Filled food supplies and homegrown vegetables in all honor, but for life to function in a crisis situation, many other parts must also be prepared. Therefore, Niklas Kämpargård's lecture on preparedness gardening at Ädelfors folk high school on Sunday also dealt with heat, water, communication, and sanitation, which provided a satisfying overall perspective. Just over 50 people received both eye-openers, concrete tips, motivation, and inspiration on many different levels.
When it comes to heat, Niklas's main suggestion is to choose a room in the home where the family can stay if it becomes difficult to keep the whole house warm. Preferably a space with few exterior walls and a wood-burning stove.
Many have stored tap water for a few days, but to manage a longer crisis period, the afternoon's tip was to buy a simple water purification device to connect to, for example, a jerry can.
Food as in everyday life
Niklas advocates that the foundation of a food supply for a crisis should be the food we normally eat, that is, a well-stocked pantry that is used and replenished as needed. As a grower, one has the advantage of being able to supplement with fresh vegetables from May to November. By planting early in a greenhouse, on the porch, or under cover on open land, we can get fresh vegetables that provide nutrition, satiety, and above all, brighten up and give the crisis food a touch of luxury.
With good soil, smart irrigation, and nutrient supply, closely planted peppers, chili, tomatoes, and physalis can produce quite large amounts of food in a small area. Those who do not have access to a greenhouse can build a plastic tent with wooden slats and construction plastic to enhance their cultivation and start plants early in the season. On open land, hoops with cover fabric or a windbreak in the garden can make a big difference for early and late harvests.
SE-Alert
Today's most important message regarding communication was a playback of the signal for SE-Alert, Sweden's warning alarm for serious events. It goes directly to our mobile phones with messages about what has happened. The radio channel that applies in a crisis is Sveriges radio P4, and therefore it may be wise to find out the channel's frequency today.
Alternative toilet
To be prepared if the municipal or private water and sewage system does not function, Niklas recommends building an outdoor shower, having access to washcloths, and investigating the conditions for an outdoor toilet with family or neighbors. A simple barrel with a seat, incinerating toilet, or separating toilet with bedding are some alternatives available on the market.
Many of Niklas Kämpargård's tips can be found in his books "The Crisis Handbook" and "Live Like a Farmer: 130 Ways to Be Self-Sufficient." Recently, he released the book "Everyone Should Own a Piece of Forest.".
The lecture concluded the Preparedness Week in Vetlanda municipality and was conducted in collaboration between the Cultivation Academy, Vetlanda municipality, and the Karlstorpsbygden community association. Present was also Astrid Lindgren's Heritage preparedness project Ready, and as an example, Karlstorpsbygden was highlighted as having received a check to establish a safety point in the parish cottage. Helena Andreasson emphasized above all the community in the village as a significant effect of the preparedness work.