My Priorities Have Changed | Sustainable Permaculture | Protecting My Vegetables from Deer

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  • čas přidán 14. 05. 2020
  • Building a permaculture food forest by hand in the Canadian wilderness.
    Thanks for watching! New videos every FRIDAY. Please subscribe.
    My Other Channel: Shawn James bit.ly/2xzZHpB
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    Huntsville, ON
    P1H 0B5
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Komentáře • 2K

  • @sacredstonecards9051
    @sacredstonecards9051 Před 4 lety +455

    When, I first started watching My Self Reliance, my goal was Land. Then my 93 yr old Father said, "Why not start now. " Start small." I thought How? I live in a 55+ community and the people who owned the house before me wanted "no to low" maintenance...so everything is gravel, vapor barrier and plastic. So, I planted 2 small vegetable gardens in horse troughs that I painted light green with teal flowers and the saying, "All is Well with my Soul." Today, I planted tree, tomorrow another tree. Then guess what, One Day at a Time, I am going to remove the gravel, plastic and vapor barriers and let the Land breath. Who knows from here. Maybe if I learn to take care of a small property, God will give me a bigger property. Shawn, my life is changing because of your channel and my Father's encouragement...I am very grateful.

    • @Beandiptheredneck
      @Beandiptheredneck Před 4 lety +23

      While I am only 24, me my wife and my 2 year old are endeavouring to create a vegetable garden this year, we’ve only got a small yard to work with though just like you, we will be praying that God will bless it and make it grow

    • @moirakemp867
      @moirakemp867 Před 4 lety +8

      @@Beandiptheredneck way to go! It will be well worth the effort. God bless and regards from South Africa

    • @normabenavidez2138
      @normabenavidez2138 Před 4 lety +8

      Wow one corner at a time! Awesome 👍😎

    • @Vdanman
      @Vdanman Před 4 lety +2

      I just get my vegetables at super market only takes few minutes

    • @Beandiptheredneck
      @Beandiptheredneck Před 4 lety +20

      Sneaka that’s all well and good until something happens and there isn’t any at the super market. Or there is wide spread shortages from something like you know, an international pandemic, that sends prices through the roof. And beyond that home grown produce tastes so much better than super market stuff

  • @tonandmarc
    @tonandmarc Před 4 lety +59

    Your channel should be required for high school students. It would grow good men and women. thank you

    •  Před 4 lety +5

      Modern schools, like I endured all my life, and resent now, don't teach us how to be self sufficient, wise with money, moral, how to garden, build, animal husbandry, nothing that will help us be independent. Poor little boys, so full of energy and desire to do real things, are made to sit and do busy work, children are housed indoors all day, they are politicized and endure pseudo-science, and it's getting worse. Modern schools are no place for children! Now, that every kid is home, don't send them back! This is an opportunity to homeschool and use curriculum that will truly educated them. I homeschooled over 10 years. My son's goal is to be debt free, he builds, he takes job after job to learn what he needs to build his own home one day, he hustles w side jobs and never stopped working during this, whatever this really is, and never took a gov't handout, which always comes with strings because it is tax money, not gov't money. They say, "we are going to give you..." They are in debt, they have nothing to "give."

  • @JDLarge
    @JDLarge Před 4 lety +322

    Are you kidding? “We’re not interested in you gardening?” Brother we’re here because we all wish we had it in us one way or another to be living your dream. Of course that includes all aspects of your lifestyle that aid in you making it up there in the great white north successfully. We’re cheering you on regardless, believe me...
    You’ve got this! ✌🏼🤟🏼🤞🏼

    • @ricktimmons458
      @ricktimmons458 Před 4 lety +4

      Alabama here. big fan of yours!

    • @JDLarge
      @JDLarge Před 3 lety +2

      I’m guessing a couple of you can’t read that well, but I don’t judge. Punctuation, yea it’s that important. Larps and sods? What you both misread is called positive reinforcement. I consistently support this channel, not bash it down like you’ve tried to do to my comment. I dunno, maybe read more and try NOT to speak as much?! Take a second and reread my comment and try to understand my point. “Its all backing him and wishing the best!” How is that negative? I suggest you either lay off the wobbly pops, or at least reach out to someone who understood what I said for clarification... so far 229 👍🏼 and get it, leaving only you two with negative comments. Think it may just be you two that don’t get it? Catch up...

    • @calico311
      @calico311 Před 3 lety +3

      @@JDLarge I believe Kimura was backing your point and calling out oo oo telling him to get a life

    • @kalinystazvoruna8702
      @kalinystazvoruna8702 Před 3 lety +1

      @@calico311 Yep. 00 00 needs anger management classes.

    • @luisamandac6069
      @luisamandac6069 Před 3 lety

      He said he change his priority,that is love of nature .

  • @samuelloftheim967
    @samuelloftheim967 Před 4 lety +53

    Before this pandemic, I wasn't planning to put in a garden this year because I was going to be too busy. My priorities changed and now I have put in a decent sized garden to offset my vegetable budget! Keep up the great work sir!

  • @nancyjones2574
    @nancyjones2574 Před 4 lety +147

    I confess I hit like before I viewed...saving thirty some minutes of escape to the wilderness before I sleep. I really do need a night with pleasant dreams to stay healthy. Thanks Shawn.

    • @isnoo1
      @isnoo1 Před 4 lety +2

      Oh that is soooo damn funny as I do exactly the same thing on Shawn's videos................

    • @northernoffgridfringe6540
      @northernoffgridfringe6540 Před 4 lety +3

      When everything that's going on in life becomes too stressful for me, I put on one of Shawn's video's, better than a Calgon bath, lol Thank you Shawn.

  • @thebrownthomascrown917
    @thebrownthomascrown917 Před 4 lety +66

    Man..never apologize. You're living the dream and sometimes that requires adjustments.

  • @saritalejeune4960
    @saritalejeune4960 Před 4 lety +1

    I LOVE the peaceful nature scenes at the end of this video! God bless the work of your hands.

  • @laurelsternberg5861
    @laurelsternberg5861 Před 4 lety +30

    Your photography, editing, and music are so beautiful, I have to keep reminding myself that your life is not just a dream, it's very hard, steadfast work. Thanks, as always, for your honesty and humility. God bless you and your family. Wow, I didn't know porcupines climb trees! Ours here in Israel stay underground in their holes all day, then waddle around at night, foraging.

    • @metpatpetet7685
      @metpatpetet7685 Před 3 lety

      And wear plaid slippers (that’s an “in” joke for those who remember “Rehov Sumsum”). Seriously, who does the photography? You cannot
      reposition the camera every few seconds.

  • @jamesholmes4800
    @jamesholmes4800 Před 4 lety +34

    The true fans of this channel enjoy all the tasks you do, thanks for caring. Great work on the garden!!! 😁

  • @katherynlamarche7308
    @katherynlamarche7308 Před 4 lety +43

    Shawn i watch you all the time .I did things that your are doing not at your level but pretty good .My wife and i did organic
    farming and organic gardening was a lot of work but very rewarding . please do me a favor don't let people that have not
    done it tell you how to do it. Kathy and are 76yrs old and still garden on a smaller scale. we live on 33 acres in the country
    and have that far away that they do not bother us.please do not give up . I feel your passion .
    Julien Lamarche

  • @LadyDewinter
    @LadyDewinter Před 4 lety +1

    I am 61 years old and I cant travel anymore, your videos are so relaxing AND you give me garden ideas! So thanks, keep em coming!

  • @CrazySquirrelProductions
    @CrazySquirrelProductions Před 4 lety +7

    I respect what you're doing and the life you've chosen. I wish I had decided to live like that years ago. God keep you and yours.

  • @normfromhawaii1173
    @normfromhawaii1173 Před 4 lety +3

    I watch primarily because you live in such a beautiful place. Living in Hawaii it's ironic I never was much for hanging at the beach, but I could spend all day long in the woods, and have spent many nights as well tent camping. Thanks for sharing it all with us. With much aloha...

  • @RolandForest
    @RolandForest Před 4 lety +8

    no matter what you’re doing my wife and I enjoy watching every single time. We are a married couple in Boston Massachusetts and we’ve been inspired by you to start our own backyard garden. Nothing at all like you but we are motivated to try to be more involved with our own food production. We know it’s on an extremely small scale for us but you are a motivator. Keep doing what you’re doing so many people enjoy and are inspired by you

  • @TheGoodHeart1000
    @TheGoodHeart1000 Před 4 lety +1

    Amazing job! Amazing dog! You are a true trail blazer. I started using hugelkultur 3 years ago. Really saved the day when we had a drought. Planted berries and fruit trees. They are thriving! Started using Ruth Stout’s method last year. Real game changer! Blessings to you. Cali is the best dog ever! 😊😊😊
    You’re really reflective of living a life worth living. Hard work, roots, peaceful with others, kindness and strength.

  • @trishbranges3370
    @trishbranges3370 Před 4 lety +7

    I live in Oregon on 78 acres of forested land. My sister and I have a large garden with 10ft high fencing for deer and in case we get any elk coming in. Twice now we have had cattle that are free range end up in our yard. The fence around the garden and the orchard saved us. We are on our 3rd year of straw bale gardening and the plants do really great. We get 2 seasons out of the bales and when they decompose it is great mulch full of earthworms. The problem here in Oregon is that the farmers have been growing hemp instead of hay and straw so straw bales are harder to find and almost as expensive as hay. We also have a greenhouse attached to the garage with a southern exposure. The heat source are 4 black steel drums filled with water. When
    sun heats them up they keep the temp at around 50 degrees F. That is with a temp outside of 25-35 F. I keep my geraniums, fuschias, begonias and succulents in there for the winter. We also keep baby chicks in there with heat lamp in galvanized trough
    until they are old enough for coop. Also keep Meyer lemon and blood orange citrus in there and when they bloom it smells wonderful. (I am looking into a geodesic greenhouse which gives a longer growing season and stands up to snow and wind).
    Shawn I enjoy your videos so much. When you are canoeing it makes me envious because I have been too busy to get my kayak out on the Rogue river just 6 miles from my house. This summer for sure! Cali is beautiful and such a lucky dog. I can't let my
    dogs run loose in the woods due to poison oak, rattlesnakes, and a mountain lion hanging around. Oh well.

  • @40intrek
    @40intrek Před 4 lety +83

    Shawn, I hope you and others going down that wise self relient path realize that your growing more then just food in your garden, your growing a very interested group of folks just eager to learn and try to be more self reliant yourselves. More and more of us are realizing just how critical this all is to all of our futures. Thanks

  • @JakeFromSk8Farm
    @JakeFromSk8Farm Před 4 lety +52

    Definitely still interested. Finally glad to see the garden really take its shape. You have been putting so much hard work into everything and keeping us updated. Thank you.

  • @nazy0078
    @nazy0078 Před 4 lety +3

    I forget how relaxing watching your videos are, since this pandemic broke up and took all of our attention. Thanks for putting them on youtube, stay safe 🥰

  • @glendenning1596
    @glendenning1596 Před 4 lety +4

    You have good life. As I sit in my wheelchair. And make so happy you are out city life. Be safe and a great planting

  • @ronbailey6495
    @ronbailey6495 Před 4 lety +74

    I was raised in the mountains of East Tennessee, some of the hardest land to farm. I helped my dad and uncles “grubbing” new ground like you are doing. In case you’ve never heard the term, Wikipedia = Grubbing or clearing denotes the removal of trees, shrubs, stumps, and rubbish from a site. Unlike you, we did have a team of mules to pull the stumps. I have respect for anyone willing to subject themselves to this type of work, voluntarily.

    • @niek280
      @niek280 Před 4 lety +8

      In the local dialect in the region of Twente in The Netherlands we use the word ‘angruppn’’ to heighten the ground around potatoes to get a better harvest.

    • @stanbrown915
      @stanbrown915 Před 4 lety +6

      Whatever it's called in every language it really means HARD WORK🤣🤣🤣

    • @clairewink7058
      @clairewink7058 Před 4 lety +1

      I’ve just bought an old grubbing mattock for digging and clearing roots as I go. Can highly recommend ( now you’re nearly finished)!

    • @kalinystazvoruna8702
      @kalinystazvoruna8702 Před 3 lety

      Ron, I moved from Philly to Washington County, TN. You're right about how hard it is to farm here, but I'm only doing raised bed gardens. Biggest problem I find: Johnson grass! Otherwise, the mountains are gorgeous!

  • @alastairmackay4589
    @alastairmackay4589 Před 4 lety +83

    You appear to have single-handedly made a forest clearing and created a farmstead. Quite remarkable.

  • @reillys4080
    @reillys4080 Před 4 lety +9

    Love how you've gone back to your old style of simple editing, focused on the work, with quiet patience.

  • @sergiovalenti7255
    @sergiovalenti7255 Před 4 lety +11

    I will never complain again about doing work in my 20x20 garden in my backyard.

  • @Sohraiyah1
    @Sohraiyah1 Před 4 lety +45

    I so love watching Cali run about saying "Yep. I own this!" she is such a proud and happy pup.

  • @PaulBaker12
    @PaulBaker12 Před 4 lety +67

    I love that you're adopting multiple ways in being 'Self Reliant'. For me being self reliant is about recognizing the responsibility we have to try to avoid problems before they happen and to learn to overcome challenges when they occur. You start with what you know, then as you go you experience trials and challenges. When you're in a trial period you figure out how to overcome it, sometimes that means asking for help or stopping for a moment to learn something new so you can use it effectively to fix it the first time and avoid it from reoccurring. Self Reliance is a journey, it's not just one Olympic event, it's all of them, at certain times you use different muscles to reach your end goal. That's my two cents anyway, hope that makes sense. Keep up the great work Shawn. It's totally worth it.

  • @hannahrosa5485
    @hannahrosa5485 Před 3 lety +1

    I recall that back in the 60's - 70's when I lived in Muskoka we used to swim by June 1, sometimes earlier. The weather has cooled over the decades.

  • @mariawillzniriosbruno1430

    I love your way of life and you made the best choise. Cali is cute 😍. The World is sick, that is so sad.I am happy watching you . God bless you and your family.

  • @walkinginthenorth7216
    @walkinginthenorth7216 Před 4 lety +41

    I really hope your garden is blooming this year, you truly deserve it! Thank you for sharing your life with us, Shawn!

  • @krissmgvlogs
    @krissmgvlogs Před 4 lety +27

    Your filming skills are excellent, it's like a movie 😀

  • @johnscott2849
    @johnscott2849 Před 4 lety +3

    My garden has been set up like that for about 5 years . It works never have to water. Everything grows good.

  • @sugamamajackson6171
    @sugamamajackson6171 Před 3 lety +1

    Im in love with the river
    The water is so refreshing!
    I would be okay living there! It’s the CALMNESS that draws me in.

  • @marilynmcleod1196
    @marilynmcleod1196 Před 4 lety +3

    Shawn, you don't have to be building things to keep me/us interested in your life! What you are doing is the "whole enchillada".. meaning not just building stuff, but using all of the natural resources you have available to sustain you.... nature has provided so many wonderful things for living on and off the land... the water, the river, the waterfalls (harness that water!).. waterwheels, gravity fed cisterns, etc. One suggestion through my own experience, tie white rags (from old torn up bed sheet) on areas of the deer fence, so that the deer, bears, moose will see it and not run right over it! I've had that happen - they just don't see it sometimes. The fluttering rags (12" or so) also work to keep them a little leary of it. A great natural fertilizer for those tomatoes is fish guts and heads... when you catch the fist and clean them, bury all the discards right next to the tomato's roots down at the bottom. It will double the size of your crop! It's pure joy watching you work the land and use the resources you have. Keep on keepin' on! Anything you do is so worth watching.

  • @95netta
    @95netta Před 4 lety +62

    it crazy to think that hes living like everybody use to live for thousands of years and now, in 2020 we all watch this for entertainment. I think we humans crave to live like this.

    • @ancientsalt4291
      @ancientsalt4291 Před 4 lety +6

      Ive come to believe the modern world we find ourselves in, isn't the world we were created to live in.

    • @Sky-qd2mf
      @Sky-qd2mf Před 4 lety +1

      No they dont, beta humans now couldn't survive a month without their airpods, onlyfans and grubhub. I cant wait for the collapse

    • @patriciabarnes7034
      @patriciabarnes7034 Před 3 lety

      Yep.

  • @nikrijavec47
    @nikrijavec47 Před 4 lety +31

    I also did a little garden and thought it will be just an afternoon of work and in the end it turned out to be a big project, but last week the first vegetables came out and it's such a big satisfaction seeing how everything grows. Thanks Shawn for always inspiring me with your work and your words!

    • @laurafedora5385
      @laurafedora5385 Před 3 lety +1

      Yes, it’s so much more satisfying to pick your own fresh veggies! I’m already planning my 2021 garden 😎

    • @patriciabarnes7034
      @patriciabarnes7034 Před 3 lety

      Wow, Nik Rijavec... Nice seeing you here. I follow you also.

    • @patriciabarnes7034
      @patriciabarnes7034 Před 3 lety

      @Bart Ayon No, we don't give a shite!

  • @leann4925
    @leann4925 Před 4 lety +3

    This was so calming to watch and do appreciate seeing what your doing. Hugs to Cali and thanks.

  • @BrianthatiscalledBrian
    @BrianthatiscalledBrian Před 4 lety +12

    Your work ethic is pretty impressive, Shawn. 👍🙂

  • @happyentertainmentX
    @happyentertainmentX Před 4 lety +6

    I see your path as crystal clear, it's needed to survive to grow your own food. Cheers from Sweden a tip you can live off solely and which gives huge harvest is beans, dried beans, water some dried herbs from the garden and a onion and whatever can always make a good soup in desperate times. Stock up on salt as it can be hard to produce from your location, unless you're close to the ocean.

  • @richardbreisch8049
    @richardbreisch8049 Před 4 lety +1

    Love your videos Shawn! I'm a gardener myself planting tomatoes, squash and lots of different kinds of sweet and hot peppers. My wife and I live in south Texas where the soil is almost nonexistent. We have built up our raised beds over the years and now have deep, rich soil to plant in. Everything we grow is organic with a large compost pile to keep it nutritious. I enjoyed watching you tend your garden and laughed at how fastidious you are getting even the smallest rocks out. I'm confidant that as the years go by your garden will get richer and more productive. By the way the small rocks seem to grow out of thin air and I still find myself fastidiously removing them every spring... Have a good harvest Shawn!

  • @seriouslyreally5413
    @seriouslyreally5413 Před 4 lety +8

    Remember to try and order up heirloom varieties of vegetable seeds so that you can eventually save a few plants each year to be your seed producers for the next year. Hybridization has developed better yields and flavor and disease resistance but at a price. You have to buy your seeds from the source. You can save the seeds from heirloom tomatoes and squash and beans and store seed potatoes and the plant that germinates from those seeds is not at risk, (like saving the seeds of a hybrid, ) of reverting back to the characteristics of one or more of the hybridized parent plants.

  • @ulrikefeller671
    @ulrikefeller671 Před 4 lety +38

    Hallo, i am from germany, my english is so bad, sorry.
    Do you know helen and scott nearing? I love their books. They practiced self-sufficiency in Vermont and later in Maine in the middle of the last century. They harvested in winter vegetabels.

    • @MySelfReliance
      @MySelfReliance  Před 4 lety +19

      Yes, I have a few of their books on my shelf

    • @Hoaxer51
      @Hoaxer51 Před 4 lety +14

      Ulrike Feller, your English is very good, thanks for learning! It is good to hear from the land of our ancestors, among many!

    • @Rick_Sanchez_C137_
      @Rick_Sanchez_C137_ Před 4 lety +7

      Ulrike Feller
      Everyone should own at least one book by the Nearings, as well as the Encyclopedia of Country Living....

  • @altonmedcalf5790
    @altonmedcalf5790 Před 4 lety +19

    I have been looking forward to seeing the workshop that you will create. But after seeing the hard work and long hours you have put into creating this forest garden I'm really looking forward to seeing you reap what you sow.
    Soon you'll be making me hungry again after watching the meals you create.
    P.S. Thanks for wrapping the show up with a "toss" for Cali! Keep up the good work.

  • @Christodophilus
    @Christodophilus Před 4 lety +23

    I've studied permaculture for many years now, as a layperson. One thing I've picked up with designing an area, is tying in as many needs as possible, in the one transaction. For example, you need a fence, water collection on site, tool storage and covered areas to store your harvest as it dries - potatoes, onions - maybe even a solar dehydrator, using the sun too. So build long, narrow, utility areas on the highest ground, as part of the fence line. Break up the separate buildings, with your edible, thorny hedgerow. It will create micro-climates for the plants to handle weather extremes better. Eaves of buildings, for example, help ward-off frosts.
    The narrow, utility shed, for storing hand tools for the garden, will be enclosed. Solar dehydrator will be mostly enclosed too. But your drying racks for potatoes, onions and garlic, will need to be open for ventilation. They will have wire on the side that would be the fence. Roof all the utility buildings, run gutter off them and have rain barrels to collect rainwater. Being on the highest ground, you'll be able to gravity feed water to the vegetables, using a hose. It may not be strong pressure, but still more time efficient and back saving, than carting buckets.
    So in a nutshell, if you have to spend money on some utility areas, why not make them part of the fencing cost too. If you're spending money on plants for the fence, the utility areas will help nurture them to produce. Especially when more exposed plants may not, during weather extremes. May I also suggest, instead of running your garden row, length-ways down the slope, position them length-ways across the slope. During a rain event, it will stop the water running straight down hill. I've gardened on slopes for over a decade, on scrub land (Australia). If you don't get reliable rainfall, how you design on the slope, will determined how long moisture stays in the ground.
    I don't know your area though. You may get enough reliable rainfall and a terrible muddy season. So maybe getting water off the slope, as quickly as possible, saves a lot of logistical nightmares. I just know in my part of the world, getting moisture to stay on a slope, which is exposed to the sun, is my logistical nightmare, lol. Anyway, good luck with your garden. I hope it produces well for you.

    • @kenschubert7001
      @kenschubert7001 Před 4 lety +1

      Chris sone great perspective and info there. Nice post.

  • @annateis650
    @annateis650 Před 4 lety +1

    At our cabin we use clear fishing line to protect our garden from deer, bear and rabbits. We even string it above our head to keep the birds out. The animals get spooked when they run into the fishing line that they can not see. It has worked for several years. It takes many rolls of fishing line but will last several years. In the spring we will replace the small areas where limbs and debris sag the line.

  • @mspat8195
    @mspat8195 Před 4 lety +8

    Interesting video with an added spectacular ending of sights & sounds.
    Truly a feast of beauty & serenity, thank you, 💞👵

  • @jodyreay733
    @jodyreay733 Před 4 lety +22

    Wow Shawn so beautiful of a Forest Garden ! I can’t tell you how much I love watching you! I know you probably won’t get to this post as you get so many but you have really put a smile in my heart! You and your family are so precious to many people! And then there is Cali!❤️!
    Thank you! ☀️❤️❤️

  • @jamesbrown3882
    @jamesbrown3882 Před 3 lety +1

    When I was younger I used to watch the Woodright Shop on PBS and the things I seen him do. You're doing a lot of the samethings. Besides living off the grid and being self sustained. You're keeping parts of the past still alive in how you and your family live. I would love to live the way you do. But due my health I wouldn't be able to do it. But I enjoy watching your videos here on CZcams.

  • @andymontemayor175
    @andymontemayor175 Před 4 lety +4

    God I envy you Shawn living the dream while you're young enough to appreciate it. Blessings to you and your family, peace and long life!

  • @livelife4471
    @livelife4471 Před 4 lety +7

    Well, from my perspective as a viewer, you have come a long ways. It is really looking like a garden. The transformation is tangible. I tip my hat to you. Nothing like determination, focus, effort and thought to make something happen. Once established it will be a breeze for you to maintain it. Congratulations.

  • @LibertyGal2010
    @LibertyGal2010 Před 4 lety +33

    I haven’t watched your video yet but just wanted to tell you how we dealt with a huge deer population in upstate NY. We had a large square foot garden with 4x4’ boxes (about 15 of them) and put 4’ picket fencing around the whole garden (with a gate entrance) and put 8’ T type fencing posts up for our vertical trellises for vining and climbing veggies. We found out inadvertently that it kept the deer from even attempting to jump into the garden because (we believe) they had no place to land as the T posts were close together and scattered all throughout the garden. I guess it was visually discouraging to them. It worked great and we never had any loss of veggies due to deer. We also put poultry wire around the bottom of the pickets to keep out the rabbits. We subsequently moved to Tennessee and this also worked in the same kind of garden here! Hope it works for you if you try it. Pretty inexpensive, especially when compared with losing so much of your precious harvest to indiscriminate eaters!!

    • @jameskniskern2261
      @jameskniskern2261 Před 4 lety +1

      Link to pictures of your garden for those of us (me!) who can't visualize what you are communicating? Thanks.

    • @julies8813
      @julies8813 Před 4 lety

      Put the plants around the area either flower garden or vegetable garden the resistant to the deers. It works. Sage, Lavender, and Daddofi and peonies or bearded Iris they grow all over the fence.

  • @nikospapageorgiou57
    @nikospapageorgiou57 Před 4 lety +24

    In the river, you can use small portable hydroelectric flow generators, that spin with the flow of water to power water pumps and also have electricity all year round!

    • @ChronicEskimo
      @ChronicEskimo Před 3 lety

      you must be from somewhere warm, rivers freeze top to bottom here

  • @elizabethwelner5550
    @elizabethwelner5550 Před 4 lety +2

    I am using your ideas for my garden beds. Fallen twigs, yard clippings, leaves and layering it all with compost and manure. My neighbors thought I was crazy asking for their bags of yard waste sitting at the road for the city to dispose of. Well two weeks later and I am planting onions and garlic into what would be considered 'black gold'. So many worms!! It's amazing! And I have been taking everything I can find, old fences, left over deck wood, old tires, anything I find on the property to make all the garden projects. THANK YOU for inspiring so many people!!

  • @brennanhuard966
    @brennanhuard966 Před 4 lety +81

    We gardened like this in the woods at our off grid last season with such great results, we built four new beds in the fall all ready for planting this spring but I'm not sure if I'll be able to this year. This makes me want to be there so bad. Have you considered broadcasting some clover seed on your beds? It's an awesome ground cover, keeps weeds down, provides nitrogen, helps during the times of drought and their flowers attract pollinators. Love that you're using potash! 💖

    • @spoonypoon7998
      @spoonypoon7998 Před 4 lety +4

      Can you use that clover seed in flower gardens to keep weeds down?

    • @donnajakubos4249
      @donnajakubos4249 Před 4 lety +6

      We've put three gardens in this year in our seventies, so quite an undertaking. Good to be adaptable no matter what age we are 😏

    • @justintime753
      @justintime753 Před 4 lety +3

      You sound very knowledgeable.

    • @brennanhuard966
      @brennanhuard966 Před 4 lety +2

      @@spoonypoon7998 You can use this living mulch just about anywhere as ground cover and plant right through it. Once it grows tall, you can do what's called chop and drop by cutting it down with scissors and leaving it on your beds but it's not even necessary so long as your plants are taller than the clover.
      You just don't want it on crops like root vegetables because you'll get more foliage than root with too much nitrogen. If you want a clover that doesn't grow as tall, use a micro clover.
      I even discovered by accident when sowing a lawn with it, that it will even grow on top of wood chip mulch because I spilled some seed on my path.

    • @brennanhuard966
      @brennanhuard966 Před 4 lety +2

      @@donnajakubos4249 I have some health limitations, that's why I wanted to do it in the fall after the harvest so I could take my sweet time. We did hugelkulter/permaculture raised beds with logs, bark, tree roots, pine needles, moss. We were there last week to clear a felled tree from the lane and to my surprise, the moss I stuck between the logs is still alive and the strawberries I planted in the cracks too!

  • @kevinchadwell3017
    @kevinchadwell3017 Před 4 lety +15

    Admire what you're doing Shawn. One of the hardest working men I have ever seen. We reap what we sew and I think you should have a bountiful harvest!
    Best of luck to you and your family. God Bless.

  • @lenahedger
    @lenahedger Před 4 lety +1

    I always thought that growing your own food is self reliance at its core. So don’t ever apologize for gardening on this channel. It’s so much more than fishing or canoeing. You are building a lasting home stead for your family and their kids. Not much usable land left. That is truly free and wild. Yet close enough to a town. You have that, a truly special place. If you change directions a million times, it doesn’t matter, just enjoy living free.

  • @vivianwilliams2216
    @vivianwilliams2216 Před 4 lety +1

    The waterfalls are so beautiful! I'm looking forward to seeing your Gardens grow! And would like to continue to see you guys cooking! 😊💕👍

  • @susanoshea7121
    @susanoshea7121 Před 4 lety +9

    Hi Shawn. We voted this videography no. 1 .. so beautiful. You have entertained us for 3 years and we thznk you, esp. in these times. You are going in the right direction. Amazing how far you have come. Cheers and blessings. P.s. considering some of the rude comments you have gotten, we don’t blame you for keeping your “girls” off camera.. 😁

    • @DPWingo
      @DPWingo Před 4 lety

      I understand your concern but I believe his daughters, or at least the one interested, can have a very positive influence on other girls her age. I think that is at least as important as the influence Shawn lends us. I truly hope my granddaughters can watch his daughter and be inspired. With the, "I want everything given to me for free." attitude infesting our youth today, a young girl working with her dad to make a life is a beautiful example.

    • @susanoshea7121
      @susanoshea7121 Před 4 lety +3

      D. P. Wingo i understand what you are saying, but Shawn can talk about his girls and wife helping him without showing them on camera. It is not worth the exposure to weirdos, in my humble opinion. Thanks for your reply and I do agree with your opinion about todays youth attitude and lack of simple life fundamentals. Cheers.

  • @voodoochild1954
    @voodoochild1954 Před 4 lety +15

    Moving the workshop close to the cabin is a wise move. I always thought having it so far away was a mistake.

  • @richardcorsillo9819
    @richardcorsillo9819 Před 4 lety +4

    Enjoy Shawn James, but remember that God provides

  • @pennypoll8759
    @pennypoll8759 Před 4 lety

    I love that you incorporated in the garden and sustaining yourself and your family! I think they go hand-in-hand with what you were already doing. Love watching both of your channels.

  • @danieloliver20
    @danieloliver20 Před 4 lety +16

    Soon the fruits of your labors will be on your cabin table. I love what you've done with the place! 😀

  • @wayneshirey6999
    @wayneshirey6999 Před 4 lety +5

    I am thankful I discovered Emerson and Thoreau in my early 20s. I re-read Walden and the Essay on Self Reliance as an old man and they still rang with wisdom.

  • @terrianderson3035
    @terrianderson3035 Před 4 lety

    You have worked incredibly hard on this garden project and deserve the great fruits of your labor. Ignore any haters that complain how you use your own land. I would have loved to live your way back when I was younger. Great respect for you and your wife. Enjoy!

  • @micheleharris2361
    @micheleharris2361 Před 4 lety +4

    I've been away a bit, but just catching back up, I have to say the gardens look wonderful! Nice job.

  • @davidullom
    @davidullom Před 4 lety +9

    33 minutes of serenity. Thank you sir.

  • @cheecheedivine
    @cheecheedivine Před 4 lety +8

    I was too happy to see that fence being installed. This new direction is going to be truly enjoying for us the viewers.

  • @crissala
    @crissala Před 4 lety +1

    Yay! Love the plan and will be watching! I am clearing some of my property off for this same purpose.

  • @ninafisher5991
    @ninafisher5991 Před 4 lety

    I have planted a garden again this year and have started canning everything I can and will be dehydrating a lot too. I think we need to think about what else maybe coming down the road. Love the scenery there so relaxing. Love you pup too.

  • @karenw8481
    @karenw8481 Před 4 lety +12

    You know, when you paint it's mostly prep and then a little bit of painting.
    Same with gardening, a lot of prep to start the garden, but then easier each year. You will be glad for the time you spent doing this. Your building up your immune system as well, playing in the dirt.

  • @toonarmy1923
    @toonarmy1923 Před 4 lety +11

    Cant wait to see how the garden looks over the next few years

  • @denaredford6701
    @denaredford6701 Před 4 lety +1

    You know I really love the gusto you do everything with . It is to be admired .🤠

  • @joseyzadoria7815
    @joseyzadoria7815 Před 4 lety

    Thanks for sharing Shawn! Really appreciate your time and effort in explaining your process!

  • @SherryEllesson
    @SherryEllesson Před 4 lety +56

    Shawn, I've started cutting out "weed trees" from around my house again, pulling things I don't want out in my first 40 piles of wood chips that have composted enough to start my orchard, and using all that to fill my first couple of super-high (dinner table height) cedar boxes. It's a lot of work but the good news, the Groundhog has not come out and challenged me (lately). My back is sore, my arms ache, my puppy is exhausted from trying to catch rodents who elude him in the woodchip piles, but life is good. A huge hawk is helping patrol the orchard area, and I'm hoping the Bald eagle who sits right behind the house will consider Groundhog for dinner.

    • @ironfistarrival
      @ironfistarrival Před 4 lety

      You may need my help ?

    • @dgalansilk
      @dgalansilk Před 4 lety +1

      Wow! You’ve gotten so much done. I am so impressed with the amount of work and just how beautiful it will all turn out. Just love that you use everything around your environment.Bless you and your family for the amazing example you are setting. There is another way to live. :)

  • @imagesmagnetic5547
    @imagesmagnetic5547 Před 4 lety +96

    i like everything u do but i hv to confess, i cant get enough of that dog

    • @heretohear8662
      @heretohear8662 Před 4 lety +2

      Yeah, Retrievers are always on "perma-happy!" Awesome dogs!

    • @karenw8481
      @karenw8481 Před 4 lety +1

      I started watching because his dog's name was Callie. My daughter's dog is named Callie, she's a golden doodle, 3 years old. Great smart dog. I still want to know how many times a day you throw that dog toy.

    • @DG-nv3nn
      @DG-nv3nn Před 4 lety +1

      Me too, I am big Cali fan.

  • @utahcharme4168
    @utahcharme4168 Před 4 lety

    Love the gardening. Self reliance encompasses a lot of things. Looking forward to the next video!

  • @beansie5493
    @beansie5493 Před 4 lety

    All your videos are appreciated. Thank you for sharing them with us. 🙏

  • @truenorth365
    @truenorth365 Před 4 lety +9

    The most relaxing video I´ve seen in a long time, thanks Shawn! Been prospecting to buy some acres of land just by watching your channel. But I´ve also realized that alot of work will come with it. I think it will be worth it. Thanks for sharing your videos and your thoughts on building self-reliance. Thumbs up from Sweden!

  • @danielfomenko5761
    @danielfomenko5761 Před 4 lety +15

    I have not personally gardened with the mounds, but they make perfect sense. More planting area with the same space as a flat bed...I have seen them done, and do see them covered with leaves or straw for insulation value, and to help retain moisture, and protect the soil from the sun. Love what your doing!!!

  • @kforest2745
    @kforest2745 Před 3 lety +2

    I don’t know if you have any idea how much further ahead you are from everybody on the planet. It’s like watching Noah.

  • @clindsay8362
    @clindsay8362 Před 4 lety

    This is truly inspiring and fills me with well-being just watching it from the suburbs of Australia. Thank you and congratulations on a wonderful garden and one of your best films yet!

  • @StGroovy
    @StGroovy Před 4 lety +47

    There is probably a deer in the background watching your every move. "Yeah, you dig that garden, city boy. We will see you in a few months.""

    • @sacredstonecards9051
      @sacredstonecards9051 Před 4 lety +3

      Lololol

    • @velli4370
      @velli4370 Před 4 lety +4

      Hahha the deer are brutal garden thieves.

    • @suzannetodaro5494
      @suzannetodaro5494 Před 4 lety +1

      Funny comment. But I guess he knew that by checking for tracks hence the fence all around it now tied into the tree still standing. I'd like to see the trail cameras the first time the try to run to get his carrots there will be a lot of deer with headaches. lol. ;)

    • @DukeOfChirk
      @DukeOfChirk Před 4 lety +3

      Yep. I hear roast deer is delicious, especially with home grown vegetables....

  • @dharper9332
    @dharper9332 Před 4 lety +3

    Totally appreciate your method of farming...….show people varied ways to be sustainable in all areas. Good job!!!

  • @angeloberardi5834
    @angeloberardi5834 Před 4 lety +1

    Put some headphones on and the audio is amazing! Especially when James is moving around and breaking up wood. Love the content!

  • @runndove1
    @runndove1 Před 4 lety

    I love love the sounds of the wind!!! TY

  • @trinitysays
    @trinitysays Před 4 lety +7

    I really love watching you put this garden together! You have taught me quite a bit about building a bed. We started several areas of the yard and a small raised garden. We are now setting up micro-greens and indoor system with an old shelf and grow lights to get fresh food year around. Like you are experimenting, this is our year of...we can grow X but we stink at growing Y. I hope to get out my canning equipment and have at least a few jars of pickled radish, salsa and the like. With Covid-19, we are now always looking how we can, even in the suburbs, be more food independent.

  • @Sailor376also
    @Sailor376also Před 4 lety +14

    Hey Shawn, I cannot imagine it would work twice,, but.
    To keep the deer from eating everything I had planted, i planted at the end of the rows serrano peppers,, about 3 X hotter than Jalapeno peppers. There are many peppers that are much hotter,, my sister in Oklahoma grew some that would rate a 911 call and a three alarm fire. I planted them toward the end of the rows. Deer must have no sense of humour,, after consuming the pepper plant and peppers,, the deer stomped the pepper into a 6 inch depression in the garden,,, but I never lost anything to the deer again that year. There are available some really good electric fences,,, especially if that is a plastic fence. easy install and just a small battery pack to power it.

  • @DG-nv3nn
    @DG-nv3nn Před 4 lety

    Cali has the best life, she is so happy, what a water baby. This channel is my place to go for peace, serenity and natural beauty, like a breath of fresh air! I admire what you have created and continue to build, it really is amazing what your capable of, you truly are an exceptional human being not just in talent but as a person.

  • @EricRush
    @EricRush Před 4 lety +19

    Glad you mentioned "The Swiss Family Robinson." I read it when I was a kid and again as a teenager. I'm sure it's on a shelf around her somewhere. I'll read it again.

  • @tracythorn2918
    @tracythorn2918 Před 4 lety +41

    Callie is living the life every Golden dreams of, she's a lucky girl. I find everything you are doing there interesting Shawn. It seems solar would play a big roll in your plans there. I wonder if you will design and position the shop roof for that purpose.

  • @brianwolf692009
    @brianwolf692009 Před 4 lety +2

    Can't wait to see the longhouse finished

  • @persephonemoon
    @persephonemoon Před 4 lety

    Love your vision - and have huge respect for what you're doing there. I'm a permaculture gardener, (Australia), and it's really inspiring to see what you're achieving in a pretty challenging environment. And Callie is just delightful!

  • @not2tees
    @not2tees Před 4 lety +11

    Permaculture is necessary - I'm glad to see it on this channel.

  • @Robbie_S
    @Robbie_S Před 4 lety +66

    With a blessed life like yours, I don't think anything would go wrong with it. So far your hardwork on building everything from scratch has been remarkable and exceptional. But it actually took years to do that and I've been watching that like some of the old subscribers. I feel proud to say that, I dunno why lol. Maybe because lots of people are now looking out for a living like yours, but we can say that it wasn't ready made, and you just didn't accidently found this land. you made everything happen with patience, dedication, tough and hard decisions and single handed hardwork using non-electric tools mostly.
    I just hope people actually dedicate their life into this if they really think this is what they want. Sure, the nature and the weather makes you think, oh I want that. But this ain't a quitters lifestyle and you'll have to go on and on till the end. You'll actually have to give up city life and that's a huge sacrifice which could end up in a bad way as well. I know I can't give up, hence I'm just a subscriber and a big fan. Shawn inspires me to focus on my own goals in life, given that is now on a halt for the time being. But I won't try to imitate something I know I won't be able to handle that. It's a dream alright, to dwell and enjoy on a picturesque and serene nature, but it takes knowledge, experience and responsibility to take it forward. And ofcourse the Weather which can go from 100 to 0 overnite. Good luck.

  • @williamlarkin1503
    @williamlarkin1503 Před 4 lety +1

    Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us they go a long way for me.

  • @GloriaBerrisch
    @GloriaBerrisch Před 4 lety

    Wow! I love gardening so much. I have been watching you for long time and I thought of precious land that needs cultivation and here it is. That's some serious gardening stuff! I'm so excited to see all the projects especially the greenhouse. That would be so awesome. Thank you!

  • @carlahubbard7561
    @carlahubbard7561 Před 4 lety +10

    After all that back breaking hard work, I hope your garden flourishes! If ALL those onions come up, you’re going to have a million onions!

    • @Hoaxer51
      @Hoaxer51 Před 4 lety +1

      Carla Hubbard, hopefully a years worth!

    • @barbibutton9619
      @barbibutton9619 Před 4 lety

      Do u know how to keep them? I hung mine in the basement last yr and they rotted. Was it too warm?

  • @abrenning2499
    @abrenning2499 Před 4 lety +3

    I watch everything you do and still remained at your energy, strength, perseverance and creativity. Good work. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

  • @patriotwife3920
    @patriotwife3920 Před 4 lety

    Your videos are amazing!! We really enjoy them. It's so peaceful and your scenery is beautiful. You are one of our favorite CZcamsrs for sure! Thank you for taking us on a journey with you. Blessings.....from Texas.

  • @jblakeblake5115
    @jblakeblake5115 Před 3 lety

    The sounds of you working and the weather etc is so calming and satisfying.What an amazing lifestyle. In such a beautiful area.

  • @AlasdairGR
    @AlasdairGR Před 4 lety +6

    I’ve been inspired by you and some other makers here on CZcams, so I’m going to build some planters in the next week or two for herbs and possibly some vegetables. While I love living in the city, I grew up camping and hunting in the mountains here in Utah and helping my mom and dad tend to our backyard vegetable garden. Fresh herbs and food taste so much better and help me feel much more connected to my past and this beautiful planet we live on. And it’s also just a way to be healthier and reduce my grocery cost. Keep up the great work, I don’t plan to stop watching any time soon.