The Philly Urban Prepper: Homesteading in the asphalt jungle

It is a common belief among members in the prepper community that out of all the catastrophes that could happen, a global economic collapse is the one that is more likely to happen and will happen first.

When it strikes, there will be no jobs, no money, no economy, and no businesses or big industries. It just won’t happen in America, but throughout the world. Once that happens, people will be forced to live off the land. For those that are already prepping, living off the land won’t be too difficult, but for those that don’t – panic may ensue.

So, how do you really live off the land? Well, one way may be to grow your own food.

In areas of North, South and West Philadelphia, many row house-dwelling residents are limited by a really small backyard or no backyard at all. There are many benefits to being a prepper in an urban environment, but it could prove to be difficult to live off the land if your land is made out of concrete. It’s equally difficult if your so-called land doesn’t extend much past your house.

You can still be successful at prepping in an urban environment, but you just have to be better at planning in advance then most other preppers.

In the city, there are many produce markets that are available all year long such as Produce Junction, the Italian Market, and the Reading Terminal. During the spring and summer, there are 16 outdoor farmer’s markets that sell local produce throughout most of the neighborhoods.

These markets, like the indoor markets, accept the Pennsylvania Access card, credit and debit cards as well as vouchers provided by the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program.

If you’re lucky enough to live next to a vacant lot in the city, you may be able to purchase that lot through the city and use the lot to grow your own vegetables or even keep acceptable livestock such as chickens in it. If your block has a vacant lot and you’re on good terms with your neighbors, you may also want to start a community garden.

A community garden is when people work together to cultivate fresh produce or flowers. The benefits of a community garden are numerous; they beautify neighborhoods, develop stronger ties among the neighbors, and contributes to food sustainability. For more information on starting a community garden, please visit www.communitygarden.org.

For more information about purchasing a vacant lot that sits next to your house or on your block, please contact the Redevelopment Authority at 215-854-6500 or the Vacant Property Review Committee at 215-209-8612.

However, keep in mind that the good fellowship you experience with your neighbors while you toiled away in a community garden during happy times may not exist once an emergency hits; some of your fellow gardeners have become combative and have decided that the garden is theirs by any means necessary.

You may wake up one day to find that someone has come and taken away everything you had planted. 

If you live in an apartment, don’t like your neighbors, want to be self-sufficient, or appreciate being anti-social, you can build a small garden on your patio, a small backyard or deck. The possibilities are really endless when it comes to how many vegetables you plant, but since space is limited, only plant what you’ll eat.

The type of containers you use depends on what kind of space you have to work with. When space is at a minimum, try a multi-tiered system or even hanging containers. The posts on your balcony or deck can be used for climbing plants such as tomatoes or cucumbers. Repurpose a couple of five gallon buckets or some deep flower boxes.

You can also purchase or build boxes to hang outside your windows that most people use to plant flowers, but can also be used to grow vegetables or spices.

A growing trend in the inner city over the last couple of years is using the gutters that run horizontal across your house to plant vegetables.

You just have to make sure that you have easy access to the gutter and that you can secure a container for the plant inside the gutter. If you just put dirt into the gutter and then plant seeds, don't be surprised to find it gone after a heavy rain.

Many older homes have metal air conditioning covers that are no longer in use. These are enclosed boxes made out of metal or wrought iron that are used to protect window air conditioners, but are also ideal for placing pots of planted vegetables as well as keeping items cold during the winter months such as milk, eggs, beverages or meats.

These boxes are also easy to gain access to by just opening a window.

If your house or apartment has a flat roof overhang you can also use this to keep containers of vegetable and fruit plants.

If you have a garage or a storage shed on your property, those can also be used to grow vegetables or fruits either inside the structure or on the roof if it is flat.

If you want to take things one step further by converting your shed into a greenhouse, here's how you do it: http://www.gardenguides.com/136070-make-shed-greenhouse.html.

Although you may be tempted to turn your garage into a greenhouse, take time to carefully consider whether or not this will be the best use of that space or if your garage will be best used by storing other necessary supplies.

Just remember, a lack of space is no excuse for not being able to live off the land.