops can provide a solution to combat these increasing costs.
• 🍠 Potatoes are a top choice for a high-calorie crop that stores well over the winter and provides substantial nutrition when grown at home.
• 🍠 Sweet potatoes are a nutrient-dense, low-maintenance crop that thrives in poor soil and stores for a year or more, making them an excellent survival food.
• 🎃 Winter squash varieties, like Jaredale and Tahesian melon squash, offer high yields and can be stored for extended periods, providing essential nutrients.
• 🌱 Dried beans are a cost-effective, protein-packed crop that can last for years and are easy to grow, making them an essential staple for food security.
• 🧄 Garlic is not only a powerful antimicrobial but also easy to grow, store for the winter, and provides significant health benefits when used regularly.
• 🧅 Onions are an important prebiotic that supports gut health, storing well throughout the winter and complementing the digestive system.
• 🥬 Fermented foods, such as cabbage, play a vital role in promoting a healthy gut microbiome, which is essential for overall well-being.
• 🧑‍🍳 Ginger and turmeric are medicinal powerhouses that can be grown easily, offering digestive benefits and storing well for long periods.
• 🍅 Tomatoes, particularly Roma tomatoes, can be used to make sauce, paste, and powder, which are versatile ingredients for many meals, with additional health benefits like lycopene.
• 🌶 Bell peppers contain more vitamin C per cup than citrus fruits and can be preserved through fermentation or smoking, providing a nutrient-dense addition to your garden.

Q & A

Why should we focus on growing calorie-dense crops instead of just leafy greens in the garden?

Leafy greens have their place, but as food prices rise, it's crucial to focus on calorie-dense crops like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and beans. These crops provide the necessary energy to sustain us during lean times, making them more valuable in the long run.

What makes potatoes an ideal crop to grow for food security?

Potatoes are rich in nutrients and can store well throughout the winter. They are a reliable source of calories and energy, and with proper storage, they can last for months, making them an essential crop for food security.

How do sweet potatoes thrive in poor soil?

Sweet potatoes require minimal fertilization and actually thrive in poor, sandy soils. Over-fertilizing can lead to smaller yields, so they are ideal for gardens where resources may be limited or where the soil quality isn't optimal.

What are the benefits of growing winter squash like Jaredale or Tahesian melon squash?

Winter squashes like Jaredale and Tahesian melon squash produce high yields from a single plant and store well for the winter. These squashes are packed with nutrients and offer a fresh, sustainable food source that doesn't require refrigeration.

Why are dried beans considered an undervalued crop?

Dried beans are rich in protein and fiber, making them a great food source. While they require some effort to shell, they are easy to grow, store indefinitely, and are much more affordable than buying them from the store, especially organically.

What role do medicinal plants like garlic, onions, and ginger play in a garden focused on survival and health?

Garlic, onions, and ginger are not only food but also have medicinal properties. Garlic is antimicrobial, onions are prebiotic for gut health, and ginger supports digestion. These crops provide essential health benefits and can reduce the need for medical treatments, especially as prices rise.

How does cabbage contribute to a thriving gut microbiome?

Cabbage, especially when fermented, provides natural probiotics that support a healthy gut microbiome. This enhances digestion and boosts immunity, helping to maintain overall health even in resource-constrained environments.

Why is fermentation important for some crops like cabbage and bell peppers?

Fermentation increases the nutritional value of certain crops by introducing beneficial bacteria and enzymes. This process makes them easier to digest and helps preserve them for longer periods, which is crucial when preparing for long-term food sustainability.

What are the advantages of homegrown tomatoes over store-bought ones?

Homegrown tomatoes are far superior in flavor and nutritional content compared to store-bought varieties, which often lack taste and nutrients. You can use homegrown tomatoes to make fresh sauce, tomato paste, and even shelf-stable tomato powder.

Why are bell peppers considered an excellent source of vitamin C?

Bell peppers contain more vitamin C per cup than citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. They are a great source of this essential nutrient, which helps boost immunity and overall health, especially in a diet focused on survival and sustainability.