Chinese water chestnuts propagation

I received a package from a very decent person here in Florida. It contained 10 corms of the Chinese water chestnut, Eleocharis dulcis. It will grow quite well here in Florida and I am zone 8a/8b depending on the weather. I am rather enjoying all the exotic (to me, anyway) plants, both native and cultivated, here in sunny Florida. My fiance, Annie, is an ardent Florida gardener and has taught me a lot about southern gardening which is completely different from anything I have ever experienced up north or out west. Here there is no "end" to the growing season as far as gardens go. The only problem we have had was a few nights of frost so far. We have radishes, carrots, and beets in the ground and a very healthy stock of tomatoes and peppers in trays getting ready for transplanting. We use only heirloom and non GMO, non hybrid organic seeds. These first photos show how I planted the water chestnuts in a temporary container that I bring in every night. I will transplant them to a kiddie wading pool after the last frost passes. If you are interested in these delicious plants do a search for Chinese water chestnuts and you'll see they are not hard at all to propagate. I would highly encourage anyone with an interest in exotic plants and southern gardening to go to http://www.floridasurvivalgardening.com/ This is a great site and has tons of interesting information. David is an expert on southern gardening.

The corms-some are sprouting already.

Another shot of the corms on our planting table.

The dirt-a mix of sandy loam and a bit of the local pipe clay.

Here's how much dirt I put in the bucket. Its a 2 1/2 gallon bucket.

Here are the corms before covering.

A closeup of the uncovered corms. I will leave the sprouts exposed above the surface of the dirt.

I use this specially modified bucket to water things that need the least disturbance to the soil. Its also very handy for draining wet potting soil.

Here's the bucket and contents before water is added.

We have several containers on the property to collect rain water. In the summer these can fast become mosquito heaven so we keep them covered.

Filling the watering bucket.

Adding the water to the soil with corms.

This shows the soil with about 6 inches of water over the soil.

The complete project-setting in the sun with our seedlings on the starter tray racks.

This and the next two photos are shots of our starter trays with very happy seedlings getting acclimated.

Peppers, cabbage and tomatoes.

The racks-recycled shelving units from a retailer long gone. The white ones are adjustable for shelf distance. This is a southern exposure and gets a good dose of sunshine all day.

Florida-Busy Making Preps and Life in General

Well, I made it through the hot and humid Florida summer. This has been a typical subtropical winter with highs being in the hi 70's today. Water is NOT a problem here! There is so much of it coming down. We had one day where there was a rainfall of 4 inches in a little over 10 hours. With the right storage system a person could store a lot of water for the garden. Speaking of gardens, we have our winter crops in and new seeds are under the lights right this minute. I have been checking out the local fauna & flora. The variety of insects is incredible, especially the spiders. Of course there is the Florida state bird, the mosquito. I hate those things with a passion but I have seen a few of the local "insect repellent" plants such as dog fennel and beauty berry. I tried beauty berry leaves this summer and by darn, it works! As a plus the berries are edible and can be used for making jelly and have medicinal properties. We, my fiance Annie & I, are selling some local natural items in our eBay store as well as the usual stuff. Look on my eBay link at the top right column to see what we have if you're interested. This economy is getting very rough and we are barely making it but we work hard and by the Good Lords blessings we do OK. I am doing research and some things with yaupon holly, Ilex vomitoria. The famous "black drink" was made by the local Native Americans from it, and I plan on seeing if selling the leaves for tea is feasible. The yaupon has a caffeine content that is less than coffee or tea, but enough to satisfy any craving for caffeine. "Dry, unprocessed yaupon leaves contain between .65 percent and .85 percent caffeine by weight. Coffee beans are about 1.1 percent caffeine by weight and tea leaves about 3.5 percent caffeine," according to a University of Florida article. As a plus they are rich in certain vitamins and antioxidants. I can reach out the bedroom window and grab a handful of yaupon leaves, its that abundant down here. Kind of like sage brush out in good ole' Idaho. Worth a web search if you are interested. It was used in the 1800's and during the Civil War as a coffee and tea substitute and unlike some other substitutes, it stayed around for a while until coffee became more plentiful and cheaper. I've read where birds will eat the berries but only as a last ditch effort in late winter. They must be considered as a "starvation food" among our feathered friends. Also, the wood is very nice and has been used for turnings, inlay and carvings. I removed the biggest yaupon I have ever seen from our goose pen. It was 20+ feet tall and about 6 or more inches in diameter. I am cutting it into 3 foot sections and sealing the ends. We have an aviary that's not in use so I'll stash it in there till its dry enough to use and sell. I don't know how well it does as a green wood for carving and I've read that the holly's have a nasty habit of cracking and checking if it drys too fast. Here are some shots of the local yaupon bush's. I'll be posting more interesting stuff in the near future as time permits. Thanks everyone and enjoy the holidays!

Crazy weather, heat, wind and a forest fire

Wow! Its 109 degrees here in the Treasure Valley! We are having quite a heat wave here in the northwest. Working in the garden past 10AM is torture. Fortunately everything is in the ground and its just maintenance such as watering and weeding. Last night I watched a thunder storm roll in from the west over the Owyhee (pronounced OH-WHY-HE) mountains and the lightening show was terrific! I saw where a particularly bright bolt struck and a minute or so later I noticed an orange light. I thought someone was 4 wheeling up in the hills so I got out my Minolta 8x to 20x zoom binoculars and set them on the tripod. Sure enough the lightening had set a wild fire. In a matter of a few hours it had spread over several thousand acres. The wind was terrific and helped it along. Today the Snake river valley is full of smoke and I can't see across the valley to the Owyhee's.
This weather reminds me of several things: be hydrated constantly! After a few hours work outside I started to feel the effects of heat sickness so I got in the shade and downed a bottle of Gator Aid. I still drink plenty of water but when you sweat a lot you loose valuable minerals and need to replace those electrolytes. Sometimes I put 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt in a quart of nice cold water. It helps replace some electrolytes but its not as efficient as Gator Aid. My trusty bandana is always soaking wet and worn around my neck cowboy fashion. This of course gets my tee shirt soaked which helps with the cooling. And I always wear a booney style hat, doctors orders because of the skin cancer and its a great shade giver as well. When its this hot and you work outside you just have to make sure you are drinking plenty of water.
The wind was gusting at around 60-70 MPH last night and when I awoke at 5AM I noticed a lot of damage here on the farm. An old dead elm finally bit the bullet and laid down. Fortunately it didn't take anything with it. There is a huge cottonwood that has a lot of dead limbs and I'm afraid its going to come down soon. If so it will only block the road until we get it cut up and moved but God help the person who has the misfortune of being under it if it falls. Several pieces of equipment were blown over and some roof damage to a shed or two but nothing really serious from the wind storm. I think the heat really gets the wind speed up as it cools in the evening. I don't know all the mechanics of weather but I think I read about this particular phenomenon somewhere.
Take care everyone and stay safe! Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated if you are out in the hot summer weather.

SAS Urban Survival Handbook by John "Lofty" Wiseman

I just received a copy of this book to review. Its name is "SAS Urban Survival Handbook" By John "Lofty" Wiseman who also wrote the immensely popular SAS Survival Handbook. My edition is the 2013 copy. It states on the cover "how to protect yourself against terrorism, natural disasters, fires, home invasions, and everyday health and safety hazards". So, its not just a "doomsday" type of book but one geared towards everyday, real world possibilities. It is written by a European, namely Great Britain, and it has some things that pertain to Europe but not the USA (in most cases-but, if you live in some anti-gun states you are SOL). The book is a paperback, 627 pages, and measures  8 1/4" by 5 1/4". Just right for tossing into the glove compartment or BOB. Amazon has it (there's even a Kindle edition): SAS Urban Survival Handbook

Here's a breakdown of the contents:
1. Essentials - Be a Survivor, Body Matters, Stress & City Survival kit.

Lots of good stuff here. The city survival kit is very simple to put together and is a must have in my opinion if you live in the city., especially a sizable one.

2. Safety First - Safe as Houses?, Electricity, Gas, Liquid Fuel, Solid Fuel, Water, Common Accidents, Room Check, Leaving the House, & Pets

This covers all the basic precautions associated with the above topics. Some is geared towards European houses but its easy enough to substitute American design such as electricity and plugs. When I lived in Berlin, Germany everything was 220 volt and the tongues on the plugs were round instead of spade shaped like their American counterparts. Also, if you wanted to run American made appliances you had to buy and use a step down transformer (220 volt to 120 volt)with the spade shaped socket holes. Most of us just bought German and didn't bother with the transformers. Lots of good stuff in this chapter and its geared for everyday life, not just SHTF situations.

3. DIY/Craft Hazards - Using Tools, Basic Tools, Power Tools, Hire Tools (rentals), Paint, Crafts, Ladders, Protective Clothing

This is something I haven't seen presented in any survival book. It covers the importance of safety around hand and power tools. Each year so many folks go to the emergency room because they didn't take the normal precautions with tools. There is a lot of info on how to properly use tools as well. Good material here, "Lofty"!

4. Poisons - Chemical Hazards, Alcohol, Types of Hazard, Safe Storage, Acute Poisoning, Chronic Poisoning, Kitchen/Living Areas, Bathroom, The Medicine Cupboard, Prescribed Medicines, Garage/Shed, Pesticides

Here's a lot of very good information on a topic that most folks simply fail to realize the risks of using and having in their homes. There is a very nice colored section on poisonous plants and mushrooms. Most of the plants are not wild species but ones a person may have planted for ornamental purposes. Its amazing how dangerous some garden plants can be due to their seeds, leaves, etc. that aren't used for food.

5. Fire - Fire Facts, Equipment, Drills, Fire!, Escape!

This little chapter has a lot of really important info. As it states at the beginning, fire isn't the main killer. Smoke and poisonous fumes are what do you in. Great advice on planning for, fighting and living through a fire disaster at home or away.

6. Security - Safe & Secure, Home Security, Security at Work, Vehicles

This is a topic that is, sadly, so timely. With all these crazy people shooting up schools, workplaces, etc. and criminals given just about free reign due to asinine laws (read GUN CONTROL!) and insane litigation this is an important chapter. In Europe and elsewhere, you are not allowed firearms so must resort to other means. Fortunately, for now and for most of us, we have the freedom to own guns. Buy and carry a good handgun. Just my opinion.

7. Work & Play - The Workplace, Leisure, Sport

This chapter deals with the risks involved in such activities. Its surprising how many things are a danger that I never thought of. Sports, of course, is one of the most injury prone activity there is. Good stuff!

8. In Transit - On the Move, Public Transport, Lifts (elevators)/Escalators, Travelling Abroad

There's a load of good common sense info in this chapter. Some surprising ideas are presented, especially the section on overseas travel.

9. Self-Defence (spelled defense in USA) - The Law, Being a Witness, Under Attack, High-Risk Groups, Self-Defence, Into Action, Animal Attack

A lot of this chapter pertains to Europe as far as the law is concerned. But, still, the information is food for thought and you should be familiar with the laws concerning self-defense where you live.
There is a good section on self-defense and another on dangerous animals such as poisonous snakes and other animals and insects. Vectors are included in this chapter. The section on signs is interesting. The meaning is pretty much the same as the signs in this country so I would imagine there is a worldwide standard.

10. Terrorism - Terrorist Threat, Bombs, Hijack/Kidnap, Under Fire, Risk Limitation, Bullet/Blastproofing

This is a timely topic. There is a lot of very good information in this chapter.

11. Disasters - Natural Disasters, Earthquake, Volcano, Hurricane, Tornado, Flood, Lightning, Drought, The Big Freeze

This is pretty much self explanatory. Important information for recognizing and dealing with these threats.

12. Health - Take Control, Childhood Diseases, Serious Diseases/Disorders, Genetic Disorders, Respiratory Problems, Eating Disorder, Food Hygiene,  Tropical Diseases, STD's, Parasites, Pets & Your Health, Bites/Stings, Substance Abuse, Emergencies, Save a Life!

This is a very good chapter on health and dealing with sickness or injury. On most diseases/disorders it has symptoms and action to take. It  gives a brief but thorough description of the maladies.

The book doesn't have an index but the way the chapters are arranged makes it easy to find whatever subject you are looking for. I am impressed with this book and I can tell a lot of work went into it. I give it a 10. Good job, John.

Corona Mill for whole grain bread-store what you eat and eat what you store

I wanted to try something different and also use up some old storage food so I got my trusty Corona mill out and dusted it off. I like to practice doing different things with it like grinding different grains and beans to make new recipes I've read. Over the years I must have downloaded a hundred cookbooks and recipe books. I have a good selection on making different breads and I had a craving for some whole wheat bread. It was time to rotate some grain. I have about 10 pounds each of hard red winter wheat and triticale in the pantry that needed used up soon. I found a very simple wheat bread recipe and I substituted half the wheat with the triticale. Now, the Corona isn't made to make flour of the fineness that you buy in the store. It was originally made to grind corn which is a staple in Central and South American cooking. In other words it grinds coarse. This is fine and after running the grains through the Corona three times I had the desired size of grain I wanted. It is equal in size to the grains in real whole wheat bread you pay too much for at the grocery store. You can set the "tightness" of the grinding plate faces incrementally as you go from very coarse to the finest it will grind.
Triticale is a hybrid grain. Its a cross between wheat and rye and the grains even look like wheat. In the raw the grain looks just like a light colored wheat grain. Not at all like hard red winter or spring wheat. It has a different taste, somewhat like rye bread, that my wife and I both enjoy.
I don't have a regular grain mill that is capable of making flour but thats not a real big problem for now. I'll probably pick up one of those hand powered "country living" ones. I don't like the idea of having to depend on anything electric for when things go south. Who knows how long till powers restored? I buy whole wheat flour by the 25 pound bag and keep it airtight and cool so it lasts a good long time. I only use a little of the store bought flour to give anything I bake a little body. The recipe called for 3 3/4 cups of flour but I used about 3/4 cup and the whole grain made up the difference. I still have about 1 1/2 pound of the ground grain left over for more baking. It keeps well in the refrigerator for a few days. It came out very good and we ate well tonight.

 Heres the set up. I switched the round bowl to a square bowl to better catch the grindings.

 This is the bowl of grain after the third setting and grinding. The mill face is set as tight as it will go.

 This is a close up of the ground grain.

 Clean up. There was very little waste-about half a teaspoon of grain and flour.

 Yum.

Battery preps

If you're anything like me you own a bunch of different LED flashlights and other electronic devices. The good thing about LED lights: they don't eat batteries like regular flashlights. Some of them have powerful LED's and will drain a battery in an hour but I own none of these types. They usually use the CR123A lithium 3 volt battery. These have a shelf life of nearly 10 years or more. My lights all use alkaline AA & AAA batteries. I have a flashlight I use every night and it uses one AAA battery a year. That's great economy. My headlamp on the other hand, uses 3 AA batteries and a set will last a week with heavy use but its very bright. If I use the lowest of 3 settings, it will last a month. My other electronics are a Grundig wind up radio that uses 3 AA batteries. I get a YEAR out of one set! That's incredible and I listen to it often. I have a small MP3 player that takes one AAA and it runs for a few weeks with heavy use.
I buy my batteries in the largest quantity possible. I replace the stash if I have used at least half a pack, so I always have a good supply on hand. I like Kirkland batteries from Costco. I bought a pack of 48 AAA's and a pack of 48AA's and the expiration date is 2016. I like Duracell and Energizer's, too. I only have trouble with the cheap junk no-name dollar store batteries. I keep my batteries in one small container. If I am carrying batteries at work I recycle pill bottles. These work just fine.
I have a small recharger that I use for a pair of AA Nickel Metal Hydride batteries that I use in my handheld scanner. I carry this at work every day. I also have a pack of four AAA NMH batteries but these are not used for anything yet.
I have a few small LED lights that use the button cells. I have several packs for a key chain LED light I carry all the time. I also have a LED that uses the bigger flat button cells.
Below is a picture of the container and the batteries I have in my prep program. I keep this with my food which is in the coolest part of my home. If you keep them cool expect maximum performance from them. Some folks keep them in a refrigerator but I don't any more. I never saw that big a difference in performance.

Water, your food and the Central Valley

This is a complicated issue. It involves the food you buy and eat, a tiny fish, the Federal government control of water hastened by a bunch of nutjob environmentalists who depend on junk science, and a lack of fortitude by the state government of California, namely that idiot Arnold Schwarzenegger, to put a stop to this nonsense. Its my firm belief that anyone from Hollyweird should STAY THE HELL OUT OF POLITICS!!!!!! Just stay in Hollywood and make your fantasy world garbage. I haven't had a TV antenna or cable for 5 years now and I'm glad.

Now, to continue. It also involves water, of which there is a finite supply. Its a delicate and precarious balance here in central California. Here's how it go's. In the winter the snow storms pass over the coast range, through the valley and stop at the Sierra Nevada's. On the average of 10,000 feet plus, these mountains stop the storms and everything dumps there. It snows up there for days at a time. The people who measure the snow sometimes find it 25-30 feet deep in the high country. Amazing. The picture at the top of the page, taken on December 14th, is the view from my town in winter. When the snow melts it comes down the mountains and is gathered into dam's to be stored for use throughout the summer. We depend on those dam's and I personally believe there need to be a lot more built. There is often very little rain here in the valley and when it does rain it doesn't last long. By the way, the Central valley is way over a hundred miles long and starts near Redding and ends at Bakersfield. Look at a map of California and you'll see. 90% of the food sold in the USA and Canada is grown here. Think about it. 90%.

The idiots have turned off the water and they want the water from OUR dam's diverted to the rivers near Sacramento (which then flows into the Pacific ocean) to save a stupid little minnow called the delta smelt. Its not even a native. The wackoenviro nazis insist we curtail food production to save a fish the size of an aquarium goldfish. Madness. And they are getting away with it. For now, anyway. Let me explain what I mean when I say they turned off the water. The water is from the rivers in the northern part of the valley and they go to the Sacramento River Delta. This water is pumped out and fed to the canals that deliver it to the west side of the valley. We here on the east side don't have it so bad (yet) because we have our dam's. We still have plenty of ag business going on. The west side is a different story. Its a desert. Literally. Farms and orchards are dried up and gone as well as jobs. Have you noticed how much more expensive your produce is this year?

Which brings me to this point: gardening. Grow your own food. If you have a nice big lawn, sell the lawn mower or better yet convert it into an emergency generator. And dig up that lawn! Put in a garden and save money and your self. Learn to put food by. Canning, freezing, drying, whatever. If you have an over abundance, good! You have barter and help for those in need. I would rather help someone out who is in need than force them away in a crisis. After all is normal again you would want to have people who remembered your kindness rather than your mean actions. The biggest benefit is having fresh, non polluted food (ag chemicals like fertilizers and insecticides) that cost far less than if you bought it in a store. Here where I live its zone 9 which means I can raise food year round out in the open and only worry about frost for a week at the most. Beautiful. It makes it hard to leave here but the other problems far out way this benefit.