(14) Sicily Villa Secrets: The DIY Transformation You Have to See!

[@OperationSicily]

🔧🏡 Welcome to Operation Sicily! 🌟 In this week’s episode, Sicily Villa Secrets: The DIY Transformation You Have to See!, we dive into another exciting chapter of my journey transforming this incredible off-grid Sicilian homestead. 🌿 From pruning neglected fruit trees to gearing up for a major renovation phase, this week is packed with tips, hard work, and progress! 💡 Questions Answered: 🔹 Many of you asked about the fruit tree pruning-I’ve given the olive trees a good prune this year and plan to trim the tops next year to avoid shocking them too much, especially with the limited rain we've had. 🌳 🔹 Regarding the burning of branches, I’m keeping the larger wood for firewood and composting will definitely be part of the future garden plans. For now, clearing the garden is the priority. 🔥 🔹 On the well transformation, I’m still waiting on permits but have exciting plans to make it a functional yet stunning focal point in the garden. 🚰 🔹 For the DIY tools, the chainsaw and strimmer are proving invaluable for tackling the overgrown areas! ⚙ ✨ Video Highlights: 🪚 Pruning fruit trees that haven’t been touched in 20+ years 🍑 Removing a Japanese plum tree to make way for the future pool 🌿 Visiting a local olive oil factory and seeing how olives can generate income 🍵 Making tea over the fire-my favorite way to relax after a hard day of work! 🌍 FOLLOW MY JOURNEY: 👉 Instagram: @Operation.Sicily - Exclusive behind-the-scenes content 👉 TikTok: @OperationSicily - Fun highlights from my restoration adventure ☕ Support the project: Buy Me a Coffee - Every contribution fuels this journey! If you're dreaming of owning a Sicily villa, Italy farmhouse, or embarking on your own off-grid renovation, this series is for you! Whether you're into DIY property restoration, exploring Italy real estate investments, or just love watching 1 Euro House Sicily transformations, stick around for more! Your support means the world-don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for weekly updates every Sunday. 💬 What’s your favorite part of this week’s episode? Let me know below! 🌟

[@eveg4272]

The way you go about your projects and explaining them calmly is great. I loved the olive oil trip. The gentleman feeding the stray cats was so touching....what a kind heart. As always, love your videos.

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad you enjoyed the olive oil trip and the kind-hearted owner feeding the stray cats. Moments like that really bring out the heart of the project. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts-it means a lot! 🫒🐾

[@mariagillinson8527]

Jonathan! Nobody can get back to every message… we understand! I’m just happy to see your progress.

[@francesco97100]

In a fast world, extremely fast, too fast... I love the way you make your videos, relaxing, slow and beautiful to watch!

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you so much, Francesco! 😊 I’m really glad you’re enjoying the relaxed pace of the videos. In a fast world, it’s nice to slow down and appreciate the journey. Your kind words mean a lot! 🌿

[@huibhoogendoorn503]

An advice, make first a big workbench on the terrace so you cann do a lot off work on the bench instatt of a window frame. The hole restauration you will have pleasure of this workbench.

[@OperationSicily]

That’s a fantastic suggestion-thank you! 😊 I’d absolutely love a dedicated workbench, and I can see how much easier it would make everything. For now, I’ve been making do with the large dining table in the lounge, but a proper workbench on the terrace would be a game-changer. Definitely something to add to the to-do list! 🛠️🏡

[@neutonrenda2303]

So sweet seeing the cats being fed, I would definitely do the same. ❤️ Have a wonderful, fruitful week ahead, ❤️ from Cape Town.

[@OperationSicily]

It really was heartwarming to see the cats being fed at the olive press-it’s a lovely touch of kindness. Thank you for the well wishes, and I hope you have a fantastic week ahead too! 🐾🌟

[@margotjones7168]

Thank you, not only for the glimpses of the physical work it takes for this project, but for the financial and budgeting tips! My husband and I live in the US. He is British and I am American. We are looking into buying a holiday home in Europe; I prefer Italy. These tips will come in handy when we decide!

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment! 😊 I’m thrilled to hear that you and your husband are considering buying a holiday home in Europe-and I completely agree, Italy is an amazing choice! 🇮🇹 My strong advice would be to go for it as soon as possible. I originally planned to wait about 10 years until my kids were out of school, but I’m sooooooo glad I bit the bullet and did it now. It’s been such an incredible experience, and I’m confident you won’t regret it either. If you need any advice on the buying process, budgeting, financing, or negotiating, please don’t hesitate to reach out-I’d be more than happy to help! Are you thinking of mainland Italy or Sicily for your holiday home? 😊🏡

[@malvina1952]

What is your favourite Sicilian food/dessert?

[@perfectscotty]

That backyard will be a paradise, You won’t want to leave.

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you! 😊 That’s exactly the goal for the backyard-a relaxing paradise to escape to. With all the pruning and landscaping, it’s slowly coming together, and I can’t wait to enjoy it fully. Stay tuned-it’s going to be amazing! 🌿🌞

[@MidnightsVoice]

I made the opposite journey for the shovel. From Italy I moved to England, bought a house and renovated it. I tried to use English shovels, but maybe because I was used to Italian ones, I didn't find them comfortable. I had to order one from Italy to do the work 😅

[@OperationSicily]

That’s such an interesting flip of the journey! 😊 I totally get how you’d miss the Italian shovels-they’re great for digging and precision work. That said, I’ve found the square-edged UK shovels to be a lot larger, so they’re much better for moving larger volumes, especially when mixing 5-10 tons of concrete. The flat bottom on the UK shovels also makes them great for scraping and leveling.

[@MidnightsVoice]

@@OperationSicily Yes, maybe it's just a matter of habit, but in my opinion the longer handle is more comfortable. Anyway, I wish you all the best for your renovation and I can't wait to see how beautiful this house will become 🙂

[@OperationSicily]

@@MidnightsVoice Really grateful, thanks a lot! 🙏

[@scottsorby7966]

Some lovely progress made this week Jonathan and Im sure the trees will certainly appreciate the helping hand you just gave them as will the land under them. that generator will make life a hell of a lot easier for you but getting a brew on over a fire is always the best feel good thing there is. Stay safe fella and we'll see you next week

[@OperationSicily]

Thanks so much, Scott! 😊 I’m really glad you’re enjoying the progress-it’s definitely been a rewarding week, and I hope the trees and the land are feeling the benefits. You’re absolutely right, the generator has already made life so much easier and opened up more possibilities for getting things done. That said, I agree-there’s nothing quite like making a brew over a fire. 🔥 While I know I could just use an electric kettle now that I have the generator, there’s something so relaxing about lighting the fire, watching it crackle, and letting the kettle boil. It’s one of those simple things that makes the off-grid life feel special. Thanks again for your support, and I’ll see you next week! 🌟🍵

[@scriptureencouragement5761]

Good Evening 🌄💭☕️ OS 😺, Hey 👋 How are y’all? Well, I hope ❤️ and pray 🙏❤️ I did not spot Daisy 🌼 🐈 but now I am wondering 💭 where she was? Thank You 🙏❤️ for giving her food 🥘 and water 💦 and being kind to her, and l👀king after her 🙏❤️😺 We are in the process of doing something similar, we came from the states and bought a house 🏡 in the UK 🇬🇧, it was being renovated, we have taken over the job, we were going great at first, but the issue lately has been finding people who want to work. We are no where near as skilled as you are, so everything gets to be hired out. But it has been encouraging to us to watch your videos and see your journey. Thank You 🙏❤️ for sharing 😺

[@sharonfowkes7124]

Loved the video your so interesting to listen to, plus the stray cats so beautiful. The villa will be fabulous can't wait to see the transformation. 🎉😅

[@cherylmatthews4066]

Another great video to watch, you have done a great job inside and outside too. Agree with your idea of pruning those trees, that front enterance is going to look amazing onces its all done, cant wait for ur next video. CHERYL Wales x

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you, Cheryl! 😊 I'm really excited about how the front entrance is shaping up-it’s going to be such a welcoming feature when it’s finished. Pruning those trees was definitely a step in the right direction. Thanks for the support, and I can’t wait to share the next video with you! Greetings to beautiful Wales! 🌳✨

[@nnrrgg2011]

Un video con mucho contenido interesantísimo: El mantenimiento de los olivos, el geometra, el oleificio, las herramientas que se van sumando...y las recomendaciones imperdibles para todos los que quieran encararar proyectos de esta naturaleza. ¡Muchas gracias! Saludos desde Argentina

[@OperationSicily]

¡Muchas gracias por tus amables palabras! 😊 Me alegra mucho que encuentres interesante el contenido del video, desde el mantenimiento de los olivos hasta las herramientas y recomendaciones. Espero que las sugerencias sean útiles para quienes estén pensando en proyectos similares. ¡Un gran saludo desde Sicilia hasta Argentina! 🌿🇮🇹🇦🇷

[@SoulCareOver50]

It must be so exciting and satisfying to plan and get stuff for the house and see it all coming together 😊

[@OperationSicily]

It really is so exciting and satisfying! Seeing everything slowly come together and knowing all the effort is paying off keeps me motivated. Thanks for your kind comment and for following the journey! 😊🏡

[@scriptureencouragement5761]

Oh, I L❤️VE that. My heart ❤️

[@selinabrown4896]

Get yourself a large gardeners groundsheet or tarp to collect your gardening refuse then you can drag it to the fire pit, saves on the energy. Garden is going to look fantastic once you get some grass growing. Do you have the essentials connected up yet?

[@OperationSicily]

That’s such a great idea with the groundsheet or tarp-someone else mentioned it too, and I’ll definitely be trying it out next time. It’ll save so much time and energy! As for the essentials, I’ve got the generator going now, which helps, but I’m still waiting for the permits to connect everything else. Fingers crossed it won’t be too much longer! 💡🌱

[@selinabrown4896]

@@OperationSicily You won't know yourself once everything is up and running. It will be interesting to see what the winter is like. All the best

[@дима045]

Greetings from Moscow, I wish you good luck in your project.

[@OperationSicily]

Greetings to you in Moscow! 🇷🇺 Thank you so much for your kind words and good wishes-they mean a lot. 😊 I’m so glad you’re enjoying the journey, and I appreciate your support!

[@kimberlyllamas5804]

It's just lovely to see the grass coming in so well. Looking great!

[@karmaficionado1163]

Wow!!! Look at all that grass you have, now. That's great! I once rented a house at the beach many years ago. It had a huge backyard which was fenced in. I had a dalmatian and my roommate had 2 dogs. The entire backyard was mostly sand with a few small islands of weeds. After a few months of dog poo being raked around, by the next summer I had to purchase a lawn mower to mow all the new grass. By the time I moved out of that property, the entire backyard was full grass LOL. Not a relevant story here, but all your new grass reminded me of that. LOL Your property is taking shape. Enjoy!

[@OperationSicily]

Haha, that’s a fantastic story-dog-powered landscaping at its best! 😄 It’s amazing what a little time and nature can do to transform a space. Hopefully, I don’t have to invest in a lawn mower anytime soon, though! 😉 I’m glad you’re enjoying the progress. There’s still a long way to go, but it’s all coming together bit by bit. Thanks for sharing and following along! 🌿🐾

[@mememe332]

Pruning olives is particular. To maximise yield and ease of gathering olives you take out the branches that go straight up, favouring a wider tree and down bending branches.

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you for the tip! That’s really helpful to know about pruning olives. I’ve been learning as I go, but I clearly still have a lot to figure out. I’ll focus on getting that wider shape and removing the upward branches next time. If you have any more advice, I’d love to hear it-anything to get a good yield in the future! 😊🫒

[@katrinarichards6520]

I think you can cut your olive trees back hard this time of year,it won’t hurt as they haven’t had a cut it will help them to breathe? hope it helps.

[@OperationSicily]

Thanks for the advice, Katrina! 🌿 I’ve been careful with the pruning this year and will tackle more next year to give the trees a chance to recover. It’s all about finding that balance to help them thrive. Appreciate your input! 🫒

[@traceymcknight2843]

As as few people have said, get a ground sheet to move your garden waste. Work smart, not hard, lol. Also a bigger mover i think is a must 😊

[@OperationSicily]

You’re absolutely right-work smart, not hard! A groundsheet is such a good idea, and I’ll definitely use one next time to save some energy. As for a bigger mower, I think you’re spot on-it’s on the list! Thanks for the advice and for following along. 😊🌿

[@ChristianAMoreno]

Thanks for giving us the chance to see the whole renovation! Christian from Argentina!

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you, Christian! 😊 It’s amazing to have viewers from Argentina following along. Sharing the renovation journey with everyone has been so rewarding, and I’m thrilled you’re enjoying it. Stay tuned for more updates-there’s so much more to come! 🌟🏡

[@annbottelli5682]

Don't let the olive trees get too tall. Best to prune hard this year so you get a good harvest in two years time , when the renovation is done and you have the time to harvest. All the bets from Catania.

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you for the advice, Ann! 🌳 I’ll definitely keep that in mind about the pruning-I’ve given the olive trees a good trim this year and will tackle the tops next year to avoid shocking them too much. I appreciate your kind wishes from Catania! 😊🫒

[@donna4137]

Enjoy your videos and admire your slow, decisive actions on what will be accomplished next!! Of course the ' tea kettle ' warming is classic.... 👌

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you so much for watching and for your lovely comment! 😊 The tea kettle over the fire has become a bit of a tradition now-it’s such a calming way to take a break and reflect. Slow and steady wins the renovation race! ☕

[@yyedidia]

Most loquat trees need a pollinator to produce fruit, but some cultivars can self-pollinate. Cross-pollination by bees or other insects can improve the quality and quantity of the fruit. Most need a second loquat tree nearby for pollination, but some cultivars can self-pollinate.... I hope yours can.

[@RH-in-UK]

When burning out a tree stump it's best to chainsaw a cross-cut 'a figure X' as deep as you can in the stump (without hitting stones); soak what's left in some liquid fuel for a few hours, and then ignite.

[@cherriberri7161]

Happy Sunday! I’m not lying, I have been looking forward to seeing another upload of your restoration project in Sicily! After Mass I sit and enjoy watching you and envying your exciting experience. Wishing you much success, keep up up the phenomenal work. 👍🏻

[@OperationSicily]

Happy Sunday to you too! 😊 Thank you so much for making my videos part of your Sunday tradition-that means the world to me. It’s amazing to hear how much you’re enjoying the restoration journey. I hope you had a lovely time at Mass, and stay tuned-there’s so much more exciting progress to come! 🙌 Wishing you a wonderful week ahead! 🌟

[@kennethrush9363]

Really mate you do what you doing I love watching the program all the hard work you’re doing on your own

[@OperationSicily]

Thanks, mate! I really appreciate your encouragement-it’s a lot of hard work, but I’m loving every minute of it. Glad to have you along for the journey! 💪😊

[@rontanser9369]

Hello, yes, you will do your olive trees good giving them a prune if they haven’t been done for many years, I hope your plans get past okay and you don’t have to go for full planning permission otherwise that will take forever

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you for the kind words! 😊 The olive trees definitely needed a good prune, and I’m hopeful it’ll help them thrive. Fingers crossed the permits go through smoothly-waiting on full planning permission would certainly be a challenge. Appreciate your support! 🫒

[@kimstclair1879]

Hello Jonathan and greetings from France. Things are coming along nicely for you. Re trimming the trees, a good haircut does them wonders and so does a little food to get ready for the next season as well. Have a look on line where you are for a good all purpose food or tree specific food and now the cooler weather has arrived is the right time to do it, but don't forget to water it in really well. Great to see the billy on the fire for your cup of tea.. Re a pruning saw for you. The best one I have come across is the Fiskars Pruning saw, it works like a knife through butter. It retracts into its self when finished . I find this good so I can clean it, oil it and put it away safely, Good luck with your plans, it is always good when the approval comes through. Regarding the olive oil, that being so fresh will be amazing to use. Have a great week and I look forward to your next vlog.

[@OperationSicily]

Hello and greetings to France! 😊 Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and helpful advice. I actually found some general fertilizer in the DIY store-little green pellets-and gave all the fruit trees a good feed. Hopefully, that sets them up well for the next season! 🌳 I’ve also been doing daily trips to the public water tap to fill containers and make sure the trees are getting plenty of water, especially with the cooler weather setting in. I’ll keep this up until I can start work on the well, but I’m still waiting on permits before diving into that project. I love working outside and looking after the fruit trees, but I have zero experience with gardening, so I truly appreciate your tips! 😊 I did spot some pruning saws and large pruning shears at the DIY stores but decided to hold off for now to keep costs down. I figured I won’t need to prune the trees too often, and the cuts I made with the panel saw seemed clean, so I’m hopeful everything will be okay. The fresh olive oil is absolutely amazing to use-it’s like nothing I’ve had before. 🫒 And I agree, seeing the billy on the fire for tea was such a simple but satisfying moment! Thank you again for your kind words and advice. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the journey-there’s so much more to come! Have a wonderful week. 🌟

[@cheryljacques5558]

More fantastic advice and progress, been subscribed for a long time🙂👍 Love that the business owner cares for the kitties ❤

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you so much for being a longtime subscriber! 😊 It’s always lovely to hear from you. I agree-it was so heartwarming to see the business owner caring for the kitties at the olive oil factory. 🐾 Little moments like that make this journey even more special. Thanks again for your kind words and support! 🏡💚

[@dawngano9047]

If you get a cheap tarp you cn put a lot of trimmings on that and drag it around. Saves trips on moving the lighter stuff. Good to see you back. Hope the trip home was a good one.

[@OperationSicily]

That’s a brilliant idea-think smart, not hard, right? 😄 Honestly, I never thought of that, but it makes so much sense! I’ll definitely grab a cheap tarp for next time to save myself from making a million trips back and forth. Thanks for the tip! 😊 The trip back home was great, thank you, but it’s always good to be back here working on the villa. So much more to come-stay tuned! 🙌🌿

[@mariagillinson8527]

Have you tasted the plums? Any good?

[@JeanineG-l5z]

As usual, good suggestions, thank you I love the time you spent to give us a glimpse of the culture

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you so much, Jeanine! 😊 I’m really glad you’re enjoying the cultural glimpses as much as the renovation updates. It’s a huge part of the experience for me, and I love sharing that with you all. Stay tuned for more! 🌿

[@wannie9731]

Have been subscribed from day one. Love your videos

[@leighlaaltilio6672]

Same!!

[@OperationSicily]

@wannie9731 Thank you so much for being here since day one! 🙌 It’s amazing to have your support, and I’m so glad you’re enjoying the journey. Stay tuned-there’s so much more to come! 🌟

[@OperationSicily]

@leighlaaltilio6672 Your support keeps me going! Thank you! 💪

[@mariagillinson8527]

Jonathan can you explain a little what’s allowed as far as changes or additions to your building with the city. What kind of limitations? Ofcourse adding rooms without permit. Just want to get a sense of limitations as I’m looking to move to Sisily and just wondering how it works.

[@Mar33333]

Looking already forwarth to the next video,.Have a great productive week.

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you! 😊 I’m so happy you’re looking forward to the next video-there’s plenty more progress to share! Wishing you a fantastic and productive week too! 🌟💪

[@lucapolidori8817]

The squared shovel is called "vanga" in Italy, while the one you purhchased is "pala".

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you, Luca! 😊 That’s really helpful to know-“vanga” and “pala” are great terms to keep in mind. Have you ever seen any “vanga” in Sicily or mainland Italy? I’ve looked in all the DIY shops here and haven’t been able to find one. If you know where I might be able to get one, I’d really appreciate the tip! 🛠️🇮🇹

[@bridgeteyles4940]

You may find the shovel is easier to use and better on your back, with its longer handle, I speak from experience of cleaning stables with short handled forks

[@OperationSicily]

Thanks for sharing your experience! 😊 I can absolutely see the benefits of a longer-handled shovel-it’s definitely easier on the back, especially for extended work. That said, once you get used to shoveling, your back adjusts, and you can manage longer periods without too much strain. The square shovels we have in the UK also have their advantages. The square edge is perfect for scraping, squaring off footings, and other precise tasks, plus they’re roughly double the size, so you can move twice the volume with each scoop. I once worked on a large cellar conversion in the UK where we couldn’t use a digger due to the location, and we ended up excavating 120 tons with just shovels-it took some effort, but it got done! 💪 Thanks again for your comment and great advice! 🌟😊

[@PAMELAJOHN24]

My doctor has cautioned me, an organic gardener of 50+ years, to only use the BALL of your foot, not the arch of your foot, when applying bodily/leg pressure downwards with a shovel. She is a heart surgeon, and advised that she could tell upon seeing many patients which among them had been using the arch of the foot to use the shovel (as had I ). After two heart attacks, old habits die hard, but I am careful now to use only the ball of my foot for such undertakings. I had just erroneously assumed one's arch was the natural placement, especially as the heel-notch of one's shoe or boot made such a seemingly perfect 'landing spot'. Wish more were aware of this important truth!

[@SylviaDPaxon]

Again another relaxing and interesting video 👏👏👏thank you Ps are you going to relocate there once is finished or just for holidays, either way the location and property are fantastic well done 👍 👍👍and good luck 😊

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you so much, Sylvia! 😊 I’m really glad you enjoyed the video. Once the villa is finished, I’ll be living here full-time-I absolutely can’t wait to call this place home. The location is incredible, and the journey has been so rewarding so far. Thanks for your support and kind words-it means a lot! 🏡✨

[@SylviaDPaxon]

@ what a wonderful plan , beautiful place, nice weather ,great food good place for a young family to enjoy life that’s why lots of brits ,American and other nationalities are all flocking to Sicily , and not to worry about diabolical mortgage rates 😩

[@jethrob2830]

I enjoy your channel, watching from Ohio USA. I lived in Sicily for two years and much, such a beautiful place to be, loved the food, people and scenery. You may be aware of another KZbin channel LEAW (Leave everything and wander) they are in the North central area of Sicily and just harvested olives. They also have renovated a home. We hope to get back to Sicily in two years to celebrate an anniversary. I am so looking forward to that trip. Cheers.

[@yolandagofigure]

I have an idea. How about opening up an Amazon account making a wish list for all your subscribers to see, and gift you with what you need to make this Villa absolutely beautiful . 😌🇨🇦

[@OperationSicily]

That’s such a kind and creative idea-thank you! 🎁 An Amazon wishlist might be a great way for the community to get involved in the renovation journey. I’ll definitely think about setting one up. Thanks so much for the suggestion and support! 😊🏡

[@Really2950]

Just an idea. I am also doing renovations. I have ordered a container of 1st and second fix items, plus full kitchen, bathroom and other furniture. The cost is 5 to 7 times cheaper (in the UK) and the full container costs 3k to send over.

[@dianabutterfield29]

What about custom duty ?

[@OperationSicily]

@Really2950 That’s a brilliant idea-ordering everything in bulk and shipping it over can save a fortune! Where are you sending the container to and from? I was quoted around £9k for a container from the UK to Sicily, which felt steep. Hiring a large van and driving over was another option, but with a 36-hour drive and a cost of around £2k, it wasn’t much better. Would love to hear more about your experience and tips! 🚛🔧

[@OperationSicily]

@dianabutterfield29 That's an interesting point, would love to hear the costs on customs duty?

[@AnthonyCarbone-l2b]

Another great video. I really enjoy the way that you are taking your time. Think things out and then tackle them head on. Keep at it and the rewards will come I'm sure.

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you so much for the encouragement, Anthony! 😊 Taking my time and planning everything properly has been key-it’s a marathon, not a sprint. The rewards will definitely be worth the effort in the end, and I appreciate you following along on this journey. 🙌

[@pgree6176]

A pruning saw will make a big difference

[@OperationSicily]

A pruning saw would definitely make life easier-I’ll have to look into getting one for the next round of pruning. Thanks for the tip! 🌳✂️

[@carolinewalker9148]

Fully agree! I have one that was my grandfather's which he used specifically for fruit trees. It's a beauty and still in use after all these years.

[@karinfain1668]

It sometimes takes a male and female plum tree to create fruit or plums. If you cut down one the other might not pollinate unless there is a plum tree somewhere close to the property

[@catvinnat]

Really sad to see this plum being chopped down. Couldn't it have been relocated?

[@ianmcmurtrie3345]

I was fascinated with your talk about the shovels. I watch several renovating in France and Italy programs and am ALWAYS rather shocked to see the Brits killing themselves while attempting to dig in rough ground with square spades. They're fine for cultivated soft ground, but rocky or dry ground needed a point. Incidentally, my favourite shovel is a forged (not pressed), pointed one made in England. My dad got it years ago and it's a keeper! You may find that the angle of the head of yours is just a tad acute. Best wishes from Canada.......and I'm subscribed. 😉

[@OperationSicily]

Thanks so much for sharing your perspective, Ian! 🛠️ A forged, pointed shovel sounds like an absolute gem-your dad clearly had great taste in tools. I’ll have to keep an eye out for one like that. And you’re spot on about the head angle; I’ve noticed it takes some getting used to, but it’s growing on me. Best wishes to you in Canada, and thanks for subscribing! 😊🌍

[@barryshort4203]

Good morning Jonathan, you forgot the plaster. I love your progress 😂

[@OperationSicily]

Good morning, Barry! You’re absolutely right-I haven’t picked up the plaster yet. I plan to check out a few more places to compare costs since I’ll need quite a few bags for the project. That said, I can’t start plastering just yet because I need to do all the chasing for the electrics first. It’s all about getting the order of jobs right! Thanks for your support-it means a lot! 😊🏡

[@PAMELAJOHN24]

As an American, I've used both kinds of shovels for different tasks - as well as others, like a trenching shovel, which has a long, very narrow blade (like approx 10" x 5"). As for the Japanese plum you cut down, in my experience in far-northern California, I grew several from fresh fruit seed, and planted three. One was inadvertently mowed over in early tree-hood, with the other two surviving, growing into beautiful and well-shaped trees, which bloomed regularly, but never bore fruit. I later found out that they require a pollinator, and without a male tree, the female trees will never produce fruit. I hope your remaining Japanese plum is of a self-fruiting variety, and that you will be able to enjoy their delicious offerings!

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights, Pamela! 😊 It’s fascinating to hear about your journey with Japanese plums-I had no idea they could be so particular about pollinators. I really hope the one I’ve left is self-fruiting, but I suppose only time will tell. If it doesn’t fruit, I might need to look into planting a compatible partner for it in the future. As for the trenching shovel, that sounds like a fantastic tool! It’s always interesting to hear how different types of shovels are suited to specific tasks-I’m learning so much from all the feedback. Thanks again for your kind comment and thoughtful advice! 🌳🍑

[@PAMELAJOHN24]

@@OperationSicily Thank you for your generous response! You have no idea how much I look forward to your next installation! I am quite invested in your journey, and appreciate your expertise in so many different & varied DIY areas, as well as well-founded advice and suggestions regarding foreign investments & renovations, which I hope to undertake myself before too long... BTW, my Fiskars ratcheting long-handled pruning shears make easy work of such, and can easily accommodate up to 2+" branches. As an older woman with limited grip strength, the ever-increasing pressure exerted by the self-ratcheting blades are a godsend. :) Regarding your last video, I had a similarly situated well-head, between the lower house deck. well-established fruit trees and the small lake in our back yard. After installing underground drip irrigation on a computerized automatic system with 42 stations for our many vegie & flower beds, the well-head housing then included both household potable water from the well, as well as adjacent but separate water intake from the 8-acre lake for the automatic drip system. We built a larger & taller-than-before structure which was bistro-table height with an extended round wooden top, which raised up on hinges, and the front part of the round wooden housing below constituting the table-top support opened up on one side for easy access when required. The table proved useful as a rather large (7' or so) tabletop for buffet service or dining table for barbeques and such. As always, I wish you well in your journey, and appreciate, along with so many others worldwide, your so eloquent sharing of your creative journey with us.

[@AnnaApple]

Hi from California! You did a lovely job pruning your olive trees! 😊

[@OperationSicily]

@AnnaApple Hi Anna, greetings from Sicily to California! 🌞 Thank you so much for your kind words about the olive trees-it’s been a learning curve, but I’m really pleased with how they’re shaping up. Pruning them is such a satisfying job, knowing it’s setting them up for a great season ahead! 🫒😊

[@neutonrenda2303]

I personally like to do everything that I can, like clearing, demolition, painting and I always do everything in the garden. I can also handle buying flat pack cupboards and getting them done properly, the one thing I have never done is plastering, I plan to try, but I might not be able to get the standard I would be happy with. Plumbing and electric is easy for me, I've done it so many times I can handle most of it, but I wouldn't hesitate to call someone in if I needed. 👍

[@OperationSicily]

I love your approach to tackling as much as possible yourself-it’s such a great way to learn new skills and stay connected to the project! Plastering can definitely be tricky, but I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it with practice. Like you, I’m all for calling in help when needed, but there’s something so rewarding about doing things yourself. Thanks for sharing! 🛠️😊

[@michelehopwood9765]

I notice all your rubbish (beds, chairs, mattresses etc) are still there beside your fence. A bit of advice: hire someone with a small truck to take it to the tip/dump. You may get rats/mice breeding in the mattresses come winter. Rubbish like that attracts vermin.

[@HarleeRider]

I was literally just coming on here to ask the question what do people do with all the leftover furniture that are in these homes that they buy. I do noticed everything in the backyard and I know he burnt a lot of his items that could be burnt.

[@OperationSicily]

@michelehopwood9765 You’re absolutely right, Michele-it does need to go, and I agree it looks awful! 😅 I’ve been focused on getting the villa and garden in order, but sorting out all that rubbish is definitely high on the to-do list. I’ll look into hiring someone with a truck to take it to the tip soon. Thanks for pointing this out-it’s an important reminder to stay on top of everything! 😊🚛

[@barbararothstein400]

The birds are happy and singing!!

[@aleina5899]

​@@OperationSicilyA bit of info share - things may we'll be different in Sicily but worth checking out. In Abruzzo for example the police is aware of houses sold, know about the cellars stuffed full of generational rubbish and it does happen that they watch your house and might ask you to produce a receipt when they see any big pile outside suddenly gone. Especially important for any building rubble you may have. The man with the van is guilty if caught in the act only. In short no receipt means the onus is on you to prove that you did not fly tip. The fines are juicy. The geometra might be able to advise you about trustworthy disposal services.

[@doreenwhelan4121]

Love your videos so glad it’s got a bit cooler you I hope more people subscribe take care

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Doreen! It’s a relief that the weather is cooler-it makes working on the villa so much easier. Hopefully, more people will subscribe and join this exciting adventure! Take care and thanks for watching. 🌟

[@neutonrenda2303]

Great advice again 👍

[@OperationSicily]

Really grateful, thanks a lot! 🙏

[@mariagillinson8527]

I’d add to your list travel expenses

[@mariagillinson8527]

Might be a good idea to locate the fire further into you property that smoke is heading for your neighbours. Might not be pleasant if they have open windows.

[@HarleeRider]

I was going to ask you what you do with all the items that are left in the home by people when you move in. Michelle asked the same question up above. Seems like a lot of these homes in Italy come fully furnished but a lot of the furniture is old. Are there people that will come and pick up the "garbage"? Are you putting an inground pool in or an above ground pool? I also follow another couple in Italy and they opted for above ground pool because it was too difficult getting the approvals for the inground pool. They then built a nice deck around it and hid the pool so you can't even tell that it's above ground. Once again good job! It's a good thing that you've got all these skills so you can do a lot of the work yourself. Have a good day.

[@OperationSicily]

Great questions, and thanks so much for your kind words! 😊 In my case, and with many similar properties, you’re essentially buying “sold as seen.” I would have loved to restore and keep some of the old furniture, but unfortunately, everything left behind was covered in rat droppings and urine, so I had to get rid of it all. If you buy a property where someone is still living, they usually take all the furniture with them-and here’s an interesting twist: they often take the entire kitchen too! Imagine collecting the keys and finding no cupboards or appliances. 😂 As for the pool, I’m definitely getting one-and it’s going to be a big one! I’m leaning toward an above-ground pool because the cost difference is massive, and the approval process is much simpler. Plus, from what I’ve heard, having an in-ground pool could reclassify the property as a “villa,” which means higher taxes. An above-ground pool with a nicely built deck around it sounds like the perfect solution. Thanks again for your support and for following along on this journey-it means a lot! 🌟🏡💦

[@HarleeRider]

Yes that's what I was hearing about the pool as well. The above ground pools don't make you go through all the red tape stuff. Sounds good I'm sure it will be beautiful when you're done. ​@@OperationSicily

[@OperationSicily]

@@HarleeRider Appreciate you taking the time, thank you! 🙌

[@mariagillinson8527]

Is your property very rural? I saw the sheep in the other video. How far from the sea?

[@neutonrenda2303]

Our shovel and spades are like the ones you have in the UK, I have never tried one of those, I have never understood why they are so different. 🤔

[@OperationSicily]

You’re absolutely right, the designs are so different! The square-edge UK shovels are great for moving large volumes quickly and have a flat bottom, which is handy for leveling and scraping. On the other hand, the small, pointy Italian shovels are better for digging but would take ages for mixing something like 10 tons of concrete. Each has its purpose-though I have to say, I’m slowly warming up to the Italian style! 😊🌱

[@jeffdyson8527]

Strimmer handles still fitted wrongly. You'll find it more comfortable when they are the right way round.

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you for pointing that out again, Jeff! 😊 I think you’ve mentioned this before, and I’ve definitely noted it-it’s on my list to sort out ASAP. Do I just need to swap the handles around so the trigger is on the other side? I’ll make sure to get it sorted before my next session with the strimmer-thanks for keeping me on track! 💪🌿

[@shrory]

How do you know you've been away too long. when you have to use subtitles, Great to follow you. Ps subscribed😊

[@OperationSicily]

Haha, subtitles definitely help sometimes! Thanks for subscribing and being part of the journey-it’s great to have your support. More exciting updates are on the way! 😊

[@pascalekaiser1396]

Love your channel! Here for the ride. And, the quality of the videos improve. Subscribe ppl! 🎉🎉

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you so much for the kind words and encouragement! 🙌 I’m thrilled to have you along for the journey. I really appreciate the shoutout for people to subscribe-it means the world to me! More exciting progress to come, so stay tuned! 😊🎥

[@bradcrompton9055]

It always amazes me the rest of the world uses weird shovels.... 😂 The only true shovel is the British builders shovel...😂😂😂

[@OperationSicily]

Haha, I have to agree-the British builder's shovel is a legend in its own right! 😊 It’s definitely a powerhouse for moving volume quickly, and the square edge is so handy for scraping and leveling. The rest of the world just doesn’t know what they’re missing! Thanks for watching and commenting. 💪🛠️

[@annbottelli5682]

I'm wondering why you are burning everything and not making a wood pile for fuel in a wood burner, it does get cold in Sicily in winter, and a compost heap for your future garden beds?

[@OperationSicily]

Great question, Ann! 😊 I am keeping aside the larger pieces of wood that can be reused for things like firewood in the future. The branches I’ve been burning are the smaller ones that aren’t really useful for much else. As for the garden, I definitely plan on starting a compost heap soon-I think it’ll be a great way to prepare for future planting beds. Thanks for the reminder and for sharing your thoughts-it’s always helpful! 🌿🔥

[@martingaynor5017]

This week I be mostly playing at LEATHERFACE with my chainsaw

[@selinabrown4896]

Shovel is really useful but a spade is essential for digging holes.

[@OperationSicily]

You’re absolutely right! A spade is an absolute must for digging-I’ll definitely be adding one to the toolkit soon. Thanks for the tip, and I’m looking forward to making even more progress in the garden! 🌿🛠️

[@perfectscotty]

Hello from Rochester Minnesota.

[@OperationSicily]

Hello to Rochester, Minnesota! 🇺🇸 Thank you for following along-I truly appreciate it. 😊

[@micaltoy824]

Good morning from Mississippi ❤

[@OperationSicily]

Good morning to you in Mississippi! 🌞 Thanks for stopping by-hope you're enjoying the journey so far! Sending best wishes from Sicily! 😊🏡

[@vassallo49]

Save the woods so in the future you can use the woods for heat or cook in a oven or better in a oven olso for pizza. Tis is our tradition but intelligent too.

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you for the advice! 🍕 Yes, I’ve been setting aside all the larger pieces of wood that can be reused, especially for heating or maybe even for cooking in an oven one day-your tradition sounds fantastic and very practical. 🔥 I’ve only been burning the smaller branches and bits I can’t use. Clearing the garden has been a big task, so I can’t keep everything, but I’m definitely keeping what I can! 😊

[@samsmom1491]

Whatever happened to the pregnant cat at your property? Things are moving along nicely. I do agree with the comments that you may need to get a pro to prune the olive trees or study up on it, if you want to do it yourself.

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you for your comment! 😊 The stray cat had three adorable little kittens-they’ve been a joy to see around the property. As for the olive trees, you’re absolutely right. I’ve never pruned a tree in my life, so I’m learning as I go. If you have any tips or advice, I’d be incredibly grateful-it’s definitely a skill I want to improve on to help the trees thrive. Thanks again for your support and kind words! 🌳🐾

[@Cameron-ev7rc]

Ray mears would have been proud of you with that camp fire. And the brew you had on. Twinnings tea 🤷‍♂️ money bags. And the strimmer a would leave it and get the Shepherd with sheep to do that. And finally tell where you and Al send a face guard😡. Apart from that 👌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@OperationSicily]

Haha, Ray Mears would definitely approve of my fire-starting skills! 🔥 As for the strimmer, I’ll stick with it for now-sheep are great, but they’d probably end up eating more than just the grass! 😄 And don’t worry, I’ll be investing in a face guard soon-safety first. Thanks for following the journey! ☕🐑

[@Dol367]

Oops, those japanese plums are not self fertile. You need more than one for them to bear fruit.

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you for pointing that out! 😊 I had no idea Japanese plums aren't self-fertile-this might explain why there were two trees planted originally. Hopefully, the remaining tree will still thrive. Appreciate the info and for watching the video! 🌳🍑

[@alaindeshaies817]

Oh is it funny the way you showing your personality. You are a man who with your videos gave us a bit of a mind of a lonely person. You cut a tree, because in your mind it is in a wrong place. You are strong and you can act like a king who can decide that the nature is very easy to colonise. I hope sicilien peoples will crush your way of thinking. Speaking a different langage meaning thinking differently. You are not there right now. It is easy to destroy, more difficult to learn the best way to respect your environnement. Love you anyway. Wait for the next video. Best regards❤❤❤ Alain.

[@Dol367]

@@OperationSicily Don't stress. It's all part of the journey. We make choices and we learn. You are doing a great job and one of which most of us could not dare to tackle and I think it's going to be a magical place..

[@OperationSicily]

@@Dol367 Many thanks, it truly means a lot! ❤

[@mariagillinson8527]

I would have relocated both plum trees so your sure at least one will survive the transplant.

[@nancyraymond3381]

I completely gutted my kitchen, and saving money by demolishing it my with my adult kids. I hired professionals, but as part of the renovation, we did a lot of the grunt work. Budget, ha-ha my son fell in love with a huge farmhouse sink

[@gulayguthre9939]

Hey did you people in England never hear of a lawn mower it's a hell of a lot better than a weed eater on a huge yard like you have I suggest you invest in one

[@samsmom1491]

Actually, all he needs is to borrow some sheep or goats from a neighbor. They'll have that grass eaten in no time!

[@OperationSicily]

Thanks for the suggestion! 😊 The grass trimmer I’m using is actually pretty fast and does a great job tackling all the overgrown vegetation quickly. If I were planning to keep all the grass as a lawn, I’d definitely invest in a lawn mower, but for now, the trimmer works perfectly for clearing the areas I’m preparing for other uses. 🌿💪 Appreciate your comment and advice-always great to hear different perspectives! 🌟

[@marta77inf]

The ash left from the burning of brunches its great nutrition for the trees. Just a little.

[@MsBrowntoad]

Some plum trees need 2 trees to cross pollinate. They are not self pollinators. I hope I'm wrong.

[@OperationSicily]

You’re absolutely correct-some plum trees do need cross-pollination to bear fruit. Hopefully, the remaining tree will surprise me, but we’ll see! Thanks for sharing your knowledge-it’s always appreciated! 🍑🌳

[@rainaeales6692]

So lovely to see Daisy, I always look for her in your videos. Does she let you touch her?

[@OperationSicily]

Thank you! 😊 Daisy has such a special place here, and it’s always lovely to see her around. No, she doesn’t let me touch her or get too close just yet-I put her food out and let her do her thing. I’m really looking forward to seeing more of her kittens once they’re a bit older and start exploring. It’ll be so nice to watch them grow! 🐾💕

[@rainaeales6692]

Thank you for caring for her ❤

[@viviansimons7954]

Bullnose shovel

[@OperationSicily]

Appreciate you taking the time, thank you! 🙌

[@soniayoung5097]

❤❤❤

[@OperationSicily]

Thanks so much, means a lot! 🙏

[@robwarren5744]

Could one of the Japanese Plum Trees be male and the other female? You may have made a mistake there. Re tree pruning, get one of those battery operated pruners, it’ll save pain in your hands (long & short term). Rob, Cardiff 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@OperationSicily]

That’s an excellent point, Rob-one of the trees could very well have been male and the other female, which might explain why there were two! I guess time will tell now, but to be honest, I’m not a huge fan of plums anyway, so I’m not too worried if the yield changes. 😊 As for the battery-operated pruners, that’s a fantastic suggestion! It would definitely save my hands from the strain of manual pruning, especially with the amount of work ahead. I’ll look into getting one-thanks for the tip! Cheers from Sicily to Cardiff! 🌳🔧

[@marta77inf]

olive oil. Wonderful.

[@edwardsierpowski3839]

I hope you checked if the Japanese Plum trees were self pollinating varieties be cause if not you may have just lost a fruit tree. There are two types, self pollinators and cross pollinators. If there were only two I suspect they were cross pollinators. I hope I’m wrong.

[@OperationSicily]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge about the Japanese Plum trees! 🍑 You raise an excellent point, and I suspect you might be right. I’m not a big fan of plums myself, but I’ll keep a close eye on the remaining tree to see how it fares. Fingers crossed! 🤞

[@cyngibson950]

1. It always costs twice as much as you think. don’t burn your wood.

[@OperationSicily]

You’re so right about the costs-renovations always come with surprises that add up quickly! 😅 Regarding the wood, I’m actually keeping and storing anything reusable or worth saving, like larger pieces. I’ve only been burning the small branches and unusable scraps to clear the garden. Thanks for your advice and for watching! 🌿🔥

[@joycekepic8947]

Hello from New York City in awful a lot of good advice about fruit trees!! But what is it you? I kept watching over and over again and didn’t say anything. ??

[@OperationSicily]

Hello from Sicily! 😊 Thanks for watching and for all the enthusiasm! I’m glad you’re enjoying the content about the fruit trees-they’ve been quite a project. I’m not entirely sure what you mean by “what is it you?” Could you clarify? I’d love to answer any questions or hear your thoughts! 🌳

[@neutonrenda2303]

Don't try getting me to be fast in a building supplies or hardware store lol, it won't happen.🤣

[@marta77inf]

The reason why you have two plum trees its maybe a reason to cross pollinate.

[@OperationSicily]

You’re absolutely right-it was likely for cross-pollination. 🍑 I’m hoping the remaining tree will still thrive, but if not, I’ll consider adding a new one down the line. Thank you for the insight, it’s much appreciated! 😊

[@Enzo-c5j]

These olive trees btw, were pruned very wrongly. Get some local specialist for this work if you have no idea how to do this. It seems that, you like to burn every wooden piece, but this is the worst wasting use of wood ever, specially in this region.

[@OperationSicily]

Thanks for your feedback! Can you share any specific tips or advice on what I was doing wrong with the olive tree pruning? I’d really appreciate the insight so I can improve for next time. 😊 Regarding the wood, I only burn what I don’t need or can’t repurpose. Clearing the garden is a priority right now, and burning has been the most practical way to deal with the excess. If you have suggestions for better ways to use it, I’m all ears! 🌳🔥

[@marijazuro6911]

❤

[@OperationSicily]

Thanks so much, means a lot! 🙏

[@neutonrenda2303]

I comment a lot more than average, I definitely don't expect you to be answering all of mine lol, you'll be busy for hours. 😁

[@olddawg42855]

Why do you have no electricity or water on the property? Can you explain the prices of getting it?

[@wannie9731]

He has made application, but it takes time.

[@samsmom1491]

If you watch the earlier videos, he does address this.

[@aparecidacarvalho5263]

Pena , estou seguindo desde o início mas não tem legenda em português

[@OperationSicily]

Sinto muito por isso! 😔 Você sabe se há alguma configuração que você possa alterar no KZbin para adicionar legendas automaticamente? Por favor, me avise se houver algo que eu possa fazer do meu lado para ajudar! Obrigado por estar acompanhando desde o início-eu realmente aprecio o apoio! 🙌

[@axpeg]

Mi dispiace per il nespolo. e comunque gli altri alberi hanno bisogno di essere potati da un professionista. NB ridimensiona la parte finale di questo video. Se i NAS vedono gatti adiacenti a stoccaggio olive, per il frantoio sono dolori.

[@barbaraodoardo5538]

Pensa che il clima sia come in Gran Bretagna,le piante sono fondamentali per l ombra e l eco sistema 😢.

[@axpeg]

Pensa, proprio quel oleificio, dista pochi Km da casa mia.

[@Alesxandros]

Questo bruciava i mobili in giardino😂...pensano che in italia si può fare tutto , ecco che immagine hanno di noi.... I nespoli giapponesi crescono lentamente è un peccato

[@MandyHassell-zc3rf]

❤ xxxxx

[@OperationSicily]

Appreciate it, thank you! 😊

[@InHellBaby1]

Silly question, but shouldn’t one hire a Geometra prior to purchasing to ensure there are no unknown issue? You’ve got a great looking property.

[@samsmom1491]

He did. They were finalizing the plans before they are submitted.

[@OperationSicily]

That’s actually a great question! 😊 I would definitely recommend hiring a Geometra before purchasing, especially for anyone without building or renovation experience. They can help spot potential issues and navigate the process more smoothly. In my case, I already knew I was essentially buying a shell with a garden, and my plan was to strip everything out and start fresh. When I viewed the property, I made sure there were no structural or roof problems, so I felt confident moving forward without a Geometra at that stage. Thanks for your kind words about the property-it’s been quite the project, but I’m really enjoying it! 🌟🏡

[@evasvensson8521]

maybe there was 2 of the same because they need each other to set fruit.......

[@OperationSicily]

That’s a really interesting point about the plum trees! It could very well be that they needed each other to pollinate and set fruit, which would explain why there were two planted together. I guess time will tell now that one has been removed, but to be honest, I’m not a huge fan of plums anyway, so I’m not too worried if the fruit yield changes. Thanks for sharing your insight-it’s always great to learn from everyone’s knowledge! 😊🍑

[@gailrn1]

Why are you working outside when the inside needs so much work? Being able to live there will make renovation so much easier!

[@OperationSicily]

Great question! I’m focusing on the outdoor work first because it’s much easier to do while the weather is nice and before the garden becomes unmanageable. Inside work will kick into full gear once the electrics and permits are sorted. Plus, the garden is so much more enjoyable now! 🌿

[@yolandagofigure]

​@@OperationSicily 👏👏👏

[@ianmarsden8568]

Don't forget to sub

[@OperationSicily]

Really appreciate it, thank you! 😊

[@mariagillinson8527]

On another channel took two years for the pool building permit to be approved. Snail bureaucracy and red tape.

[@smsucks7174]

You mention you have kids. Are they too young to visit your new home… help with renovations?

[@OperationSicily]

Yes, I have two young boys! They’re still a bit too young to be much help with the renovations, but they absolutely love the villa and enjoy exploring the property. They actually made an appearance in last week’s video, so be sure to check it out if you’d like to see them having a great time! 😊🏡

[@smsucks7174]

@ awww. That’s so cool 😍