Tomato-Growing Tricks That Will Revolutionize Your Garden

Every gardener enjoys growing tomatoes, but not every gardener is good at it. That’s because tomatoes are one of nature’s more finicky plants. Without the right amount of heat, sunlight and fertilizer, they won’t produce fruit when summer arrives.

The good news is that there are steps you can take right now – during spring — to give you your best tomato crop ever!

On this week’s episode of Off The Grid Radio we talk to Craig LeHoullier, the author of Epic Tomatoes: How to Select And Grow The Best Varieties of All Time.

Craig tells us that the months of March, April and May are critical for a tomato crop. He also tells us:

• Which seed-starting mistakes often doom tomato plants.


• How to transplant tomatoes to ensure they flourish.


• Why it’s essential to use mulch.


• How much spacing between tomato plants is truly


• Which type of fertilizers he recommends.

We also discuss watering, frost and more! Don’t miss this amazing show that will revolutionize how you grow tomatoes!

 

The Russian EMP Test You’ve Never Heard Of

If you know anything about the threat from an EMP attack, then you know the Internet is full of myths and misinformation.

It’s so bad, in fact, that one well-read website – GeopoliticalFutures.com – recently posted a story that actually downplayed the potential damage from an EMP.

So, what’s the truth?

This week’s guest on Off The Grid Radio is Peter Vincent Pry, executive director of the Task Force on National and Homeland Security and a former member of the Congressional EMP Commission.

Pry separates fact from fiction on EMPs. He also tells us:

• Why airplanes and automobiles really will be disabled during an EMP.


• How a Russian test from the 1960s proved the destructive nature of EMPs.


• Why he believes President Trump is making a mistake in his interactions with North Korea.


• What we can learn from past nuclear tests by the United States and the Soviet Union.

Pry concludes by sharing his thoughts on the U.S. and Putin – and why Americans should be worried!

 

Why A 30-Day Food Stockpile Is Never Enough

Being a prepper or modern homesteader is all about preparedness and self-sufficiency – for today, next week and next month.

But there’s a difference between short-term and long-term survival. For example, if the grid went down for several months and society collapsed, would you be prepared? Could you survive beyond 30 days?

On this week’s edition of Off The Grid Radio we discuss long-term survival strategies with Jim Cobb, a preparedness expert and the author of several books, including Prepper’s Long-Term Survival Guide: Food, Shelter, Security, Off-the-Grid Power and More Life-Saving Strategies for Self-Sufficient Living.

 

Jim tells us:

• How to ensure you have enough food for the long hall.


• Why storing jugs of water alone is not sufficient for survival.


• Which types of natural medicines you’ll need to learn about.


• How to find hand tools of yesteryear that will work even without electricity.

If you’re wanting to take your preparations to the next level – and truly be read for survival — then this week’s show is for you!

 

Odd-Ball, Delicious Vegetables You’ve Never Grown

It’s gardening season throughout North America, which means it’s nearly time to plant the tried-and-true staples you’ve always enjoyed. Lettuce. Tomatoes. Potatoes. And Beans.

 

This year, though, why not try something different? Why not grow something that is new, delicious, fun, and even quirky?

 

This week’s guest on Off The Grid Radio is Niki Jabbour, an award winning writer and the author of the new book Niki Jabbour’s Veggie Garden Remix: 224 New Plants to Shake Up Your Garden and Add Variety, Flavor, and Fun.

Niki tells us all about:

• Alternatives to lettuce that you’ll love.


• Bush berries that thrive in the garden.


• Weird-looking but delicious fruits your family will enjoy.


• Tomato varieties you should try.

Are you ready to try something new this year? Niki is here to help!

 

Goat Raising 101: Separating Fact From Fiction

Have you ever heard that goats stink? Or that they make poor pets? Or that they’ll eat anything – even aluminum cans?

What’s the truth?

On this week’s episode of Off The Grid Radio we discuss goat raising with Sara Thomson Bredesen, co-author of Storey’s Guide to Raising Dairy Goats and a licensed cheese maker and goat cheese promoter. She’s also a life member of the American Dairy Goat Association and an active member of the Wisconsin Dairy Goat Association.

Bredesen separates fact from fiction about goats and tells us what it is needed to get started in raising goats.

She also tells us:

• Which breeds are best for milk and meat.


• How much land is needed to raise goats.


• Why goats make for great “weed eaters.”


• How many goats one family needs.

Don’t miss this amazing show that will forever change your perspective on goats!

 

Getting Started With Backyard Chickens (Interview With Lisa Steele)

Backyard chickens are no longer the sole domain of seasoned farmers homesteaders. Nowadays, even city folks are buying chickens to eat healthier eggs.

But if you’ve never owned chickens, where should you start? That’s the subject of today’s edition of Off The Grid Radio. Our guest is Lisa Steele, a TV host and poultry expert who has written three books about backyard chickens. She also is the founder of Fresh Eggs Daily.

Lisa gives us advice for novices and then shares her best tips for veterans, too.

She also tells us:

• How to feed chickens naturally – without breaking the bank.


• Why she doesn’t trick chickens to lay more eggs during winter.


• How to use herbs to keep chickens healthy.


• Why she doesn’t refrigerate her eggs.


• How many chickens one family should own.

We learned a lot from Lisa. You will, too.

 

Seed-Starting Mistakes Even Smart People Make

For the beginning gardener, seed-starting can seem so easy. Place a few seeds in a pot of dirt, water them, and watch them grow. Right?

If only it were that easy. As every gardener eventually discovers, seed-starting can be one of the most difficult parts of gardening.

Seed-starting is the subject of this week’s episode of Off The Grid Radio, as we examine common mistakes and look at a few tricks that can help your seeds sprout. Our guest is Craig LeHoullier, the author of two gardening books: Growing Vegetables in Straw Bales and Epic Tomatoes: How to Select And Grow The Best Varieties of All Time.

Craig tells us:

• What type of soil to use.


• How much light seeds really need.


• What types of vegetables he starts early.


• How to ensure you’re giving the seeds the right amount of water.

If you’re a gardener, then this week’s show is for you!

 

Worm Composting 101: Why Every Gardener Should Do It

Every seasoned gardener knows that worms are essential to healthy soil, and an increasing number of gardeners are using that scientific fact to their benefit.

By setting up a worm composting system, gardeners can produce super-rich fertilizer, get rid of food waste, and have extra worms, too!

Today’s guest on Off The Grid Radio is Joanne Olszewski, a vermicomposting enthusiast and the co-author of the book Worms Eat My Garbage (Storey), which was originally written by the late Mary Appelhof.

Joanne tells us:

• How to set up a worm composting system.


• What types of worms to use.


• Which foods are a no-no for vermicomposting.


• How to separate the worms from the compost.


• Why it’s the perfect indoor winter gardening activity.

We learned a lot from Joanne, and we think you will, too!

 

The Hidden Costs Of Homesteading

The benefits of modern-day homesteading are immeasurable, but as any homesteader will tell you, this off-grid way of life isn’t free, either.

That’s what modern homesteader Jill Winger discovered when she and her husband dove into homesteading years ago.

Jill is the author of two books and the creator of the popular blog The Prairie Homestead. She’s also this week’s guest on Off The Grid Radio.

Jill tells us the real costs of homesteading based on her experience.

She also tells us:

• How to balance cost vs. quality when purchasing homestead items.


• Why it doesn’t pay to cut corners when setting up a homestead.


• How to get started on a home business that can bring in extra cash.

If you’ve ever had dreams of homesteading – or you’re just wanting to improve the homestead that you have — then this week’s show is for you!

 

Surprising Kitchen Cures For The Common Cold

When most people catch the common cold, they drive to the local pharmacy and stock up on drugs packed with chemicals.

But an ever-increasing number of Americans are trying all-natural remedies, and as we’ll discover on today’s edition of Off The Grid Radio, a lot of those remedies are already in your kitchen!

Our guest is Laurie Neverman, a seasoned homesteader and author, and the creator of the popular blog Common Sense Home. Laurie has tested numerous home remedies and tells us what actually works.

Laurie also tells us:

• How elderberries can keep you healthy all season.


• Which powerful kitchen ingredients every homesteader should store for winter.


• What she does when she gets a cough, sore throat or congestion.


• How cinnamon and apple cider vinegar can help you get better when you’re sick.

If you’re battling the cold, or you simply want to be prepared for the next illness, then this week’s show is for you!

 

Surviving Winter In Alaska At -50

Living off-grid during winter is never easy, but when you’re in the Alaskan bush and facing temperatures of -50 degrees Fahrenheit, it can get downright dangerous.

That’s the life of Danny Whittle and SueJean Heinz, a married couple who live in Alaska and who have stories of survival many of us only see on television. They are this week’s guests on Off The Grid Radio, as they tell us what it’s like to battle Old Man Winter during a season when they get only about four hours of sunshine.

Danny and SueJean also tell us:

• How they survived when their water pipes froze.


• How they use snow to keep their house warm.


• How they cook when it’s too cold to use propane.


• How they use a pellet stove to complement their wood stove.

Danny and SueJean also share stories of Alaska wildlife, including what they did when a bear showed up on their doorstep one day. Finally, they give advice to anyone who has dreams of moving to Alaska!

A Healthy Food Stockpile … For Half The Price

 

Stockpiling a year’s worth of food is never cheap, but doing it with healthy food? That can break the bank.

Author and prepping expert Daisy Luther, though, says it doesn’t have to be that way. Daisy has discovered a few tricks that can help you store a year’s worth of food for half what you normally pay.

Daisy is this week’s guest on Off The Grid Radio. She tells us:

• Which healthy foods you should stockpile.


• Where you should store it.


• Why it’s essential to put healthy food in your stockpile.


• How a year’s worth of food can be purchased inexpensively in only three months.

Finally, Daisy reveals the ever-so-popular prepper food she urges people not to stockpile!

A Modern Life In The Alaskan Bush

 

The off-grid life is never easy, but when you’re in the middle of the Alaskan bush – without a road – it can be particularly challenging.

But that’s the life of homesteader Bryan Emerson, and on this week’s edition of Off The Grid Radio he tells us how he makes it work – including how he gets cell service.

Bryan and his wife were guests on Off The Grid Radio in September, when they explained why they chose such a remote location that is a 20 minute flight to the nearest road.

On this week’s show, he tells us:

• How he built a 120-foot tower for cell service and satellite TV.


• How he gets off-grid electricity in a location that is dark half the year.


• How he gets potable water when everything around him is frozen.

We learned a lot about off-grid living by talking to Bryan, and we know you will, too!

How To Make A Living Off A Half-Acre Farm

What do you think of when someone mentions the word “farm”? A huge field? With millions of plants? And tractors and combines?

Ben Hartman is a grower who is helping redefine the word “farm.” He and his family make a living off a half-acre farm in Indiana thanks to a series of techniques he has learned over the years. He calls it “lean farming,” and he is this week’s guest on Off The Grid Radio.

Ben is the author of two books, “The Lean Farm” and “The Lean Farm Guide to Growing Vegetables” (Chelsea Green) in which he details how he grows enough vegetables to sell to the surrounding community and support his family.

Ben tells us:

• What lean farming is all about.


• How he manages to have enough time for a summer vacation.


• What he grows on his farm.


• How he grows vegetables throughout winter.

If you are a homesteader or wannabe homesteader who is searching for fresh ideas to make money, then this week’s show is for you!

 

How To ‘Speak Chicken’ To Your Flock

Do chickens have a language? Yes – and you can learn it, too!

So says author and backyard chicken keeper Melissa Caughey, who studied her flock and concluded that chickens have behaviors and sounds that have specific meanings. There’s even scientific research proving this!

Caughey is this week’s guest on Off The Grid Radio, as she tells us why every homesteader and chicken owner should know how to “speak chicken.” She is the author of two books: “How to Speak Chicken: Why Your Chickens Do What They Do and Say What They Say” and “A Kid’s Guide to Keeping Chickens.” Both are published by Storey.

Caughey also tells us:

• The chicken sound for “hello.”


• The chicken sound for “I’ve laid an egg.”


• How to watch your flock and learn their specific behaviors.


• Why she thinks chickens are smarter than we realize.


• How to recognize chicken emotions.

If you own chickens, then this is one show you don’t want to miss!

The Pilgrims’ Story: Separating Fact From Fiction

Schoolchildren all across America are learning about the Pilgrims this month, but for many of them it’s the politically correct version – sanitized of anything that might offend.

On this week’s edition of Off The Grid Radio, you’ll hear the non-PC story of the Pilgrims from one of the world’s foremost experts, Sue Allan, who separates myths from facts and provides details about the Pilgrims you’ve never heard.

Allan is an author and speaker who gives tours of Pilgrim sites in the United Kingdom, and her knack for making you “feel like you were there” is unmatched.

The Pilgrims, she says, were some of the nation’s first survivalists, and their stories of persistence and endurance rival anything out of Hollywood.

Allan also tells us:

• Why the depictions of Pilgrims you see in paintings are almost always wrong.


• What the Pilgrims did to stay out of jail in England – a story so incredible it is sure to inspire.


• How the Pilgrims survived their journey across the Atlantic, despite not having enough food to eat.


• Why she believes the Pilgrims’ story must include their faith – or else not be told at all.


• How the Pilgrims could have avoided that first harsh winter, if only they had done this one thing.

Perhaps most incredible of all, Allan tells us how the “first Thanksgiving” we’ve been taught for decades perhaps wasn’t the first Thanksgiving at all. Allan has been featured in a series of documentaries, including the BBC’s Coast and Kirk Cameron’s Monumental. Listen as this expert tells the Pilgrims’ story as only she can.

Tips & Tricks To Protect Livestock During Winter

Taking care of livestock and poultry during warm weather is hard enough, but when frigid weather hits, it can be downright difficult.

Yet if you know what you’re doing, your livestock can survive and even thrive during winter weather.

This week’s guests on Off The Grid Radio — Shawn and Beth Dougherty — take care of cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens and ducks throughout the year on a large farm in Ohio. They tell us the tricks they use to care for their animals when cold weather hits.

Shawn and Beth – the authors of the book, “The Independent Farmstead” (Storey) – also tell us:

• What they feed their animals during winter.


• How they keep the livestock’s water from freezing.


• What they do to protect their animals when temperatures approach 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

Shawn and Beth also tell about the vegetables they grow in the garden during winter – and how they do it.

If you own livestock or poultry, then this week’s show is for you!

Medicinal Herbs You Better Stockpile For Winter

Old Man Winter is still several weeks away, but for smart homesteaders, the preparation already has begun. And that includes prepping for sickness.

This week on Off The Grid Radio we’re joined by Rosemary Gladstar, an author and one of the nation’s foremost experts on medicinal herbs. Rosemary has written 11 books on herbs, including the bestseller, “Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide.”

Rosemary tells us:

• Which herbs every homesteader should stockpile for winter.


• How to make a simple tonic that fights off sickness – if taken daily.


• Which natural remedy she recommends for people who get the common cold.


• Why every homestead should stockpile elderberry.

Rosemary is the founding president of United Plant Savers, and the director of the Sage Mountain Herbal Retreat Center, the International Herb Symposium and the Women’s Herbal Conference.

If you prefer all-natural remedies, then this is one show you don’t want to miss!

 

Everything You’ve Heard About Winter Gardening Is Wrong

It’s a gardening mantra we’ve heard our entire lives: Spring and summer are for gardening, fall is for harvesting, and winter is for dreaming about gardening. Right? Well, maybe not.

Author and horticultural expert Caleb Warnock gardens year-round – and he does it outdoors in the ice-cold state of Utah. In fact, he even grows beans, cantaloupes and tomatoes outdoors, and he doesn’t use a greenhouse.

Caleb – the author of “Backyard Winter Gardening” – is this week’s guest on Off The Grid Radio.

He shares with us tips on growing vegetables even in locations that get a foot of snow. Caleb also tells us:

• The quickest and easiest way to get started in backyard winter gardening.


• How to make a cold frame that will withstand the fiercest frigid temps.


• What an all-natural hot bed is – and how it can revolutionize your winter garden.


• How our ancestors grew vegetables during the winter.

If you’ve got a green thumb and want to try something new this year, then this show is for you!

 

The Truth About Colloidal Silver

The subject of colloidal silver sparks controversy no matter where you turn. Some say it’s dangerous, while others claim it is a miracle cure. So, what’s the truth?

That’s the topic of this week’s edition of Off The Grid Radio as we talk to Scott Treadway, a proponent of all-natural health and the director of Naturally Occurring Health.

Scott tells us:

• The history behind colloidal silver.


• How it can benefit people who live off-grid, miles and miles from hospitals.


• Why all colloidal silver isn’t the same.


• What it can and can’t remedy.

If you’ve ever been curious about the debate over colloidal silver, then this show is for you!

This radio show is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or cure any particular health condition. Please consult your doctor first about colloidal silver.