Wild vegetable cache

[Gr3g]

There has been a lot of discussion recently regarding caches, with most placing their cache's on-route to their BOL. These items generally tend to be weapons, food items, clothing etc.

From what I can also see there seems to a consensus that it's best to stay put for a while, versus heading for the hills at the first sign of trouble. Many of us have food supplies capable of keeping us going for a few months to a few years, and a number have extensive gardens or allotments where they can grow their own fresh produce. Fresh produce is more nutritious and extends the use of your other preps. However gardens, and especially allotments can be a chellenge to secure, in a disaster people will munch through all of the easily accessible food sources.

These gardening challenges got me thinking about wild vegetable caches, which follow the same prinicple as other survival caches. You plant vegetables in some unlikely locations, along river banks & streams, in parks and forests and on basically any other un-used open space where you're not breaking the law...this may be hard to justify

I see the potential for this to be almost unlimited, it is however going to be incredibly challenging to have these items hiding in plain sight whilst protecting them from pests, bugs and general plant disease. The vegetables therefor need to be robust, and naturally resistant to disease, and capable of growing with the minimum of maintenance.

It should be possible to have multiple fresh cache's close to your bug in location, bug out location and between each location which significantly improves your standard of living in the event of a PAW.

* Has anyone else any experience with this?
* Does anyone have any recommendations on robust and naturally pest resistant vegetables?

Any other thoughts on the viability of this?

[KnightoftheRoc]

I sort of do this every time I go hiking. I like to bring some apples along as snacks, and I'll toss the cores into promising looking spots, in hopes the tree will take root and survive. I think of it as my gift to the next guy, who might just be me. The problem with the plan is the lack of heirloom produce on the market- the hybrid stuff is much less likely to survive long enough to make a first crop, and a second or third is almost entirely out of the question.

What I prefer to do is make notes of already-naturally occurring food stores in my area, so I can take advantage of them when they are in season. Since a lot of my area has been part of a farm at one time or another, finding remnants of an orchard or what used to be cultivated berries isn't uncommon- finding it where you aren't trespassing, tho, is.

Wild foods are much more common than most people think- you'd be amazed at what food sources you walk past without realizing it everyday. Dandelion greens, chicory, all sorts of "weeds" we don't normally even register seeing can be utilized. I'm just a newb at this, and I'm already looking at my own yard in a whole new way. You should do a search on WoodsWalker's posts, and a few other users regarding wild edibles- the education awaiting is awesome. Check the bushcraft subforum out.

[Anianna]

I think the trick is to find a species suited to the location. In VA, there are lots of people who have apple trees, but not necessarily the sort of apples you find in the store. They are not large apples, but they are hardy and tasty and grow well here. I have two of them in my yard and plan to plant some more. These would be great for planting in various locations along a route in VA. Check your extension office to learn which food plants are considered native to your location. Those will be more likely to grow naturally along a bug out route.

ETA: Harvesting and keeping the seeds of these native or hardy plants is also a good prep idea.

[BigDaddyTX]

One of our members grows sunchokes in random spots. Apparently they do well with little maintenance. I'd think it would be practical to try to setup a bed of them along the way if you were so inclined. I'd consider your AO of course when picking it, but something like a tree might takes years to be useful whereas a bed of Jerusalem artichokes (sunchoke, same thing) can be harvested in a year, and I suspect if you left it alone would only get larger and larger.

[Blast]

One of our members grows sunchokes in random spots. Apparently they do well with little maintenance. .

He also does the same with lamb's quarter, manioc, wild plums, asparagus, and cana lilies.
All these are more wild than domesticated.

I'll warn you right now, trying to raise domesticated plants in the wild and unattended is usually a lost cause. These plants gave up all their strengths and defenses in return for our protection. They will quickly be devoured, desiccated, or otherwise destroyed out in the wild. You are much better off learning wild edibles than tossing seeds.

-Blast

[Gr3g]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I had no idea what heirloom seeds were so I did a little digging, now I completely understand their importance and how if my plan was to work I'd need them. On another website there were a number of links to heirloom seed suppliers: http://www.chow.com/food-news/54965/10- ... suppliers/

Out of them all I'm going to place an order with Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds - rareseeds.com: Good prices and most of all it's clearly much more than a shop, but a way of life and a community. There is so much information on the site

I'll warn you right now, trying to raise domesticated plants in the wild and unattended is usually a lost cause. These plants gave up all their strengths and defenses in return for our protection. They will quickly be devoured, desiccated, or otherwise destroyed out in the wild. You are much better off learning wild edibles than tossing seeds.

-Blast

This is my biggest concern, however there are things which can be done to mitigate the risks such as netting if the area is concealed enough. Planting within other bushes to limit consumption by the local wildlife, and even planting together with other vegetables and flowers which are natural deterents.

I'm also a complete novice when it comes to foraging for food in my AO, tonight I found a local food producer who runs classes which introduce you to the wild edibles in both local forests and along the coastline...cant wait to get started. Thanks for the advice on the posts from Woods Walker, that man in a legend!

Perhaps this will become part of a series of posts looking at the feasibility of creating wild vegetable caches. It will be a fun and altogether valuable exercise since the conditions will more or less be the same one may experience in a PAW.

[VinnieD]

I'd go with naturally occuring plants for your area that grow wild. That way you know it can survive unattended.

Wild onions are practically a weed with their heartiness. They're tough, self reproducing, so a few plants will spread over time, and perenial, so they keep growing every year. In warmer climates they'll keep growing all through the winter. On top of that, buts HATE them. They won't touch them, and they even repel pests on nearby plants. At a distance they're mistaken for grass, so no one really bothers them. An additional benefit is you can just keep harvesting the leaves during your hike and leave the bulbs during practice bug outs and leave the bulbs for the real thing.

In my area wild blackberries tend to just show up in areas wherever vines grow. (problem is it tends to intermingle with poison ivy, so getting the berries is a bit of a challenge). Plant a few of those and you'll have a wild vineyard in a few years. As a bonus, even if someone else discovers them, they'd probably just pick a snack, and leave the plants alone since they're beneficial to hikers and wildlife.

I'd suggest doing research on what grows naturally where you live, and locate some wild plants during your hikes, to transplant to your Bugout route,rather than buying cultivated plants.

[Illini Warrior]

a lot of the berry bushes, planted enmass, also make great natural defensive obstacales .... block someone's advance or channel them in the direction you desire .....

[TCC]

One bad thing I can see about planting things in he wild on the way to your BOL would be the fact that if you are out in the middle of no where carrying in gardening supplies, someone may see your activity and think you're growing pot. Even though you're not, it's probably not best to be reported to the authorities because then people will know about your cache.

[drifts14x]

This is a great topic, I have been wanting to do the same thing in my AO.

Assuming you could grow wild onions, will they survive a cutting, like if you cut grass? My house backs up to an area that the state cuts once a month. I was thinking about planting some there in lieu of grass, but I was wondering if the action of cutting them would kill them outright.

[BigDaddyTX]

This is a great topic, I have been wanting to do the same thing in my AO.

Assuming you could grow wild onions, will they survive a cutting, like if you cut grass? My house backs up to an area that the state cuts once a month. I was thinking about planting some there in lieu of grass, but I was wondering if the action of cutting them would kill them outright.

It won't kill them, but I don't know how long it would take before they came back. The best part of a wild onion is the bulb, which is underground anyway. The stalks are okay for seasoning, but they're pretty tough to chew unless you cut them small IMO.

[Tank Woman]

This thread brings to mind "guerilla gardening", and specifically seed bombs. How I think it relates is that you can do your planting on the down-low.
Hiker out walking, sees a sunny spot off the trail that seems to get plenty of water, leans down to look at pretty pretty flower, slips a seed bomb in a choice spot.

whoops, edited to add: Info about seed balls and bombs http://www.guerrillagardening.org/ggseedbombs.html

[KnightoftheRoc]

This is a great topic, I have been wanting to do the same thing in my AO.

Assuming you could grow wild onions, will they survive a cutting, like if you cut grass? My house backs up to an area that the state cuts once a month. I was thinking about planting some there in lieu of grass, but I was wondering if the action of cutting them would kill them outright.

In NY State, about a week, in summer. That's how fast the ones in my yard seem to go. since I doubt the state cuts every week (well, not the same spot), they should be fine.

[drifts14x]

That is all fantastic news/data.

I can't wait to grow some wild onions.

Now I'm officially a threadjacking jerk, but I wonder what other plants would grow in the same manner? Grass lookalikes with edible roots or other parts.

[TCC]

That is all fantastic news/data.

I can't wait to grow some wild onions.

Now I'm officially a threadjacking jerk, but I wonder what other plants would grow in the same manner? Grass lookalikes with edible roots or other parts.

Dandelions come to mind.

[KnightoftheRoc]

That is all fantastic news/data.

I can't wait to grow some wild onions.

Now I'm officially a threadjacking jerk, but I wonder what other plants would grow in the same manner? Grass lookalikes with edible roots or other parts.

It's not a thread-jack, IMO, it's completely on topic.
Talk to older relatives, see what they used to go foraging for when they were younger- if it was the same area, of course. If Grandma was raised in the Bahamas, and now lives next door to you in Idaho, the info's not going to be much use. Look over the smaller book shops, and see what they have on local plants for foraging- this can not only tell you what should work, but also may teach you of a few plants you didn't know of, and how to find/identify them. Pay close attention to lines like "...can be found in shady areas under certain trees, or in the windward side of rock outcroppings", or such- then try to plant your new wild foods in similar locations- not only will you have a 'standard' way of finding them, in places you did or did not plant them, but you'll have a much better chance of them surviving. You wouldn't expect something like prickly pear cactus to do well in a swamp location- you'd try to match the plant to it's best environment.

[VinnieD]

That is all fantastic news/data.

I can't wait to grow some wild onions.

Now I'm officially a threadjacking jerk, but I wonder what other plants would grow in the same manner? Grass lookalikes with edible roots or other parts.

Dandelions come to mind.

Dandilions are great. They grow wild, seeds are easy to come across, spread like wildfire and both the leaves and roots are edible. Dandilion leaves can be made into a tasty salad, or stewed like collard, mustard, or turnip greens. There are other weeds that have similarly edible leaves you may want to look into. Come to think of it put some bullion cubes, and a small vessel for boiling water in your But out Bag and you could turn your dandilion greens and wild onions into quite a nutritous stew.

Additionally the seeds of pine cones are edible. The seeds are at the base of the scales. You'll need to roast them over a fire to get them to open up. They're high in protein and fiber, and plentiful if you live in a pine heavy area. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_nut

[TacAir]

Used to go collect Asparagus from the ditch banks while the water was running into the field. Good by itself, great in soup.

Onions, carrots, potatoes seem to do well on their own.

Guerrilla gardening... just might work.

[KnightoftheRoc]

That is all fantastic news/data.

I can't wait to grow some wild onions.

Now I'm officially a threadjacking jerk, but I wonder what other plants would grow in the same manner? Grass lookalikes with edible roots or other parts.

Dandelions come to mind.

Dandilions are great. They grow wild, seeds are easy to come across, spread like wildfire and both the leaves and roots are edible. Dandilion leaves can be made into a tasty salad, or stewed like collard, mustard, or turnip greens. There are other weeds that have similarly edible leaves you may want to look into. Come to think of it put some bullion cubes, and a small vessel for boiling water in your But out Bag and you could turn your dandilion greens and wild onions into quite a nutritous stew.

Additionally the seeds of pine cones are edible. The seeds are at the base of the scales. You'll need to roast them over a fire to get them to open up. They're high in protein and fiber, and plentiful if you live in a pine heavy area. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_nut

The roots, like chicory, can be dried, ground, boiled, and enjoyed as a coffee substitute, as I am informed. Still having REAL coffee available to me, I haven't tried this yet. Nor, TBH, am I likely to anytime soon.

[drifts14x]

Dandelions, now that sounds like a great way to appease my aesthetic sense while taking over the area behind my house!

Conveniently, there are tons of pine trees nearby.

Now I just need to get the onions and asparagus planted near the pond and I'll be well on my way to hitting the self-sufficiency mark.

[VinnieD]

You'll find this website useful. http://eattheweeds.com

[Weaver]

What about rhubarb? I know for a fact that there's a least one patch growing quite happily on a Scottish island that's been uninhabited for decades so while human intervention helps it's not necessary. Probably not the easiest to cook though.

Ad for edible weeds, don't forget about nettles. Nutritious, apparently tasty, and will spead like mad given the chance.

[Blast]

Another good site for wild edibles information:
http://www.foragingtexas.com/

-Blast (aka Merriwether)

p.s. To me, dandelion coffee tastes even better than real coffee. However, dandelions do not contain caffeine, but luckily yaupon holly leaves do. The combination of dandelion root and yaupon holly leaves is AWESOME.

[KnightoftheRoc]

I like this one, myself; http://learningherbs.net