The Messed Up Gardener

Ep 140: The Doomsday Garden Kit – Listener Q&A Special (Part 3)


Listen Later

Hello and welcome back to another episode of The Messed-Up Gardener! I’m Esther Williams, your host, and as always — I’m absolutely buzzed to be here with you today. 

Over the past two episodes, we’ve been digging deep into the Doomsday Garden Kit: what you’d pack if you had to grow food from scratch in a survival situation. And wow… the response has been incredible. You sent me so many questions that I had to dedicate this final part of the series to answering them directly. 

But first, a little side story. My best friend turned 60 this week, and we celebrated in a way that’s definitely not my usual style — at a nail salon. Yep, me, the chainsaw-and-chipper-loving gardener, getting pampered. It was an experience, to say the least! What struck me wasn’t just the polish (that apparently I now have to pay to get removed?!) but the conveyor-belt business model. And it got me thinking… what if gardening worked like that? Systems that keep producing value over and over again — whether in business, or in the garden. 

Now, back to the good stuff. In this Q&A episode we’re tackling:
 🌱 Which seeds last the longest in storage (and how to keep them viable).
 🥬 The fastest crops to grow when you need food yesterday.
🥔 Whether you can really survive on just a garden.
🧂 How to preserve food without a fridge using old-school methods like fermenting, smoking, and the holy trinity of salt, vinegar, and sugar.
🪴 How to grow food indoors if you have no land at all.
💧 Overlooked barter items (hint: soap and clean water are survival gold).
🐛 Natural pest control strategies without sprays.
💡 And finally, the mindset piece — why adaptability, humour, and grit matter more than a perfect pantry. 

This one wraps up the series, and it’s been one of my favourites to record. So grab a cuppa, settle in, and let’s dive into your doomsday garden questions together. 

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or leave a review — it helps more people discover The Messed Up Gardener. And if you’re keen on one-on-one mentoring to grow your garden confidence (or even explore a garden-based business idea), I’ve still got a few spots open — so get in touch. 

Until next time, remember: gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. Have an abundant week — and as always… I’ll buzz you later! 🐝 

🐝 Listen now and get your garden prepped for anything! 

Follow our Journey on our Facebook Pages 

The Messed Up Gardener Or Shesther’s Mushrooms 

Or Grab 

·        A Step by Step guide on how to create your own DIY self-watering planters 

https://stan.store/EstherA/p/create-your-own-diy-self-watering-garden-planters 

Don’t forget to grab one of my gardening freebees.   

Freebies: Grab the 

-         "12 Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden: From Planning to Harvest" Practical Tips to Help You Grow a Flourishing Garden 

-         https://stan.store/EstherA 

-         Organic gardening Cheat Sheet: Natural methods for chemical free cultivation https://stan.store/EstherA 

-         Garden Goals Planning Worksheet https://stan.store/EstherA/p/get-my-garden-goals-planning-worksheet-now 

Gardening can happen in any space, in any place, and on any budget. 

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Messed Up GardenerBy Esther Aitken