The Gathering Storm: Book 2 of the Thrilling Post-Apocalyptic Survival Series: (Surviving the Fall Series - Book 2)
Page 9
As you might have guessed I’m ever so slightly paranoid about the types of things that I write about and I often think about what I’d do if the “SHTF” (shit hit the fan). One of the things that I put in this episode is a direct result of personal experimentation that I’ve done for myself – aquaponics gardening!
I started getting into it last year when I bought one of those overpriced setups that let you grow herbs on your countertop. The plants’ roots grow into water that you spike every couple of weeks with nutrients and a LED grow lamp hangs above. I was positively shocked by how well it worked and decided to experiment with a larger setup that I would build myself so that I could save a bunch of money and grow a lot of plants at once.
What I did was take a medium-sized Rubbermaid tub (about two feet long, a foot wide and a foot deep) and cut a couple dozen small circular holes in the top. Into those holes I inserted these mesh cups and substrate plugs (designed specifically for aquaponics gardening). I then filled the tub with water and put in an air pump to ensure the water had plenty of oxygen inside. (All of these supplies are readily available on Amazon and other places. If you’re interested in a more detailed write-up, shoot me an email and if there’s enough interest I’ll start writing some Facebook/blog posts about it.)
Next I hung a pair of grow lights above the container (this, of course, made my wife wonder just what I was going to be growing) and then I bought some seeds. I got lettuce, several types of herbs, onions and a few other things I can’t remember off the top of my head anymore.
Because the mesh cups hung into the water and the tub was sealed off from any light, the substrate was soaked through with delicious nutrient-filled water and I could just shove the seeds down into the substrate, turn on the lights and wait for the miracle of life to happen.
Sure enough, it only took a few days for my plants to start sprouting. I can’t find any pictures of the setup right now (if I do then I’ll put them up on my website and Facebook page) but it was amazing. I had a couple HUGE heads of lettuce growing, several enormous basil plants and all sorts of other awesome stuff.
The best part of the setup was that it was completely indoors, there was no need to worry about algae growth since the tub interior was cut off from light sources and I didn’t have to mess around with dirt at all. I just had to keep the water topped off, make sure I added nutrient liquid to it once in a while and keep the grow lights on.
Of course, given how awesome that was, I had to add something similar to the story. :D
If you enjoyed that part of the story or any other parts—or heck, if you didn’t like something—I’d love to hear about it. You can drop me an email or send me a message or leave a comment on Facebook. You can also sign up for my newsletter where I announce new book releases and other cool stuff a few times a month.
Answering emails and messages from my readers is the highlight of my day and every single time I get an email from someone saying how much they enjoyed reading a story it makes that day so much brighter and better.
Thank you so very much for reading my books. Seriously, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I put an enormous amount of effort into the writing and all of the related processes and there’s nothing better than knowing that so many people are enjoying my stories.
All the best,
Mike
Other Post-Apocalyptic Books from Mike Kraus
Final Dawn: The Complete Original Series Box Set
Clocking in at nearly 300,000 words with over 250,000 copies sold, this is the complete collection of the original bestselling post-apocalyptic Final Dawn series. If you enjoy gripping, thrilling post-apocalyptic action with compelling and well-written characters you’ll love Final Dawn.
Final Dawn: Arkhangelsk: The Complete Trilogy Box Set
The Arkhangelsk Trilogy is the first follow-up series set in the bestselling Final Dawn universe and delivers more thrills, fun and just a few scares. The crew of the Russian Typhoon submarine Arkhangelsk travel to a foreign shore in search of survivors, but what the find threatens their fragile rebuilding efforts in the post-apocalyptic world.
No Sanctuary
A nationwide terrorist attack has left the country in shambles and the country's transportation capabilities are crippled beyond repair. Frank Richards barely escapes with his life when he watches his truck explode in front of his eyes. As chaos descends across the country, Frank's home-grown survival and preparedness training and the help of a mysterious stranger he meets are the only things he can rely on to see him safely across the thousand miles separating him and his loved ones.
Surviving the Fall
Surviving the Fall is an episodic post-apocalyptic series that follows Rick and Dianne Waters as they struggle to survive after a devastating and mysterious worldwide attack. Trapped on the opposite side of the country from his family, Rick must fight to get home while his wife and children struggle to survive as danger lurks around every corner.
Prip’Yat: The Beast of Chernobyl
Two teens and two Spetsnaz officers travel to the town of Prip’Yat set just outside the remains of the Chernobyl power plant. The teens are there for a night of exploration. The special forces are there to pursue a creature that shouldn’t exist. This short thriller set around the site of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster will keep your heart racing right through to the very end.
Other Fantasy Books from Mike Kraus
The Makeshift Wizard: Death Magic
The Makeshift Wizard series is a new action-packed urban fantasy series from bestselling post-apocalyptic author Mike Kraus writing as MJ Kraus.
My job was supposed to be easy. Investigate a bleed farm, find the a-hole vamps who've been kidnapping Normals and bring down some street justice. Now I've got a relic in my hands that was created with the blood and death magic of an elder Vampire and a whole lot more questions than answers.
The Gathering
Storm
Surviving the Fall Series
Book 2
By
Mike Kraus
© 2017 Mike Kraus
www.MikeKrausBooks.com
hello@mikeKrausBooks.com
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No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, or by any electronic, mechanical or other means, without the permission in writing from the author.
Table of Contents
www.MikeKrausBooks.com
www.facebook.com/MikeKrausBooks
Preface
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Author’s Notes
Just click right here
Final Dawn: Arkhangelsk: The Complete Trilogy Box Set
Prip’Yat: The Beast of Chernobyl