Salad Days

On December 5, 2012, I picked fresh lettuce and spinach from my garden. After two snow storms, a number of wind storms and temperatures in the single digits, my little garden is still hanging in there. 

Here's what the spinach was looking like. You can see the second crop on the left.

And here is the lettuce, also with the second crop on the left.

I picked just enough for one nice, big salad and left the rest for another day.

When I planted this garden in the fall, my goal was to pick a fresh salad on Christmas day. Wonder if that'll happen? 

Oh, remember those vertical supports I added inside the hoop house to add strength and stability?

They seem to be working. We got half a foot of snow last night and the hoops didn't start to collapse under the weight.  I was so happy when I got up this morning and saw that it held up.

Remember back in October what it looked like after the first big snow of the season?

Much, much better with the supports inside!

Now that the days are less than 10 hours long, plants stop growing. It won't be until February before there will be enough daylight for my garden to do much of anything at all.

However, I'm thrilled that I'm eating salad from my garden in December! Come Christmas, I'll let you know if salad is on the menu!

End of the Garden Season

Over the weekend, it was time to put the perennial garden to bed for the winter. This house came with a large, mature garden filled with plants and shrubs. I don't even know what kind some of them are.

Here's what it looked at it's prime in August.

And here it is now that the season is over. 

It was unseasonably warm over the weekend and I didn't even need a jacket. It was perfect weather for outdoor chores. I got in the garden with some clippers, a rake and a wheelbarrow and went to work. A few hours and a bunch of wheelbarrow loads of dead stuff later....

Now that it's cleaned up, I got a better idea of the basic layout.  There is plenty of room in there to add more plants. I'd like to put in some herbs like echinacea, chamomile, and lavender.  I'm curious to see what all comes up in the spring. I know there are iris, lilies, columbines and hollyhocks. But we arrived too late to see if there are any spring plants like tulips and daffodil. 

There's a very simple drip irrigation system in place, but I haven't tested to see if it still works. Now's a good time for that. For sure it needs more drip lines and/or emitters.  I've installed drip systems before and have a nice supply of parts on hand. Drip systems are fairly easy to put in and manage. In the spring, I'll be doing a few "how-to" posts on this topic.

The first seed catalog of the season arrived a few days ago!  My long-awaited asparagus plants also finally got here. I ordered the asparagus in August for planting in the fall but the company kept putting them on back order....three months of back order!  It's now too late in the season to put them in the ground. I hope the bare roots are OK waiting in my garage until spring.

Guest Author - Firearms Part Two

What should EVERY prepared gun owner have in their personal gun safe?

… if you could only have 4 guns? (part two)

To recap from the first half of this BLOG article… My first choice for a firearm is the 12 gauge pump shotgun. It’s an all-round weapon that is great for home defense and very versatile for hunting. Coming in a very close second is a .22 long rifle. This is the firearm that’s going to put small game on the table and is a great training weapon for kids or people new to guns. So now let’s wrap up the second half of this article with numbers 3 and 4.

Gun #3 - Bolt Action 30.06 with Scope: This is your long range, large game hunting rifle. The 30.06 can take down any big game in the lower 48 states and has the range to reach out and touch things a greater distance. Other calibers such as .30-30 or .308 might be okay but I really prefer the .30-06 because its more common (easier to get ammo or spare parts) and it packs more punch at 200 yards. I like bolt action rifles and have hunted with them all my life. The bolt action rifle uses the same basic action as the U.S. military’s M-24 sniper rifle and is the choice of many top snipers and marksmen; in addition to being a fantastic hunting rifle, the bolt action also tends to be very accurate. I own a CZ 550 American and have used it to take down deer and elk. You should spend some time at the range getting the scope sighted in then practice adjusting your aim for different distances. This is the gun I'd be using to put food on the table for my family if there was a complete economic collapse. Don't go cheap on the scope. You could own the best rifle in the world but it’s only as good as the scope. Remember, no American manufacturer can afford to make a shoddy, junky bolt action centerfire rifle. If you have a favorite major manufacturer, stick with them and you won’t go wrong.

Gun #4 - Pistol: The final category is usually the budget buster… a high quality self defense pistol. While very important for home defense, I feel it is wise to get the other three categories taken care of first. Handguns are not cheap. Even used, you can easily spend several hundred dollars on something decent. Stick to the common calibers, either 9mm, .40S&W, .45ACP, or .357 and go with the biggest one you're comfortable with. The operation of a semi-automatic handgun is more complicated than a revolver, so revolvers are usually the better choice for novice shooters as there is less that can go wrong with them. They don’t jam and have fewer moving parts. The trade off is you’ll be able to carry fewer rounds, typically only 6 in the weapon. I know Dirty Harry says the .44 magnum is the most powerful handgun ever made, but with all that power comes a heck of a lot of recoil. As far as revolvers go, I recommend going with a .357. It packs a pretty good punch but isn’t too big for a person new to firearms. You can also shoot .38 rounds out of most .357s which provides additional options for finding ammo. Do not make the mistake of trying to fire .357 rounds out of a .38 though. The rounds are not interchangeable going both directions.

Taking a look at the semi-automatic category… The 9mm is perhaps the most popular caliber, in use by military and law enforcement around the world. The .40 S&W was created by the FBI to allow for additional stopping power over the 9mm. The 45 ACP came about during the development of the M1911 just prior to the First World War. The operator of a semi-automatic must become familiar with operating slide-stops and safeties, loading magazines, chambering rounds and clearing jams. This combined with the skill required to accurately shoot a handgun, means that semi-automatic handguns are less user friendly than revolvers. The additional actions involved make it less than ideal for those unfamiliar with hand guns. The benefit though is that a semi-auto might have a 9-15+ round capacity providing the shooter with greater firepower. The bottom line is to pick a high quality gun from a good manufacturer that fits your hand well and you’re comfortable shooting. Glock, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, and Springfield are all good; pick one that works well for you. These manufactures make essentially the same firearm in all of the common calibers. My wife’s personal preference is the Glock 19 while I prefer is the M1911. A pistol is primarily for self-defense so this is not the firearm to “go cheap” on… after all you’re using it to defend your life and the lives of your loved ones.

Remember to stay legal if you plan to carry a firearm in your daily life. Be sure to obtain any necessary permits to do so legally. It makes very little sense to risk having your firearm confiscated during a simple traffic stop. Murphy’s Law dictates that if that were to happen, that will be the day you finally have NEED of that weapon.

Gun #5 – BONUS WEAPON – AR-15: While the previous four weapons cover all of the key areas that you’ll need to feed and protect your family, there may be a requirement during the “Zombie Apocalypse” that we’ve all heard about for additional firepower. You’ll need to protect what you’ve prepared against roving bands of thugs and gangs that failed to make any preparations for the EOTWAWKI or at least they didn’t listen to FEMA about preparing for some type of natural disaster. As an “old Army guy”, I like some variant of the AR-15. This is a good "security" gun and does a decent job as a varmint gun too should small pack predators ever became a problem. As far as the caliber goes, the .223 has a light kick so it’s a good caliber for a smaller framed person. It’s one of the most common calibers in the US (5.56x45/.223) so ammunition should be easy to find and relatively cheap. With almost no recoil you can provide fast and accurate follow up shots assuming you practice enough and there are virtually limitless options for accessories.

This subject would not be complete if I forget to comment on weapons maintenance. Be sure to invest in the cleaning supplies needed for each firearm and if you’re unsure how to do so, have someone teach you how to strip and clean each weapon. Firearms should be cleaned after each time you go hunting or to the range before you put it back in storage. Proper maintenance is critical to reliable use of a firearm.

Well, those are what I would choose, should I only have the choice of four different firearms. However please remember that any gun - no matter what it is- will be useless unless you know how to use it. Chat with your local gun store and they will surely set you up with some classes that the NRA teaches about how to effectively and most importantly safely use a firearm, be it rifle or handgun. Set aside some money and try to practice at least once or twice a month. If you can only afford one gun, get the 12 gauge. It’s the most versatile firearm on the planet.

Guest Author - Firearms

Hello friends! I'm back from my Thanksgiving break! Today and Wednesday, we'll be hearing from a guest contributor. None other than my own husband, G.W. He's written a very informative two part article on choosing firearms.

G.W. had photos in the article that he sent to me. However, they wouldn't copy into the blog no matter what I did or what the file extension was. Rather than delay posting his article, I am posting without the photos.

Enjoy!


What should EVERY prepared gun owner have in their personal gun safe?

… if you could only have 4 guns?


My wife, Renee, has asked me a couple of different times about writing an article for her Blog. While I’ve given it some consideration, I was never really sure what I’d write about that people might find interesting. But on my way home the other night I stopped off to look at purchasing a gun safe and while there was pulled into a conversation about firearms. A lady was looking at purchasing her first gun and wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted / needed. I suppose standing there in my Army uniform she figured that I might know something on this subject and after more than 25 years of service it was a pretty good assumption.

As far as my personal background goes, I’ve always enjoyed shooting anything that goes “BOOM”. I began my hunting career in high school when every guy had a shotgun in his truck and would head out for pheasant after the last class of the day. I also spent several summers as a camp counselor at a wilderness survival camp in northern Minnesota. I spent those summers camping, backpacking, rock climbing, and canoeing allover Canada, as well as, instructing boys between the ages of 8 and 18 in basic rifle marksmanship and trap shooting. I’m a member of the National Amateur Trap Association, a Life Member of the National Rifle Association, and staunch supporter of the Second Amendment. Every year, time permitting, I hunt elk, deer, upland game, waterfowl and whatever else I can legally pursue.

While I’m sure my personal list will cause debate, I believe we can all agree on this: Before you buy any firearm, you should receive training to ensure you are able to handle the weapon safely; have the means to secure the firearm in your home; and always treat every gun as if it is loaded!

Few would argue the importance of firearms in overall preparedness planning. Firearms can provide you with food as well as protecting you and your family. The reality is, during disaster situations, firearms can make the difference between success and failure. Unfortunately, if you are just getting started you’ll quickly realize guns are expensive. There can be a substantial outlay of cash to putting together a decent firearms collection. There are essentially four different categories of firearms you should consider for your personal armory.

Gun #1 - Shotgun: The general consensus in the firearms community is that the pump action shotgun is the top choice for home defense. There are few sounds that will get any intruders attention more quickly than that of a shell being racked into a shotgun… for this reason alone it’s ideal for home defense. The classic American-made pump shotgun has sold over four million copies, and is the standard for many law enforcement and military agencies. They’re relatively easy to use and nearly impossible to break. Shotgun shells are loaded into the gun, and the pump action chambers a round. Pulling the trigger fires the chambered round. The next pump ejects the spent shell and loads another round into the chamber. These attributes contribute to the pump action shotgun’s reliability.

For the newcomer, the choice really narrows down to 12 gauge or the smaller 20 gauge. Any of the less common gauges might make it harder to find cheap ammunition. A 12 gauge is the standard, but for small framed people a 20 gauge might be a better choice. A shotgun can be used as a close range defensive weapon or a tool for harvesting small game. Properly loaded with buckshot or a slug, a well-aimed shotgun can put down most any big game animals in the western hemisphere. There are a wide range of loads available too, from bird shot to deer slugs. Shotguns are the most common weapon and thus the ammo is more easily found.

There are a couple of reasons I’d consider a 20 gauge shotgun, but it depends on your own personal situation. While the 12 gauge is my preferred choice; I’d consider a 20 gauge for all the same reasons I stated previously, but would have it for my wife or children because it would be easier for them to handle than a 12 gauge. Additionally, I can picture a situation where due to civil disruptions or supply shortages the store shelves are emptied and as everyone goes for the 12 gauge ammo first I'd be going for the 20 gauge ammo. It’s common enough that every gun / ammo store in town has the ammo in stock, but rare enough that there wouldn't be nearly as much demand which would make it easier to get.

Features I would want are 3 barrels: 1) a short home defense tactical barrel (18 ½” - 20”); 2) a longer hunting barrel that accepts interchangeable chokes for different applications; and 3) a fully rifled barrel for slugs so you could potentially hunt larger animals if all else fails. If I only owned 1 gun, this would be it.

The Mossberg 500 combo comes with the first 2 barrels mentioned above and I’d purchase the rifle barrel separately. There are plenty of other good shotguns out there, but the Mossberg 500 is a good overall platform at a decent price. I found a new in the box (NIB) Mossberg 500 at GunsAmerica.com for $300. This one did not have the three different barrels, but it does give you an idea of where the price point starts.

The Remington 870 is probably the premier model for people interested in preparedness. I looked online at GunsAmerica.com and found used ones from the mid-$200s and up, with new ones starting in the upper-$300s. There are plenty of options on the market if you want to “trick out” your shotgun with different tactical items… let your budget be your guide.

Keep your eyes open and you can probably find a decent used 12 gauge for a couple hundred bucks or so. The Mossberg 500 and the Remington 870 are extremely popular choices in this category. Both are proven to be extremely reliable for a reasonable price. Stick with a decent brand, all purpose 12 gauge pump action shotgun and it will almost never let you down.

Gun #2 - .22 Long Rifle: Everybody needs a .22 LR. Outstanding in price, it arguably ties with a 12 gauge shotgun for the #1 must have firearm. The .22 LR is great for target practice and learning general gun skills without breaking the bank. A beginner needs a manageable rifle to start out with, one that doesn’t deafen them or slam their shoulder every time they pull the trigger allowing a person to learn the basics of marksmanship, which will transfer over to centerfire rifles. For the beginner, this is the perfect weapon. It has no kick, low noise, and ammunition is on sale all the time. The gun itself is inexpensive and ammo is cheap ($20-$25 for 550 rounds), so you can stock up a considerable amount of ammo, as well as having plenty on hand for target shooting.

In survival situations, you’ll shoot more small game than big game. The .22LR will keep your cook pot filled with small game - rabbits, squirrels, etc… and could be used for home defense in a pinch; while also defending the farm from coyotes, wild dogs, or wolves.

There are those out there that will say you can use a .22LR to shoot large game and while this is “factually correct”, it will take a VERY good shot in just the right place to insure you take that large animal down. To reliably take a large game animal, such as a deer, you really need to have something bigger than a .22LR. The most likely scenario if you use a .22LR is that you’ll chase down the injured, slowly-dying animal, wasting precious calories.

While I frequently rely on iron sights on other traditional-styled rifles, I like a four-power telescopic sight on my .22LR. In brush, the magnification allows you to see holes to shoot through. The scope helps you place your shots more accurately, making for more efficiency.

The Ruger 10/22 is one of the best available in this category and if you shop around you should be able to find a new one around $200.00. I have a Ruger 10/22. The only reason why I didn't get a Marlin is because the Ruger has the 25 round magazines. I like high capacity and fast reloading. The Ruger 10/22 is a good "can't go wrong" model to choose but there are plenty of other decent ones.

After writing the initial draft of this article I determined that it was too long for one BLOG post. So this will be the first of a two part BLOG post. In the next half of this article we’ll wrap up the list of four and even take a look at a bonus weapon. After all… who can really sick to just four firearms? Please check back for part two and let us know if you think a regular firearms article would be a good addition for the BLOG. Remember to stay safe and happy shooting.