In a world filled with uncertainty, having the skills to sustain yourself and your family is invaluable. If you’re going to master one survival skill, cultivating your own food would be right up top. Since Covid, food shortages are real. And so is the skyrocketing price of fresh produce. There’s never been a better time to learn about the best crops to grow for survival. In this article, we explain how to choose the right crops for your climate and the best crops to grow for survival. You’ll learn about maintenance of your survival garden, including pest control and watering techniques. To round it out, we cover the essential aspects of harvesting and storing your precious crops for the long-term.

Why growing your own food just got more important

When it comes to survival, fresh food plays a pivotal role. By cultivating your own crops, you are taking control of your food supply and reducing your dependence on external resources.

We’ve seen it with our own eyes.

In times of crisis or disaster, traditional supply chains are disrupted, making it difficult to access fresh produce. This emphasizes the importance of self-sufficiency; the basic need for food growing skills. As agriculture has industrialized over the last 50 years, many have these skills have been lost. But they’re coming back in a big way.

Let’s find out why.

Why self-sufficiency is critical (again) to survival

In a survival scenario, self-sufficiency becomes vital.

By relying on your own resources and skills, you can significantly improve your chances of thriving. Cultivating your own food:

• provides a reliable source of sustenance, in the face of scarcity, and
• allows you to trade or barter any surplus crops for other essential items, creating a sustainable system within your community.

Self-sufficiency in agriculture not only provides you with a means of survival but also fosters a sense of independence and empowerment. By taking control of your food production, you are no longer at the mercy of external factors that can disrupt the food security of your family. You become the master of your own destiny, capable of providing for yourself and your community.

Not all survival food is equal

Your goal, in growing your own survival food is to create a steady food supply of highly nutritious and sustaining food options.

For survival food, you need high nutrition, calorie dense food that is long lasting and can be stored easily at room temperature for long periods.

Home-grown crops are also fresher and packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are vital for your survival well-being.

Think about the value of being able to optimize your own nutrition, when other sources are not available.

The aim is to handpick crop varieties that are rich in the nutrients you need to stay healthy long term. And avoid the chemicals and pesticides commonly found in store-bought produce.

Home-grown crops are not only tastier but often also more nutrient-dense compared to their store-bought counterparts.

And from personal experience, that moment you harvest your crops and bring them to your table – when you are reaping the rewards of your hard work and dedication – is a very satisfying feeling.

Whether you prefer leafy greens packed with iron and vitamins or vibrant fruits bursting with antioxidants, you have the power to cultivate a diverse range of crops that cater to your specific dietary requirements.

This level of customization ensures that you are not only surviving but thriving, even in the most challenging circumstances.

How do you choose the best crops to grow for survival?

Selecting the right crops for your climate is crucial to prepare for food shortages.

Different crops thrive in different conditions, and understanding your climate’s challenges and advantages will help you maximize your harvest. Let’s explore how you can adapt to different weather conditions, the benefits of seasonal crops, and some specific examples of crops that are well-suited across climates.

Adapting to different weather conditions

Extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves, frost, or heavy rains are a signature of a warming global climate. They can wreak havoc on crop cultivation.

By selecting crops that are well-adapted to these conditions, you can overcome them. So the first step is to research crops that are tolerant to your area’s weather patterns.

The second is to consider using protective measures such as shade cloths or greenhouses to shield your crops from extreme temperatures.

For example, if you live in a region with scorching summers, you might consider planting heat-tolerant crops like tomatoes, peppers/capsicum, or okra. These plants have developed mechanisms to withstand high temperatures and can continue to produce a full harvest, even in the hottest months.

On the other hand, if you experience frequent frost in your area, cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and carrots are excellent choices. These crops have the ability to survive and even thrive in colder temperatures, allowing you to continue growing fresh produce throughout the winter.

All of these crops can be preserved to last 12 months or more with proper long term food preservation techniques.

Seasonal crops and their benefits

Seasonal crops are best for survival agriculture. Survival food is really about growing, harvesting and eating whatever is ‘in season’.

By aligning your crop selection with the natural seasons, you can boost yields and increase the chances of sustaining your family through food shortages. Seasonal crops have evolved to thrive in specific conditions and have natural resistance to prevailing diseases and pests. So you don’t need excessive artificial measures, which makes them the best choice for survival gardening.

For instance, if you live in a temperate climate with distinct seasons, you can take advantage of the cool spring weather to grow crops like lettuce, peas, or radishes. These plants prefer cooler temperatures and will grow quickly, allowing you to enjoy an early harvest.

As the summer heat intensifies, you can transition to warm-season crops such as corn, beans, or cucumbers. These plants thrive in the heat and will produce abundant yields during the long, sunny days of summer.

When fall or autumn arrives, you can switch to cool-season crops again, like broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts. These vegetables can withstand the cooler temperatures and shorter days of autumn, providing you with a fresh harvest well into the colder months.

By carefully selecting and rotating seasonal crops, you can maintain a continuous supply of fresh produce throughout the year, ensuring food security for you and your family.

The 15 best crops to grow for survival

Now that we understand the importance of food growing skills in survival and how to select crops for our climate, let’s explore the top crops essential for any survival food garden. Here’s the top 3 crops to start with:

Potatoes: High in nutrients and easy to grow

Potatoes are a staple in many diets and provide a good source of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. They are also relatively easy to grow. Food abundance is comforting during food shortages.

With proper soil preparation and simple maintenance, you can grow a bountiful potato harvest.

Potatoes can be stored for 3 months in a cool dark place. They can also be combined into home canned meals and stored for 6 months or so. This makes them an ideal survival crop.

Beans: a protein-rich survival food

Beans are a versatile crop and a great addition to your survival garden due to their high protein content. They are rich in essential amino acids and are relatively easy to grow.

And there’s loads of different bean types to choose from – green beans, broad beans, fava beans – the list of bean crops is long and distinguished!

Beans can also fix nitrogen in the soil, acting as natural fertilizers and benefiting other crops in your garden.

Beans can be dried or dehydrated for long term storage in mylar bags. They can also be canned, but won’t last as long as they will dried.

With their long shelf life, beans provide a sustainable source of protein for your survival needs.

Corn: versatile and high yield

Corn is an incredibly versatile crop that can be consumed fresh, dried, or ground into flour. It is high in carbohydrates and yields per square foot are high. So you get good value from a corn crop if land is limited.

The beauty of corn is that you can turn it into bread. Because growing your own wheat for bread is blood hard work and requires a giant amount of land. So use corn instead.

Corn plants can also be used to create natural barriers and windbreaks, providing protection for your other crops.

The easiest and best crops to grow for survival

1. Kale and Spinach: Both are nutrient-dense and can be harvested multiple times throughout their growing season.
2. Carrots: They grow well in many climates and can be stored in a cool, dark place for several months.
3. Tomatoes: Rich in vitamins and can be used in various dishes. They can also be canned for long-term storage.
4. Peppers / capsicum: Both bell peppers and hot peppers are relatively easy to grow and are packed with vitamins.
5. Zucchini and Squash: These grow abundantly and can provide a steady supply of food throughout the summer.
6. Onions and Garlic: Essential for flavoring dishes, these store well long term and they have natural antibacterial properties.
7. Beets: Both the root and the greens are edible. They’re also packed with essential nutrients.
8. Cabbage: It’s hardy and can be stored for a long time when fermented as sauerkraut.
9. Peas: High in protein and can be eaten fresh, frozen, or dried.
10. Lettuce: The best thing about lettuce is that it’s quick to grow. It’s not nutrient dense but does provides a fresh source of greens.
11. Cucumbers: Great for fresh eating, full of water for hydration, and can be pickled for longer storage.
12. Berries (like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries): Jam packed (excuse the pun!) with antioxidants and vitamins. They can also be preserved by making jams or jellies.

Why crop diversity and preserving food is key

Sometimes crops fail.

We just had a terrible summer growing season here in Tasmania. The earth was too cold and too wet to grow what we normally would. Harvests were down. We didn’t get us much food out of peak growing time as we planned for.

This is common with growing survival food, and you have to plan around it. Here’s how:

• Make sure you grow a mix of crops to get a balanced diet and to protect against potential crop failures. You never want your survival dependant on one season.
• Preserve, preserve, preserve! Have 6 months of food in store at all times. And mix up your food stores.
• Join growing communities. You can use these for food swaps or bartering. We regularly swap our produce with neighbours and get a more diverse diet this way.

And don’t forget to save seeds for the next planting season!

Maintaining your survival garden

Once you have established your survival garden, future crops will depend on how you maintain it. So let’s explore some key aspects of maintaining your survival garden.

Pest Control and Natural Solutions

Unwanted pests can threaten the survival of your crops. Implementing natural pest control measures is essential to protect your hard work. Consider companion planting, where certain plants naturally repel pests or attract beneficial insects that help control populations.

Inspect your garden each week. early detection of pests can prevent infestations from spreading and wreaking havoc on your garden.

Efficient Watering Techniques

Water is a critical element for plant growth, and efficient watering techniques are essential for an thriving survival garden in a warming climate. Especially when food shortages are accompanied by water shortages.

Consider installing drip irrigation systems or using mulch to conserve water and prevent wastage. These techniques help minimize water loss through evaporation and ensure that your crops receive the right amount of hydration for optimal growth.

Harvesting and storing your survival food

After investing time and effort into cultivating your survival garden, it’s crucial to know when and how to harvest your crops properly. Let’s explore the best practices for harvesting and storing your precious harvest.

When and how to harvest your survival food

Each crop has specific signs that indicate it is ready for harvest. Harvesting at the right time ensures maximum flavor and nutritional content. Research the optimal harvesting techniques for each crop in your garden and handle them with care to avoid damage. Properly timed harvesting is essential for the success of your survival garden.

Long-Term Storage to get through food shortages

Preserving your harvest for the long term is critical in times of scarcity or extended emergencies.

Learn about different long term food storage methods to make sure your crops are safe to eat for months and years to come:

• canning – involves putting the food in sealed containers and then heating them to kill any germs.
• dehydrating, or taking out the water to keep the food good for a long time. This stops tiny germs from growing and spoiling the food.
• pickling, a way to keep food fresh by storing it in something like vinegar or salty water (called brine).
• fermenting – when bacteria and yeast change carbs, like starch and sugar, into other substances. It’s an old method used to keep food good for a longer time.
• root cellaring – like a natural fridge for storing veggies like carrots and potatoes. It keeps them from freezing in winter and getting too warm in summer, so they stay fresh for a long time.

Let’s recap

By understanding the best crops to grow for survival, you are taking control of your own food supply. Equipping yourself be self-sufficient. And building a reliable source of nutrition for the long term. Remember to grow and eat seasonly, and start with our top 15 survival food crops. Focus on crop diversity and long term food storage to get the most from each valuable harvest. By mastering these survival skills and continuously honing your food growing skills, you’re helping secure your family’s well-being, no matter the challenges ahead. It’s time to get growing!