Weekly Assignment and Food Storage Ideas (Week of March 4th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Quote--The Lord Holds Us Accountable:

"Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take [any] person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand." Ezekiel 33:4

These are powerful words! We will be accountable to the Lord if we do not heed the warnings from our Church leaders regarding being prepared both spiritually and temporally. It is also our responsibility to warn others. How many times do we have to be admonished by our Church leaders to be prepared before we will heed the words of warning? There is no more time for procrastination!

Last Sunday Bishop Adams, Bishop of Carson Ward, warned the Priesthood (and their families) to be prepared!

March Ward Emergency Preparedness Goal: Plant a vegetable garden and fruit trees, and add beans and legumes to your Food Storage:

1) Weekly Assignment--Plant a vegetable garden and fruit trees

March is here and I am excited! It means Spring is close and it is time to plan and plant our vegetable gardens. I will spend this month giving you ideas on planting a vegetable garden and fruit trees, even if you live in a condo or apartment you can have some type of small garden and fruit trees. We will also work on adding beans and legumes to your Food Storage.

Make a plan for your Vegetable Garden. Anyone can have some type of vegetable garden! If you rent, ask your landlord if it ok. If not in the ground, then try large containers and pots.

If you live in a house with a yard, no matter how small you can grow a vegetable garden and fruit trees:

1. Decide what you want to grow. Only grow vegetables your family will eat! No matter how small the area, growing something is better than nothing. This is a great activity to do as a family.
2. Decide on the place to have your vegetable garden. Draw out a plan on paper.
3. Prepared the area by digging up the grass and weeds about a week before you plant. Add a vegetable fertilizer just before planting, work it into the soil. I use Miracle Grow. Do you want a garden directly in the ground or a raised garden? Decide which you want. If a Raised garden you will need to build the sides and add soil. Home Depot has kits for this, or ask one of their employees for help. Raised gardens are best because the soil stays warmer.
4. Make sure the area gets at least 6-8 hours of sun light.
5. Purchase your seeds and vegetable plants when you are ready to plant. Some vegetables are better if you start them out as plants, like tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli, and cucumbers. Carrots, radishes, celery, zucchini, squash, pumpkins, peas, pole beans and others you can start from seeds. Make sure the plants you purchase are healthy and the seeds are not expired.
6. Buy only Non-Hybrid and Non-GMO (genetically alternated) seeds and plants. If you buy the Hybrid and GMO seeds and harvest the seeds for future planting, they will not grow.
7. Save your milk, juice and 2 liter soda plastic bottles. They make a great green house for your young plants, holding in the heat and keeping the March winds off of them. Cut off the bottom, remove the cap, cover the small plant with the bottle. Water as needed. Once the plant gets big enough, remove the bottle.
8. Save your toilet paper and paper towel rolls. They make great eco-friendly seed-started plant containers. Take the toilet paper roll and cut it in half, then cut down on four sides about 1/3 of the way down, fold the ends down to form the bottom. Place the tube containers in a pan or tray with good drainage, place Miracle Grow Moisture Control Potting Mix in each container, place 3 seeds in the dirt, cover lightly, and water lightly daily with a watering can. Once they germinate and are large enough, transplant them into your vegetable garden bed or large container. Remove the smallest ones and only plant the healthiest largest one and the toilet paper container, it will biodegrade. If you purchase the eco-friendly seed starter-kit with 72 cells it will cost you $6+.
9. If you do not want to plant a vegetable garden in the ground or raised bed, then you can plant most vegetables in containers.
10. Check out the "Postings" on the right under "Vegetable Gardening" for more ideas on planting and caring for your vegetable garden.

If you live in a condo or apartment:

1. Plant your vegetable garden in containers. You can plant any vegetable except ones like Pumpkins, etc., vine running type. Cucumbers and other smaller vegetables that grow on vines can be grow up a trellis in the container. Purchase a watering can so you can water as needed. They will require more watering than if in the ground. Do not let them dry out.
2. Follow all the suggestions above.

Great Idea: I really love the idea below of making a rain gutter window-box for your salad veggies and herbs. Just attach it to your garage wall with good drainage holes, but make sure it is on a side that gets lots of sun light. It takes so little space. I am going to try this this year.





Fruit Trees:

1. Plant at least one fruit tree. If you do not have room in your yard you can plant a fruit tree in a large container. Place the tree where is will received good sun light. Water and fertilize as needed. In California you can grow citrus fruits, figs, plums, and apricots. Apples do not do as well because it does not get cold enough here in the winter. If you live in a condo or apartment you can put it on your patio, balcony or by your front or back door. The tree will not get huge, but will provide you with fruit. This also goes for those who live in a house and do not have enough more to plant the fruit tree in the yard. I am doing to try the container type this year.

Herb Garden: Try planting a herb garden too, better if raised. You can also grow them in a window-box or window ledge that gets lots of sun light. Fresh herbs are so great to cook with.

Note: In August we will have a class at church on canning, freezing and dehydrating your vegetables for long storage.

2) Weekly Assignment--Beans and Legumes: This week add dry beans to your Food Storage (We will work on storing legumes later this month):

Determine how many pounds of beans and legumes, combination of both, you will need for your family for 3 months to 1 year. Multiply the number of pounds per person by the number of people in your family. Decide on the amount you want to store for your family, 1 month 3 months, 6 months or a year's supply per person.

Beans (navy, pinto, kidney, black, lima, garbanzo, black-eyed peas, soybeans) and Legumes (split peas, lentils, etc)--------
60 pounds per person for a year
30 pounds per person for 6 months
15 pounds per person for 3 months
5 pounds per person for a month

Why store beans and legumes: Bean and legumes are an economical substitute for meat or other animal protein. The packaged beans and legumes, which are on the grocery shelf, are normally the highest grades. They are very economical, usual about a $1 for a one pound bag. You can purchase larger amount at Costco and Sam Club. Also the LDS Dry Pack Cannery has pinto beans in #10 cans for sale, and you can purchase large bags and put them in Mylar bags yourself. Very easy to store. Store a variety of beans and legumes. With rice they are a complete protein.

How to store: If you buy beans and legumes from the grocery store, before storing away, first put them in the freezer for 24 hours to get rid of any moths or their eggs and larva. Let them cool down to room tempature and then put them in a double zip lock plastic bag. Mark the date on the zip lock bag. I put my plastic bags in individual plastic box container, by type. They store for a long time, but best to rotate them when you purchase new beans and legumes. Older beans will need a longer soaking and cooking time. If they are in #10 cans or Mylar bags in plastic buckets, they will store for 20+ years, if stored correctly.

Where to Store: Read March's Ensign issued regarding great places to store your Food Storage. Store in a cool dry dark place.

If you do not currently cook with dry beans and legumes learn how to cook with them and keep a list of good recipes using beans and legumes with your Food Storage. They are great in homemade soups.

Emergency Family Medical Supplies (If you are working on this, add the follow this week):

1) Thermometer (for adult and infant/child)
2) 3 Triangular bandages (you can make your own from left over fabric, 36x36)
3) Antacids

Remember: Post your name and comment to have your name put into our March 25th FREE Monthly Giveaway Drawing.