HOMESTEAD: FAMILY SURVIVAL | EPISODE 3

Homestead is where the heart is

In Episode 3 of Homestead: Family Survival, Jason Ross and Jesse Hutch take some time to visit our homesteading friends Wild Rebel Farms, hear their stories, and learn some practical lessons along the way. We cover some great products for energy independence and a bit about container gardening—with a bag.

And if you’ve never heard of “vermicomposting,” get ready to learn how worms can create the best fertilizer your plants have ever seen.

HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN COMPOST AND Liquid FERTILIZER AT THE SAME TIME

Have you ever heard of worm tea? Don’t drink it. But your plants will love it.

Vermicomposting is a natural method of composting that uses worms to break down organic waste into nutrient-rich compost called vermicast. This compost is rich in essential nutrients and beneficial microbes, making it an excellent organic fertilizer for gardens. Red wiggler worms are ideal for vermicomposting due to their efficiency in processing food scraps like vegetable peels and fruit waste.

As you’ll see in this episode of Homestead: Family Survival, we like the Thirsty Earth Olla Vermicomposter, because it combines vermicomposting with the water-conserving benefits of an olla. The system allows you to add food scraps to the vermicomposting chamber, where worms produce compost, and you also produce a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer.

CHECK OUT THE VERMICOMPOSTER

Potatoes: The Calorie Rich Survival Food that’s also easy to grow

Growing potatoes using a potato bag is a simple and effective method for those who want to cultivate their own fresh potatoes but have limited space or less-than-ideal soil conditions.

Start by selecting a high-quality, breathable potato bag that allows for proper drainage and airflow. These bags are often made of durable fabric or woven material, designed to prevent waterlogging and promote healthy root development. Choose a location that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight per day, as potatoes thrive in sunny environments.

To get started, fill the bottom of the bag with about 4-6 inches of nutrient-rich, well-draining potting soil mixed with compost.

Place seed potatoes on top of the soil, with the sprouted eyes facing up, and cover them with another 4 inches of soil. Water the soil thoroughly but avoid overwatering, ensuring it remains moist but not soggy.

As the potato plants grow, continue adding soil to the bag in stages to cover most of the stems, leaving only the top few leaves exposed. This technique, known as “hilling,” encourages the growth of more tubers along the buried portion of the stems.

When the plants flower, it’s a sign that small, new potatoes are forming and can be harvested, but for larger potatoes, wait until the foliage begins to yellow and die back. To harvest, simply open the bag and gently remove the potatoes.

For more detailed instructions, we wrote up a handy guide for growing potatoes- read it here!

LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT CONTAINER?

Looking for a good bag to help you grow healthy plants in any space? We like these top-rated potato bags by VivoSun, sold in a 5-pack for a great price on Amazon.

There are two color options, but we recommend black. Because the soil is kept moist (preferably using ollas), the bags can become discolored from water, mildew, etc. Black hides the discoloration better, and makes for a tidier looking growing space. Click here to check them out.

What’s Your Plan When the Lights (and fridge, and everything else) Go Out?

Power outages are becoming more frequent and severe across the globe, driven by a combination of aging infrastructure, extreme weather events, cyber threats, and increasing energy demands. For those focused on preparedness, understanding these risks and having a plan is essential.

The Impact of Power Outages

The consequences of power outages go far beyond inconvenience. They can jeopardize lives and disrupt critical services:

Health Risks: Loss of heating or cooling during extreme temperatures can be life-threatening. Medical devices and refrigeration for medications are also at risk.
Water Supply: Many water pumps rely on electricity, meaning a prolonged outage can cut off access to clean drinking water.
Communication Breakdown: Without power, cell towers and internet services may fail, leaving communities isolated.
Food Spoilage: Refrigeration and freezing systems can only maintain food safety for a limited time without power, leading to significant waste.

For the prepared homestead, investing in backup power solutions is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Products like the Lion Energy Safari Solar Generator Pack offer a clean, quiet, and reliable way to keep essential devices running during an emergency. Solar generators are especially valuable because they don’t rely on fuel, which can be hard to obtain during a crisis.

How To Decide How Much Power Storage You Need

First, you need to know how many Watts the device you want to power or charge actually needs. You can get this by looking on the label or searching the internet. Then, you need to look at the storage capacity of the units you’re considering. With those two numbers, you can use this simple calculation:

Watt Hours of Storage / # of Watts the Device Uses = Estimated Run Time

For instance, say your Lion Energy product has 100Wh of stored energy. Say your cell phone needs 6W of power to run (or charge). 100Wh / 6W = 16.7hrs of estimated run or charge time. You can use the same process to check on any device and storage option.

CHECK OUT ALL SOLAR OPTIONS

COMING CHRISTMAS 2024

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW

Homestead is coming to theaters Friday, December 20th. Purchasing an early bird ticket gets you the best price ($10) and guarantees your seat for what will be one of the biggest movies of the year.

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Meet the Hosts of
“Homestead: Family Survival”