Sugar Beets, An Ultimate Apocalypse Harvest Food

Is there anything these humble beets can't do when civilization has collapsed? Must-have crop above or below ground.

This tuber plant practically grows itself. It is not labor intensive. Best of all, predators on both two and four legs may never see it unless they know it is there. This makes them a valuable addition to a “wild” garden as well.

WHY THEY ARE SO EDIBLE, DELICIOUS AND RELIABLE

Sugar beets are considered a valuable crop for an apocalyptic scenario because they are highly calorie-dense, can be grown in a variety of climates, are relatively resilient to harsh conditions, and can be processed to produce both food and a readily usable sugar source for energy or even alcohol production, making them a valuable survival food in a post-apocalyptic world.

Key points about sugar beets in an apocalyptic situation:

• High calorie content:

  The primary benefit of sugar beets is their high sugar content, providing readily available energy when other food sources are scarce.

• Adaptability:

  Sugar beets can tolerate a range of climates and soil types, allowing them to be grown in diverse post-apocalyptic environments. Do not use human manure on them but they do well with various composted fertilizers.

• Resilience:

  They are relatively resistant to pests and diseases, making them easier to maintain in a situation where pest control might be limited.

• Multiple uses:

  • Direct consumption: While not the most palatable raw, sugar beets can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are not a complete diet but contain several important nutrients that complement any food served with them.

• Sugar extraction: The sugar can be extracted through a simple process to sweeten food or create syrups.

• Alcohol production: The sugar can be fermented to produce alcohol, which can be used as a fuel or antiseptic.

• Blending in with weeds:

  Due to their appearance, sugar beets can blend in with weeds, making them less noticeable to potential threats.

Important considerations:

• Nutritional deficiencies:

  While high in calories, sugar beets alone lack essential nutrients, so a varied diet including other plants and protein sources is crucial.

• Processing required:

  Extracting sugar from sugar beets requires some processing, which may be difficult without modern equipment. It has been done in very simple settings but it takes a while longer than most modern people are willing to wait. The sugar syrup must be boiled out of the beet.

• Storage:

  Properly stored, sugar beets can last for several months, but they need to be protected from freezing temperatures.

Not even potatos are as hardy as sugar beets. If there is soil, some nutrition and water, they will grow. Even in cold weather like the potato but unfortunately good as they are for you, not even potatoes yield sugar and alcohol without a lot more processing.

The excellent monolithic encyclopedia below is 261 pages of extremely useful information growing all kinds of vegetables in your survivalist garden.

It has particularly extensive chapters concerning beets, turnips, tubers and their leaves. After reading it I think of it as a must-have guide for people like me who don’t have a green thumb but want to grow their own food.

(Added to the Memex)

Vegetable Garden Encyclopedia

13.5MB ∙ PDF file

Download

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Apparently the author of this reassuring reminder that follows knows a great deal about gardening, so I think his assurance can be trusted.

Genesis 8:22 KJV

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

• Regards, Tex