10 Crops to Feed Your Family in Hard Times // Self Sufficient Sunday #1

In this video I reveal the top 10 crops to grow for self sufficiency. These 10 crops are easy to grow and produce well. Grow these survival crops in your organic vegetable garden. These staple crops are nutrient dense and calorically dense and will help keep your family from starving no matter the situation.
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Hey Guys, I’m Brian from Next Level Gardening
Welcome to our online community! A place to be educated, inspired and hopefully entertained at the same time! A place where you can learn to grow your own food and become a better organic gardener. At the same time, a place to grow the beauty around you and stretch that imagination (that sometimes lies dormant, deep inside) through gardening.
I’m so glad you’re here!
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[@niccim48]

Kale, cabbage, corn, carrots, pumpkin, squash, potatoes, quinoa, sweet potatoes, pinto beans

[@lane_actual_]

+ herbs! And I would add a pepper 🌶️

[@user-xh2yg4uv9q]

Pepper and onions should be added to the list and garlic is always nice.

[@DaughterofAries]

Single parent working 4 acres by myself. My gardens have been a work in progress for years now. The current state of affairs has made me want to expand. I work a full time job and have some livestock, a playful little dog and a very energetic, beautiful child. I really appreciate your move to this type of content. I Garden Defiantly!

[@tiffanychristopher1988]

Great job Mama!

[@DaughterofAries]

@@tiffanychristopher1988 aww thank you.

[@IrisCrain]

You should be SO proud of yourself!! 🥰 I was a single parent, one of the hardest jobs ever, and working a fulltime job and taking care of all you do - make SURE you take care of you too with some self-care. 🥰 Decent people are a rare commodity these days...

[@TheActiveLifeLived]

Look up Dr. Elaine Ingham if you haven't already....your soil will thank you

[@DaughterofAries]

@@IrisCrain ❤️

[@zannaB60]

A few years ago, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. That moment made me acutely aware of what I was putting in my mouth. This is why I garden.

[@SladeMacGregor]

I've been gardening for years growing nutrient-dense food organically, and I only use manure, kitchen scraps and wood chips to grow my food in clay soil. In the last two years, I suffered two heart attacks which is not nice. However, three medical doctors were amazed how quickly I recuperated from this illness. I believe that all the food I grew organically, gave me nutrient rich food that allowed my body to heal quickly. I grow potatoes, tomatoes(determinants), garlic, onions, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, Jalapeño, banana peppers of all colors, corn (sweet & dented), squash, citrus (meyer lemon, limes, key limes, oranges), peaches, and blueberries.

[@tbillyjoeroth]

Good advice. Wait until you have cancer to make the food decision. And breast cancer has been shown to be caused by a poor diet. Right.

[@zannaB60]

I had been growing food for years. This was not a decision made because of Cancer; rather, it was reinforced by it. Until you know a person's whole story, judging them just shows your ignorance.@@tbillyjoeroth

[@deist921]

@@tbillyjoeroththis is one of those times where “ if you don’t have nothing nice to say then don’t say anything “.

[@stevehartman1730]

Pass a law if Bill Gates n others Don farm everywhere year his land will b confiscated n given to homeless vets n poor citizens n Gates n elites gr taxed 90%

[@whatsmamadoing3188]

Thank you for this information. I’ve been trying to tell my grown children what we are facing. I’m 70, my husband is 80 and has metastatic prostate cancer but we are gardening like our lives depend on it!

[@IrisCrain]

Isn't it amazing how little the younger generations listen to us until they face it themselves? My grown children don't listen to me either until whatever situation hits them in the face, then guess who gets a call? LOL!!

[@Hohohox]

Go buy the book b17 a world without cancer anf the other books by the same author

[@christy032866]

I was fortunate enough to marry into a family who were into gardening and canning. Now we've inherited my in-law's house with a 1/4 acre garden. ❤

[@MoonlightDivinity]

Look into moringa for healing the prostate, let Pachamama heal him as you both take care of her ❤ A'ho!

[@charlessnider5086]

Brian, I emphatically disagree with any assertion that your comments were 'fear mongering'. You stated facts, then transitioned into the gardening topic. I always appreciate your clear thinking and motivation. I always wanted to garden (barely successful), and you give me the courage to keep trying. Keep it coming!!

[@lilcricket4379]

Keep going, Charles .. do talk to your land. Sing a little diddy, do a little wiggle. 🎉

[@Jackie-fz5ci]

I really like the absence of fear mongering too. Just a lot of good garden hints and advice. Thank you.

[@2010dragonclaw]

Also, people should be a little afraid/prepared. If you are not then you don't know about history or about the rest of the world outside your little bubble. I lived where there was actually no food due to government/war, when I came to America it was different and I got complacent. The pandemic shut down woke me up a little.

[@andrewjackson244]

@@2010dragonclaw They should be terrified imo. What's coming is not going to be fun.

[@2010dragonclaw]

@@andrewjackson244 I'd rather be more optimistic as in there's no need to worry... As long as you take the steps to prepare. But, you're right. It's definitely nightmarish what can happen

[@plantyfan]

1:31 Victory gardens saved a lot of people.

[@toychristopher]

How much impact they actually had is a matter of debate though. They were successful at increasing morale.

[@plantyfan]

@@toychristopher morale is most of the battle -- they needed hope. They needed to feel useful, and that's huge. Whether they did or did not save lives as a matter of volume -- look to Japan. They impacted economic recovery when they chose not to shift back to commercial food.

[@toychristopher]

@@plantyfan so true. I feel like that's part of what's missing now-- a way to feel hopeful. I shouldn't discount morale.

[@plantyfan]

@@toychristopher I totally get where you're coming from, though. It's easy to overlook. 💗

[@dlr978]

@@toychristopher "The War Garden Victorious" by Charles Lathrop Pack in 1919 details the impact USA victory gardens had on WW1, if you're interested.

[@Chimaster345]

Another underrated option is a small medicinal garden. The bartering value for some things you could grow could be pretty substantial.

[@Junzar56]

I plant my medicinal crops among my other crops. A lot of them repel or are trap crop for insects too!

[@IrisCrain]

ABSOLUTELY!! With the cost of medical treatment these days I think people will soon be going back to the "old ways" to treat simple things like colds and bruises. My mom was a nurse, so I think serious things still need proper medical care, but things like a simple cough can be handled SO easily at home without burdening yourself with a doctor's bill...

[@edyagger8779]

F.D.A. does not approve of this message!

[@jenniferkingsbury8229]

@@edyagger8779 LOL!!!!!!! 🤣

[@machamlin1595]

What would you recommend planting to start a medicinal garden?

[@OvcharkaShepherd]

Saving money today, building up the soil and my skills for the coming days when it won’t be a hobby but rather, a necessity

[@DebRoo11]

Till they prohibit gardening. Many places they already ban collecting rain water. Plus knowing they're spraying crap from the skies it's all very Frustrating

[@vincecastillo6554]

Why would they ban spraying crap from the skies?

[@DebRoo11]

@@vincecastillo6554 Do you understand how punctuation works? 😂

[@OvcharkaShepherd]

@@DebRoo11 I live in one of those areas that bans the collection of rainwater, and we can’t have wells either

[@DebRoo11]

@@OvcharkaShepherd oye... It's crazytown. They haven't done it yet here but I know it is coming

[@tomdixon7264]

Here's an interesting one for you: a friend of my aunt told me about an elderly man she knew who had grown up on post-war Germany. When he was just little and they were scrounging for food, there was one span of time that all his family had to eat was borage. It may be a little weird, but it tastes like cucumbers, bees love the flowers, it blooms all through the entire growing season, and even makes good green manure. You can use the flowers to make wine, young leaves for salads, larger leaves for cooking and adding to other foods. It is an annual cousin of comfrey, I just found out. Super super high in vitamins and fiber. Oh, and deer and rabbits don't like it!

[@gardengrrlWendy]

Borage is AWESOME!!!

[@beebob1279]

Old girlfriend's parents told me they ate tree leaves just to feel full

[@reibersue4845]

You can eat pine bark. I am overrun by Kudzu. Originally I saw it as a nuisance and aggressive weed. Now I see it as food.

[@theresak.7475]

The blue flowers can be a natural blue food coloring!

[@consciousgardener9790]

Comfrey leaves I use to make an medicinal infused pain reliever

[@robine916]

Something I learned from a gardener from the UK is, when you let zucchini grow very large, and let their skins harden like a pumpkin/winter squash, they will store almost as long as winter squash.💖

[@radagast7200]

The squash bugs are so bad in my area that I've all but given up on them. Im gunna try DE this year on the few i planted.

[@judymckerrow6720]

⁠@@radagast7200 Did you try planting Hubbard squash as a lure for the squash bugs. As Brian said the squash bugs like Hubbard squash the best and it keep’s squash bugs away from your other squash. If you are able Brian’s book has a lot of very interesting information on companion planting. Attracting predator bugs to kill off destructive bugs, how planting basil with tomatoes keeps hornworms away from your tomato plants ect… I’ve tried the tomato/ basil technique and it works. His book is very informative. Just a thought ? 🪻💚🙃

[@radagast7200]

@judymckerrow6720 that's interesting. I'm growing my tomatoes in 5 gallon buckets. Can I just plant the basil in the same bucket, or should I use a different container and just put it next to it? I'll have to look into getting some Hubbard squash.

[@Lynn-kh5rs]

@robine916 The over large zucchini (3-6 lbs) are also great for making mock apple pie.

[@dianebrodeen3863]

I've learned a lot to improve my zucchini skills. I prune them for a longer harvest time (into October). I use bone meal in the soil to fix or prevent blossom end rot. And the seeds are easy to save. I'm currently sprouting seeds from my 2019 harvest for my 2024 zucchini crop. They all germinated!

[@jujube2407]

Eating the leaves of the sweet potatoes gives you double the crop. Eat a third of the greens each week and will never harm the tubers below...

[@i2sky532]

Great tip!

[@lucasgaeta3403]

do you use them as a salad or cook like a spinach?

[@jujube2407]

@lucasgaeta3403 both ❤️ very versatile... made pesto with rhem and some basil too

[@cristiewentz8586]

Yup...I add them to eggs, dry to add to soups. Don't forget that when you harvest the tubers, you can harvest and dry every tender stem for winter use, and you can sprout tubers for fresh greens in the winter.

[@TJ-Rockstar76]

😮 I didn't know you can eat the greens off the sweet potatoes. I thought they were toxic like other potatoe greens.......

[@debbiethompson9853]

WOW! You hit over 1 million subscribers! Congratulations!

[@MohGhanem126]

growing your own food means you know really what you are eating.

[@shawncarr8699]

this year i should be able to produce all my family needs and then some of tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage, peppers, onions, garlic, potatoes, peas, beans, cukes, and all of the herbs we use. also sweet potatoes and over 20 varieties of fruits. all on a quarter acre. 4 years ago i could have killed a rock garden, then i watched Brian's grow tomatoes not leaves video and fell down the NLG rabbit hole! thank you Brian!

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

Save even more space by growing pumpkin and winter squash next to concrete like a driveway or patio. Point the vine out along the edge of the concrete to grow: they love the reflected heat and it doesn't waste usable garden space! 💚

[@maryl1833]

That’s a good idea. Spaghetti squash yields a ton of food, but takes up a huge amount of ground.

[@vickisavage8929]

Fun fact. All squash (and pumpkin is a squash) seeds are edible, and more nutrient dense than the flesh.

[@TJ-Rockstar76]

🔥❤ You just gave me a awesome idea!!! I've been trying to figure out what I am going to use as a fence line and whether I want to do a living fence or hedge, or wood or steel. Now what I am going to do is a living fence with squash, beans, peas, etc.... This way I can share that with people in need, etc. I live by a bus stop and down the road from a food bank. Might as well share some seeds and extra fruits for those who can't garden, then hopefully I will get blessed some other way. Thanks for the idea! 🔥❤

[@glorytogodhomestead3495]

If you live by the ocean, make sure you plant them in the hottest part of your yard❤

[@crownofhair]

I just got ahold of cattle panels this year to train all my vining plants to grow vertically. Last year I was drowning in squash and melon vines 😂

[@Malenkia]

I have a kid with Mast Cell Disorder. They are now 26 and since going mostly vegan (they do enjoy a cookout and turkey on Turkey day in small quantities) a few years ago and us being very careful about where our food comes from. We avoid processed and packaged foods ( rarely go down the aisles of the grocery store anymore), cooking from scratch, and washing everything well. Their health has improved immensely from never being able to be in the sun, constantly suffering from chromic athsma, nighttime seizures, throwing up within an hour of waking up, and breaking out in severe hives randomly. That's all the proof I need. My Kid is healthier for it, they're happier, they have a life. You can call it a comspiracy all you want. I call it common sense. When they went to London a few years ago for school they called home commenting on the differences between US Food and UK Food - the ingredient lists weren't a mile long and they knew what everything was. THis country puts too much crap in the food, sprays it on it, grows it in it. If I can do better for my Kid I'm going to. I can't understand why anyone wouldn't.

[@simplygardening1936]

Tip for not in sun, usually causes low vitamin D. MUSHROOMS! The white ones in grocery store produce isle, aka button mushrooms, put in sun for few minutes, they will still make vitamin D. Another good one is oyster mushrooms. You can buy a grow kit, real easy to grow or learn to identify and forage. Loaded with vitamin D. I forage and grow them. Wonderful in home made soup, veggy stir fry, etc. I tried to raise my vitamin D with supplements, slow journey. Eating it often and getting it naturally works wonderfully. Hope it helps your child.vitamin D is important especially when in a health battle, research it.

[@vickisavage8929]

It’s called conspiracy theory until proven to be fact.

[@mariatorres9789]

You should look at the correlation between vaccines, & immune disorders.

[@sherrikarlstedt6442]

Difference between corrupt politicians and possibly very... rich like maybe b gates. After all who makes the laws in favor of the greedy and other demonic people? Praying for their souls B4 it's too late, but I think God has already been separating the goats from the sheep (and I do love goats). All bad actions have consequences. I am very glad that you went the extra mile and your family is better off for it. We need to ban GMO and matching herbicides that are poisoning us, our soil and water. Those people that want depopulation and think that they are god's have done enough damage. I believe God's intervention is coming. Bible says if we turn back to God, he will heal our land. I think in many ways. Perhaps reprimand first before we see his Glory that he is the one and only true God our creator. Praises Lord Jesus Christ the King of Kings.

[@gigisgarden8044]

I just want to say the past month or so your content has been on point! We are in a crisis in the country and many people fail to see what is happening. Being self sufficient and community sufficient is how we are going to make it through this next chapter in history.

[@Rizzob420]

It’s getting harder and harder to want to buy produce from the grocery stores. Even the local market. Almost nothing is organic and it’s never local. A lot of times it comes from other countries. Which makes it more expensive. And it’s already getting harder to buy. Last year I decided to start a small garden with just a few fruits and vegetables. Mostly strawberries and tomatoes. This year I’m growing enough food to last through fall, winter and spring. In all, we’re growing around 80 different fruits and vegetables. My kid deserves to eat healthy foods that are grown how God intended. Thank you for your perspective and your helpful advice and wisdom. You seem like good people.

[@nonamegivenatbirth]

Wow, sounds like an awesome garden! So true about good food availability at the markets.

[@Rizzob420]

@@nonamegivenatbirth Thank you. It’s been fun getting everything together. We all deserve better foods to eat. Take care!

[@Malenkia]

Have you noticed it always feel like it's coated in ick, too? I know they wax them or whatever, but the feeling after growing my own is just so unappetizing now.

[@Rizzob420]

@@Malenkia Apeel and shellac could be the culprit. Both are written on the labels of bagged fruits.

[@user-wh1tk1eh8p]

Yay! Self sufficient Sundays are back! It feels good to be able to look after yourself. And the most delicious and nutritious foods will always be grown in your own yard and picked and eaten fresh. Oh my goodness! My mouth is watering for warm cherry tomatoes picked from the vine in the afternoon sun. We got 2 inches of snow yesterday, so it's still just a dream. But I KNOW it will come true with Brian's guidance. :)

[@halcyonyorks4454]

I got 24" of snow on Saturday! We shall dream together. 😊

[@user-pq9zc3uc7m]

Loved MOST of the list, Brian. My only reluctance is kale. To me, it tastes like I'm eating the scrapings from under my lawnmower. But that's just me. Another surprise was quinoa. Only had it a couple of times and never thought of it as a 'survival' food. Good info. Also, off topic, I posted some ideas on your last homestead post on preparedness. One thing I forgot to mention, on the comfort part, is light. Having light when it's dark can relieve a lot of stress. Cheap idea, solar yard lights. You can get them at wally-world for under $1. If power goes out, pluck them from your yard and bring them indoors. Put them back in the morning and let the sun recharge them. Not great but better than pitch black.

[@Katya-zj7ni]

Underrated comment , great idea ❤

[@tomdixon7264]

That's a GREAT idea for those lights! Tom loves having the yard look like a brownie town LOL so we could very well do this and see if it works! BTW, have you tried some different varieties of kale? The first ones we tried were good, but the Lacinato I grew last year was terrible. But it DOES pair well with Flanders Poppy as an ornamental!

[@ram1brn]

lightly saute it in olive oil and add 1/2 teaspoon of garlic and the zest 1/4-1/2 tea and juice of a lemon this works for all greens . also try different kinds of kale they all do not taste the same I love the dinosaur kale Lacinato heirloom Kale. and as to the solar lights I agree but dont buy the cheap one wally world carrys a brand called Linkind they have solar spotlights 350 lumen to 500 or more they are quality lights( cost is a 4 or 6 pack of them for 40 dollars )they ARE NOT MOTION lights they are a on at dusk and off at dawn im impressed that they last all night also the hyoer tough security lights seem to work well they run about 13.50 per light for a 500 lumen light

[@user-pq9zc3uc7m]

@@ram1brn Thank you. I'll try this. Only had it once and was less than impressed. I like most greens maybe this was just an outlier.

[@almostoily7541]

I'm growing kale for the chickens and because it's pretty lol I'll have to check your comment out on the other video. I haven't seen it yet. I've read kale gets less gross after a frost. I like it in small amounts like in the Olive garden copycat gnocchi soup recipe. I don't want to eat a mouthful at once though 😂 My friends chop bacon and brown, then throw in a handful of kale and add to scrambled eggs. It was really good. Of course, it had bacon sooo...😅

[@bonniejohnson7842]

I appreciate the topic. It's always good to be prepared for the unexpected, even if it's just job loss, family crisis, etc.

[@hollyreilly4818]

Thank you! Our gardens get better every year thanks to your information sharing. If you aren't saving lives, you are certainly making them better.

[@EvelynM-vlogs]

Fun anecdote; When I still lived in Vancouver, BC and had a "desk" interior design job, I kept a head of cabbage in the file drawer for munching on. Everyone thought I was nuts. Oh, that reminds me, now I munch on cashews when I need a snack. Kale, cabbage, corn, carrots, pumpkin, quinoa, and sweet potatoes are all really good for dogs so add a bit to your each of your pups food for additional natural health.

[@michellewelch6013]

This is a great idea for a video series! Thank you!

[@thesquirrelyprepperlifesty5523]

It is a very good idea and this video was very well done.

[@lorriewatson7423]

I have chickens, their eggs feed me every day. Plus, they fertilize my garden, eat a lot of bugs and larva, turn my mulch top dressing, readily reproduce, and can be dinner if need be

[@patcharles2230]

I so appreciate you talking about this….I’m 72 and my hubby just bought me a greenhouse…we live in zone 4b in Ontario Canada…..so that will be so helpful to lengthen my season…..thanks so much!

[@saintmig1101]

SELF SUFFICIENCY is a WISE practice.A dehydrator is my favorite way to preserve my garden harvest - fruit, veggies,herbs and I also make beef jerky !🎉

[@IrisCrain]

I want a freeze drying machine SO badly! For anyone who has a gas oven - it's a great food dehydrator! Put your items in the over TURNED OFF, and let the pilot light do the work. It's already going anyway, put it to good use!

[@SinghaGerly]

You can get “too” ripe organic bananas for half the price and dry them. It’s delicious and it keeps well a long time. It doesn’t take much space neither.

[@ranneyhintsa6434]

I started my self sufficient garden 17 years ago. Lots of cans preserving ( tomatoes eg ) and putting things in that are perennial (fruit) and crops that self seed (kale - my garden has kale for years!). I have not purchased fruit or veg from the shops in 3 years. It works!

[@happy2cya70]

This is a WONDERFUL video! We garden in the large totes with rope handles (very hard to find now) and love it! Being self sufficient is wonderful. We are in the city and can't have chickens so I just buy and store chicken and other meats and can my own. Thanks so much for another great video!

[@teenagardner3623]

I found it hard finding those buckets as well. However, I've found XL nursery pots for free at new housing developments and nurseries. Many will just be trash. I take home and sanitize like everything I grow food with.

[@Malenkia]

UGH! When I think of the number of those totes we had for toys and then got rid of as Kid grew up I could just kick myself now 😂

[@Agrillot6]

I saw an INDOOR quail farm, it was the cutest thing I’d ever seen 😍 it was 3 “stories” tall, in a book shelf with glass doors. There were little ladders for the birds to go up and down, and it had everything. The lady collected 8 or so eggs in the short. They are tiny, but better than nothing!

[@happy2cya70]

@@teenagardner3623 Our Kroger stores here give away their buckets in the floral department. Hubby got me LOTS of those and I grow tomatoes and peppers in them as well as a few flowers. :)

[@practicallyprepared9389]

My preparedness has evolved over the last several years. I’m spending much more time helping my community than on personal preps.

[@ranneyhintsa6434]

Such an exciting post! Make pesto from your carrot tops! Beet greens are awesome for soup ( make the soup with your giant zucchini chopped and frozen along with frozen cucumber. Trust me. It’s delicious). Freeze spinach. Freeze lettuce. Lettuce soup is awesome. With a your zucchini and cucumber! We call it green soup. Lol. I encourage taking on the corporations. The food from my garden is so much better than the grocery stores. And so much better for the plant. The biggest benefit? Gardening is good for your body and inspires joy.

[@GardeningWarrior]

Thank you for speaking these truths. Now more than ever, it is important that people put on their adult person pants, get up, dust themselves off and get growing and preparing for a bleak future we are facing. It is NOT fear mongering, it is the cold hard truth. Love the shirt! These are great selections. I prefer veggies but I cannot eat many of the veggies I love because of health issues.

[@kat6084]

woohoo! I never post this soon after a video. Self sufficiency is a good thing. We even get meat from a local farmer, eggs from a friend & hunt.

[@radagast7200]

Malabar spinach is a good one, if only because its almost more difficult to get rid of than grow. I heard the berries are also pretty healthy. Armenian cucumbers are also pretty hardy. My biggest problem in the suburbs is sunlight. Ive had some luck this year going full container and raising them about 2-3 feet. Also, have a lettuce tower that is thriving. Now, my biggest issue are squirrels.

[@dudeusmaximus6793]

The other thing about pumpkins and winter squash is the double bonus score of cleaning the seeds and roasting them. As good as snack as popcorn.

[@NextLevelGardening]

Very true!

[@cherylspates5476]

My grandfather planted his pole beans with his corn and that allowed the plants to vine on the corn.

[@christy032866]

Yay!! You didn't forget our herbs and green onions! Our chickens are flooding us with green, blueish, and brown eggs! Sis-in-law froze 4 dozen for us while I was in a neighboring state caring for my dad. May God richly bless you and your families to all who read this.😇🥰~ Mamaw Christy 🥰 🙏🏼 ❤️

[@stephaniehughes1686]

Glad i caught this video

[@NextLevelGardening]

👍

[@gregryeii403]

I personally like how you categorize them. This makes for a logical systematic way of figuring things out instead of just randomly growing vegetables

[@blknight113]

Never thought about growing quinoa! Never hurts to be prepared and more self sufficient. Great video as always Brian. Keep up the good work! ❤

[@juliajohnsonmcgee232]

I grow calaloo amaranth for both the edible leaves and the grain/seed.

[@MyFocusVaries]

It's a ton of work to process FYI

[@Junzar56]

If you grow quinoa, it needs more water as seedlings , then be careful not to over water when it’s established. You cannot grow washed quinoa- it will not germinate. Get unwashed quinoa. It also won’t set heads When it’s too hot.

[@Malenkia]

If someone can tell me how to make it edible I'd love to know because every time I try it I just can't and I know it'd be perfect food for me to fall in love with. 😆

[@Junzar56]

@@Malenkia I make it like you make oriental fried rice. I add turmeric at the end, too. It always is a hit at potlucks, I never have any to bring home. Also, make sure you rinse it so there is no foam. That’s the saponin, and that is bitter. I toss some in soups, I also make a dish with lentils, beans, tomato sauce, and polish sausage that is a hit. There are sone good videos on how to cook quinoa perfectly every time. From those I learned to use less water. I like using I cup of quinoa to 1 3/4 cup water. I like the texture that way. Sometimes I use broth instead of water, also, use a little salt and seasonings.

[@Lynn-kh5rs]

The nice thing about herbs is that they grow really well in container gardens like GreenStalk or other vertical growing planters. Saves space and keeps the herbs from overtaking your garden.

[@tanstaafl5695]

Just an aside re: Sweet Potatoes. The inhabitants of Uganda use sweet potatoes as THE staple of their diet. A physician from the UK went down and became what was, in essence, their surgeon gnereal. He stated that in his entire time there, he DID NOT ENCOUNTER ONE CASE OF COLON CANCER, and attributed it to the diet.

[@ruththinkingoutside.707]

Just anecdotally.. I went from having acreage and livestock, gardening my entire life.. to being squished into a tiny townhouse apartment.. The amount of food and flowers that I can manage to produce on my “patio” is unreal.. by year 3 people were driving in off the road to see what I was up to.. literally everything is in a container, that was a learning curve, and you have to modify the selection of what you bother growing.. but.. the neighbors don’t complain, because they get some of the excess.. and I still have more than I can use fresh.. the amount of beans I got last year was ridiculous, bags and bags of them.. more than enough to put some away for another day.. same with potatoes and sweet potatoes.. and they store indefinitely in the cold basement.. obviously, I can’t do a fraction of what I used to, when I had a “proper garden” but.. for a dinky patio, I grow a LOT, and my perennials winter over with a system, my little potted plum has blossoms this spring 🤞 I’m thinking about adding a dwarf apple to the collection.. 😅 I hadn’t intended to be in this apartment so long, but since I am.. the next thought is to put in self sustaining ‘edibles’ in the wild mess along the property line.. like.. sunchokes are pretty and they’ll do their own thing.. lol ATB 😊

[@shirleytruett7319]

Thank you for this video i pray it will open the eyes of the sleepers.❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Agrillot6]

If their eyes aren’t opened, more food for us.

[@tammysturza]

Love the idea of Self Sufficient Sundays! I'm planting most of those veggies, but I'm adding broccoli. Not only is it my favorite veggie, but I can cut a crown, and it'll continue to produce more.

[@RSAMommacyndi]

Amaranth is a great choice. It is a weed in South Africa and is what you call 'small spinach'. It is especially good for areas that don't get a lot of water and it is great cooked or in salads.

[@EviesAcres]

And to boost, it can be a great distraction crop for squash bugs when planted near zucchini and other squashes!

[@RSAMommacyndi]

@@EviesAcres - I did not know that! I have no idea what a squash bug is but a google of them looks a little like our stink bug? Not much can kill our morogo as it is a weed.

[@amberl2639]

These are all great suggestions. Just consider what is best for your situation and go from there. There are several things on this list that I don't grow because I'm the only one that works in the garden. I have to consider growing space, processing time, value/production vs effort and the length of the growing season. I will always recommend herbs, shelling beans, greens and brassicas, though. There are so many varieties to choose from within those categories and, not only are most of them easier to grow, there are several options that work with many climates.

[@jvin248]

Corn: Make sure to get flour/dent/flint corn seed for storage and tortillas, photo dropped in the video was sweet corn and that is the novelty snack of survivalist foods.

[@elliewinslow2217]

Consider a single tree collard instead of the bedded kind--and the taste is sweet! Besides which they are more decorative which is never a bad thing. Another I like that does double duty is tromboncino--summer squash when it's young but let them ripen and you have butternut! I have mine on a trellis that curves over a small circular bed with tons pf other things growing under them!

[@jaytoney3007]

I grow a long season on central Alabama with crops in the ground about February 20th through December. I have 14 raised beds of various sizes, 3 GreenStalk Towers, and an inground herb garden. I grow more food than I can eat, so the excess goes to friends, family, and neighbors. I am growing garlic, bulbing onions, bunching onions, mint, comfrey, parsley, basil, oregano, yarrow, Chicory, catnip, peppers, tomatoes, turnips potatoes, strawberries, cantaloupe, watermelon, summer squash, cucumbers, lettuce, radish, golden beetroot, carrots, kohlrabi, shelling peas, snow peas, mustard, Swiss chard, cilantro, dill, ground cherries, goji berries, cherries, plums, apples, and I was just gifted with a lemon or lime tree. I won't know which until it fruits. I have Wine Cap mushroom spore on order, so I will be growing them too. If I can find the garden space, I want to try to sneak in a crop of parsnips. Maybe in my radish beds, or with my tomatoes? This fall, or winter, I may dig out and move two of my raised beds to an area that gets more sunlight, for growing Asian greens in the fall and winter.

[@amycopeland1701]

I bet the cats in your area love to congregate in your garden right next to a certain plant 😂

[@vickisavage8929]

Radishes are excellent companions for parsnips and carrots. They are done just about when their companions need the space.

[@cherieiduke1723]

You can eat the sweet potato leaves. I just found this out this year. Have you ever considered growing some native plants that are even more nutritious like stinging nettle

[@melindaroth5796]

AWESOME Brian just AWESOME and so Appreciated ❤😊 Love you all. Hi Emilie and Noah ❤😊

[@carolined3058]

I like the way you count the calories , never thought about it like that

[@armyrabb1]

There is no love lost between me and kale. If I were to grow some, it’d be for my critters. Also, I choose sorghum over quinoa; me and the chicks can share the seeds, plus I can get syrup from the stalks.

[@kated3165]

Don't forget to plant 1 or 2 lovage! They are hardy perennials that require 0 care and can grow about anywhere. Grows to a decent size but still fairly compact, and will provide you with celery tasting leaves and stems year after year with no effort on your part. Great in soups, stews and salads!

[@pjsviking]

Once again Brian, a thorough, detailed, well-presented video providing the knowledge and skills we all need to re-embrace like most humans have done for thousands of years. Need to watch it again and make notes in my garden journal :) 🇨🇦

[@bonnielass82]

Top 10 crops to be self-sufficient (easy to grow, have to provide good yield per sq ft, calorically dense): 10. Kale (2:26) 9. Cabbage (3:17) 8. Corn (4:00) 7. Carrots (4:50) 6. Pumpkin (5:40) 5. Summer Squash (6:13) 4. Potatoes (6:59) 3. Quinoa (7: 38) 2. Sweet Potatoes (8:30) 1. Pole Beans (aka Pinto) (9:37)

[@almostoily7541]

Thanks! I'd also like to add that if you have the space, try different colored varieties of these. It will increase the different vitamins and minerals. I'm growing favorites and trying different varieties in buckets and totes.

[@jksatte]

I was looking for this comment. Thank you.

[@bonnielass82]

@@jksatte glad I could help! 😊

[@cristiewentz8586]

I'm in the southeast. Hot, humid, disease ridden lol My list is sweet potatoes, Milo ( grain sorghum), cherry tomatoes, short season cabbage, mizuna, Seminole pumpkins, pole beans for fresh and dry. And peanuts, of course. Gotta love a nitrogen fixer.

[@Mrs_Homemaker]

You can dry summer squashes, especially zuchinni! Look up how to spirial cut them and hang them to dry. Then you can use in soups and things

[@nancyseery2213]

I just think that knowledge can't be taken away and should be shared. I also feel that the saying "better safe than sorry" holds up well no matter what is going on in the world. I garden for three reasons. 1- I like gardening and spending time outside. 2- the food is better than store bought and 3- Yes, I want the food, the knowledge for myself and my family if the s--t hits the fan!

[@edensbounty6679]

I love the new focus of your channel! Subbed to both now. I live on .5 acre with 22 fruit and nut trees and a 5000 sq ft garden.

[@SladeMacGregor]

The one food that I enjoy growing is citrus. I grow oranges, meyer lemons, and limes. I recommend citrus because the fruit can stay preserved/fresh on the tree up to five months. I like that. Also, a fully mature citrus can produce fruit all year long, and mature citrus trees can produce 600+ fruits per year. A fully grown orange tree can produce up to 30,000 calories per year.

[@jinnidog5480]

Can't grow citrus up north.😢

[@SladeMacGregor]

@@jinnidog5480 Sure you can....one has to learn how to do it. I know this one guy who grows citrus in Nebraska, and another in Idaho. I live in Zone 8a, and I have a 8 foot Valencia Orange tree growing in my yard! Our winter temps can reach as low as 13 degrees in middle Georgia area. Look at this guy's set up in Nebraska: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4vKmZ6qatJkq7s

[@kristyholman351]

Really enjoying these videos. Anything you can do to help educate us to grow more is always welcome! Keep up the good work!!

[@janus878]

Ich bin 60 Jahre alt, habe vorletztes Jahr angefangen auf einer Obstbaumwiese ein no dig Gemüsebeet anzulegen, dieses Jahr wird es doppelt so groß sein, ich freue mich schon! Außerdem werde ich im wirklich kleinen Vorgarten vor meinem Mietshaus einen Topfgarten mit Tomaten, Zucchini, Kartoffeln, Paprika, Kohlrabi, Salaten, Kräutern und vielleicht Kürbissen anlegen, damit die Menschen vl auf die Idee gebracht werden, es mir gleich zu tun! Es ist mir egal, wenn sie etwas wegnehmen, sie sollen es mir nachmachen😂❤ außerdem habe ich vor 3 Jahren angefangen, Dinge einzukochen für den Vorrat😮

[@omnipitentevanescen]

Need more people like this is the world. Too many people in the talking head sphere telling us how bad its going to get but not helping with practice ways to be prepared. I appreciate this so much, and subscribed.

[@TJ-Rockstar76]

🔥🔥🔥❤Hey! One of your viewers just gave me an awesome idea!!! 🔥🔥🔥 They were commenting on how sidewalks provide extra space for squash and stuff, with out taking up garden space and well....... I've been trying to figure out what I am going to use as a fence line and whether I want to do a living fence or hedge, or wood or steel, etc. Now what I am going to do is a living fence with squash, beans, peas, etc.... the works basically. This way I can share that with people in need, etc. I live by a bus stop and down the road from a food bank. Might as well share some seeds and extra fruits for those who can't garden, then hopefully I will get blessed some other way. I went thru som unfortunate circumstances since 2020 and i am slowly diggin my way out of this hole, so my garden is going to be brand new, from scratch right now. Imagine if everyone grew veggies and fruit, etc, just some extras for peoole. So many people would be blessed by all you gardeners 🙏 ❤ Anyways, I am off to build my garden! Thanks everyone for the awesome contributions to the ideas! 🔥🔥🔥❤

[@deniselittle283]

The absolute best garden video out there!!!!

[@marniroberson8980]

I agree with everything you said in this video and I am growing more for all the reasons you listed. I believe the junk being put on and in our food is not healthy for us or our animals. I am wanting to grow extra food to feed to my animals (including my dogs).

[@DaughterofAries]

In case you weren't aware, dogs love sweet potatoes.

[@vickisavage8929]

@@DaughterofAriessweet potato and pumpkin are very beneficial for dogs.

[@cricketcorner8950]

Always enjoy hearing people’s top tens for food value! I’m allergic to potatoes and sweet potatoes, but I use butternut squash as a substitute. I plant more densely than recommended, and I think I put 10-12 seeds in a 4x6 plot a couple years ago. Ended up with well over 50lbs of squash that store for months if you prepare and store them properly. I’ve favored bush beans over pole beans, but you make a good point about growing along a fence to save container space, so I’ll have to consider that. Finally, I will add that I’ve been growing paprika for a couple of years. Not nutrient dense, but you need flavor, so it’s in line with your herb recommendation. You can plant them densely, so I get a good amount in only a 2x4 section of a container. I wait until midwinter when gardening is a distant memory in Minnesota to grind the dried peppers to use in chili to bring a splash of summer to my chilly kitchen. Thanks for the video!

[@n2organic]

Kale, cabbage, corn, carrots, pumpkin, summer squash, potatoes, quinoa, sweet potato, pinto beans. Bonus: plant herb garden and keep egg laying chickens. My note: Also, sweet potato leaves are edible like spinach

[@AlsInd]

great vid. highly recommend purple sweet potatoes. always go vertical with them. you can grow a lot more against a wall. i grow just under 20 varieties of dry beans. they are the best thing to grow. they improve your soil and store easily. they are the best things to grow vertically, taking up little space and are the staple food for me. dry them well and they will store for a long time. i have 55gal steel drums full of beans that would feed me for many years. quinoa is great but don't forget sorghum. it is very drought tolerant also and very rich in both calories and nutrients. this far into the mountains, i can only grow it by transplanting but down in cali, it should grow like weeds 🙂

[@Joshy1313]

1. Kale Cabbage Corn Carrots Pumpkin Summer squash Potatoes Quinoa Sweet Potatoe 10. Pinto beans Xtra: Herbs Needs 5 4x4 planters or 4 5x8 planters

[@charlessears2048]

Always good to be reminded of our past 💪🏻 very educational video today 👍🏻 Keep up the good work! But I’d have to add a few cucumber plants just because I love them and they are very healthy. 😉

[@almostoily7541]

They have varieties that are storage cucumbers but they store a few weeks, not months like winter squash. I bought a couple to try. Also storage tomatoes and watermelon. I had never heard of these until I was reading the descriptions on Sand Hill Preservation site. I've ordered some to try.

[@judymckerrow6720]

Thank you Brian ! Great info. ! We used to have at least 50 chickens, they produced a lot of eggs and we used to sell them much cheaper than the going rate. Any way they aged out and frankly we were tried of the chickens and all of the eggs. Fast forward 10 years and we decided that we really would like to have a few chickens maybe between 10 and 15 so I purchased some chicks and raised them in the house until they were ready to go outside. We went on vacation and had someone watching the chickens, they were almost ready to start laying, when we came home ALL the chickens were dead 😢, some critter had gotten into the coop while we were gone. Heartbreaking to say the least ! A couple of years later we tried again, only about 7 this time, I went on vacation and while I was gone those chickens had all died, hubby thought maybe they had coccidiosis, while I really would like to have chickens around again I’m not taking any chances on them again. It’s heartbreaking when something you nurtured to get to a reasonable size ends up dying on you. The ONLY way I would consider getting chicks again is if we scrubbed down the area we kept them in with a strong disinfectant. We fixed all of the areas we THOUGHT critters might be able to get in, I really enjoy chickens, they produce eggs and they provide entertainment at least for us, we use to sit and watch the girls for hours. I’m not sure if I’m willing to try it again or not. Third time the charm ? I’d hate to get some only for then to end up like the others 😭🪻💚🙃

[@marthakratz7877]

Before you decide not to, go ahead and watch his video on raising backyard chickens. Maybe some good ideas will pop out at you that you hadn't thought of before.

[@monana8706]

Just don't go on vacation!

[@cherilewis2899]

I would like to try khaki Campbell ducks they less noisy than chickens and 9nly require a kiddy pool and usually lay a egg a day the male not noisy like a rooster and are fun to watch

[@judymckerrow6720]

@@monana8706 Good idea but my vacation consists of visiting my son and daughter who live 400 plus miles away. 🪻💚🙃

[@gypsygem9395]

Have you thought about rehoming battery/caged hens rather than rearing chicks? When they come to the end of their useful (commercial) life at 1 or 2 years old they still have many years laying life left but don't lay enough for the big commercial setups. You'd be giving them a new lease of life (literally saving their lives) and gaining the eggs and ability to enjoy watching them too! I don't know if that's a thing where you are but there's a few organistions and individuals in the UK rescuing these hens.

[@user-mc3tp5sd2z]

Thank you for this! Self-sufficiency for me comes down to 1) just tastes so much better 2), frugal 3) controls what’s in the soil: nutrients/toxic 4) prepared for emergencies no matter what they are. -I for example live in earthquake country. And I’m spoiled by have fresh herbs all the time. I like to see a video on most expensive to buy/grow them instead. 😊

[@melodyfordham7878]

I live in a mobile home park where we cannot have any ‘gardens’. I have 7 large sized containers and an old TV antenna. Guess who’s growing pole beans!! lol. I want the most bang for the buck, so researching the container garden suggestions. Thanks for what you do. Been following since 2020 ☺️

[@mydogeatsjeans7216]

You know what's going on and that's why you were chosen to share your knowledge, I believe. I know it's not the only reason but it clicked in for me in quite a few of your recent vids, which is why I love you guys even more ❤Please do more of preserving vegetables and herbs for those unaware how to and the medicinal benefits 😉 no not those type of herbs lol😂 well maybe because there are benefits of those too. I always get excited when a new video of yours pops up ❤. You two are so great!

[@NextLevelGardening]

I appreciate that

[@caterjunes3426]

Great video! You could add that pumpkin seeds are a great source of protein, and that you can also eat sweet potato leaves. Two-fers, if you will. Agree about the herb garden. I'm working on that one!

[@traceymorris4702]

I harvested 13 pounds of potatoes 🥔 from every single potato planted last year. Over 200 pounds I put up enough that I am only planting 4 this year 😊. Unfortunately We cannot grow sweet potatoes here in zone 5. (Not well anyway)

[@vickisavage8929]

You can try growing sweet potatoes in containers, especially if you can cover them.

[@monana8706]

I'm in Zone 5b/6a (depending on whose chart is used), and we grow sweet potatoes quite well!

[@petanisukses_garden]

Very inspiring, such fertile plants

[@JenMarco]

I don’t have a big enough yard for chickens yet but Pennsylvania has a law that limits backyard chickens per acre with a maximum of 12 no matter how big your property is. My goal is to live in a small house on a huge property and be as self sufficient as possible.

[@Sunnylane02174]

Thank you for this video!!! I always loved gardening & did it mostly for fun. It also served my mental wellbeing good by being outside. Then the pandemic hit & supply chain issues hit. Food prices went through the roof. Gardening became a necessity to offset the rising prices of everything. So I started growing more food, locally sourcing my meat & dairy, canning & freezing to get us through the winter. It’s helped us save a lot of money. Especially since I save seeds on a lot of what I grow.

[@Cecil-zw2zq]

I’ve started planting corn more dense. Because it’s a raised bed the soil is nutrient rich. I be had great success for two years now. I plant 3 stalks per square foot which means pollination is really good! That means48 stalks in a 4x4 bed

[@catherinefrasier4051]

Thanks Brian. I've planted 4 from your list. I have food for thought on what to add to my list. I love the shirts. I appreciate this new series!

[@leifkeane]

Chickens!! Too right! Had a few for years and wouldn't be without them.

[@esthersdaughterlong8149]

Thank you Brian. Sweet potatoes are just one of many I'm growing.

[@canadianoutdoorsurvival]

I agree with all the choices, but I gotta have tomatoes and peppers too!

[@SanDiegoCaliforniaUSA]

Grow them. He was just giving you the best for calories and nutrients. The tomatoes and peppers will help add flavor to the crops he listed. If you didn't grow any bonus crop. Herbs.

[@Crystal-iy6gx]

Thank you and I as well as many many others totally agree with all your points and facts!

[@jennyhackenberg]

I live in Central Pennsylvania and I just put in a bigger cucumber bed. I am hoping that between the peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers that i can sustain myself all summer long. Plus i planted potatoes in containers and garlic last October along with onions but i can't for some reason grow good onions lol but i am going to try. I also plant lettuce in a couple of small planters on my patio. I too have chickens but right now out of 12 hens i am only getting 1 to 2 a day. I go around and pick dandelions and other grass for them as well as give them scratch and fermented seed. But some are also molting too. Plus i have 1 that i know is 9 years old she is one of the first ones i got when i started my adventure with chickens. But i eat 2 eggs a day usually so i will just buy off a local farmer if my girls don't give me any and i run out of eggs. Be safe everyone and thank you for all the help on this.

[@annebird9195]

For nutrient dense, id use stinging nettle instead of Kale. and if i had to pick a survival herb it would be Yarrow: pretty flower that noone suspects, crushed leaves can stop bleeding and infection, help bruises and sores, the tea can help sicknesses and roots can help toothaches. Does basically everything.

[@MnS101]

My family likes it when I cook kale, sweet potato. I boil the kale and add the sweet potato about ten minutes into the boil. Add some herbs and spices, and you have a tasty nutritious meal.

[@JohannaParrishParrish_Place]

I love that you are keeping truthful with all of us gardeners. I have always watched infowars so everything your saying is exactly what i know to be true! Love your channel new sub!

[@NextLevelGardening]

Welcome!

[@anishinaabae]

infowars? like the “chemicals in the water that turn frogs gay” infowars? yikes…

[@joebird1400]

Grow what you want and save seeds😊

[@christinemccoy4471]

Kale, swiss chard, beet leaves, bok choy, the super nutritional foods

[@Uprising771]

hard times are coming, we can all feel it

[@kimberlyparisi5844]

Carrot top pesto! Sweet potato leaves are YUMMY! Gardens are a necessity if you want to survive.

[@pamrush8763]

Thank you for great information. I am gathering as much great information as I can to help me through these tough times. You have put a lot of though and time in this video and I for one am grateful. God Bless you and your family🥰👵🏻

[@heatherj3030]

That was a well thought out list, Brian! Because, I hate Kale, I would grow cherry tomatoes instead. I can freeze, can or dehydrate them for long term food storage, and they add so much flavor to food. I do grow slicer tomatoes and paste tomatoes, but the cherries are the ones that seem to out produce over all, and don't have as many issues for me (for instance, my chickens breaking into my garden and going straight for my slicing tomatoes!)😅 They are lucky that they're cherished pets! For those of you that can't have chickens, you might check out coturnix quail. They are so quiet, my neighbors didn't know I had them until I mentioned it after a couple of years. They take very little space, lay an egg a day if they have 14 hrs of light, and start laying about 7 to 8 weeks after they hatch, which also means they are old enough to butcher for food. To be honest, mine all died of old age. I would consider getting them again, but we are in a busy season of life right now.

[@gypsygem9395]

Interesting! I've had all kinds of poultry (which I miss, hoping to start again this year) but never quail. I didn't realise they matured so quickly. Might have a go in the future! Thanks for the info

[@Christian-jx3nx]

My survival foods: Potatoes, carrots, collards, purple hull peas, green beans, tomatoes, broccoli, sweet potatoes, lettuce and herbs is what i grow alot of. I’m buying corn from a local farmer on Facebook this year but if enough time, will plant corn as a later crop for fresh eating. Trying spinach again. Should have started in February. Don’t forget Succession planting a must for smaller gardens. When collards are done will plant the sweet potatoes. When green beans are done will try pintos first time. Squash bugs too bad here so luffa tastes like zucchini for soups and bread. Every year gets better with more experience 😊 zone 7.

[@Syl-Vee]

This is so helpful for planning my small garden, on which I already depend to save money and be well. Thank you!

[@EdimentalGardens]

I would swap summer squash for winter squash since it stores MUCH longer. Otherwise, it’s a good list.