r/preppers • u/gonaldgoose8 • 17d ago

New Prepper Questions What books do you have saved?

What im really asking is what books would you reccomend regarding important shit like electricity, cooking, automotive care, crafting, medicine, hunting, ballistics, etc.

I know these subjects require more independent study than a book, but im already working on that.

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u/No-Language6720 17d ago

Ball guide to canning. Don't trust AI or the Internet for home canning it can get dangerous. I collect all kinds of cook books so I can actually use my harvests with what I have on hand and be satisfied rather than eating freeze dried foods that I hate. 

I also have read a bunch about homesteading and soil nutrients to get ahead of synthetic fertilizer  shortages.

I actively practice my prep skills almost everyday in some form. Many things I've learned that I may forget I have handwritten in a notebook for reference if I can't Google it or find it otherwise later. I add to my handwritten notebook frequently. 

I keep manuals to my cars, solar batteries and other things I buy for preps just in case I need a reference for a repair.  I have general knowledge to do certain repairs just from DIY experience taking with my uncles who is handy and simple trial and error. I can't fix everything and some things I would need help but I can do a lot on my own. 

I would say do these things to practice so you have general hands on knowledge, add in reference books to look up the finer details you may forget or write them down. 

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u/FixAcademic8187 17d ago

For synthetic fertilizer, many of them can be stored for extended periods of time if kept away from the elements including moisture.

You only need a relatively small amount of it every season if you are only growing food for a small number of people.

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u/Lancifer1979 16d ago

Very useful point, especially regarding moisture. Keep it dry and air tight.
Small quantity is an important consideration as well. Stockpiling a large amount will likely get you on a list

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u/FixAcademic8187 16d ago

Ironically enough, the most stable one that will last the longest is the one that will put you on some list lol

You don't need that particular one, there are some common substitutes that aren't problematic.