070 || A Bit of Gardening

After a long and exhausting trip, we're back at it!
Join us today as we unpack and start planting for the future.
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• Villa Oliva - Our stor...
Start from the beginning - • 002 || Opening up the ...
My name is Sam and together with my girlfriend Lyanne, I am on a quest to restore the beauty of this old Italian villa from 1895. Join us as we have to let go of our Dutch habits to fit in in our Italian surroundings, were the word 'plan' gets redefined and our tastebuds are awakened.
The goal of this project is to show that with limited financial means and a lot of optimism we can resurrect the beauty of this abandoned villa in a green and sustainable way. But most of all learn from everything that we encounter and enjoy it whilst we're at it.

[@Diwondermum]

Please keep the channel as is!! Love your format. Gardening is just part of you making the villa a home. All part of the renovation.

[@Villa_Oliva]

Agree! thanks so much!

[@neutonrenda2303]

It always feels so good getting your hands dirty planting.👍

[@mocarra100]

I wouldn't do extra work for myself I would just keep the gardening and renovation together people do that all the time on these types of shows. I'm really excited to see your adventure. Much love from Oklahoma USA Jackie 🇺🇸💖

[@Villa_Oliva]

Thanks Jackie, you're right, i will keep them together!

[@davecleggett9371]

Your girl certainly adds the much-needed enthusiastic element to your life! Good for her! For me, I'd just maintain the one channel and edit and upload 'gardening' episodes as they become appropriate - Mother Nature is not going to play ball with your schedule is she! Lovely to see the huge improvements you are making every day - brilliant work!

[@Villa_Oliva]

that's great to hear! I agree with you and most others, I guess I will keep them together on this one channel. Thanks a lot!

[@terryhubbell314]

I enjoy both gardening and renovations. I'd keep them together 👍

[@sylvanaire]

When I was young, my family used to travel around the US a lot by car. We would be gone for several weeks at a time, but we weren’t rich enough to stay in hotels the whole time, we always brought a tent with us. One year when I was nine, we took five weeks and drove out to Yellowstone national park, taking our time and camping along the way. My father got very good at packing and unpacking the Plymouth Fury III convertible that we were riding in. Watching you load the furniture in the back of your van reminded me of him. You are quite adept at packing too, lol. 😊

[@sailingwhitsundays5672]

Sam keep reno & garden all together on 1 channel that way the transformation is at our fingertips, we’re here for it all. frm sunny Australia 🇦🇺

[@brookestephen]

I put a 1 inch layer of small crushed stones in the bottom of planters, with a drain hole in the bottom of the planter, which allows humidity to escape to prevent root rot, and strangely enough, the roots that grow down from your plants simply stop once they reach the rocks! If the planters are outside, they could fill up with rain, root-rotting all your hard work, so the drain hole is really important!!

[@SuperBotanica]

I like a mix in the videos - gardening, renovating, furniture, cleaning, tidying up, shopping, etc. I always drill holes in these plant boxes and then place a small stone over them - to prevent moisture build-up. It's nice that you two are working together again for a while

[@terrya448]

Glad to see Lyanne is back. More dancing & energy.

[@SusanZiegler]

I agree with all who advise keeping gardening and reno together. It provides a nice nice balance.

[@MyFrenchLifeVienne]

Hi Sam. It’s lovely to see your partner back in Italy. She is adorable! I’m binge watching your vlogs again as I wait patiently to recover from surgery and finally be able to head to France and restart my own renovation dream. Please keep the gardening and renovations together as they are both part of the entirety of restoring Villa Olivia. Love your vlogs. Hugs to you both from Ann xx

[@Villa_Oliva]

Hi Ann, hope you're doing well under the circumstances! did everything go well? It's lovely to be together again, albeit for a short bit. I will keep the two merged, I think that's for the best now as well. Super glad to hear that, thank you so much. All the best Ann, (you'll see me) soon, Sam

[@oliverpavic275]

Noooo....keep all content on one channel please! Don’t complicate. We are here for you no matter the type of content. You are the star Sam! 😘

[@brookestephen]

i love growing life, especially food! Container gardening on south facing apartment balconies - there's just nothing like eating food you grow yourself!

[@shirleygardner5483]

Please keep it together. It's all renovating!

[@k.j.2481]

It's good to be back together. She sure brightens up the day.😊

[@user-nx5yg6vv3o]

Not to mention brings some life to the otherwise dull videos

[@daydreambeliever6603]

I’m happy with Reno and garden and anything else all together. Just like real life❤❤❤ The seed starting bins with legs and vented lids are really cool! I would like a couple of them. I haven’t seen them where I live.

[@donaldauguston9740]

For NEXT year, I would suggest saving ALL of your toilet paper rolls and filling them with compost. Then planting the seeds in the tubes of compost. Once the plants have gotten taller, you can easily plant them (tube and all) into the ground without damaging the roots. The tubes will biodegrade and you'll be very happy with the results. For tomatoes, I recommend burying them UP TO the 2nd set of leaves. The plant will spout roots from which it will draw more nutrients from the soil. Then they will fruit like made. In the meantime, I recommend putting some drain holes in those plastic pots. You don't want things to drown. Good luck, DA

[@elainemcgran8828]

Yes keep all in one channel

[@Villa_Oliva]

got it!

[@elfinmazz]

Keep together for now most channels merge both or do shorts. Very satisfying to see how the garden grows as well as how the reno continues

[@Villa_Oliva]

that's perfect, great to hear!

[@user-deborahp]

Just one channel. They belong together. 😊

[@jeniferpollonais6546]

Keep everything together, it will be a complete renovation of house and yard. It’s all very interesting!

[@user-gf6be2rc6s]

Hey, alles ist interessant. Renovierung des Hauses, des Garten, Farbenwahl, an den Wänden, Finale Reinigung jedes Raumes, Dekoration. Danke aus Deutschland

[@donaldauguston9740]

I agree with Diwondermum, keep them together. I think you'll find having two channels extremely time consuming. I don't want you two to get overwhelmed. Take care, DA

[@derrickknight6828]

Focussing on the bedroom and bathroom before tackling the rest is a very good idea.

[@nancyf18]

Sam, Lyanne your home is coming together nicely. God bless you Sam, Lyanne God bless your Family's. See you on the next video.

[@krisnugent1250]

Renovation and gardening are both part of making it all into a home. I'm in for both.

[@dinosource]

I wouldn't mind seeing garden videos dispersed amongst this channel. Either way, you'll be making the same amount of videos, so I personally don't really mind them all being in the same place. I am very excited to see how your living spaces come along. Thanks for taking the time to edit and upload these videos. I appreciate the effort you all make and these are really fascinating to watch. Definitely still my favorite series of videos on KZbin.

[@Villa_Oliva]

That is so kind thank you! Such a compliment!! We are doing our very best to show you this compelling and life changing adventure. Super glad you like it. Thanks so much for your support!

[@brookestephen]

don't forget bee hives, olive trees and grape vines!!! OMG Italy is amazing for growing!!!

[@ciaociao2921]

Hallo Sam, es wird sicher eine große Aufgabe sein, das ganze Haus zu renovieren. Darum finde ich es sinnvoll, so wie Du sagst, erst das Hochparterre zu renovieren. So bleibt alles überschaubar und auch die Kosten steigen nicht ins Unermessliche. Weil so eine große Renovierung wird ganz schnell mal sehr teuer. Der Gemüsegartenanbau wird sicher eine angenehme, abwechslungsreiche Arbeit sein, die viel Freude bereitet. Ich wünsche Dir Sam und Deiner Partnerin Lyanne ganz viel Ausdauer und ein gutes Gelingen bei all Euren Arbeiten. Liebe Grüße, ciao, ciao Bea 😊👍👍👍🌻🌷🌱🐞

[@patriciacopelin9347]

Keep it all on the original channel!

[@maudeestrella8196]

Hope you keep the renovations and gardening together. Interested in all of it🇨🇦❤️🇨🇦

[@vanessawade452]

I too would prefer that you keep the gardening videos along with the renovation videos. Very rarely the reno vids are a bit repetitive so to include something else would make even more joy. Thank you.

[@Villa_Oliva]

You got it. Thanks !

[@kriscurtis1015]

It made me smile to see your pink cart make its appearance! Its good to see Lyanne again too. Keep it all one channel please.

[@marywhitfield7553]

My preference would be to keep reno and gardening merged.

[@AndreaWinkler]

Vielen Dank für eure Mühe, uns Teilhaben zu lassen. Das Renovieren der Villa schließt den Rest des Grundstücks ein, bitte lass es in diesem Format. Thank you for youre effort to share with us. The renovation of the Villa includes the sourounding Ground, please stay in this format. (please excuse my bad english)

[@melissaeden1219]

To me gardening and home renovating go hand in hand! So glad Liana is back with you!

[@patsymessier]

Awesome!! I love the progress you two are making. And it is an extra bonus to see what you do in the garden. Garden on!!! :)

[@karenbrindley7170]

Garden advice: read all of the seed packets for planting instructions. Some things are direct sow and won't transplant well. Even if you do everything right, sometimes there are failures. Just keep at gardening

[@neutonrenda2303]

Great idea having separate systems on each floor, it makes future problems and work not effect the whole house. I even fitted three separate earth leakages so that a fault doesn't take out everything, and I never put the lights on one system either, nothing worse than trying to find a problem in the dark lol.👍

[@neutonrenda2303]

I think that your gardening will be a huge part of transforming the villa, so it should work as it is. I love both parts and it's going to be great watching the progress.👍

[@SDevoAU]

For your electricity I would also add the option to be able to run some circuits off a generator if you have a blackout and the solar / batteries are not on line. Run it to the fridge / freezer and perhaps a couple of lighting and a power circuit in the area with the fridge / Freezer to allow you some form of living if there is a blackout.

[@Villa_Oliva]

good idea, got it!

[@CatherineH.-gf7mm]

Your neighbors will give you good advice, too. About what grows well there and when to plant. Great sunny location for your vegetable garden!!!! Love renovation and love gardening!! Good wishes from Texas. :)

[@Villa_Oliva]

That's perfect then! you're right, although I pretty sure i will outgrow them with varieties and produce in a very short bit. But you're right, they do also grow some stuff themselves, great thinking!

[@autobot513]

Blending the gardening in with the renovations would be fine. I think the renovations will still take up most of your time anyway. Keep up the good work.

[@belindagordon8042]

Keep the channel as is its all to do with renovating your beautiful Villa keep the videos coming !!!!!

[@Villa_Oliva]

Will do!

[@nancypyanoe3347]

I like the gardening as much as the renovation. I hope you will be able to get a rotor tiller! Frost expected tonight in East Tennessee. I had to cover my climbing rose with sheets. It is already starting to bloom!

[@Villa_Oliva]

that's great to hear! good to keep an eye out, thanks!

[@terrisantiago9128]

Keep the gardening and the fixing up your villa.The same you're doing great

[@sailingwhitsundays5672]

Hey Sam w tomatoes, slice an overripe tomato in slices apprx 10mm wide, lay flat in good soil, cover over w good potting mix soil, water. Keep watered, you’ll get a crop of tomatoes. Also plant marigolds to deter bugs & insects in your vege gardens 😊

[@robwarren5744]

Just the one channel please. Gardening is part of the Villa’s renovation and is just as important as the building itself. It allows the viewer to watch your videos in a more natural flow. Rob, Cardiff, Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@karmaficionado1163]

I can only imagine how happy you must be, to be moving in, finally!!!! Enjoy!!

[@miriammuskal5402]

Great job in the garden hopefully you will have success

[@jackiegeyr3618]

I would suggest doing them together. Some with more construction and just a glimpse of the garden and then the other way around. With time stamps you could play to both audiences.

[@joannewachel2505]

I enjoy it together.

[@neutonrenda2303]

I noticed the huge painting you brought, I think that it's going to look stunning, love the size and the subject. I have collected quite a few oil paintings of sailing vessels over the years.❤

[@barbarakloise6790]

Keep both together because to mencleaning up your front area and a garden is part of house and land renovation. I am fine with keeping everything together.

[@mundich]

I don't know if someone told you this already, but: 1: if you are not going to power some heavy machinery, 4mm2 wires are enough to supply each floor, unless you are planing for a workshop. If you do, put in a 6mm2 2: 16A fuzes for power outlets and home appliances, 10a fuzes for the lights. You will save quite some money with this. :)

[@samoman67]

If you want to make your soil go further when adding coir to your potting mix also add vermiculite or perlite as this will aerate the soil, keep it moist and allow roots to better take hold. Coming along guys, keep up the good work.

[@yas_lana]

With the amount of plant matter you have on your property you might want to look into hugel culture. At least for now you could start some hugels for pumpkins and stuff which would also take care of all the wood piles you have lying around. This would give you some good results this year without the need of composting everything first. Or you fill some raised beds partly with all the plant matter. But that would require you to actually build those raised beds. Hugels would be easier and faster to build for now, since you still have a ton of other things that require your attention. Also, keep everything together on this channel. You can still make extra playlists, one for everything, one for the house, and one for the garden.

[@Villa_Oliva]

thanks, i did read about it before but haven't given it proper attention. i will read up on the topic, thanks for sharing! I agree! thanks!

[@philpoulin479]

Glad to see you two together again. What a nice couples chore. Always enjoy the channel.🤗👏

[@bwitched3810]

I would keep it all together ,Big plus Lyanne home she has such an amazing personality ,Your hard work is really paying off .

[@user-zz9bh2jh4u]

Tomatoes and potatoes are symbiotic so where you are going to put a tomato into the ground, Drop 1 or 2 potato eyes in the bottom of the hole. As the plants grow, draw the soil up and around the stems. You're burying the stem of the potato so more potatoes will form. Burying the stem of the tomato will form more root. The plant will grow stronger and have more fruit. I've used 50 gal. (190 Lt) Galvanized cans and start at about 1/3rd of soil. When the tomatoes have done their job for the season, empty the rest of the can out next to your mulch pile on a tarp and Voila! Potatoes for the Winter season. Dump the soil on the mulch pile - fold the tarp away for (what ever) and have a cup of coffee. Notice the lack of excessive bending and digging?

[@Villa_Oliva]

great tips! thanks so much! i will see if i can implement that system somewhere, thanks!

[@tj9310]

It would be nice to see the layout of each floor.

[@user-jh8jr5id2c]

All in one channel please👏👏

[@dragonflyhill5748]

Gardening and renovating

[@oliverpavic275]

Sam was there really the need of bringing back the rocking sheep? 😂😂😂👏🏼😂

[@kimberleybrooks2658]

Please keep it all on one channel. I'm interested in the whole journey

[@Villa_Oliva]

that's perfect, thanks!

[@derekbarlas8092]

Nice to see you guys transitioning a little from the water heating pipe project. Looking forward to seeing your plans for the villa to come together. And I'm a fan of keeping all of your villa projects in one place. Derek in Otawa.

[@rosefazio1859]

To my knowledge seeds should be sewed indoors under heat lamps especially if it still gets cold outside in the mornings or evenings.

[@Cathy.gatti41]

Génial les bac sur pied pour les herbes aromatiques, proche de la cuisine. Pour les pommes de terre il faut beaucoup d’espace c’est le moment si vous avez un motoculteur. J’ai dû mettre un voile d’hivernage aux salades car il refait froid la nuit et avec la pluie les escargots se régalent, c’est aussi le moment de planter courgettes tomates et aubergines semées en godets c’est au chaud plus pratique. Pour les carottes il faut semer dans le sable. Par contre je met les fèves mi novembre. J’espère que cela vous aidera. Bon jardinage à vous deux, moi j’adore. 👩‍🌾 ❤️

[@IMakeTreesSingWithChimes]

Don't forget drainage holes for your planters.

[@debbiesmith1626]

Drainage holes in pots 🎉

[@GreteHovdeBe]

Nice and exciting to follow you, and you do a great job. Nice with renovation and gardening together. 🤩 Good luck from Norway! 🤗

[@Villa_Oliva]

That's sweet, glad to hear you're enjoying the project! Thanks!

[@Scotty7268]

you have bought a lot of seeds!! I would only sow one packet of a type and keep them spread out because it will be difficult to transplant thick clumps of seedlings. Also - everything will now grow very fast, so get digging on that garden - the time to transplant will be sooner than you realise. The planting window and harvesting windows are quite short in some areas.

[@eugenius1192]

It's important to have a retreat from the chaos of renovation. I speak from experience. So you will enjoy having the bedroom and bathroom. But I recommend having a day room as well, one that you can use as an office during the day and a sitting room in the evenings.

[@Villa_Oliva]

Definitely, so that's our main goal at this point, creating this retreat.

[@janislohman8125]

Companion planting works well, saves water. I use marigolds for bug repellent as borders . I like both renovation and gardening so it ticks all boxes here,look forward to garden stuff. From seattle wa USA 😍🌹💖

[@Villa_Oliva]

that's just perfect then isn't it! great to hear! Thanks!

[@joduff5708]

Keep together ... love both and definitely need both!!!

[@tj9310]

Keep channel as is,please!

[@harmbron1794]

Please keep your videos merged as they are!

[@karmaficionado1163]

Make it easy on yourself. Keep both reno and gardening together. If folks don't like the gardening bits, they can fast forward. Some channels I watch have their videos labeled in sections. Not sure how complicated that might be, but I usually just forward thru anything I am not interested in. I enjoy both gardening and reno.

[@Villa_Oliva]

Yeah, i guess that i easier isn't it. As you should, good to hear!

[@terrya448]

I like the idea of separating between renovations & gardening. 👍🏼

[@terrya448]

It’s been 2 months, and your current format is working for me.

[@shirleygraham6229]

Personally i am happy to go with the flow of whatever you are actually doing at the time. Hope it works for you, whatever you decide. Best wishes.

[@Villa_Oliva]

perfect! thanks!

[@SonyaTucker]

Hey beautiful people, it's always a great idea to start growing all your own fruit and veg, with having the area to use have you decided to think about getting the best out of your soil etc and grow fruit and veg in half and flowers herbs etc in the other half of the area and then rotate them each year. Also have you thought about no dig beds while you're waiting for your own soil to improve?, also have you now decided not to use the garden area you were doing/preparing last year?. Has Leyanne permanently moved to Italy with you now?. Great video😃👌

[@lindahedley9049]

I would like both gardening and house renovations together but do what works best for you.

[@almareynoso6579]

I’m happy to see your girlfriend!!! ❤

[@leroysmith8203]

I’m all good with both, but you are adding to your work load by having 2 KZbin channels. Good luck

[@susiezswfl]

I love watching your progress! I just want to find my own European project and get started!

[@Susan.I]

Plant basil between tomato plants as it keeps bugs away!

[@almamartinez-quagliata439]

Mix it up! 😊 we like both

[@user-dg8vc3bw2s]

The garden and renovation together is a good idea for your videos it’s a new adventure for you both I wish you all the best 😊 have you thought of raised beds for the vegetable less digging and easier on the back but what do I know I’m a rubbish gardener 🤭Ann 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@debpate9405]

Gardening is most successful when gardeners are working with correct timing. Watch weather forecast for cold temps and cover your seedlings but remember to remove cover when temps rise. A plastic milk jug with tiny holes drilled in cap makes a great gentle way to water small plants. Best wishes ❤

[@judiehavard4903]

Plant green onions with tomatoes. Keep peppers away from tomatoes.😊 Give tomatoes plenty of bone meal. It encourages blooms in all plants. But will stop end rot on tomatoes. The black spots they sometimes get.😊

[@Villa_Oliva]

thanks!!

[@susanpasto8583]

Keep it coming love this👍

[@Villa_Oliva]

you got it!

[@SilviaAxisa-rn1gn]

So nice too see your partner with you again,she looks very happy too be there again ,plus how long is your drive back home too the neathlands. X

[@chelozamora4912]

Encantada con el proyecto del huerto 😊 felicidades!! 👍💯

[@CatherineH.-gf7mm]

Raised beds work best. Suggestion to research lasagna gardening combined with huge poultry concepts... As you have lots of sticks, leaves , small logs, rotting debris to use as a base in raised boxes....raised beds and a lasagna methods will make for less work, larger harvests, less water use, no weeds, more sustainability, and planting in the ground is too difficult!! Happy gardening. :)

[@Villa_Oliva]

i will read up on Hugelkultur, i did read a bit about it but not a lot. thanks for sharing!

[@ilariabarnett8700]

Yes, please keep the channel as it is. I like it all in one place!! Mi piace da morire guardare i vostro lavori. I loved when your Dad was helping you ❤

[@marieratcliffe4804]

i vote for mix of gardening and restoration. xxx

[@Villa_Oliva]

perfect!

[@Palinkat]

I would add more amps if you can to the system, 32 is not a lot, 42 min and 63 would be much better. All the best with the renovation, you are doing the right thing!!

[@Villa_Oliva]

Thanks, will depend on the wire thickness of course, but i will consider it, thanks a lot!

[@judiehavard4903]

If you burn limbs. Add the ash to all the garden and around the base of trees you want to keep.😊

[@Villa_Oliva]

good one!

[@ackermankellylee]

AWESOME!!! I Love gardening!!! FYI: the zucchini can take over that entire space happened to me😮 I had zucchini's the size of baseball bats...and then these strange giant marching zucchini bugs under all the leaves ...made a lot of zucchini bread and zucchini jellies.....anything that grows on a vine look at some sort of wire fence to make a tunnel you can walk thru train your vines to climb it you'll have ur cucumbers, zucchinis, baby melons etc hanging down in the tunnel to pick....im rambling.....just SUPER EXCITED for you!!!!!! So Happy to see your girlfriend is back in Italy with you!!!! HOORAY🎉😊😊😊😊😁😁😁😁🌞☀✨🌟🌼🍀🤙🤘👏👏👏👏👏😀😀😀😀😀😀any way you choose to film your renovation and gardening I will watch!!! BRAVO!!!FANTASTIC!!!!👍😁🤘🤙👏✨🌟☺😃😀😊🌈☀🌞🌼🍀

[@Villa_Oliva]

That's perfect! thank you so much. I am looking forward to a harvest like yours! it's going to be so much work, but so interesting. Glad to hear you're as excited as i am! ps: please send me an email about what you'd like to have on your plaque, see the video on my Patreon page (link in every video desciption). Thank you so much for your support!!!!