How I Turned My Yard Into a Food Paradise

[@xonor13]

This is an HOA's worst nightmare. A lawn that's actually productive and more than a status symbol. Love it.

[@EastWindCommunity1973]

A new kind of status symbol for a different society with better values.

[@TheMap1997]

How does American HOA got that much power in the first place?

[@xonor13]

@@TheMap1997 It's because of old people who have nothing better to do than control their own neighbors lives and others who only care about their property value.

[@clobberelladoesntreadcomme9920]

@@TheMap1997 They started off with good intentions, a group of neighbors managing the commons, but over time they just drew hall-monitor types.

[@consideringorthodoxy5495]

@@TheMap1997 Suburbs are built in developments. Most houses in that development are done within a year or two of each other. In order for people to be sure the value of their houses don't depreciate but gain value over time, small contractual governments are made. A big part of the HOA's responsibility is maintaining an aesthetic standard. Variety is desirable within certain bounds. Lawns have always been a sign of prosperity in english culture, so maintaining a neat facade is a big part of homeownership. This means the HOA sees it as a duty to prevent deviation that may be perceived as lowering the visual quality of the neighborhood. Not being able to see the house because there are a bunch of trees and plants is not desirable to the standard suburban taste. That taste may be changing, but depending on where you are and the demographic your HOA can be pretty chill or downright toxic. My neighborhood has the whole gamut from sort of disheveled houses with poorly maintained lawns, To standard lawns with little or no landscaping. To trees galore and fullly landscaped front yards with plenty of natives and ornamentals. I don't see any food forests, but nobody seems to care. We generally do pretty well and even when people break rules, they aren't usually cracked down on (like building sheds or something).

[@DATApush3r]

Imagine if everyone's yards were like this. The abundance of free food in your neighborhood would be mind blowing.

[@onliemovie8994]

Grocery stores would go crazy if this happened

[@mranthony1886]

so would black mold

[@TeaIngyer]

@@mranthony1886 Find joy

[@necrospencer658]

shareholders wont like this

[@JM-bl3ih]

@@mranthony1886 sure thing buddy. black mold forms in poorly ventilated cool damp places. an outside garden is the complete opposite of that.

[@Jinchuricki27]

This needs to be a national movement. I love this so much.

[@lemon_boy577]

this was a national movement lol. they are called victory gardens

[@vfromid2186]

Almost no one is capable of maintaining this. You have to have the passion or it goes to rot.

[@queenthxt]

​@vfromid2186 if you focus on perennials it's not that hard to maintain

[@george5432]

@@queenthxt you underestimate just how lazy people can be

[@mr_lemonade3453]

@@george5432 Agreed, I work at a hardware store and we get dozens of plants returned everyday because are truly just lazy af. I don't get why people buy plants if they can't maintain them

[@topaz3468]

I'm just 5 years into this, and am in an HOA. I spent the first year getting the trees and shrubs approved, then began tucking other things in and around them... packing tightly for a permaculture garden with a beautiful aesthetic. To the neighbors, it's just a cottage garden and the HOA drive-by officials know me, and just smile and wave as they drive by. LOL 😂 Everyone seems to be happy bc I planted in tiered layers with an eye toward different colors and textures. Interestingly enough, no one seems to be aware of the fruit and vegetables tucked into things. I spend considerable time keeping it neat and tidy, which probably helps.

[@mrssmayberry]

It sucks that people literally have to hide food in an HOA because it "doesn't look good" or whatever the reason. HOAs are a scam, I don't know how you have the patience to deal with it lol

[@QuranwithRain]

Can you make a video on your layout? Sounds very pretty

[@PorchGardeningWithPassion]

That is likely a version I would do when I buy a house. Keep things subtle and very esthetic yet productive.

[@noahrafter-lanigan2409]

In a few years you should shock them with your food forest idea lol

[@chos3non354]

Please vlog it, I would like go see

[@BarrieBM]

"Your quallity of life really goes up when you surround yourself with gardens, nature" I couldn't agree more, perfectly said

[@youcanknowanything8489]

just a few things i grew this year have added such value. ..pots of kale and parsley on the porch..within hands reach to the kitchen. Chives and wild raspberries growing in the yard. powerful and calming.

[@claytonleal7947]

"everybody has a lot of friends when youve got a lot of extra tomatoes" i want this on a shirt for a community garden

[@amillison]

I actually stole that line from Bill Millison, the founder of Permaculture. He said something similar in one of his videos

[@thejuanderful]

"Extra tomatoes brings a lot of friends. Community Garden" Was trying to find something that would fit better on a T-shirt.

[@secondconflict570]

Zucchini not so much!

[@adelecain1163]

i was thinking a friend with mead is a friend indeed >.

[@semiramis10711]

@@secondconflict570 😂😂😂 Well, I'll gladly volunteer to be your friend. I love zucchini and have no problem eating it daily.

[@Zoranurai13]

This literally reduces stress around your house. All the colors, bees, life. So much better than paving and asphalt everywhere

[@BobderBenchpresser]

bees? No thank you

[@MosaleeReadingRoom]

I don't think honey bees sting,that is, I don't think they have a stinger.😊😊​@@BobderBenchpresser

[@robberfokz375]

What's wrong with bees? Go outside

[@BobderBenchpresser]

@@robberfokz375 they sting me more often than wasps

[@cale9977]

​@@BobderBenchpresser my mum is a beekeeper and I have bees in my backyard and basically everywhere. They don't, unless you step on them or swat them. If you're worried about stepping on them in the neighbourhood, wear shoes. And they just stick to flowering plants and their hives

[@AlyxForest]

My mom won't even entertain the idea of planting anything beyond grass in the front yard. You are living the dream I have had for years.

[@sakis763]

You got to explain her the importance of growing own food ..start with mints and herbs

[@9172Nee]

Why dont you start yourself doing the the gardening?

[@mangomariel]

your mom is stupid then. sorry. My parents had a garden like this, and it tought me a lot. Made me really appreciate the planet and living things. I think if you could, you should. For your kids.

[@AB77X7]

Make her a little reading/coffee area surrounded by herbs, berries and flowers to start and then she won't notice as you gradually branch out (lol) from there! ❤

[@Sofia_Monteiro]

Ask your mother for a space for you. As a mom I would love that one of my children to do that 😊 but I gave up on grass over 20 years ago and have fruit, vegetables ❤ sew flowers for the first time this year and I am amazed with the quantanties of bees and butterflies

[@alyasvlogs]

I live on the same street as an elementary school and every day after school you can see the kids running over to my house to pick the cherries out of the cherry tree. Love the idea of making this bigger and having more to share with the community!

[@conorm1871]

I was confused how anybody could hate on a yard like this, then I saw an instagram post of someone’s beautiful yard they had clearly put a lot of work into, and i saw many comments saying that they wouldnt want a yard like this because it attracts rats and mice and other ‘pests’. It made me sad to see so many of these close minded comments get so many likes, when I believe that yards like this can save the world. One thing i’ll say is that a yard like this is MUCH nicer to look at than a boring grass lawn. 😊 Keep it up youre living my dream 👍🏻

[@starberry7383]

Guess who writes and likes those comments. Loblaws bots

[@belugaflying]

Also just normal losers who really think that way​it does attract more pests but less in the long run @@starberry7383

[@alastairhewitt380]

Easy solution. Get a cat.

[@Gunfighter95]

These are the same types of people that would come to that persons house and demand help if the grocery stores didn't get enough food coming in because they have no idea how to grow anything for themselves.

[@marymactavish]

It's an issue where I live, when people don't harvest their trees. When fruit trees are near the roof line we get roof rats. You can't plant fruit trees near the roof line and in California where I live you shouldn't plant trees that touch the house if you have any fire risk at all. But if you harvest the fruit, it's much less of a big deal. We have a long line of espaliered fruit trees in our yard along our longest fence, so that they don't get too high and that we have room for a lot of variety. Our lot is big for our part of the San Francisco Bay area and is only about half the size as this one in the video. Not everyone is hale enough for a garden like the one in the video. I have a condition that causes physical disability, I can't curl most of my fingers, standing for very long can be very hard. Sometimes I can't reach above my head. So I have an herb and vegetable garden and do my best. But I just got out of a huge flare and a lot of my herbs are way over mature, so I'm going to pull out the food processor tomorrow and make pesto with various combinations of Italian parsley and basil. I'm going to dry the summer savory and the sage and make salt blends. The cucumbers just didn't turn out right this year but the dog really loves them and they help control her blood sugar, she is ancient and has diabetes, so we've just been letting her have the cucumber patch. Tomorrow it's time to rip it out though and start getting it ready for fall crops. The neighbor is a refugee from Asia, so she has been here for 40 plus years, and she has no compunction about filling her yard with food. We do a lot of swapping. She also knows my kid loves rice the way she cooks it, and she will knock on the door any old time with whatever is left in the pot she just made, so my kid has endless access to rice and we can bring the neighbor fruit and help her with her yard. So even if you don't have the physical ability to fill up your yard with food like this, you can still grow some, and you can build relationships with your neighbors on a foundation of sharing and being friendly, being generous even. That is a huge part of my quality of life.

[@Annisa_Kacang]

We have an HOA so the front lawn is grass… but once you walk into our backyard it’s a different story. We added fruit trees, berry bushes and garden boxes slowly turning it into what my toddler says a mini farm.

[@susanruan3663]

That's a good way to do it. My uncle did the same. American suburbia in the front, and fruit jungle in the back

[@letitgrow1846]

Same here. Food forrest and garden boxes in the back and lawn in the front. I have slipped in some pineapples and peanuts in the front as well.

[@maryedmo7798]

Another idea-Sweet potatoes and strawberries make beautiful ground cover for front lawns. Picky neighbors won’t mind and you still get food.

[@rebeckawoods6093]

Picky neighbors do mind 😔

[@braria9855]

I also think perrenials and trees are where most people should start, as it is a bit less labour intensive and lasts and gives fruit continually! As a mom myself I think if I had a house I'd start that way to create it slow and steady and managable

[@brenkelly8163]

Dude, you show why living a purposeful life in touch with nature directly leads to way more contentment and happiness than billionaires won’t accomplish. I love your place.

[@cmdniels]

i think thats the key to happyness, just live like human did for the last 3000 years, (expect the last 200y)

[@denniskent_]

You've created a truly beautiful and rich paradise, Andrew! Let's hope more and more people convert their lawns into abundant and productive gardens.

[@BirgitPenzenstadler]

Love it so much! Just finished up the OSU course and you continue to inspire me - I have finished my assignments, I feel like I've learned a ton, and I have the whole kitchen table full of rooting herb cuttings and am so excited to continue on this path. Thank you for everything you do

[@eagledice2008]

Every yard should look like this instead of the crazy lawns that waste water

[@SamBaker-z9h]

ehhhh this looks like a mess. backyard sure, front yard looks like a rat heaven. we dont water our lawn and its fine. Also rainwater collections so theres that.

[@ytuseracct]

@@SamBaker-z9h just say you're boring :)

[@KellieReiLynn]

My yard is getting there, and it takes way more water than a lawn would. On the bright side you really can't beat the blueberries.

[@raina4732]

@@SamBaker-z9hThen get 2 cats

[@Trex0Pol]

@@SamBaker-z9h I personally like the "wild" appearance of the front yard, it feels more natural.

[@jakehood7463]

Crack-in-the-sidewalk-apple is actually the most prized variety of apple, especially when it comes uninvited.

[@Cody_Ramer]

I saved some seeds from a wild apple tree I found, the apples were the best I have had in the last decade or more, they were smaller apples then ones you get at the store, but man they were so much better. Hopefully the seeds will survive when I am able to plant them..

[@rebeckawoods6093]

You can plant them now. The trees will stay small enough for pots for 3 years or so, and they won't produce food for three years, so give them a head start. You can always trim them to keep them smaller, or give them a bigger pot if you have to stay away from home ownership for more than three years. You've got this!

[@TheFabledSCP7000]

It's often that good fruiting varieties make for terrible sprouters It would be best to Graft Twigs or shoots on to a rootstock (which are generally very cheap (take the cheapest ones), but may be hard to find)

[@CGeibel]

I’ve often heard that most apple seeds result in essentially crab apples and that the majority of our apple production is from grafts; so, the apple story was surprising to me.

[@bubbajones4522]

Apples are not true to seed meaning that the seed doesn't produce the same fruiting tree as the apple. Apple trees are grafted. It's almost certain that it will be a crab apple and too bitter to eat.

[@this_is_not_my_real_name]

When I was a kid we would always stop at every fruit tree between school and home. It's nice to see people still encouraging that. In New Zealand, almost everyone used to have a feijoa tree in their garden. They're such delicious fruit!

[@nata6025]

there's nothing better than the floral smell of feijoa fruit in autumn!

[@Dirt-Fermer]

Grandparents and older people always spoke of how they missed having fruit in every neighborhood all year, but they didn’t plant many trees to remedy it. To be fair they probably planted hundreds in their youth though

[@pinayladyoz8044]

My husband is a kiwi and we live in Queensland Australia. He planted Feijoa tree in our yard, it grow but the fruits are small. I think its because our weather hotter than NZ so the Feijoa don't grow well.

[@adelecain1163]

ooo should read the new feijoa book...its a great read full of stories about the discovery and histroy of feijoa and the people around it

[@lifeliver9000]

I’m in NZ and last year planted a hedge of 12 varieties of feijoa. Early mid late croppers. Yellow white goose mammoth etc. great to scoop and bag for freezer for winter rolled oats breakfast so sooo good

[@hioeo]

This is what I wanna do with my front lawn. Full on privacy with free shade for the sidewalks around me and delicious fruits and veggies for my neighbors and animal friends to snack on. What a beautiful garden!!

[@mrcloudd1056]

This is the way. I Just spent a ridiculous amount of money on getting a lawn a sprinkler system installed and I deeply regret it. Thank you for showing what is possible!

[@jonatanolsen37]

You can use it to water your crops!

[@mrcloudd1056]

@jonatanolsen37 That is a great idea. At least it wouldn't be a complete waste. I'm sure I could modify the water lines for a garden plot.

[@cyberfeedforward4032]

People are always complaining about food scarcity, high food prices, global warming, poor nutrition and obesity, etc. This is a great way to combat all of that. Unfortunately NIMBYs are the hardest pests to deal with. I'm glad your neighbours aren't complaining.

[@Dirt-Fermer]

Cops called on me for some food growing in a non HOA area. NIMBYs will starve at least in hard times

[@TheDragonRelic]

Sprinkle in some buzzwords about American freedom and self sufficiency and less government idk

[@米空軍パイロット]

​@@Dirt-FermerDid you make sure to keep the sidewalk clear?

[@Dirt-Fermer]

@@米空軍パイロット no side walk for me and ya nothing blocking roadways or anything. I think some elderly person just had nothing else to complain about that day.

[@米空軍パイロット]

@@Dirt-Fermer Man, fuck those people. They must be doing it for attention.

[@RussChannel13]

11:35 You forgot to mention how calming it is to hear the buzzing of bees and the clucking of chickens in your beautiful garden :)

[@randomnik70]

Nice to see an American that's not obsessed with only having a perfect lawn

[@SandraGarner-q3r]

There are more than you think. This is how I was raised on a small farm in Florida but every inch that could have something planted was. I remember sitting under a guava bush plucking fruit from the the bush, which was in our front yard next to the drive way, which also had bananas and many citrus trees. My mother would plant flowers which looked beautiful but they had to be edible also. No space was wasted.❤

[@mom.left.me.at.michaels9951]

I would say this is an example of a perfect lawn personally.

[@stagger9660]

There is a guy in town who owns a bank or a couple of banks. He has a really nice section of land next to a pond with a very large, well-kept lawn. His house is tucked away near the back of the property, still in view of course with a long meandering driveway. It all looks very nice, but I can't help but think of the amount of wasted space he has. I guess if you are that rich, it doesn't matter if you have more land than you need.

[@DamienMuto]

This IS a perfect lawn lol I know what you meant I'm just being dramatic since I like this idea so much LOL

[@soupspitter824]

It's really only the snooty upper middle class types that are that obssessed with lawns

[@KennethByers-w2j]

Property is granite with two inches of lawn. 1.9 acreage. Not able to drive a fence post in. So we have all our garden in raised beds and tubs on 3 wood pallets. Total of ten tubs and 3 wooden troughs. We had yellow squash, spaghetti squash, butternut and zucchini, peppers, tomatoes. Its been a fun harvest for us as we’re new to the land and weather. Its coming on Oct. and We still have Tomatoes and peppers coming on. I love it.

[@MarliesCalvillo]

I live in San Diego County. Just had a well dug. My plans are making a food forest. Thank you for sharing your wonderful video.

[@carmenortiz5294]

I am jealous. I also have 1/3 acre in town. I moved here the day before Christmas (northern MN). On the first day of work I went to city hall and asked permission to turn my property into a certified wildlife habitat and invoked the Grandfather clause to grow vegetables (middle of a town of lawns) which were granted and immediately deleted from the books. I have a jungle this year due to NO WINTER and lots of rain. Can't have chickens. My problem is the orientation of the sun, which keeps me from too many vegetables. Also a cottage in the sun's way. Found out that if you throw away really old tomato seeds, hoping for a few plants, you end up with around 100, growing fine almost on top of each other, I do have garlic, J Artichoks, and other plants that are tough. Been following you for years.

[@mom.left.me.at.michaels9951]

I've seen some people actually use mirrors to redirect more sunlight into shaded areas. I live in Oregon so sunlight is a prescious commodity. 😅 Not sure if that could be a solution for you but I sympathize!

[@carmenortiz5294]

@@mom.left.me.at.michaels9951 I'm getting rid of some trees with little value and planting ones that need more in my front yard. Been tasting some areas this year.

[@braria9855]

Could you share more about the Grandfather clause, please?

[@carmenortiz5294]

@@braria9855 First of all, many states or town took them off their books, when people like my self used it But it is possible that some places never did errase them. Basically, what it said was that property that had been used to grow food previously, cold request to be given permission to implement it in their property. Which is why I was given permission. I had checked in my case in our City Hall and found that it had not been erased from the books. When I moved her my neighbor across the street, who was growing vegetables, told me about it, she was in her 80's close to 20 years older than me. I cheated a it because the previous own, who my property for a year before moving was not growing anything but lawn. But my neighbor told me if they question you "tell them to ask me". I did not have to do that because it was in city books. She did but her son who was born when she was in her 5O's moved in and he continued growing. He is one main street and I'm one house away. As as I know we are the only two with large plots. I have 2/3 of an acre, which is also wildlife habitat, certified by the Wildlife Federation. That would another possibility, which doesn't need the clause, just permission. There are two other properties in Town under that rule. That only depend on city hall giving permission. I just have to display the WF logo (I guess you can call it badge) and then plant among trees, if you have any. I did that in my previous house.

[@martinn.6082]

Tomatoes are surprisingly tough plants I found.

[@chattenmetchad]

I LOVED your permaculture garden tour video! Words cannot describe the joy I feel when I saw that you dropped a new one. Cheers to you!

[@Nickster292]

This is how people used to be when I was a kid in Moldova, your yard was never a flower yard, cherries, grapes, strawberries, fruit trees and whatever you could get your hands on, god it was great.

[@marvin2678]

Moldova

[@chickenwithagun]

I still go to my garden when i am in Moldova its such a serene feeling i love it so much i am thinking of moving back to my village just because of it

[@JoCarr-g9s]

Same here in the USA rural areas for the most part. Then usda ruined it in the name of safety to benefit corporations.

[@Regular_Human2]

This man is living the dream. Looks amazing.

[@deadeys0101]

I’m from Philippines living in a province ang I’m grateful that all our neighbors have a garden like yours. We have ours as well. We can get fruits and veges for free, lot of bananas and mangoes. When it’s summer, it doesn't feel really hot. We don’t use AC. 💗

[@herrerad3]

I bought a .5 acre property two years ago. I have 6 raised beds and 8 fruit trees. I installed Solar and a water cistern. My garden, orchard, and family are growing. Thanks for sharing your food forest and growing techniques. 🤜 🤛

[@suhas775]

Bees are one of the best engineers of nature, so many plants thrive on them. Honestly im a bit scared of bees, but i have immense respect for their work in nature.

[@gimemy2bucksback911]

Valid but I think I will face my fear to keep bees one day.

[@seungltd]

#1 Productive edges #2 Plant food everywhere #3 Plant diversity + pollinators (beehives) #4 Chicken rotation system #5 Micro-climates: solar access/canopy, green house

[@Fr4cturedMind]

The beehives damage the environment. They're european honeybees and are not native, hurting other pollinators.

[@dimcheandovski1964]

I can only imagine how much relaxing and therapeutic this is !

[@tylerspiegel3294]

Jerry's Jade is absolutely an amazing homage to his life! What a great way for someone to perpetuate their soul!

[@DonnaNarducci]

We live in a mobile home park and have a very large lot . My daughter has set up garden beds and we grow enough food that I am able to do canning . We also give away a lot of fresh veggies . So rewarding .

[@colemurphy3585]

Taking OSU’s Permaculture course right now and must say it is so inspiring to see your digital mentors implementing their teachings in their own homes and lives - be the change you wish to see!

[@lbrown7164]

1 day i will make this happen

[@jeffoneill3429]

Andrew is one of my hero’s

[@Potent_Techmology]

100% but he cooks his yokes too hard separate the yokes and add them last for residual heat only

[@theoriginalmonstermaker]

Obviously. Anyone who DOESN'T revere someone who's spent their life touring regions of the world, trying to establish productivity to support humanity, has rather distorted values.

[@ongoingawakening4257]

Same!

[@huguetteleblanc3678]

Oh ! My goodness, I am so impressed ! We need more people like you. Take good care of yourself and your family ❤

[@lizzfrmhon]

This is like paradise for me. Hope more and more people do this. I wish I had a large yard so I could do this.

[@GermanTopGameTV]

Not only is this great for the kitchen, it is also beautiful and you can see that a lot of work went into building and maintaining this garden. Kudos!

[@GaiaCarney]

Your garden oasis w/chickens & bees generated a healthy meal you fed your family with 🌱 What a beautiful thing, thanks @amillison ☮️

[@Mel-sz4wf]

This is my dream. Thank you so much for sharing this. It gives me hope that one day I'll have my own beautiful garden to take care of! Thank you so so much for this glimmer of hope, the world does have a lot to offer after all!

[@gmboutdoors855]

I’ve got a lot harsher of winters here in Indiana, so I doubt I could do something this extensive, but I aspire to try

[@tracy419]

I live north of town and love when I get to drive by and see your food forest. It's inspired me to transition my yard as much as I'm allowed as well. Thanks 🙂

[@harleymomx]

This is exactly what I want to do with my yard in a cove in a basic suburban neighborhood. I don’t care if it’s weird or unusual or viewed as not socially acceptable. I have already gotten started making my yard into a vegetative wonderland and I hope that ppl will follow suit one day 💜🌏

[@ian-online]

it's so insane to me that it's not socially acceptable to cultivate your food???

[@Tiogar60]

Just watch out for HOA's, they usually wont allow this

[@harleymomx]

@@Tiogar60 no HOA here 😀

[@nathaelvhaseyar4350]

His son doesn't realise yet how lucky he is to have a dad like this

[@Mukanimou]

Heart Melt not even 2 minutes into the video. All this in a 1/3 acre, fantastic! Bravo!!!!

[@lejardinquisemange9126]

My father in law had a garden about the same size of yours, badly oriented (North of the house) and with some unwanted features such as a chunk of big rocks in the middle. He had managed to fit in: 4 apple trees, 2 fig trees, 1 persimmon, 1 large cherry tree, small plum trees, a small annual garden, a 12 sq m greenhouse and a well. He did not use multi layering and had lots of ornamental plants, so this could easily have been optimized A LOT. The garden was 30 years old and full of organic matter, so had lots of potential. Small surfaces rule: even if can't do everything in them, such as having very large trees, they are far easier to manage and optimize. Our own garden is a little more than 1 acre. It was purely ornamental when we bought it and we waste a lot of time maintaining large spaces (ex: lawns) that are improductive (except for some organic matter). It will take us many more years to optimize it in the way you did!

[@sethweiss2509]

Jerry’s jade is a great story. I’d love to live somewhere where I could have a “yard” like this. It’s beautiful what you have created.

[@conster4prest238]

What a nice change of pace Andrew! It’s great to see you applying so many of the concepts and practices you teach and learn at global scales to your local setting! It’s really inspiring to see just how much we are capable of doing even in our own backyards when farming isn’t our full time job.

[@Eligriv_maitre_constructeur]

Solarpunk already exist, but we have to craft it. I am sure your video will inspire a lot of people mate. Your yard is probably more beautifull now than any other accros all the country.

[@Cat-nm2rz]

"You know, your quality of life really goes up when you surround yourself with gardens, with nature. I find my peace in going out here an gardening."

[@skwashua]

We live in a desert where everyone is convinced we need think green lawns. We wouldn’t be able to sustain a garden like this, but I love it! (I think we’re going to do fake turf in the front, garden in the back)

[@watsonwrote]

It's a shame people install those useless, ornamental yards when the natural desert is so beautiful. Some tasteful rock features, sprigs of robust native plants, succulents... surely that would be beautiful. People could have a zen rock and sand garden. I don't understand why people move somewhere and then put all this time and energy into fighting its nature to make it be like somewhere else.

[@carmenflores8528]

More people need to see this! Not only is a yard like this better for the environment, it’s better for our health and happiness as well!

[@eliplayz22]

I actually got inspired to start a backyard garden of my own from your channel as well as other ecologically focused channels. While my garden is nowhere near as large as your garden, I’ll definitely use your garden as an inspiration for my own garden

[@jeffreyjann1263]

Great video Andrew! Idea for you: I’m a chef / small scale organic farmer/ orchardist…. I’m designing a kitchen that prepares right from the garden. Prepares(cuts, washes, measures etc. ) Mine is evolving from open air to closed air with a chill room. I use lots of herbs, and have been growing micro greens. Love to see your ideas about this… “pre prepared kitchen “ I’ve found it to be naturally occurring! Bravo!😊

[@jakew1362]

yes sir!! love the garden tours. I'm putting down roots in the Forest Grove area. Can't wait to get started on my suburban permaculture journey.

[@waylonk2453]

Power to you! Grow something amazing

[@JerryDawson-t6f]

Andrew, I'm incredibly impressed with your yard. A couple of things; 1.) Besides your classes, have you tried having neighborhood meetings where you showcase your place and try to show other neighbors that they too can do something like your yard? 2.) You show one of your bee hive supers that has bee larva in it, Is there some reason that you don't use queen excluders between the brood box and your supers? Your yard is the answer to so many things here in the U.S... climate change (to an extent), personal health and access to quality food. You are very much an inspiration to all people... Keep up the good work brother.

[@tealkerberus748]

Queen excluders in hives are also commonly referred to as honey excluders. The worker bees are only a tiny bit smaller than the queen, and if a gap is too small for the queen to get through, it's going to be an effort for them to get through too. The more effort they have to make, the less honey.

[@melaniehellum1281]

This guy is in the right growing zone for all kinds of wonderful things.

[@evelienthys6253]

this is so gorgious... i dream of a small home with this type of garden. hats of to you sir. the world would be such a nicer place if we all did this instead of the classic lawn.

[@jb_19]

I just bought 1/4 of an acre in Springfield. Your land is a near-perfect template for me!

[@acsoul1]

I love your usual videos, but I would absolutely be thrilled to see more videos of your spot and how you do things. We just bought a house and our yard is a little smaller than yours and I think more content like this will really be helpful for people trying to do what you’re doing.

[@miguel.storniolo]

Hi Andrew, im your student from Brazil. Your house is an temple of ecology.

[@charlief0898]

In my area having so much draping over the sidewalk is not allowed. 0:58 surprised you can keep it that over grown without issues from your town but definitely self sustainable!

[@Titandog21]

I would hate to walk there, so annoying when you have to walk into the street to avoid hitting yourself in the face with untrimmed plants.

[@i_bee_slate]

As someone who walks home and has to deal with such overhang, every once in a while I come in with some garden shears and cut violating plants back myself.

[@watsonwrote]

It certainly depends on the area. I saw this a lot in Oregon, with some entire streets having plants grow over the sidewalk and into the shoulder of the road! I usually didn't mind but sometimes as a pedestrian I wanted the wall of plants to at least give me some sidewalk. Western Oregon is extremely rainy and temperate, so plants can quicky grow out of control and it's uncommon but unsurprising to see street signs partially or completely swallowed by foliage. Many people have the attitude that this is a green place and it's not worth fighting.

[@locomotive9000]

Thank you for inviting us into your home. It's beautiful! I always love your videos in a very deep way.

[@irmar]

His city is so green to begin with! The neighbours might not have permaculture but that's a lot of greenery. I'm impressed. My own town is all concrete with a few little trees lining the streets.

[@yakurbe7039]

I don't think there's enough water where I live to support all that. But this video did inspire me to try to reach out and find permaculture organizations in my area, and I think I found at least a few. So thank you.

[@samuelmendoza9356]

A raincatcher and water tanks should do. They can be hidden from plain view so they don't become eye sore. If there is no space, subterranean if you got the money.

[@AB77X7]

You can also do aeroponic or hydroponic gardening- check out Tower Gardens!!

[@rebeckawoods6093]

I love in the desert. Over time, gardening in a regenerative way will make your soil hold moisture better, and enough trees close together will start to make their own rain seeds. I've not seen the rain seeds yet, but I have seen the water retention in just a couple years.

[@rebeckawoods6093]

You can also use natural rain catchment. Your gutter spout could point into a swale region, or you can create a dry creek bed in your yard on contour and us that to water your plants. Or the simplest method is to have your garden in a little bit of a depression (or very deep in the ground if you aren't worried about flash flooding), place lots of wood chips, leaf mulch , or partially broken down straw in your garden. The organic material acts as a mulch and will absorb the water like a sponge and release it when the plants need it. You can have your rain spout exit into that area too, just be sure to make it so the rain spout isn't directly on a plant-maybe put some rocks or logs to disperse the water so that the soil and mulch isn't washed away by the speed of the water from the spout.

[@samuelmendoza9356]

@@rebeckawoods6093 Medieval/Rennassaince Venice did use gutter spouts as parts of its raincatching scheme to have freshwater on their lagoon city.

[@user-sf9gs2pg1b]

3:55 Wow! I love the pink and yellow colored plants to the left. Super cute!

[@karinoshea3330]

Those are native wildflowers called Torch Lilies, I believe. Wonderful for pollinators. Hope this is correct and helps 😊 much love from Oklahoma!

[@airenefallarco5754]

This place is like paradise for me. Everything you have😊

[@ongoingawakening4257]

Oh thank you, Andrew, for sharing your home gardens. Very inspiring!

[@catfromkamui]

I loved it, it's incredible what you achieved in such a concentrated space with so much diversity. It's a little paradise. Greetings from Argentina

[@joeycooper7594]

YESSSS!! This is what i want my yard to be like!

[@Spirit_of_Areyto]

Your knowledge of how to plant everything purposefully is amazing. The planning is impeccable.

[@theaeon]

For some reason this video made me tear up. Your garden is so beutiful and gives me these utterly tranquil vibes, I just love how peaceful and joyful it feels.

[@qwikdash]

The legend, thanks for sharing a rich slice of your wonderful food forest - love the synergy of your designs and the positive vibe

[@Arcanis200488]

Sounds great but please lay down some more details. 1. What crops do you harvest 2. How much harvest per year 3. Whats the quality 4. How do you harvest 5. How do you prepare it 6. How do you store it 7. How does the community has access to it?

[@plasticspoonrc]

Feeling a little jealous about all this? Then use that as motivation and inspiration to work on your own food forest. Thanks so much Drew. Keep on keeping on.

[@cyano3d]

This is one of the best videos i have seen on youtube, this is what being independent and free means

[@azartrachy4209]

This garden grow it’s to die for wow this is a paradise😱😳😍

[@crytocc]

That looks quite neat! A thing to be cautious of, though, is that overgrowth onto the sidewalk - it's hard to tell for certain from the video, but it looks like the plants are currently blocking access for wheelchairs and strollers, which is a big issue.

[@puma4215]

exactly my first thought

Wonderfully designed system! I was just about to complain about the utilitarian language of Permaculture when dealilng with living things. But at the end you talked about contact with Nature, and the energy it gives. I only wish you had talked about beauty too, something that is rarely touched on in Permaculture contexts. And your hedge where the neighbors can come and browse too! We talk about it a lot in the courses but it was really fun to see a mature hedge producing so much fruit!

[@thedivide3688]

Awesome to see what you do and share from the world applied to the home. So awesome!!!

[@ComplicatedSimplicite]

My friend, your property looks so beautiful! Well done! I just started gardening two years ago and I am HOOKED!! Though I have a fall garden going right now, I can’t wait for spring because I am going to triple my garden this year and I am SO excited!!!!

[@maisonreid9747]

Bringing a whole new meaning to 'intensive' production. Love it!

[@williambober6232]

Andrew! I went to lost valley a couple years ago to get my PDC and the class you taught changed my life. I look forward to taking the advanced PDC course at OSU when it's available :). Thank you for putting out the amazing videos!

[@amillison]

Great to hear from you and keep on keeping on :-)

[@sharonhoffer3599]

I’ve seen so many of your videos, but this is just the ultimate! To see your own home patch and what is possible for all of us. No excuses, we can do it. I used to have a brown thumb, couldn’t keep a houseplant alive. Then I moved to a rental with a big garden that needed maintaining, so I did a little research and found my passion. I studied Horticulture in 2019. I now use that qualification to work in a nursery, selling plants and talking to plant people. Plus, the block of land I bought after leaving the city (Sydney) is now being transformed into a food growing paradise, following permaculture principles. Keep inspiring us all, and thank you 🙏🏽💚🌿🪴

[@lytieuanh1993]

Love it. This is an hoa worst nightmare. A lawn that's actually productive and more than a status symbol

[@simplysimple7628]

The people that look at such a yard and think “that yard looks ugly and overgrown”, have zero clue how to survive. People today are so dependent on grocery store that have pretty looking produce that are tasteless and full of chemicals. We grow 80-85% of our veggies and fruits. When I say that the difference in taste is “astronomical” it is an understatement. Truly a mindblowing experience and fact. From lettuces to Tangerines. MINDBLOWING!!! My kids even notices it. They are absolutely floored when they eat a tomato from the yard and then eat a store bought tomato. Not even close.

[@Theultrazombiekiller]

My wife and I are going into year 3 of doing this. We have a bit bigger of a lot than average as our home is 80 years old and older homes in our city had bigger lots than new builds, out backyard alone is a bit bigger than 1/4 of an acre. Its crazy how much work this is and how long it takes to build a microecosystem on your lot! You are doing amazing and are an inspiration for us. We have done a ton to our house and every year it just gets bigger and better, we make mistakes and learn what works and what doesnt, people are mind blown when they step foot into our backyard and they see 16 cedar raised beds, garden arch ways, 1,200 square foot wild flower garden, a huge gazebo covered in honey suckle from head to toe, composting section, an 8x10 green house, rain collection systems, 4 young peach trees, and now an 8x8 pond. Next year we are building an 800 square foot medicinal herb garden, planting 4 more fruit trees, 4 more raised beds, grape vines to cover our shed, and doing a tunnel greenhouse in another section for extended gardening seasons as we get all 4 seasons where I live.

[@publicliarbility7531]

What an amazing Garden. In such a small lot. and you have everything. This is indeed what we need more of everywhere in the world.

[@b_uppy]

That yard is rank with growth. I LOVE it. Do you get a lot of kids wandering in your yard? Kids would love hiding in it. If you aren't careful you might find a fort or two in there. When I heard "Jerry's jade," I had a totally different plant pictured...

[@jodanabright612]

I completed my PDC in Andrew's OSU Permaculture Class earlier this year and am designing a rainwater harvesting permaculture 8.5 acre food forest in NE Texas. I'm a native Oregonian so I love the scenery of the beautiful Willamette Valley, and I appreciate the inspiration and wisdom that Andrew shares. Beautiful.

[@DeLaSoul246]

You continue to be such an inspiration. I love this!

[@TheBlacksunsh1ne]

This is one of the videos on YT that really struck me with inspiration. What a positive influence you are having on everyone in the comments!

[@anacampanita21]

I’m closing on a small house on 1.5acres this week and CANNOT wait to do something like this!!!

[@robertbutera2726]

Agree 100%, let's get the nation one yard at a time into Permaculture, tastes good, good for health and reduces global warming!

[@Alexander_g2g]

in germany u would get a fine for letting the plant grow into or over the sidewalk. i wish i would see more gardens like yours. very beautyful

[@sarahrobertson4629]

Yeah, I found the encroachment distracting, too. Other than that the garden is absolutely amazing.

[@irmar]

@@sarahrobertson4629 I suppose neighbours are on his side because they get to eat free fruits whenever they want.

[@rebeckawoods6093]

Yeah, my wheelchair using friends would have a hard time. I think it's probably better to grow something shorter and easier to maintain immediately around the sidewalk, and then start the trees a couple feet in. Neighbors can still eat from the public side of there are a few stepping stones along the way.

[@nadalazarevski8584]

We all need a neighbour like this. The only thing Andrew you need to do is tidy up the side walk all long the bottom

[@codsamanta]

I'm not really into gardening (and live in a city apartment anyway), but I absolutely love seeing beautiful, cared-for gardens. What you did here is truly amazing!

[@Angelina-z6c5r]

I love how integrated you are with your community