Economic Collapse Prep - Greenhouse, Garden, & some solar.

[Winter077]

How are you going to stop all the starving crazy people from raiding your garden

[nathuwjohn]

herbs/supplements will only be available by Dr prescription-CODEX ALIMENTARIUS, CFR (World organizations)

[stormrain71]

Good video.

But i'm afraid hungry people will try to steal everything they can. And if they know you got a field with food or a greenhouse they will come sneaking one dark night. What then?

[survivalseeds]

The only way to be fully prepared as far as growing plants is concerned is to practice, practice, practice. If the economy takes a turn for the worse, then the gardening knowledge and skills acquired from practicing will come into play at this time.

[sliqer]

You can find more renewable energy technologies at PESWiki

[beast12101]

looks great, what about fences for people?

[timothyhblair]

Thank you for posting your process for growing seedlings in your greenhouse and your outdoor garden.

[passantgardant]

That's a great start. Heirloom seeds especially. Do you know how to save seeds from your garden so you can plant another next year? Look into how the Native Americans planted... "three sisters" configuration, companion plants, etc., to naturally protect and fertilize. Good minimal solar setup, but it's cheaper to just buy one bigger panel (e.g. 200 watts) rather than a bunch of little ones. Ideally, figure out how to hook up your well pump and septic pump and other critical loads.

[pearljjadena]

Dont forget melons (super easy) and squash.

[MrSkaramanga]

yeah i got squash seeds but they say that they do not transplant well and i cannot plant directly in the garden soil here until mid may, last frost date.

[pearljjadena]

Basically you cant transplant either very well (melons squash), but its no big, cause they grow so fast that simply planting them directly into your plot along with everything else (that I assume you are transplanting) wont put you back with harvesting time. It's the coolest thing though, to suddenly see this melon or squash peeking out of the leaves, its like "Whoa, I did that!" lol. Power trip lol

[MrSkaramanga]

Yea I never thought of planting melons, maybe I'll give it a shot. Don't know how well they will do in my area but i'll give it a shot anyway. Adirondacks area of NY state.

[pearljjadena]

That's a tricky one lol. But melons are so easy! When I was a kid, we'd eat watermelon and spit the seeds out in our yard, a month and a half later we would start to see the melons peeking out over the weeds lol. So I cant imagine that it would be difficult at all.

[MrSkaramanga]

Another question about battery banks. In one particular case I am going to need four 6 volt batts, wired in series for a 12v system (one pair 12v and the other 12v of course). The particular batteries are 200 AH each. Would you suggest that I wire them in parrallel as well? ( to get 400AH and 12v) or it isn't necessary? , and... even if not neccessary is it better to wire in parrallel/series in most applications anyway just in case you need more amperage?............sorry for all the questions

[crasster1]

Not really understanding the question. The way I have it is 6V+6V series wired parallel to another 6V+6V series.

Of course you could always just use two batteries 6V+6V wired in series to make 12V. If they are 200AH, you will have 12V at 200AH. Not bad at all.

If you arent real sure how to wire, I'd go with 6V+6V to begin with. Simply connect 1 positive to the other batteries negative. Then use the empty terminals for the inverter/charging.

Use THICK wire. Thicker than jumper cables.

[MrSkaramanga]

Ok then, in your case you said you have

6V + 6V in series wired parallel to anotehr 6v + 6V series. What if you did not wire the 2 sets of batts together in parallel and just left them alone in series, would that work well connected to a inverter? OR is better to wire them in parallel/series as you have ( more amperage I guess)?

[crasster1]

If you left them just in series, you would have 2 separate series. That would give you 1 set with a positive & neg terminal, and another set with pos & neg. Wired to an inverter, they would merely be connected in parallel at the inverter. However, this really isn't how it's commonly done. I suppose it would work, but you would also have to have your charging devices connected at the inverter.

[MrSkaramanga]

Ok thanks. The reason why I asked was just an exercise to help me understand the wiring options, but I am already going to wire the same way you have. I have seen a few huge battery banks that are wired the way you have yours wired and yes it seems that this is standard way to wire the batts. Thanks for your assistance.

[MrSkaramanga]

About the thick wire, yea, i spoke to this guy who makes some really nice custom cables and he said to use 2 gauge wire only, thats all he uses as its extra safe.

[RETIREMESOON]

My wife and I have had gardens since 1989.I would say you are doing a great job and you will learn anything you need to as time goes on.

[SilverWealth23]

Awesome job! What part of Tx do u live? We now have 8 tomato plants, but are looking to upgrade, thanks for the tips!

[crasster1]

Dallas Area

[ItomeVader]

Good to see your still going! New updates look great! I have that same cement mixer. :) 5/5

[hs083]

Like your videos. Just keep in mind that harbor freight solar panels usually last about 5 years before they degrade compared to more expensive ones that last about 20 years. Check into different solar panels poly or mono crystalline and so on.. But it is great that you have the wind power.

[centervilletn]

how much electricity do you need to run a refrigerator? if i could master that end of the power equation i could get off the grid......i think...

[crasster1]

Depends on the size of the frige. A small very green frige, about 150w.

Sunfrost makes some models that use about 200w.

Sears has a model that uses 400w.

The best way to determine is buy a device called a killawatt meter. It can measure how much power a device uses in a day. Then you measure over a week and you'll know what you need.

[atticus9799]

Parsley takes a long, long time to germinate, don't get discouraged, it will grow when it is good and ready, remember also that it likes cold so you wont get a good crop until the end of the summer and then at the beginning of spring, next year because it is a biennial.

[centervilletn]

prickly pear is edable and supposedly very good...ask your hispanic neighbors for how to prepare..aparently a staple in mexico..

[MrSkaramanga]

OK now for the gardening. I planted some seeds last week indoors for transplant. The tomato seeds sprouted like in 4 days and after 7 days now, they are already like 2 1/2 inches tall some even 3 inches. Is this NOT good?, because i think someone mentioned on YT not too long ago that the plants can get too "leggy". If this IS bad, what can i do to prevent it?

[crasster1]

Not too sure what you can do, but I assume any growth is good. LOL. I'm seriously not an expert and I'm trying to figure this stuff out as I go. As far as I know....

Light, Dirt, Water. After a while mulch. Don't allow to freeze....

That's about it.

[MrSkaramanga]

Ok we are in the same boat then , learning as I go as well. I heard a good tip this afternoon that if you want the seedlings to be strong and stoudt, brush them with your had for only one min. a day. But you got so many that you'd need a few hours LOL. In your case you may want to do this with any of the seedlings that have sprouted but are not doing so well. I'll let you know if i hear of any more tips :)

[centervilletn]

ive grown in green houses and lighted shelves for years...make sure that you put your seedlings in the wind or run a fan on them to keep them from being wind burned when you place them out in your garden...if you grow inside put your plants out in the shade for a few days b efore your move them into your garden..or they wlll get sun burned.

[dyllonkatieaustin]

I have never heard of that I grow tomatoes every year and thats about how long it takes to sprout

[pearljjadena]

Its a plant, you don't need to over think it. Its a good thing, and means your tomatoes will either be frikkin' HUGE, or that you will have a lot of them.

[MrSkaramanga]

Just want to see if i got t his right.

you wired 2 batts 6V+6V in series which gives 12 V (pos to neg). You did this SEPARATELY (?) with another 2 batts getting 12v one more time. THEN you connected one positive lead of the pair to a positive to the other pair...... and one negative lead of the pair to the negative of the other pair (parallel) to up the amps.............is this correct?

If so, then i assume you can do this same thing with 8 batteries or no?

[crasster1]

Yes that is correct. Then I have it hooked to a 1000W true sine inverter.

[MrSkaramanga]

Awesome , true sine wave is best. I''ve got 2 panels right now, same as yours. Now for the batteries, golf cart . I'm also th inking that from now on to go larger wattage on the panels so i don't need so many , gets pricey though. Looking at a 100 watt panel right now, costs around 500 bucks. Gonna put 4 golf cart batts on that one, when i get it. The other 2 small panels, going to get only 2 golf cart batts or maybe a deep cycle 12 volt batt, for smaller power usage. My power needs are meager.

[vention4wh]

I'd love a great garden like that but I only owe 25 thousand on my condo. That's my only debt. I make 32 an hour and I can live on almost nothing. If I bought a house it would cost me an extra 250 thousand at least. I can buy a lot of groceries for that. I have a pretty good deck garden, a nearly depression proof job and a lot of food stored. I have several places I can go if the city implodes (one of which I've already stocked with food).

I'm wracking my brain for more prep ideas.

[mytruth15]

wow!!!!awesome preparation...do you have any problems with fire ants?

[crasster1]

Yes some, but you can either use simple poison or aspartame (Equal sweetener) to kill them. I'm sure you already knew, but don't eat Equal...

[steelhorses2004]

You probably had some old nonviable parsley seed. It's normally vigorous. I'd try again with fresh seeds. Please keep us updated with the gardens progress. Even if it's just a quick 2-3 min video. Looking forward to more.

[sitonapotatopanotis]

Isn't wiring either in series OR parallel?

I think tangerines have better cold resistance than lemons. The cactus: think nopales or nopalitos. Good food if you are diabetic.

[crasster1]

2 batteries and 2 batteries wired in series.

It's 6V & 6V = 12V

then

It's 6V & 6V = 12 V

Then wired in parallel together

6V+6V = 12V with 12V = 6V+ 6V

That way you have a 12V system at high wattage & amps going to an inverter.

[MrSkaramanga]

Oh I see, so you wired them in series AND in parellel at the same time. I guess that would make it like one large 12 volt battery with huge amount of amps or amp-hours. I guess thats why you used the golf cart batteries, they have large amp-hours, which I think means that they drain slowly and can be recharged alot, is this right?.........also when you get the chance in your next vid could you show us the wiring of the batts?

Thanks

[MrSkaramanga]

can you tell me where you got the cables to connect the batteries in series/parallel?

thx

[crasster1]

Yes, I used welding wire for welders. I bought it from Home Depot (very thick stuff) You can connect them through brackets used to ground plumbing in a home. Will do a video on it.

[JeremiahCypull]

please keep posting economic collapse prep videos, your helping a lot of people prepare. gardening, solar, self sufficiency. keep it up.

[Kittenkattan]

Fantastic video! Great work.

Keep doing this type of video.

Thanks.

[crasster1]

Thanks a lot! Will do!

[Kelvin701Lakeland]

I started my garden about 3 months ago, but started putting plants in the last few weeks. I made boxes from woods I didn't need anymore and painted it. I have 4 rows of 2 boxes of 4 x 18, box of 3 x 18, and 1 box of 4 x 12. I have about 8 squashs/zuccini, 3 tomatoes, 6 pepper trees, lots of herbs, one row of beans, two rows of sugar peas, lots of spinish, iceberg, chinese brocollie and bochoy, garlic/onion, romains ... It's really nice... i think i will take some video and post.

[mytruth15]

let me know when you post the video:)Tom

[NOweWONT]

5 starred, favorited.

[lostinthemix]

Awesome video and yes grow your food before the garden NAZI'S jackboot your squash. peace Norm

[visionvictory]

Great video, you have inspired me to set up my own green house.

thx

[crasster1]

Thanks a lot VV