Food Self Sufficiency - Yesterday and Today | ROOT CELLAR | FOOD PRESERVATION | GARDEN HARVEST |

[@w.rustylane5650]

I can tell you a tale about being authentic for the time period. When I was a Civil war re-enactor I made most of my clothes and hand stitched several shirts. One I made from a bed sheet as many did during the war, and I sewed it with real cotton thread 12 stitches to the inch. That lasted through one washing and I had to resew it with cotton covered polyester. Live and learn. Still have my whole hand stitched Confederate butternut uniform with home made bowler hat. Still have my cavalry boots as I was dismounted cavalry. Since I'm now 73 I just buy my firewood for the fireplace. Cheers from eastern TN

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

I'm impressed with your dedication to historical accuracy, that's a great story.

[@Sunny22475]

Amazing such a bountiful harvest Verily verily I say unto you peter and Kathy you are truly blessed 😊

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks! We are blessed, it’s definitely a lot of work, but well worth it!

[@Badhabit-cx1ch]

Fun fact,, I made pemmican 4 yrs ago,it's been in a paper bag at room temp un refrigerator,no spoilage still perfectly edible....thanks for the post you guys please keep it comeing.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Pemmican is a true wilderness survival food. Thanks for the kind words

[@randybrown140]

Wonderful Harvest 👍

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thank you! The garden's been producing!

[@dhession64]

Filling the root cellar and, soon, the larder, is a fine feeling. Security in an insecure time in that day and age you're representing.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Hear, hear. It still a rather crazy world and even in modern times having food security is a great feeling.

[@Mag_Aoidh]

Huzzah Peter and Cathy, enjoy!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thank you.

[@lundysden6781]

Holy potatoes !

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Right?

[@rdh6932]

It's got to be a good feeling to have a root cellar filled with food like that.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It is indeed and a full woodshed and a moose in the freezer.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

What a year for Kelly's Station: with the harvest in and the palisade up, you have created a complete haven in an uncertain world.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks, James, it certainly is getting close to fruition. Oh my, now what on earth will I do?

[@jamesellsworth9673]

@@TheWoodlandEscape Enjoy the harvest. Bring in some First Nations cultural historians for a meal and a 'natter.'

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

@@jamesellsworth9673 I’ll be doing that sometime this winter.

[@janetnga3234]

To move with the seasons, such a blessing. I do the best I can, but have one foot in the monetary world, maybe soon. Your videos are such a pleasure to me. Thank you.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

We're right there with you!

[@rebeccaback3287]

Like this food cellular! You always bring history to life! Cannot wait to see the gun making! David Back.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks David … lots of builds in the future.

[@earlshaner4441]

Good afternoon from Syracuse NY United States of America my friend and everyone else

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

And to you Earl!

[@earlshaner4441]

@@TheWoodlandEscape Hi my friend

[@johnovanic9560]

Thank you for showing the type of intensive labor it takes to live the lifestyle you choose to live. From the building of your fort to harvesting the Bounty of your garden. What I take away from this video is that your beholding to no man you depend on no government your handiwork is your reward.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

We agree! It’s a rewarding life. Thanks for your interest.

[@thomaskauffman983]

I never get potatoes to grow so big! Wow

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

The luck of the Irish.

[@brendaw53]

Love watching you harvest for Winter and learning ways to store food. Love the Root Cellar! My grandmother was a Kelly. Great harvest! ❤🥔🥕🥬

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It is indeed a great way to enjoy the bounty of the fall harvest! Perhaps somehow your grandmother and I are related!

[@notsosilentmajority1]

Outstanding video. You have an excellent way of putting people in the moment. Enjoy the winter, looking forward to some gun builds. 👍

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

I appreciate your kind words! Enjoy your winter as well! Oh, and lots of gun builds in the works.

[@RandallSchwed]

Haven't planted a garden in two years...........The deer have a deep trail and my garden is a snack.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Darn deer, lol!

[@RandallSchwed]

@@TheWoodlandEscape 👍

[@jackcook8613]

What a harvest, Peter! That's what I call a garden. And a full root cellar. Thanks again for sharing.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks! It was a good year for sure.

[@marielefebvre5891]

I really love that you show how to store the root crops. Thank you!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@hayward434]

Wonderful harvest. I still have my grandfathers hand made "grout" knife.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

A well made tool is a real treasure. We’re planning a trip east sometime this winter, perhaps we can meet.

[@alexs3447]

That garden sure produces . like the clothing . Good luck hunting

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

We sure hope we can get lucky hunting this fall! Root cellar is full. One moose in the freezer and now onto deer.

[@Ladythyme]

WOW That was one BIG Potato 😮… Your sitting next to that wood is my favorite part….i heat with wood and stacked quite a few cords this fall…. In fact burning a fire in my woodstove tonight to scare away the chill 😊… it is the heart of my home all winter long and I’m feeling all snug and cozy …love your root cellar 😊

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

That’s the beauty of a wood fire, it really does warm the heart!

[@petrimurphy6152]

Greetings from the off grid cabin. Plenty of good food going in the root cellar I see , don't get too fat this winter. Glad your well. Man the fort.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Yes indeed - and we'll be working hard to make sure we stay trim! Fort will soon be totally defendable with doors going on this week.

[@williamqueen8790]

Just finished my wood cutting also, garden is done all but the beets that is about 3inches tall and garlic is planted. Your potatoes look like foot balls..LOL. You guys sure do work hard and I enjoy every minute you share with us. God Bless❤

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It is indeed a grand time of the year to be getting all those chores done! We plant our garlic the first week of November and then gardening is done till spring.

[@marielefebvre5891]

I just finished planting my garlic. Later than you because the weather was warm in VA this fall. And spring will come earlier, so I’ve started my onion seeds!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

@ You’re on top of things!

[@stevencunningham4680]

Awesome garden and a superior harvest. Eat well this winter and relax.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks! We will be!

[@MrOj53]

Irishmen... you would grow some barley for malt and brew some ale😄

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Indeed we would!

[@zokowawa]

A full root cellar... That's a beautiful sight!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Yes indeed!

[@sharonpierce6278]

Awesome storage cellar.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It’s a great place to store the harvest and save a whole lot of money.

[@rogerclyde2720]

Awesome crop. Haven't seen wooden baskets used since I was a Lad. It's interesting how you store the carrots. Wish you a very successful hunting season.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks Roger. Moose is in the freezer so now onto deer.

[@rogerclyde2720]

Very cool, where do you find the time? ​@TheWoodlandEscape

[@karlrobson3120]

Great video. What a feeling of satisfaction

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks, I enjoy the work, and it's satisfying to see the fruits of our labor, literally.

[@k9six185]

You have great soil for root crops…good size and shape….good straight carrots

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It has taken years to build it up by adding compost and growing cover crops which we turn back into the soil.

[@dennismac2939]

Just goes to show you that if you put in the time and effort good things usually happen, you guys sure did do that. Glad your all set for the winter, now it's time to go hunting 🦌🐇🐿

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

You got that right! Time to fill the freezer!

[@vickistevens423]

Another outstanding video, Peter. You and Cathy never cease to amaze me with your resourcefulness and knowledge.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

We appreciate the kind words. It's a labor of love.

[@sukeyfrugalfrau]

I will keep my parsnips in the ground a very long time. Even if the ground freezes and it certain,y does, the spring parsnips are the best. Yup good old fashioned manure. Are your storing your carrots in peat moss? It looked very dry. I am using dry leaves which I then sprayed with water . Our cistern is also in the root cellar… it keeps it a good temperature.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

We do use peat moss and have found it preserves things very well. It is reused year after year. We’ve left parsnips in the ground before, but I find fetch a few for a meal when it’s minus 20 a pain, lol. Thanks for your interest.

[@sukeyfrugalfrau]

@@TheWoodlandEscape yeah...there are 2-3 months when it is impossible to dig them out.

[@jeanadamsick9854]

WHAT A BEAUITFUL & BOUNTIFUL HARVEST!!!!!!!!!!!! Do take care. Fl.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It was an amazing harvest.

[@TheGermanFrontier]

It is great to see, all the work

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It sure is great to see it done as well.

[@wvblue4658]

When I got rutabagas that big, the only way I could cut them was with an axe.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Right!

[@Dan_TheMedievalGuild]

That was an awesome video. Your videos always help keep me calm so that I'm not worrying about too much stuff. I'm glad you had a good harvest this year and may next year be as bountiful.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks so much. Glad the videos help. We all could use a wee bit of calm in our modern world.

[@paulfrizzell31]

👍great video

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks for watching!

[@paulfrizzell31]

@@TheWoodlandEscape 🙂

[@gschwendinger]

Fantastic. Thanks for sharing. Nice to hear you say you can now reap the rewards of your efforts.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It sure is a good feeling, isn't it?

[@throwback336]

These harvest / root cellar videos are by far my favorite. Well done on all your hard work.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks, it’s satisfying to see the fruits of our labor.

[@peelingoffthelayers]

Thank you.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

We’re glad you enjoyed it!

[@ladyjusticesusan]

Wow what an amazing bountiful harvest to have!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

We’re fortunate to enjoy the fruits of our labor!

[@earlshaner4441]

Please share in detail how you are storing your supply of different kinds of foods

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

We’re planning to do an episode on just that.

[@earlshaner4441]

@@TheWoodlandEscape outstanding brother

[@the18thcenturygardener57]

What a wonderful garden.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks, Don.

[@alpetterson9452]

"All safely gathered in"

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Indeed and a great feeling heading into winter.

[@crystalcox2760]

my family being very self sufficient mountain folk of appalachia, we are like you with horse manure. best fertilizer

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It certainly makes a difference.

[@northwoodstrapper8778]

Great job on the garden. I finished mine last week. I leave a row of carrots in the ground. We get snow long before frost sets in. And as long as my markers are above the snow I can dig them all winter and they are a lot sweeter than fall carrot’s.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

We sometimes leave a few and your spot on, they are a sweeter veggie as well as parsnips.

[@1SemperDad]

That's a fine harvest Peter! You and your bride will eat well over the winter months. Can't say I've seen bigger and handsome turnips and rutabagas. You should take a couple of those rutabagas and turn them into old world "Jack-o-lanterns" to ward off any evil spirits that may make their way by your homestead. Don't need the likings of "old stingy Jack" coming by. Good Irish Folklore. Tis the season. BTW, brussel spouts don't make very good lanterns but you may give it a try. LOL

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Ah now, if you’ve not given me my first laugh of the day and I thank you, sir.

[@1SemperDad]

@@TheWoodlandEscape Well, if I have achieved in making you smile then I can feel accomplished in one my daily goals. But then I suspect you're an easy target. Good day to you sir. I'm off to rendezvous!!!!!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Enjoy!

[@kevindevine5102]

thanks

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

You're welcome!

[@smoothvern165]

That is so impressive! What an incredible yield!! It really blows my mind! I hope your fall hunting goes well, too👍👍😃

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks so much, we were quite pleased with the harvest, looking forward to a good hunting season too.

[@marielefebvre5891]

I just found your channel. I used to do colonial re-enactments and I may have met you. Does your wife bake delicious pies over the campfire in a Dutch oven? Anyway, I’m really glad to see you farming like the colonial times. I’m looking forward to watching more during the winter when the outdoor chores are done. I now live in VA. The zone is warmer and I’m still prepping for winter.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

I’m thinking that’s not Cathy, lol. I trust your preparations are in order and that you and your clan winter well.

[@TheLadymoonstone]

It dawned on me I would not have none a potato plant or a brussel sprout plant if I hadn't watched this program. I went out and bought a book on basic vegetable gardening. Hopefully next year I will have something to put in the root cellar. And yes I thought that dirty room was awful till I realized what it was for. I put some cabbages down there a few months ago and they are still good . Thanks for sharing. Cheers from the pacific northwest. Canada side.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It is always wonderful to hear when someone has been inspired to take a step toward more self-sufficiency!

[@anthonyberger225]

Great video Peter 👍 that's what we work all summer here in upper Michigan for so we can enjoy our winter time nothing like right 👍

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Indeed. It is a satisfying feeling to know the work is paying off.

[@rickmcgowan6725]

I stopped by Prickett's Fort today and mentioned you to the people there. They knew you right away. It was a great visit. The people were very friendly.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

That is wonderful to hear and great place to visit.

[@oursmallishfarm3783]

Thank you for showing how it is done

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Glad it was helpful!

[@patriciavanlouwe6636]

Likely one of my favorite episodes. Of course, anything dealing with food touches my heart. Worth watching this episode again.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Especially all those beats!

[@patriciavanlouwe6636]

🤣@@TheWoodlandEscape

[@tammicollie2670]

You could can pickled Brussels sprouts to preserve them for winter.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

By the time winter kicks in I’ll have had my fill of them, but like you I do enjoy them!

[@beverlymichael5830]

You have worked hard building over the summer. Your garden harvest is absolutely wonderful. Oh to have a root cellar like that. Sit back and have a cup of coffee now. Enjoy your bounty over the winter. The potatoes look beautiful

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Indeed it is a good feeling to see the fruits of your labor. Now for that cup of coffee!

[@larrylapierre2295]

Out standing harvest thanks for sharing.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It was a good year for sure.

[@rickcooper6817]

What a wonderful harvest, happy for you and Cathy. Here in North Carolina where I live, we seem to be having problems with growing anything successfully. Not just myself, but many neighbors and acquaintances. We even have problems with our heirloom vegetables. Not positive, but I have a good idea what the problem is. I think we are all going to have to build greenhouses if we continue to raise our food. Many blessings Mr. Peter and Ms. Cathy.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Is it insect or fungi problems?

[@rickcooper6817]

@@TheWoodlandEscape While some of it is weather related, such as uncontrollable extremes, much of it seems to be in the air itself. Even the trees and grasses are showing signs of whatever it is. I've lived on this land for almost all of my 67 years and have never seen this before. One example is the green beans. The plants come up, look great and then won't produce or just die. Lots of folks here have quit gardening altogether.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

@@rickcooper6817 oh my, hasn’t hit us up here … must be frustrating for you.

[@robdixon7732]

Great video Peter. I hope to be at that point some day.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It’s a journey but well worth it!

[@swatson1190]

That crock looks exactly like the one my mom had in her kitchen. She made the best sauerkraut in it. When my mom passed one of my sister in laws got it.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Sauerkraut is a great way to preserve the harvest!

[@garyrichardt1496]

We are done with our little harvest here we ended up with about 75 zucchini and 125 acorn squash thanks for sharing another great video.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

I see a lot of squash soup in your future. We appreciate your continued interest.

[@JanTrewhitt]

What a fine-looking harvest!! Some of those potatoes were the biggest I have ever seen! Pretty soon Peter you will have to build a bigger storage place for the harvest, WOW. Blessings.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It’s amazing how quickly those root cellars fill up! Lots for the food bank.

[@richardofsylmar]

What a a nice crop, can’t believe the size of some of those. They look good. I have raised beds that I plant my vegetables in, just two of us so we don’t need much. I’ve now started my indoor garden, with grow lights. My tomatoes, bell peppers and spinach are looking real good. Thank you for showing us what you have grown.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It's great to hear of your success, keep up the good work. We’ve thought of some sort of greenhouse, but keep putting it off.

[@tropifiori]

Lovely garden

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It was a lot of work, but the rewards are worth it.

[@tonyzazzaro1275]

Good afternoon from Bennington, Vermont. you’re an amazing fellow

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thank you for the compliment and you4 interest in our endeavours.

[@marieleopold1625]

How RICH you are! SUCH a bountiful harvest of healthy (more than) veggies = Great GIFT! Please don't ever stop counting your blessings for the 'Attitude of Gratitude is Beatitude'! (coined that one myself) LOL! I heard a program recently how the Irish were not stricken by a 'blight' other than the 'British' who took their crops and starved them. Kinda like from the same playbook as Stalin withholding the wheat from the Ukrainians = Holodomor Horror! It seems a 'much' more feasible 'story' to me. Thanks for this lovely vid Empress Catherine...My-Oh-my...how you 'must' have been busy with your preserves...but isn't it a blessed chore to do and then admire in the storeroom? I preserved 16 jars of blue prunes from my one wee tree this year = Happy! You just canNOT compare what grocery stores provide to fresh home produce = YUM! "The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest." (William Blake).Health an' blessings dear ones! P.S.Peter, perhaps try a recipe called; 'Beer an' bacon brussel sprouts'. May turn your wee grumbles to 'tickled pink'! :)

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It is indeed a blessing to be able to preserve the bounty of the garden! Oh my Marie if you can’t bring a smile to my face. Love your quote … like I said you should write a book!

[@marieleopold1625]

@@TheWoodlandEscape Too kind dear Peter...just too kind! :)

[@jeffgrier8488]

It looks like you had a great harvest!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It was a good year.

[@8626John]

Wonderful video. I recently read a book called "Immortal Irishman: The Irish Revolutionary who Became an American Hero," by Timothy Egan. Part of the book deals with the Irish potato famine, and I was surprised to learn that even though the potato crop had failed, Ireland was still producing plenty of food to have fed its people, but the English who mostly owned the farms refused to cancel export contracts and divert the food to the starving people in Ireland. Very interesting read.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It’s a sad chapter in history. I’ll be looking for that book this winter.

[@juneclary1964]

Hi great video and that is quite the garden you have. Good harvest looking forward to seeing the next video. Love and blessings Larry June and Laurie

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

We were pleased with the harvest this year. You guys have been loyal followers and it’s appreciated.

[@deanjernstrom3760]

The master gardener! The vegetables looked fantastic, what a fine lot. Thank you again for my full attention. Be safe and enjoy!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

So nice of you. Winter well!

[@ThomasOBrien-ix2qt]

brussel sprouts make an super bread and butter plckle

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Interesting, I’ve never heard that … perhaps an experiment is in order.

[@PATCsawyer]

Today, October 26th, I walked out to my northern Michigan garden and can STILL pick tomatoes from the vines. Frost is really late this year.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

That is crazy!

[@Debbie4729]

This garden is amazing!!!! I have never seen rutabagas that big in my whole life! This is the best form of insurance! My husband and I wanted to share an idea with you.There are golden beets to be had in the world,and they are excellent! They don't taste as earthy,and the greens and stems are so tasty.I am not sure where to get the seed,but I hope you avail yourselves of this fine variant!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thank you and thanks for sharing the info on beets, I’ll be looking into it.

[@jtsterry]

❤😊😊

[@keithhall3953]

Have you ever thought of coming back to New York State to see all of cooperstown with its baseball hall of fame and the farmers museum???

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

I should add it to my bucket list.

[@edmundanderson-rp5bi]

you probably know that the music being played while you are showing the beets has lyrics and i am sure is called the roving journey man its a good song

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

I did not sir and I thank you for sharing.

[@lancehenderson7249]

Bountiful year for you and Kathy. Lots of work, but it's worth it when winter comes. Keep your powder dry. Take care

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Indeed, the work is hard, but rewarding. Watch yer top knot!

[@sukeyfrugalfrau]

Brussels sprouts are one of my favorite… still have not been able to grow the, without massive bug damage.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Don’t know why, but we have few if any bug issues. Now the rabbits, that’s another story.

[@stevenshanofski6801]

Great looking harvest. Making me hungry. Congratulations on a great growing season. Enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks, we are enjoying all the bounty.

[@Blrtech77]

Peter, As Always What An Absolutely Amazing Video and Best of Luck During Your Moose and Deer Hunting. I Have A Couple Questions and What Is the Purpose of Covering the Carrots and Beets but the Potatoes and Cabbage Go In Bare? I'm Assuming It Has To Do With the Preservation. BTW When Your Relaxing Over the Winter and Reading and Enjoying Music Would You Please Post Links To the Music You Like and Listen To? I Learn A Lot From You and Your Channel Please Keep Up the Great Work and Be Safe!!!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

We cover the beets, parsnips and carrots in peat moss, in layers with nothing touching … they last all winter. Cabbage is stored with the roots attached which slows down the drying and potatoes only need to be stored in complete darkness. We appreciate your continued support.

[@stime6472]

Love the Root cellar!!! Do you have more on it?

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

We should do a video on the actual function of it … thanks for planting the seed, lol!

[@stime6472]

​@@TheWoodlandEscape Looking forward to it!

[@rlwoods61]

How do you keep the vermin (mice, skunks, opossum) out? That far north it might not be a problem but here is the south of the US they are active all year!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

I built this root cellar extremely tight and so far the small critters have not been a problem .

[@zpy-nq7wv]

❤ LOVE YOUR INFORMATIVE VIDEOS SIR !

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thanks! Glad you find them useful.

[@larryreese6146]

Wish I knew your secret on beets. There's nothing I like better than pickled beets. Planted 50 pounds potatoes and got back a tractor scoop. Discussing your working on guns this winter. I've discovered you're following an old trend. Right up until the 1900s. Seems that muzzleloaders were practical even after the advent of metallic bullets. Loose powder was cheaper and if you had a led mold you had bullets. I became interested in an old gun I saw in Missouri. It's characteristics were identical to those made in the deep river school of rifles in N. Carolina, yet it was said to have been made in Missouri. Turns out the old guy was a farmer and after his crops were laid by, he made a little money putting together a rifle or 2 over the winter, and. Of course he had immigrated from N.Carolina. seems that after ready make parts became readily available at the town hardware stores from manufacturers back east many an old farmer made a little extra money on simple guns that they put together during the cold days of winter.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It certainly was one of the first cottage industries. I like my beets sautéed in butter in a frying pan.

[@larryreese6146]

@@TheWoodlandEscape sounds good. Enjoy a bite or 2 for me.

[@ashleyanderson2859]

Appreciate your efforts and dedication! What are your low temperatures in winter? A little research from boots on the ground never hurts. Thanks again, and keep your powder dry!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Varies, but most definitely getting much warmer. -20C used to be normal, now is the anomaly.

[@ashleyanderson2859]

@TheWoodlandEscape much appreciated

[@bobboyer9440]

Must be the Irish in you that makes those potatoes grow so well. Do you help out the food bank with some of your crops? I have a friend who plants an entire garden for the food bank.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

We do indeed give to the local food bank. No green thumb here just good soil, lol.

[@CleoHarperReturns]

It's no surprise this was as amazing a presentation as it always is, thank you Peter. I do have a question: How were mice kept out of the root cellar?

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Good question! So far it has remained tight and nice and voles have not been a problem.

[@CleoHarperReturns]

@@TheWoodlandEscape That is outstanding construction. I wish you'd built my house.😆

[@drewmorrison7536]

Please do a root cellar video. I wish to know what u covered the carrots with

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

We use peat moss and reuse it year after year. We place the vegetables on a bed of it, then a layer of, then more vegetables. We make sure that no vegetable touches its neighbour. The cellar is around 5 to 8 degrees C and we keep the humidity very high. It has a gravel floor,so if the humidity get too low I simply dump a bucket of water on the floor and close the door. Hope this helps.

[@FearOfChange]

Just want to mention that the famine was only a famine because the English forced the Irish to export their other vegetables to England so the Irish could only mainly eat potatoes so when the blight came they starved

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Indeed, as well as the sheep, cattle and pigs.

[@danielleterry2331]

Tyranny causes starvation because they don’t care as long as it’s not those who have power doing without history repeats itself when the people don’t study it to see the signs.

[@amypayjack6481]

Are the shelves in the cellar also made of cedar? Or just treated lumbar? Your videos fill me with so much inspiration!

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

We used just spruce, apparently pressure treated gives off a gas that’s not good for one’s health. Appreciate your kind words.

[@kevinthorrington2131]

My wife was yelling at me for pulling carrots from the garden and eating them. Wipe the dirt off on my pants and eat them. There’s nothing better than fresh carrots from the garden. I ate a few green beans when the wife wasn’t looking, too.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Hear, hear, it can’t get any fresher than that.

[@judithsmith9319]

That's curious regarding the potato blight. I too have lots of Irish stock, from Jordan, NY then the Redfield family landed in Western Illinois. In our homeschool studies my children and I searched before there was internet, and it was supposed the English wanted the land of Ireland and the king devised bio weapon of the crop killing blight and it worked to his plan. Then moved Scots in who he believed to be more civilized and that's how my family got to US.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

We’ve done an episode on the Scots Irish you might be interested in. Thanks for sharing your story!

[@judithsmith9319]

@@TheWoodlandEscape where/how do I find this episode?

[@ravenpineshomestead]

What are those massive roots? Rutabaga?

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Yup … big suckers for sure.

[@ladylocust1118]

Wow! Nice looking spuds. I would take some of your Brussels sprouts - aphids got mine like you wouldn't believe. Mind if I ask where you got your baskets (like what you have the carrots in) and wire baskets like the spuds are in? A particular source? Sorry if you've said in a previous vid. I've only found you within the past year.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

A good crop indeed. Most agricultural supply stores carry the old style 1/2 and full bushel. The wire baskets are from an old IKEA storage unit.

[@dougkuony5309]

What were you packing your baskets of carrots in? It looked almost like sphagnum moss.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

It is peat moss which we reuse year after year. It preserves things very well.

[@dougkuony5309]

@@TheWoodlandEscape That's fascinating and good to know. Wade Davis and I recently visited Forts Folle Avoine and learned that peat moss was used not only as tinder, but is also anti-bacterial and anti-viral! Perhaps that's is what makes it a good preservative. As you might expect, we now carry it in our kits! Thanks for the info!

[@wadeschwartz6281]

Sir you are a legend in your own time 🙂 ,,my potatoes are on par with yours but our beets and carrots are always small ,,what is the secret? And was that Pete-moss on those carrots for storage ?

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

Thank you for the kind words. Boils down to the soil. We’ve built it up over many years … lots of organic and manure, lots of green manure cover crops turned back, lots of planned rotation of crops etc. plants that fix nitrogen from the air are great to plant and turn back in a green manure, plants in the clover family or buckwheat is a great one.

[@AdenMcIsaac]

What variety of cabbage do you grow? I plan to have cabbage in my garden next year and it would be great to have a kind that stores well.

[@TheWoodlandEscape]

The variety we use is called Expect. It’s a great keeper.