What have you done this week to prep?

[Lee11b]

. . . unless you're trying to swim.

that's what they make life preservers and kayaks for....kayaks are camouflaged....

 

[rhino]

that's what they make life preservers and kayaks for....kayaks are camouflaged....

Well played, sir.

 

[Rocdenindy]

I will be rotating out all my magazines today. I took a couple of my 10/22's to the range with magazines I have had loaded for a long time. Jam after jam. Emptied them by hand, sprayed a little lube and reloaded, no issues. I know better about proper maintenance but it is a lesson learned and better in a controlled setting then out in the field or worse.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

If the average person saw your ammo storage, and wouldn't think you're hoarding, then you're probably not prepping.

Now there's a sliding scale for ya. If you have someone that takes the lamestream media urinalists seriously, Grandpa's single shot .22 rifle, a 9mm hipoint and a 12ga pump with 2-3 incomplete boxes of ammo qualifies as an arsenal. I can just imagine the PSH I'd get here.

The last and next few weeks see me getting ready for my garden, starting seeds, putting up my grow lights, planning the layout. I'm trying a variety of plants, sticking with heirloom and non GMO seeds, that kind of thing. Later on, I'll add to my fruit trees. Not so much an explicit prep, but I'm building skills. Lately I've even been having trouble getting weeds to grow, so maybe I can improve.

 

[Lee11b]

I was disappointed with some moringa seeds I planted. The plants came up really "viney" with no support. I think our cat finally did them in.

 

[churchmouse]

Try the us coast guard approved water packets. They store really well in bags. I have a few I can give you to try out. Gonna be seeing indyJohn this week anyways.
i use them in all my caches too.

I am interested in these as well.

 

[dusty88]

Try the us coast guard approved water packets. They store really well in bags. I have a few I can give you to try out. Gonna be seeing indyJohn this week anyways.
i use them in all my caches too.

I don't recognize your user name Triggertime. Do you have a shop or online store ? I have considered the water packets but wondered if they are worth the cost as compared to just rotating out my water and using things like hydration pack inserts.

 

[NVG]

Have made 6 large candles out of beeswax and mop head strands for wicks. Beeswax is from local beekeeper.

 

[dusty88]

Have made 6 large candles out of beeswax and mop head strands for wicks. Beeswax is from local beekeeper.

Oh.... that's a good idea for me to keep in mind. I'm getting bees in April and I was just about to throw out an old mophead from my office.

 

[NVG]

dusty, they actually burn well-low soot. I soaked mine in melted wax before finally candle set.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

Hey, you mention bees, I'm looking to get into some bees eventually, and I found a hive system where you basically turn a valve and the honey drains out. Don't have to stress the bees or upset the neighbors. Their website shows preorders with delivery scheduled for April.

 

[dusty88]

Hey, you mention bees, I'm looking to get into some bees eventually, and I found a hive system where you basically turn a valve and the honey drains out. Don't have to stress the bees or upset the neighbors. Their website shows preorders with delivery scheduled for April.

I'm not even a beekeeper yet, so definitely no expertise here.

But I've seen experienced beekeepers discuss this and they aren't too impressed. They had several reasons, some of which I can't remember. One downside was that you don't get the beeswax. Another was that it would remove too much honey. You might cruise some beekeeping forums before you order that.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

Yeah, it's definitely going to be a while before I do anything. There should be a good bit of experience accessible by then from other lab rats. I just find it fascinating as an engineering geek.

 

[BigBoxaJunk]

I kept bees for almost 20 years, until the bad winter a couple years ago. I plan to try to set up a "bait hive" this spring to try to get wild colony rather than buy a package from an apiary.

I started out with bees doing the (at the time) current, modern methods, but over time and with experience, I went more old-school with my bees and had a much better result.

The Practical Beekeeper, Beekeeping Naturally, Bush Bees, by Michael Bush

That web-site is a very good source of information.

Below is a picture of a wild black queen from one of my last colonies.

 

[NVG]

My local beekeeper has obtained his from people wanting them removed from their property. My question is, has anyone here ever bought the ones that Rural King offers online? If so, were they good producer? Many die off during shipment? Any pros or cons you wouldn't mind sharing?

 

[BigBoxaJunk]

It's been quite some years since I bought a "package colony". Mine came from Hardaman's Apiaries, in Georgia and were sent USPS.

I never had a package that had many dead bees, though I've heard it can happen. I always had good results, and package bees will generally build up quickly if you take care of them.

The only thing I found was that the feral bees that I got from swarms I removed seemed to survive the winters better and seemed more resistant to mites (I didn't treat my bees with any medicines for the last 8 years that I had them). But, I wouldn't be at all afraid to get a package from Rural King, and I may do that next season if I can't get a swarm this year.

 

[dusty88]

My local beekeeper has obtained his from people wanting them removed from their property. My question is, has anyone here ever bought the ones that Rural King offers online? If so, were they good producer? Many die off during shipment? Any pros or cons you wouldn't mind sharing?

I think catching a wild swarm sounds like a great plan, but I've never taken the time to educate myself. I'm finally getting bees because my husband gave them to me as a birthday present. He bought the hive and ordered the bees from Indy Bee Supply, and he is to pick the bees up from them in April. He has a bit of experience tending bees, because one of his high school friends had bees. They were apparently there to discourage people from going near the "plant collection" that his friend had.

 

[NVG]

"Plant Collection"???, hmmm. Maybe I know ur husband and his HS friends
I might check into Indy Bee Supply. I'm thinking of dabbing into bee keeping. It seems the reward is worth the effort.
BBJ, Thanks for the link

 

[Ballstater98]

Seed Vault sale: Patriot Pantry Survival Seed Vault - Sport.Woot

The Survival Seed Vault contains only the highest quality heirloom vegetable survival seeds. These Patriot Seeds are 100% Non-GMO, open-pollinated and placed in specially sealed packets allowing for long term storage.

20 varieties of hardy heirloom survival seeds passed down from our forefathers
Survival seeds rated for 5+ years of storage at 75F, longer at lower temperatures
No hybrids, GMOs, or outdated survival seeds
All harvested seeds are reusable
Each seed bank is hand-inspected and packed by American staff to ensure quality
Includes detailed survival seed saving guide
Included Seeds:

Blue Lake Bush Bean - over 150 heirloom seeds
California Wonder Bell Pepper - over 70 heirloom seeds
Marketmore Cucumber - over 150 heirloom seeds
Scarlet Nantes Carrot - over 800 heirloom seeds
Parris Island Cos Romaine Lettuce - over 900 seeds
Golden Acre Cabbage - over 530 heirloom seeds
Detroit Dark Red Beet - over 260 heirloom seeds
Lincoln Shell Sweet Pea - over 100 heirloom seeds
Black Turtle Bean - over 70 heirloom seeds
Beefsteak Tomato - over 180 heirloom seeds
Champion Radish - over 320 heirloom seeds
Green Sprouting Broccoli - over 500 heirloom seeds
Waltham Butternut Winter Squash - over 100 seeds
Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach - over 260 seeds
Yellow Sweet Spanish Onion - over 145 heirloom seeds
Golden Bantam Sweet Corn - over 250 heirloom seeds
Hales Best Cantaloupe - over 70 heirloom seeds
Snowball Cauliflower - over 285 heirloom seeds
Black Beauty Zucchini - over 50 heirloom seeds
Crimson Sweet Watermelon - over 60 heirloom seeds

 

[smidrow]

Stocked up on more medical supplies for my bug out M17 ..and I got some good stuff hope if never has to be used