Whether you’re living off the grid or preparing for a SHTF event, there are reasons to be a self-sufficient individual. Normally this is survival aspects like fishing and hunting. But there’s one luxury that’s easier to create on your own than you might think: Coffee!
Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages. Offering caffeine support to flavored delicacies to those who want it. As a result, it is one of the more desirable items in a world without mass production. But instead of stockpiling coffee grounds for drink or barter, why not just grow your own? Here’s some advice for growing your own coffee plants.
Start Early
If you’re growing from seeds, it can take as many as eight years before they will grow to fruition So if you want it, you should start growing it soon. Some local garden shops will sell pre-grown coffee plants in a pot if you don’t want to wait that long.
Regular Care
Coffee plants like three things: humidity, mist, and filtered sunlight. Keep them in an area between 60 and 80 degrees F, in a room or garden that gets four to five hours of sunlight a day. You can also use plant light bulbs to augment the lighting. They’re best grown indoors, where the plant won’t experience any dramatic temperature shifts.
Coffee plants can grow up to 10 feet tall. It’s ok to prune them if needed.
Water the plant daily. Keep the soil moist but well-drained. During the winter (November to February) Fertilize the soil every two weeks, ideally. This is not mandatory, but proper fertilization will promote increased bean growth.
Harvesting the Beans
Small, green berries will appear about two months after fertilization. During this time, lasting seven to nine months, the berries will turn red. This is when you can pick them. Each berry will have two coffee beans inside. Not all berries ripen at the same time, so be mindful during this process.
Roast and Enjoy
Once you have the bean you can roast them and store them for future coffee brewing. Easy peasy.