While I’m not a crazy “doomsday prepper,” I do think it’s important to have an emergency plan for different situations. I also think that everyone should know some basic survival skills– just in case. Some of those skills include cooking, gardening, foraging, hunting, fishing, etc. It’s important to be able to feed yourself in case you can’t get to the grocery store. A great way to be more self-sustainable is to have your own food garden with lots of veggies and fruits. However, there are also tons of plants that grow in the wild that are edible for humans. You probably already have some in your yard! For a list of wild plants and their uses, check out this post by Suntactics at My Family Survival Plan. You might even want to start growing a few of them on purpose! Of course, you should also always consult a doctor before trying any of these.
-Dandelions
-Kudzu
-Prickly pear cactus
-Violets
-Wild onions and scallions
Not everyone has a green thumb, but even those that do occasionally make mistakes. It doesn’t matter if you’re a total newbie, or if you’ve been growing your own food for twenty years– no one is perfect. No matter your skill level, if you’re looking for some basic tips to improve your vegetable garden and to grow better food, check out this post by 
I absolutely love the flavor of fresh ginger. When mixed with spicy foods, it adds a wonderful sweet tang. It can also be used in baking (gingerbread cookies!), and will add flavor to just about any dish. The bonus is, it’s super easy to grow, and can be grown indoors. If you’re interested in adding ginger to your herb garden, check out this tutorial by 
I’m a low-effort kind of gal. I love sleeping in, cooking simple meals, procrastinating on work, and generally being lazy. Sometimes it gets me in trouble, but I’m generally pretty happy with my life. My approach to gardening is the same: I love plants that grow themselves, especially succulents and wildflowers. I also love the natural look of wildflowers; I’m definitely more of a romantic when it comes to personal decorating. And apparently, some people grow wildflower gardens in their yards! What an awesome idea. If you’re interested in starting your own garden full of gorgeous wildflowers, check out this how-to post by 
Either I’m not allergic to poison ivy (it’s possible, 15% of people aren’t!), or I’ve somehow miraculously avoided it for twenty five years. That seems impossible, since I was a Girl Scout for thirteen of those years, and went camping at least twice a year. I still go camping now, and love hiking and taking walks outside in flip-flops. Anyway, most people aren’t so fortunate. Poison ivy contact can cause massive breakouts, rashes, itching, and is contagious. No one wants that in their yard; especially if they have pets or young children who like to explore. Check out this post by 
It’s getting to be late in the summer now (hello, August!), but that doesn’t mean that you still don’t have time to get into the gardening spirit. There are tons of beautiful flowers that can be planted now that will thrive in the harsh summer heat and continue to bloom in the Fall. Check out this list by