4 Year Garden Evolution | How to Start a Garden from Scratch on a Budget

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At the beginning of 2020, I started a vegetable and fruit garden practically for free using materials found in the forest - soil, compost, mulch, carbon, fertilizer and wood.
I cleared 1/4 of an acre of deciduous forest and built hugelkultur mounds and raised beds to grow an abundance of vegetables in the 1st year. In the following 3 years, I started spending money to build up the infrastructure for a productive food forest system that my family can benefit from for generations. Today, we’re harvesting our first fruit from the trees and harvesting an abundance of berries, vegetables and eggs as well as wild game from the surrounding forest.
Log Cabin Building, Bushcraft, Survival Skills, Cooking, Canadian Wilderness, Off Grid Living, Homesteading
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Hi, I'm Shawn James. I am a passionate outdoorsman living the life of my dreams in a log cabin that I built by myself in the Canadian wilderness. Join me and my golden retriever, Cali and listen to the sounds of the forest in this relaxing wilderness setting. I prefer to keep my talking to a minimum and let the natural sounds of nature make you feel as though you are there with me.
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200 Manitoba St., Unit 3, Suite 415
Bracebridge, ON P1L 2E2
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2022 OFF GRID CABIN LIFE: • 2022 Off Grid Cabin Life
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COOKING: • Cooking at the Cabin
BUILDING LOG CABIN WITH HAND TOOLS: • Building a Log Cabin A...
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My Self Reliance/Shawn James
200 Manitoba St., Unit 3, Suite 415
Bracebridge, ON P1L 2E2

[@Anna-Boyd]

I love watching channels like this as I can watch them with my grandchildren, teaches them so much about nutrition, nature as much as it teaches them about about family values. So yes one of the best channels on you tube ❤thank you so much. My boys just love your channel

[@Delusionati]

Shawn, i love you. Been watching you for about 4 years. I love your sensible advice and effort to educate everyone about simple living and self reliance. I just want to say that recently there has been a lot of discussion about AG1 and its benefits. Especially the price of it. Also there's a lot of chat about the owner of the company and his criminal background. I think you owe it to your viewers to point out that your experience is somewhat anecdotal before you are a victim of a similar situation as the KZbinrs that promoted that Scottish lord scam last year. I will continue to watch you with enthusiasm and don't care about your sponsorships. I'm a huge fan. Ijust don't want some people to be convinced to buy 100$ worth of powder to replace a few vegetables from their garden.

[@dougbastron3459]

I totally agree. Sad to see such a wonderful channel with great content turn into an info commercial. FIVE minutes worth. I don't mind the embedded endorsements ads on the Shawn James channel. But My Self Reliance has always been above that. I sure wish Mr. James would do some research about AG1. It's just a drink potion, with highly questionable benefits. Something a snake oil salesman would hawk. Other KZbinrs have also promoted this powder. Like many they fall victim to the KZbin money and endorsement money. Just remember it's the healthy actual food that is providing any health benefits. Not AG1. And yes it's expensive.

[@annrhodes3544]

I take a Trace Mineral tablet containing 60 mins everyday in addition to mag., sod., pot., cal., D3 K2Mk7, plus keto diet and my labs are perfect. Much cheaper than AGI. I am 81 years old.

[@brendakilberg5727]

From from every shovel full of dirt, slurry mix, wheelbarrow of sifted dirt, every stone and stump removal, you've created a spectacular garden. You and your family are an incredible inspiration. Thank you from BC

[@charsulli9875]

I was here years ago watching you build your house up i am glad to be here again to see the amount of love that went into your place God bless you and your family.

[@rickabreu246]

Amém

[@normanwyatt8761]

You are one amazing guy SHAWN. To go from some acres you purchased in the CANADIAN woods to what you have now is absolutely a tribute to your skills and determination. I'm sure that having something like YOU-TUBE helps a lot to finance everything, but not everybody could do what you've done in only a few years.. ....My hat is off to you SHAWN and i'm loving each new vlog you send out.

[@lindapetersen1800]

SHAWN & OUR CALI !!! PLUS EMILY !!! Hey there It is great to see the garden growing so tall & strong !!! I see the Corn taken by racoons and am thinking of my 7 ft fence here around my garden !!! Have saw racoons & squirrels go up the 7 ft fence at times !!! Squirrels are the 1st I am after the most as they go along the highline wires to the Garage then FLY INTO the garden !!! Eat their fill then out of the garden climbing the fence then !!! Little OLD LADY in me gets mad at them !!! Neighbors just love to see me yelling at them squirrels !!! I fixed them this year got a wire over the garden now !!!

[@lisahause8705]

Wonderful news…for you & your family! I lost 67 pounds (carnivore diet) Great results! May God continue to bless your beautiful family & pup dog too! ☺️👍🏻

[@rebeccamercer4160]

Shawn,I appreciate you so much! I don’t care how old I get , I am still learning and thankful to Our Heavenly Father for allowing me to work outside and in the garden! God bless you and your family! I have said this before , I know your mom and dad are so proud of you! A caring son who is thoughtful and considerate! You are that way making videos to teach others! Never change ! We all appreciate you!🧚🏻🧚🏻🧚🏻❤️

[@genezehring6057]

Thank you for sharing God and all the blessings and love He has given you, Rebecca

[@Smalfry47]

Have been watching since the beginning! Remember this garden…….

[@bjorngulberg448]

hi shawn, what a great harvest for verry hard work. i love to see your sucess in planting. big wishes from bavaria in germany, björn from munich

[@akfroggie2177]

You have my utmost respect. I've tried to accomplish something similar and have been an almost total failure. My entire garden has been decimated by rabbits, voles, and squirrels who have destroyed the whole thing; I dread going out every morning to see the latest damage. They eat the chard, collards, turnips, rutabagas, beans, spinach, and beets the moment they germinate, and they bite off the larger established plants - brassicas especially - and leave them lying on the ground without even eating them. I have a chicken wire fence, and have tried chili oil, blood meal, urine, and bird netting (the squirrels chew through it), to no avail. I'm getting disheartened, so it's wonderful to see your videos and know that somehow, someday, maybe...

[@kevinschmidt4903]

I can relate. It's very frustrating to spend all that time, energy, and resources, only to have wildlife decimate your veg. Don't give up. Learn and upgrade your defenses.

[@angiekrajewski6419]

@@kevinschmidt4903there is bound to be something to do to prevent what your experiencing.. I know he took it down but to have some sort of protection that you can afford have to talk about with the locals.. …

[@Ozarkmountainoutback1]

Electric fence works wonders.

[@Nummey]

I love this review format. I've watched them all as you posted but great to remember all that went into it. Well done.

[@debmoran8327]

I watch every video I can find. Your choice for life off grid is an inspiration. Wish I was 30 or 40 years younger, because this is how I wished life could be. Thank you for sharing your amazing journey and talent.

[@markhudspeth8503]

The Nature Videos with music you used to make? 2-3 years ago we’re aswsome! With the drone extra. Bring back the old days❤

[@user-pv1rf6lh3f]

Это же сколько труда вложено!!! Все работы вручную. Моё уважение!

[@MrBurtur]

Ну не все вручную У Шона в собственности достаточно много техники

[@dianehead4095]

I love watching shwan do the things he does i see he can do a lot of things what a beautiful garden and home you have hued of of the forest thank you fir your veidos

[@kingrafa3938]

Thanks for the video Shawn. Happy weekend!

[@SeoJun-Sara97]

I really believe that I do not have green fingers. I cannot grow vegetables. They always rot 😢 I envy your garden. But I can grow flowers.

[@HummingbirdJa]

Thank you for the update, Shawn, much appreciated. Absolutely wonderful to see the magic you have created, absolutely marvellous. (I have high BP& cholesterol and desperate to get off prescription drugs. I will try the AG1 and see how it goes.)

[@susanableton8647]

Great video Shawn. Love the chicken coop. Looks so homey.

[@jo_nathan_nation6544]

Just to think Shaun used to be a suit wearing business owner and now he is someone I am inspired to be. Beautiful man!

[@marlan5470]

He had a roofing company. Hardly white collar boy.

[@joannadrawe6654]

Your gardens are amazing!

[@elizabethjohnson475]

So obvious Shawn is completely happy for his and his family's health, and wants to tell the good news, shouting it from the housetops!! I'm thrilled for them as well, with AG1. So he can get in total health and once the supplement is in short supply or non-existent as many things in our future will be, he and his family can rely on the minerals and vitamins to meet all their nutrition needs from garden, orchard, wild harvest, etc.

[@KraftyKathi]

Great video production as usual. It's been fun to see the garden progress over the years.

[@grammy279]

Loved everything you are doing. Being sustainable and all your hard work-so rewarding. Wonderful filming! You are an inspiration to all. Thankyou-so enjoyed it.

[@lizetteroussel8831]

Yes sir beautiful bounty!! You're doin it an doin it and doin it WELL!!!!! ✌️❤️🕯️ Be with you always in ALL ways!!

[@cocoajackbrown3525]

Thanks for your videos..love the cold snow from the warm of my Florida home..lol..originally from Michigan. I'm 67 retired, got bored and your adventures made me decide to build another house. This will be one of many I built over the years. It will be totally built by me ( other than slab concrete pour). Love the picking music. ❤

[@shy_pilgrim]

Beautiful. I was reminded of ash from our wood stove. Seeing the back story of your endeavors and your integrity is refreshing. Thank you

[@saltytbone]

I really like that soil sifting system you have

[@JAMESMT-mm6zl]

As always, I enjoy your content very much. To see you accomplish all that you have, is amazing. Such a damn fine job. I think you are definitely on the right track for you and your family’s future. BTW… I hope Emily’s recovery is going well. Concussive injuries, I can tell you from personal experience, seem to take forever to heal. Best of luck to her. Thanks for sharing.

[@Theordinaryhuman.]

Goodbye insomnia, a new video on my favorite channel that I fall asleep to like a baby 💤

[@MyLevelheaded]

love what you do! One of the best moves i made this year on raised beds was to employ a weed burner in the fall after harvest was taken in! even the roots were slashed and burned! This returned all unused calories to the soil in a form that could be easily recovered! the second benefit was all weed roots and seeds were killed 1000% in the spring the soils were easily stirred and planted aged manure [June 2023 to May 2024] was applied about 6 bags per 200 square feet raised bed! the results were corn 8 feet high and tasseled by July the 4th...tomatoes towers 6 feet high radishes even celery from used root stocks fully developed! got in some asperges let you know next year if God is willing how that did! near zero weeding! The only reason was the calorie dense soils of raised bed gardening!

[@vlogyoutubeolja]

Отличный урожай зелени, это впш труд😊

[@orlanduhden5842]

Really enjoyed this video, thank-you for sharing.

[@betty27246]

Thks for the video..this is a really a nice educational video..thks for taking your time to do this.

[@johncourtneyscott2757]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us

[@robertbarnard5731]

I forgot about all the work you did to establish that garden. That’s quite an accomplishment.

[@7kinlivingoffgridborneo]

This is the exact example that I needed for motivation. Am happy following you Shawn. BTW, I'm Marie from SABAH BORNEO. Simply put, I am doing all this at the moment. Slowly but surely,one step at a time. 💪🙏

[@Gordie1450]

That dog gets brushed a lot, excellent work on both the garden and the dog. I be building one of those sifters this week.

[@evalynchuran8684]

I'm going into my 3rd year with my homestead, and I used mostly growing bags for now to keep my cost down with soil that I have to truck in, cause everything here is clay and rocks. Me well goes in at the end of August and that is costing me lots of money. I am however starting to build garden out of the grow bags, but I still have a long ways to go for a food forest here. I'm learning with your help on your homestead. Thank you.

[@hugofernandez2521]

Qué bonito trabajo lo Felicito y se disfruta de lo que realiza siempre admirable...

[@chrissybabe8568]

I have a number of raised gardens made using macrocapa timber which theoretically has a life of at least 15 years (I am hoping for 25 years because I have used quite thick timber). However galvanized steel nails do not last that long. So I have used stainless steel screws wherever possible. Takes slightly longer to install but should last a lot longer. Plus they are easier to remove when I make modifications or changes. I mainly use torx heads which, so far, still allow removal 10 years later.

[@deanl6613]

Shawn, is there any chance you might give us some insights into your food processing, storage and canning methods this fall? I love your compilation videos....seeing the garden now, and seeing the raw forest it came from is inspiring.

[@earlneville3895]

I really enjoy your videos Shaun!

[@claudineiribeiro93]

Que ótimo voltou os vídeos. Parabéns

[@Eowynna]

Hello bonjour from France , Qu’il est beau et impressionnant ce jardin. Il évolue vraiment bien . Beau travail 👍🏻

[@vlogyoutubeolja]

Отлично, сколь сделано много вашими руками😊

[@Pulsando]

Magnifica producción. Felicidades ❤

[@TheSedevacantist]

Solid. Lots of work. Well done.

[@giselecontassotdesayvre8090]

wow wow, vous êtes un modèle pour chacun de nous ! très très admirative..je suis toujours entrain de réorganiser mon potager..les pieds de tomates que j'ai, sont des semis que mon petit fils Antoine m'a faits! vous avez repris votre santé en main, vous n'avez jamais baissé les bras ..je suis très fière de faire partie de vos fans...félicitations Shawn, bon courage et bonne continuation...votre vidéo est magnifique!! merci.🤩

[@c.rogers____]

Whoever does your videos, Does a wonderful job and with the music...

[@elizabethjohnson475]

Look at that! 2.18! People everywhere want a better life of good labor, honesty, integrity.

[@user-gw1oh3wp8t]

Dziękujemy ❤

[@justingibbons5559]

Quite the abundance and to think we didn't see all this work on top of your cabin garden

[@GlennSheargold-nl3ps]

Extraordinary vision and determination to the task at hand. I hope you wake up everyday with a tremendous sense of achievement. We'll done Sir!

[@pennystevens7012]

I love it I am working my way to a beautiful productive garden

[@jackkeeble9272]

Thanks for the video brother 😎

[@stephenreiner1523]

Note better than digging in the dirt and amending it for a sustainable food source.

[@truthreigns7]

Great video. Thank you for sharing

[@olatesola2572]

You're doing a great job, Shawn. Am really deep impressed of what you did from start until today. Your first cabin and first homestead, and now, this house and all around. It's a BIG work Shawn. God bless you every day. I like watch every movie you show here. I'm also trying to watch Shawn James' channel, but English is not my native language, so I have trouble understanding because you speak at a normal speed and I still need someone to talk to me slowly to understand. But I keep trying to watch with the hope that one day I will understand everything you say. You once said something to Cally that sounded like a Polish word. Like a truly Polish word, with clear Polish pronunciation of soft consonants. I was surprised. But I don't know, was it a Polish word really, or something similar, only. You know Polish, Shawn, maybe you speak Polish? Take care of yourself.

[@karrey4852]

Думаю Вам надо пчёл завести. Вам это это очень подойдет. Пчёлы главное на нашей планете.

[@c.rogers____]

Congratulations wonderful progress

[@rogertemple7193]

Growing a garden out in the forest would be really great have a great time with your garden thanks.🇨🇦🍅🌶️🫑🥕🇨🇦

[@joanntucker2742]

Like your video hard working man 👍

[@stewartmoore]

Inspiring ! short and simple.

[@mikegto65]

Just beautiful

[@esthergrace7645]

I was wondering what you did with the stumps....so you were able to work around them I see....interesting....God is good and plentiful....enjoyed this

[@rafaelc7824]

Hace sños que veo sus videos y tengo que felicitarle por tanto trabajo y dedicación a todas las cosas que hace Felicidades 🎉

[@redbaron3555]

Amazing! Please share what you have changed in your diet as well!

[@user-vx5rw1gs1r]

Sent your video to my son. We open garden right now. 45'x75'. It may help him with our gardening projects. Good beginnings for all out there.

[@jaybird2593]

its beautiful with both dogs

[@pitinannan]

wow this is amazing.

[@Esoj.]

Nice to see the evolution of your garden! The best part is that you started using your garden very early on when all you had was mounds. It really goes to show that one can start very simply and improve their garden's infrastructure as they go. Thank your for the upload Shawn have a good weekend & take care.

[@c.rogers____]

...have enjoyed your videos since the first cabin build...😂.

[@bernarddaly6941]

Well you have done a great job in your veg.plot hello from.sunny Italy

[@sharnale]

Nothing more that I can say that someone else hasn't already said three times over, so I merely say, THANK YOU for sharing your life with us.

[@randybryant9936]

So relaxing

[@remystraub6990]

merci JAMES

[@HH-li5xl]

Fantastic !

[@mikedufour]

What a fantastic Video. Your skills and knowledge are amazing and inspiring. All thanks to a bankruptcy. Live long and continue,Shawn.

[@lupettozonzolante]

Video bellissimo 🐺

[@AnhNguyenTuan-cd7rf]

with love form Việt Nam

[@tonylocks28]

Problem with AG1, after researching and watching alot of reviews, theres no control in the (US) of the amounts of the ingredients. Do you have a place this can be checked.?

[@johnarroyo5066]

We need more garden videos ❤

[@jmalone2758]

Thank you for reminding me the way my folks used to do it. Altho, those masked bandits are relentless, we had our own special way of dealing with them.

[@elenapatinte4212]

Wow wow

[@WeesdaGaia]

... Yeah ! ... sooo much to eat ! .. for the Rest of your Life ... Voila ! ... you might have to sell it ! ...

[@markbrooks5278]

I watch a fair ammount of KZbin and Shawn James is always the first ones i click on! Keep up the good work young man!!😅❤

[@booswalia]

I would love a video with details about your diet. It sounds like it's maybe paleo???

[@athollmcnicoll1028]

From seed and plants grow reproductions of their former selves thanks in part to Mother Natures helping hands.

[@luckyleaprealestate]

Amazing

[@arzugultekin9761]

BRAVO

[@Kaykath-yd1ss]

What a man ❤❤❤

[@noiseosoutros]

Very good my friend

[@bilalkurdish.berlin5237]

Super beautiful

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Shawn . 🐺Loupis Canis .

[@adeildealves8798]

!Quanta saudade!

[@heatherclayton-callaghan4270]

Quite the transformation Shawn. 👏👏🇦🇺🤗🙏👌👍👍🇨🇦

[@marianfrances4959]

Everyone has their reasons for applauding all you do, Shawn. For me, as a lifelong gardener, I've always resonated most with your and you family's gardens. I also have lived in cabins so its been awesome to watch your builds. And don't get me started on your cooking!! In short, THANK YOU!!!! 👍😎🇨🇦

[@maggiesue4825]

Any chance of sharing your new diet, at least generally?