An Overview Of My Homestead After 4 Years (Before & After)

[@epichomesteading]

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[@llambproduxions]

Thanks! Do you also run rain water for your house or city water?

[@sarahstrahm3072]

What about turning Bermuda City into Berry Central? You could plant blueberries as a hedge along the front fence and then add in some strawberries, etc

[@mumstheword8]

I agree. I think this is a great idea. He is just missing berries and nuts.

[@ellasheridan7637]

Another seconding a berry and nut patch. Personally, as an Aussie macadamia nuts are the best and I'm guessing they'd thrive in the San Diego climate

[@alanbosch8949]

I appreciate that you guys not only highlight all your successes but also your failures (ie your berries). As gardeners, we learn and get better just as much and even more so from our failures than our successes!

[@jenny8105]

Xeriscaping is a cool way to go if you want to get rid of your Bermuda patch (lawn). I got rid of all of my grass in my front yard and planted drought tolerant native flowering plants to attract more beneficial insects to my yard/garden. I'm in San Antonio, TX and with our HOT summers my water bill was astronomical trying to keep my lawn looking green. My salvias, desert mallow, and various other plants are now huge and thriving. I also threw in some wildflower seeds a few years back and they keep coming back every spring. I wish we could attach pictures, along with my veggie garden, it's one of my proud accomplishments.

[@jennbasil]

Good for you! I would do the same if I wasn't renting. Leander, TX.

[@gcc2313]

Really don't understand the obsession with the lawns. Things that just work like xeriscaping is underrated.

[@jenny8105]

@@gcc2313 Since I've transformed my yard, I don't either. It's virtually maintenance free and cut my water bill in half. I encourage everyone I know to make the change, but unfortunately, some HOAs won't allow residents to have anything other than green grass. It's so wasteful, and unreasonable.

[@jeannescorner]

What about a picnic park in the bermuda grass area? Small ornamental shade trees, flowers, shrubs. Picnic table for friends to come by and graze in the gardens. That's what first came to my mind when you asked for ideas.

[@sharongarrett4356]

Or goats!!

[@fuzzyslippers33]

Kevin! I can definitely help you with berries in SoCal! Long story short, they can't handle actually full sun down here. They need the mottled shade provided by an overstory. Mine do best with morning sun and mottled shade the rest of the day. Super productive and lush since the move. Blackberries, Boysenberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Blueberries. They all do amazing when you protect them from the sun after about 11am from spring to fall. Good luck!

[@Dyselon]

It'd be cool to see them planted in with the fruit trees, which could provide some shade.

[@PacificGardening]

@@Dyselondefinitely makes sense!

[@fuzzyslippers33]

@@Dyselon That's exactly how I have my blueberry and strawberry pots. Shaded by my fruit trees.

[@jennyschneider7615]

Which raspberries have you had success with in SoCal?

[@Angelbach1995]

Is like to know the answer to the raspberry question, too.

[@Seraph318]

I have diagnosed OCD, and the degree of exactitude of how perfectly lined up your dragonfruit/trellis' gave me literal chills and my heart rate lowered.

[@jacobellis7129]

I love the way you guys start off your videos together with the laugh. Legitimately makes me chuckle every time 😂

[@RebornBlueHaze]

I'm just now getting my homestead going! My wife and I moved in in January. Our yard is large enough for us and our dog. Now, I've just finished the cattle panel trellis with raised bed. I'm now breaking the ground up next to it for another bed. This channel has been a great help! Thank you!

[@epichomesteading]

Love to hear it!

[@MarthaMajority]

You sound so proud of your accomplishments. Even your little hermit matches your pride. You’ve both done so much and taught many of us along the way. 🎉🎉

[@pascalxus]

Hi Kevin. I love the decision to plant the citrus 4' apart because it's showing people that fruit tree can be close to each other! which is a fantastic experiment for all us space poor folks out there!

[@shelbyrenner]

The "rich in abundance" laughter at the intro gets me every time. You guys are hilarious and weird. 😂 The Epic channels are the best!

[@tinkalinks]

Lol right? I immediately start cracking up also😂

[@kristenchavez2201]

Love how the “floating tank” still made it after the pond pro said no it just a cleaning problem not worth it 😂

[@jeffnc]

I noticed that too!

[@meikusje]

I think what I like most about this is that you didn't just build this garden, you built a community around it. It isn't your, singular, garden, it's your, plural, garden. And that's how it should be, especially when you have this much space. In the long run, nobody benefits from hoarding resources.

[@arcan762]

Comrade

[@margehayes9096]

I always like a small patch of grass - it's cooling and gives the eye someplace to rest because there's so much eye candy there. Get rid of the Bermuda and plant buffalo grass. My understanding is that it's native to the SW US and uses 1/4 of the water traditional lawn grasses use. I like others' ideas of planting berries along the front fence and to put a picnic table or some such in the middle of the grass. A cool place to sit with friends and enjoy the views of the orchard, dragon alley, and your raised planters.

[@fuzzytigercat]

I would plant different colored roses and flowers along the fence in the front yard. That way everyone who drives by can see something beautiful. Then put a few raised beds in to grow some veggies. I would add colorful things to the front yard. Some sunflowers and an ice plant. It has pretty purple flowers and is low maintenance.

[@cindypelletier9365]

It was fun to look back and see how much has been accomplished. Beautiful homestead :)

[@jenibean823]

Love before and after videos 🤩 it’s nice to see the growth.

[@tylersherrill4366]

I have watched you since you have been in the small patio garden and this is incredible man! I found a ton of botanical interests seeds in California when I was out for my brothers wedding and my wife wanted seeds. I was on the fence until I saw your brand and I said LETS GOOOO! Bought probably 75-100 dollars worth of seed and im about to start planting my garden in my new Florida home! Thank you for bein you and just being an incredible human being! As a teacher I have used your videos to teach multiple different lessons! Keep on growin man!

[@tinad6812]

Looks great. It’s been quite the transition.. There’s certainly a lot to be proud of. What a blessing to have Jacques. He’s a natural gardener. You two work so well together. Yes, you need berries. The one thing that had me feeling like a successful gardener was raspberries. I put two small canes and they took over my garden. I transferred them to bags this years. Great video. Glad to be on the journey with you guys 😊

[@louisamccabeart418]

Great work gentlemen. I like the videos where you cook your fresh produce.

[@lrogers707]

love when Jacque and yourself are filmed together - was interesting, especially the gray water system. thank you for sharing

[@colbr06]

It would be cool to see bermuda city turned into a native garden like Jacques created.

[@mollyx9120]

Yes!

[@theagarcia8997]

I agree; I would love to see a drought tolerant Epic Native Garden.

[@Nikki-mx5my]

Great idea!

[@matthysloedolff]

I remember your first video at this property like it was yesterday. Can't believe it's already been four years! Congratulations on everything you have achieved so far and thank you so much for sharing your journey and building a community. My only gripe is that you forgot to show where you buried Eric.

[@Pat6648]

I would like to see you using up 'Bermuda city' before even thinking about an 'Epic Acres'! There are SO many subtropical species you could plant there, think white sapote, black sapote, green sapote, guavas, feijoas, jaboticabas, oak-leaf papayas, babaco and the like.

[@PacificGardening]

That rose trellis looks so good 🌹

[@joansmith3492]

Love the rainwater catchment systems. i admire you for that. your pond is pretty good too. i am not an aqua scape fan, but that is a nice pond!

[@reginapurvis3890]

Ok, wait a second. You’re just going to casually mention that you were filming a show for magnolia network…and then leave us hanging. What happened!? Did they release the show or did it not work out? Tell me everything.

[@jennbasil]

Right? Holding out on us, Kev!

[@stacietaber8932]

yes fill us in

[@brandon8900]

Search "home grown magnolia network" on google if it exists I'm sure you'll find it. Edit: looks like they went with someone named Jamila Norman.

[@AHG1347]

It's probably for a new gardening based sitcom called Chah-ma-mee-laaayyy starring Eric and Hermit the Frog 🐸.

[@beckymartinez9926]

WTH? And…… I ve been watching for years and just now hearing this?

[@ErraticPerfectionist]

I've been dying to see you tackle Bermuda City and plant both more fruit trees and set up some more berries especially blueberries which are so delicious eaten fresh off the shrub 😊

[@ortizurbangarden]

I’d love to see another video on how you do the irrigation for your raised beds. My garden is growing and I really need to get that set up.

[@LisaMangan-zx9rk]

Planting fruit trees quickly becomes addictive 😊 11:37

[@xEppy033x]

It is incredible how much you guys have done over this property since moving into it. Truly an inspiration. We are currently growing a few plants as a hobby, but after we move next year, we are trying to go a lot bigger like you guys. Love the passion and care you all bring to this Epic Garden!

[@vickibarana7635]

Just amazing how much you've accomplished in such a really short time. Also can't believe I've been watching for so long! I've learned so much over the years and have really appreciated everything you've produced for us!! The pond looks just amazing! Everything is so green / grown and my "idea" book for our property is full of ideas from your homestead. Congrats!!!

[@iwanttobelieve5970]

Kevin, that empty space in your front yard could be amazing. I really really would love for you to tackle that area.

[@BeauteeInTheGarden]

Beautiful Property 💚The transformation is amazing and what a blessing to have fruit trees!! Lovely

[@HawkXe]

Bermuda grass is the worst. It has completely taken over my front yard. It also grew through weed barrier and spread into some of my garden beds. It’s nearly impossible to get rid of it outside of digging up 12 inches of top soil.

[@09echols]

I started following you waaaay back when you did the 30 day living off of what you could grow, forage or I think hunt. You looked like you were going to waste away to nothing by the end but I was cheering for you.

[@rob77dp]

7:45 alignment scratches THE itch, ahhhhhhh nice. Love this update video, thanks for sharing!

[@denniskent_]

It's quite hard to find the right words to describe this truly epic paradise you all created! Thank you for taking us along this wonderful journey! It feels like not too long ago that you started out on this property and I remember being very excited to see what you will do with it. Well, you did a whole lot of amazing things with it and the experimenting with all the parts of the property just made it even more fun to watch along.

[@moekusaki]

I've been waiting for this before & after update!!!!

[@cynthiak2955]

Thanks for another great tour! Loved seeing the progression/changes over the years!

[@cathykirkmcrae7727]

Amazing progress! My favorite addition is the pond and the greenhouse.

[@zornitzapetrova7339]

I absolutely love your irrigation system. Must think how to do it in my garden

[@mariamakariou2914]

Amazing transformation! ❤ Congratulations! 🎉 I love everything you have done! ❤

[@SusanMcgrath-nx7dt]

I've been following your channel since the beginning, and you've done an amazing transformation!! 😊

[@nancywells5626]

Your yard looks awesome. Thank you for all the inspiration.

[@hanastolhand8494]

Love seeing the growth of your property and homestead. Looks great. I grew up in Chula Vista, so your channel and Jacques brings me home a little bit since I know you're down in the South Bay. - Something you may or may not have realized - your Bermuda grass came from the wood chips. We have done up the streetscape/parkway in front of our house and we used wood chips from chip drop to use as mulch over the winter when we had nothing planted. All of a sudden we had bermuda grass where the was none before. Now we can't get rid of it. I'm tempted to use plastic this summer to smother it out so I can use that planting area again. Maybe you can use cardboard or even landscape fabric/plastic to smother yours to make your yard usable should you want to plant something out there. Just a suggestion.

[@Snakeskii]

"Greenhouse unlocked" Giggling at the Stardew reference. Having watched your entire homestead journey over the last month or so as I start to work on my own, this is really great. I still love the chickens and the coop. I hope I can get some of my own in a few years. I lost 10 years of work to a house fire. As I start over in this new space, it is heartening to see how things have improved and changed from year to year. Patience is sometimes hard. Gardening is painting with time, seriously.

[@kevina1084]

That works for peaches. Did that when I moved an established peach that needed to move. Had. Lot of root damage into a full sun hot area so when it got ugly I just cut everything off and came back. The good thing is you have a nice thick starting stem so it bounces back quick.

[@Regina-lf2bq]

I think you should try to just extend the orchard (maybe berries?) in the bermuda area and then make it pretty with perennial flowers and such for easy maintenance! Then a few benches and you have the nicest, most relaxing place to have a cup of coffee in the morning

[@HeatherH1]

It's so beautiful! A lot of hard work and experiments along the way which have been great to watch and learn from. The epic dream homestead :)

[@jessicasimmons3957]

I started watching you when you were at the old house and I was hooked, I'm SO proud of everything you and your team have accomplished and built, it's all amazing!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@constancewhite6906]

What a story - thanks for sharing the lessons learned.

[@bronowiczj]

Big outdoor kitchen and gathering place for the empty area!!

[@siobhanmacleod7957]

Have you thought about just putting some perennial plants in front of the fence in the front yard? You could plant Astilbe.

[@epichomesteading]

Good idea!

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

Maybe not Astilbe, though...it hates to dry out and probably won't do well in 10b San Diego. 🥵

[@laurieslifeessentials]

This is crazy to me because I basically started watching your channel right when you bought the new property. I can't even believe it's been four years! It sure has come a long way! I completely understand the notion that the work in the garden is never really done, but you've got to feel pretty good about where it is right now!

[@victoriaperez3574]

I keep forgetting that you two aren't boyfriends and Kevin reminding us he has a girlfriend absolutely threw me for a second. 😂😂

[@j.m.7056]

I remember the grow bag city adjacent to the old shed! Gosh, the property has come so far! This was a great historical view of all the work involved. Thanks!

[@GoingGreenMom]

Ive always pictured the orchard in the back. Thank you for the walk down memory lane!

[@deanwinchester6654]

Nice to see your house grow. Was watching your indoor plant care guides then to your gardening videos.

[@Alison2436]

if u want to plant more trees at the epic orchard, have u thought of any nut trees? i think it would be a really cool addition to the homestead because it's another source of protein from your garden 😁

[@sallyannlaw3860]

You two are some of the best gardening teachers I know. Here's an idea for the front "lawn". Turn it into a teaching area for local school kids to visit. I believe they will love getting their hands in the soil, learn to grow their own veggies and in turn, get the kids to eat healthier. At my last home I lived in, it was a concrete jungle. I managed to set up raised beds and two plastic green houses. I grew so much fruit and veg. The local kids always hung around me when I was tending to my garden. They loved asking all sorts of questions and trying the fruit and veg. I even got some of the kids to grow their own sunflowers in pots. I don't know what I enjoyed the most, growing all my own produce or seeing the enthusiasm on the kids faces when they planted their very first seed and watch it grow into a beautiful flower.

[@B-Th-Change]

You are literally living my dream. I really want my own seed co and farm. I want to set up community gardens across the world. ❤

[@AB-ol5uz]

You can put in flower beds in the Bermuda area to support polinators and your fruit trees :D

[@ahnanda68]

Cool update everything is beautiful what a magical place very peaceful living space! My friend out that way has an olive tree... It's pretty big. Maybe the berries would do better with a little shade? Idk

[@josephschaumberg4136]

Thanks and let us know about the Magnolia Channel program that Epic is on

[@kats3520]

Bermuda grass is my nemesis. It’s creeps through stolons and rhizomes. I would love to see you turn that area into native grass and wildflowers or anything other than lawn. It’s just so much of a pain to maintain. I’m sure someone has more creative ideas too for that area. If I didn’t have an HOA I wouldn’t have grass at all. I’m trying to slowly I eradicate Bermudagrass in my yard. Tenacity will kill it or unfortunately glyphosate which I know is not good for the environment but I haven’t been able to find anything organic that can kill it. If you do get rid of it organically please do a video about how you do it!!! It’s so invasive getting into my flower beds and it even grows right through woven weed barrier. 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@AnyKeyLady]

Can't believe it has been 4 years already! I am surprised you didn't mention when you grew that big Daddy cabbage in the front garden! I do like how you have used the iron circular archway. Remember when you had the big chair and the archway where the pond is now, didn't you have a sign that said Epic Gardening? One thing i noticed that you need in the garden is a coconut tree. Will you be doing another 30 day challenge again soon?

[@margehayes9096]

Love your water management system, guys. Really cool. You both should be proud of your accomplishments.

[@keto4life458]

great video, Ive been watching for a long time, alway wanted to knoiw how much space you had to plant in. And when you got chickens, about the same time I did, it was fun to watch.

[@fredalyons8580]

Looks fantastic. I’d like to see the bagged soil experiment done with added nutrients as we all do when we plant using these soils. I always add granular and liquid fertilizers. That way we could see how they work as a basic soil.

[@kairifan12]

I love this friendship lol awesome progress. Definitely inspiring !!

[@glennahoki6476]

Love it! You are creating such a gorgeous, productive space! Thanks for sharing the journey with us!

[@katarnett]

You should use the Bermuda patch to test out different alternative lawn and wildflower mixes!

[@midwestribeye7820]

This was an amazing tour!❤

[@j9dunk793]

I saw that big ol banana in the back at the end of the video and for a second I was impressed, and then I realized it was BEHIND the mural wall lol. Well, Kevin’s will get there someday. 😂

[@kimborgman3838]

Tell us about the painted mural in the back. it adds so much to your yard.

[@growinginportland]

What an amazing journey. I need to do something similar. Thanks for sharing.

[@lemonyskunkketts7781]

You should put in a few rows of grapevine where you have the Bermuda, they go very well together.

[@debbybrady1246]

Wow 😮. What progress!

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

It's been 4 years!!!!! I was watching you move in!

[@juliehorney995]

Fruit guilds in Bermuda City! Get America hooked on this amazing growing system!

[@lvthunder]

It would be great if you did a video on fertilizer. Everything from when to start, how much, and how often.

[@scottscriticalmass]

Absolutely fantastic... Thanks for sharing!

[@MoseyWithMoxie]

Love your gardens! Maybe add a mulberry? I have heard that the Shangri La is a good variety.

[@epichomesteading]

That's the plan!

[@GoingGreenMom]

I would like to see a ground cover test in bermuda city. What can plant, establish, and fend off the grass, stay low, and also provide a harvest. Most of my groundcover game is in strawberries, but there are some areas I have pallet walkway and am required to keep it passable for meter reading and such. Which is fine, but Im struggling with grasses coming in around anything I plant there, Ive thought about trying creeping Thyme, but was told it really wants a good amount of sun, and there is a volunteer mulberry tree shading part of the area now. Please send help!

[@SaltwaterMom3]

The homestead transformation is ‘epic’ - my eye kept going to that second story window on your neighbor’s house. All I could think is, I hope they are your friends because they have a view of everything you do in your yard. Other than that, everything else seems so private and nicely arranged.

[@samanthawhang7498]

I’m glad I’m not the only one with a capped fireplace. 😅 We tried using it a few times, and the way it was built wasn’t technically correct, so the whole house smelled like a smoky BBQ until we capped it. It was either that, or keeping the fire running 24/7 to keep the air circulating up. But also a lot of these fireplaces in so cal aren’t built very well, and can start serious fires. Also, I feel your pain with that Bermuda grass. 😬

[@sandrasykes3026]

Peach ice cream! Yum‼️‼️‼️💜. I like that long painted wall over the way. It goes with the gardens. Let Bermuda City be wild flowers…au natural, if you please, no mowing. Colors & variety would be AWESOME ‼️

[@robertjames3538]

I would love to see you replace your bermuda patch with a beautiful, carefully designed ornamental garden! Layers of cascading flowers, shrubbery and ground cover, with something interesting for every season 👍👍

[@kimmiechandler517]

only this to add... Companion planting in your tomatoes and peppers. Asylum,marigolds and maybe some snaps.. Creates a very beautiful look smell and a fullness. From South Lake Tahoe. Need lush man..

[@TheBasedAustralian42]

Hey Eric, thanks for the vid!

[@DeeGee19]

I love the updates! My idea for a topic is regarding rainwater/gray water collection. I was wondering what treatments you do, if any to the water to keep it from getting overrun with microbes. With our Southern California rain pattern, I collect a ton of water Dec-May. When it rains weekly I don’t have much use for it until our dry season starts in late spring, and the collected water seems a little smelly. Good microbes? Bad microbes? Help!🤔

[@BecomingaGreenstalker]

I be love that show Home Grown but I have to admit I watch you here way more often than I watch Magnolia. ❤

[@danielschafer4927]

That Front Lawn might make a good area for bees of you can keep them in your area

[@pseudomint]

Would love to see the vanilla orchid you guys mentioned 👀

[@Phalaenopsisify]

It looks very well maintaned and green, just perfect but with room to expand and experiment. I think you should go the native way with the bermuda lawn, I'm not familiar with your natives except Californian poppies but surely you have some pretty trees and herbacious plants. Add in a couple of cool rocks and it'll look like a piece of wilderness.

[@JaanikaRiiel]

SUPER! Well done, Kevin. Well done, guys. I feel proud of you

[@cherylskornik1512]

The shut off valves are the best!!!!

[@youtuudodo]

Not sure about the berry. But the radiating/ retaining heat from the wall may be a factor.