About six months ago, I decided it was time to beef up the security around the house. I researched many blogs and youtube videos for the many different options available today. The most detailed and helpful research, as usual, came from Rawles Survival Blog.
At that time, I chose to address the entry points. How could I reinforce my doors and windows? After much research, I ended up using Armor Concepts Door Jamb Armor. They provided several videos on the product showing several attempts to kick the door down AND using a police battering ram. They also provided videos for installation. I outfitted all pertinent outside doors with Door Jamb Armor.
The next subject is the windows. Since this would be the only other source of entry, I researched: shatterproof window film (ballistic window film), traditional metal bars, and shatter alarms.
Where possible, I plan on planting some thorny bush in front of the windows. A comment from a landscaper over at Ready Nutrition mentioned barberry shrubs as a nice, thorny means of protection.
I contacted Roll Shutters and had them come over to give me an estimate. The cost was roughly $9000 to cover all my exterior windows with metal rolling shutters. Not exactly in my budget but nice to know what the cost would be.
Next time I revisit home security, I'll be addressing perimeter security and a possible safe room.
Just a thought.. but you might also want to look into seaberry (sea-buckthorn.. latin = Hippophae rhamnoides).
ReplyDeleteIt does need full sun, but it is pretty drought tolerant, has pretty wicked thorns.. and produces a nutritious crop. (The berries are typically juiced. The juice is then diluted and sweetened. My grandmother would add it to mixed berry jams.)
The plants are male or female, wind pollinated, and are faster to begin producing crops than other fruit trees/shrubs. It also is one of a few that isn't a legume and yet still does a bit of nitrogen fixing.
It isn't a typical "American" crop.. so many don't recognize it. The oil derived from this is used in lotions (absorbs ultraviolet rays acting like a sunblock.) Leaves can be used in teas.
....... or potentially Rosa Rugosa (rose) would be yet another option. You'd want to scout for a variety suited to your area, and as well make sure it produces rose hips (can be dried for teas). Rose water can be made from the petals of fragrant blooms. You can make jelly from rose water (need pectin), it can be used as a flavoring... and if you're not eating it.. slap some on your face as it is a mild, gentle astringent.
Rugosa roses are fairly easy to keep and more than a few strains have wicked thorns. It is used to create a living hedge of essentially flowery razor wire fencing.
Hope that offers some alternatives to ponder. May as well make the plantings multitask.
@Anne Wow! How VERY informative! Thank you SO much for stopping by and telling me. It doesn't get any better than thorny protection + nutritious crop + oil + tea!
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