On the way to the Community Garden I stopped at a park to watch the geese and ducks because I was too early.

I drove back for the 0930 class, there were almost 20 people there. Only a few permies, a variety of Gardeners, teachers, and others. More people came then I was expecting. After the class, we transplanted some starters. I planted some basil but had to stay away from the peppers. We weeded and learned about the different plants and the history of the Community Garden. We moved around the water storage tanks
After the finishing the work, we had a potluck lunch at around 1230. It was good, as well as the companionship. They meet up every 2nd Saturday the work on the garden, I'll have to go back and help more often.

I am currently watching a webinar about why you should buy, raise and save seeds as part of your survival preparedness. Last year I helped Kickstart a program for Fruition Seeds in Naples adn Branchport, New York. They grow and sell heirloom seeds, guaranteed GMO free.
I am preparing my garden right now to plant my first crop from these seeds. I would have started earlier, but we have been having crazy weather. This is a work in progress, I am  building raised beds in my backyard and they are constantly under improvement. Right now I need to get compost and dirt to cover them.

They always have good contests, I wish to win this one.

I so happy, I paid for this Kickstarter last year and the rewards finally came in. I was able to order 50 seed packets worth $200 for only $2.95  shipping. I will start planting these in the spring. I need to get another greenhouse and make more raised beds so I can start growing my crops. I can't wait until I have plants I've grown to can and add to my slowly building food storage.

I will finish my rain barrel tomorrow, so will have a supply of water for my plants without affecting my water bill. I will gradually get more barrels, but need to keep within my budget to build up my savings.

In other news, I just sold my first book on my Amazon store, The Lord of Greenwich, I'll mail it tomorrow. I also will start my new job with DAV Force as an auto mechanic on the Charleston Naval Weapon Station.

I am working on my 1st canning experiment with 3 acorn squash in 4 pint jars. I probably should have done something simpler to start with, but had some squash that needed to be used. I had to search for the directions to can it at 15 psi though, because the instructions in the Home Preserving manual (came with my Fugor Duo pressure canner) said to can it at 10 psi, my pressure canner only has a Hi (15 psi) and Lo (8 psi) setting.
Thankfully I found some instructions on someone else's blog where they used 15 psi for 55 minutes and it turned out fine. Currently, I have 20 minutes left and then will test the seals.
After depressurizing and letting everything cool off, I found out that 1/2 the fluid in each jar had leaked out. and one of the jars didn't seal. Thankfully the manual said that everything was fine, except for the one that didn't seal. That one went in the fridge and will be used soon. Overall, not a bad experience.

I'm watching a webinar by Marjory Wildcraft, she is talking about growing your own crops. She says to start small and then work up.

I just wish that the sound was better, her voice was a bit garbled. She talked about a book from the 70s, that is still in use today. 12 beds for food crops, 28 beds for compost crops, using a 40 bed 100' square garden.

    This webinar has good information. It is about "understanding FEMA & Red Cross recommendations for treating water in an emergency. The webinar is on www.survivalstill.com.

    The three main ways that it lists are:

boiling, chlorination and distilling. Distillation is the best out of the three. The host Glen Meder has created his own "survival still." It looks like a good product. It meets Fema & Red Cross recommendations and is made in the USA.

    I need to get me one and build myself a rainwater catchment system.