Frost-Proof Produce Farm! Jim Kovaleski’s Gardens Are Still Thriving After The Cold!

Jim Kovaleski’s Regenerative Micro-Farm held up just fine throughout the cold-snaps here in FL. Very little damage occurred in the gardens; Jim shows us what’s currently growing on and what’s getting planted!
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[@Budvb]

Jim should be running such a bigger operation with younger workers to train the next generation of growers. He has to much knowledge to be doing all this physical labor, his knowledge is worth so much, much more! Do admire his abilities!

[@868Nako]

I'd go camp out in FL for a week and obtain Jim's knowledge

[@simplysimple7628]

I agree. The world and some are so fixated on “cool” materialistic things that the real and important stuff goes unnoticed or just “not cool” amongst some of these youngsters. Farmers/gardeners are so under appreciated it’s scary. We need more content like this to go viral daily. Crossing my fingers🙏🏼🤙🏼👊🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼✊🏼

[@chancellor9000]

I agree. Jim seems to have it dialed IN!

[@jayjessome1821]

Growing a wicked beard to boot 👍👍

[@housearea]

I need once a week update on this garden! I am from people that satisfy themselfs with the success of the others!

[@leannhoward7306]

I just heard a podcast that said when we are happy for the success of others it boosts our immune system and helps us be happy too ! Perfect opportunity!

[@jonnyhawt8973]

That's good-hearted people with a caring nature. Love people who enjoy seeing others succeed. ❣️

[@nathanmciver6496]

Yes except never to come at the cost of yourself! Because sustainability is seeing clear so we can all thrive and live an everlasting life

[@housearea]

@@leannhoward7306 happiness, sex, love and money are boosting the no stress levels, which is high immune system

[@jameshouchins9469]

Amen!

[@dvk2photographer]

Love this guy. I want to start a garden like this on the other coast. Same climate. He's so organized! It's a lot of work!

[@Mrbfgray]

I'm a long way from duplicating anything like that but I learn a lot for my home use gardens, this stuff looks fantastic in the front yard in winter. (zone 9a farther NorCali lowlands) Only started winter vegi gardens last season, surprisingly rewarding with minimal work/inputs. Kale, Lettice, bock choy, celery, cilantro, chives, parsley.....

[@yellowbird5411]

I love him too, but yes, it looks like a ton of work. Of course, it is his business. This is what he does, and he works really hard at it. Between preparing the beds, planting, growing, harvesting, prepping the plants for market, getting them to market and all that entails, selling, doing the paperwork, filing the taxes, etc. it's a huge job. But he loves it, and it shows. It's not an easy undertaking. It looks easy watching this, but it's not. Even a small garden takes a lot of work and monetary investment if you have poor soil. Fruit trees are more my style. I live in Florida about 20 miles south of him, near the water. Sandy, depleted soil. I gave up on any kind of garden and went with fruit trees instead. I have mango, papaya, orange, tangerine, loquat, star fruit, persimmon, peach (bred for this area) mulberry (white and purple) and moringa. A lot less work for a lot of fruit. I can't give enough star fruit away. There is no mystery to fruit trees. You fertilize maybe once or twice a year, do a hose soak in a drought, and basically that's about it. Some trimming here and there. My big mango tree for the first time put out flower bracts I saw today. I am so stoked! So for all you "I'm not gettin' my hands dirty!" folks out there, do fruit trees. You won't regret it. And if you decide to put in some flowers/plants too, the trees take up no real room.

[@caliking5308]

Same. I’m up in Northern California

[@southerngarden8447]

Jim Kovaleski is my hero.

[@moomoocho1196]

We love jim! 👍👍👍

[@gb9276]

Thanks Pete for the Jim updates! "They're not surviving, they're thriving", is very true.

[@mhack9881]

Always like seeing what Jim is up to. Thanks for sharing.

[@mjay4700]

I'm a simple man. I see a new Kovaleski vid - I click.

[@beverlydwyer5162]

Great curbside appeal 💚

[@jimallison6125]

Pete, I grow a lot of the same crops as Jim here in Gilchrist County. When Jim got 30 we had 20 here at my place. The only crops I lost was my Early girl tomatoes. My lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, arugula, chard, spinach, radishes, cauliflower and more all came through well. I picked most of my green tomatoes and they ripened up in the house. Jim's garden as usual looks fantastic. I'll be planting my spring veggies in about 10 days to two weeks from now. Great video and complements to Jim.

[@marygolucky]

Shout out watching from abudhabi 👍 thanks

[@ruthannecoro6198]

Fresh celery is one of the best things to use for soups/stews .. seriously.. the whole stalks, greens and all.. game changer! Love fresh herbs best as well.

[@JC-3691]

I’m just seeing this! I walk by Jim’s house in the winter, it’s so impressive! Love it💕

[@galamonkey]

I drove by like a week after the frost to see how his garden looked, didn’t miss a beat. It always looks better snd better.

[@elderberryjamz3654]

Always exciting to see another video with Jim

[@amoralesear]

What an inspiration.

[@TrickyVickey]

He has huge flowering sunflowers in the background.

[@wallsgallery]

Zone 6b, one surviving collard outside greenhouse. Thanks for the reminder to save Those seeds!

[@PegsGarden]

I agree with Jim, I live less than a mile away from Jim's place in New Port Richey and I still have my Florida everglades tomatoes giving me fruit since I planted them back in November and everything did great in my small backyard garden, banana tree doing great also, this area is great for planting, the key is to know what does well in your area, thanks for another great video Pete!!

[@natrone23]

You are closer to the coast so don’t get as cold, here in Wesley chapel we got down to 28.

[@PegsGarden]

@@natrone23 we hovered around 30 degrees a couple of nights for a few hours.

[@southerngarden8447]

I'm down in Apollo Beach, close to the water, and only lost two already half-dead determinate tomatoes. I throw sheets on things, but there's really only so much you can do. The cold snaps in January and February were a nice "re-set." The one we're expecting this weekend is just... crazy.

[@PegsGarden]

@@southerngarden8447 I agree, those temps are pretty rare in March

[@Ontariocropper]

@@southerngarden8447 Ok

[@ginagriffiths3677]

Love how he does his beets in soil blocks too. Gonna try that this year as well.

[@kathrynpatrick69]

Yesterday I looked at your channel hoping for a Jim video, wake up this morning and here it is!!! Thank you Pete!

[@binaryflat]

I had four heirloom tomato plants several years ago, that got bitten to the ground by frost. I looked my situation up and several people said leave them alone, they may come back. Boy, did they! They produced fruit in early July. Up to two pound tomatoes. I had two Mr. Stripeys, and two German Pinks. The plant grew over 8 feet tall, and had lots of fruit. Just think, I started to pull them, and start over.

[@LowcountryGardener]

I first discovered Jim the last time Justin Rhodes visited him. I wanted more Jim so while searching around on KZbin I found your channel. You can never show too much Jim. I wish Jim would start his own KZbin channel so that I could keep track when he goes back to Maine for the summer.

[@trishdavi7049]

Takes some time and equipment to video . Pete does it well with the interviews and the drones. It could be cool to grow some gardens that shape pictures when seen from the air

[@jellojoe00]

I rewatch Jim videos over and over. Always something new to notice.

[@PeteKanarisGreenDreamsFL]

So glad you enjoy them!

[@johndiestelow3944]

I remember snow on christmas in Sarasota in the late 80s. It snowed till 2 feet off the ground then it turned to rain It was cool.

[@brianramsey3824]

Always love jim visits

[@petermuzslay3288]

Jim is one of the best gardeners i watch. I love his work! Preseverance Jim! (Peter from Hungary)

[@Lynninterrace]

Jim is one inspiring gardener 🇨🇦

[@toneyjohnson8910]

The garden looks great and I am learning so much about what to plant and interplant. i am doubling the garden this year. I also have been enjoying spinach, kale and swiss chard all winter with my eggs in the moring and in soups for lunch and dinner, thanks guys.

[@erinboehm3807]

Thanks, Pete! Love seeing what Jim is up to! He has the most incredible garden!!!

[@creative227]

Jim’s the ‘man!’ He’s my idol!

[@devatwell334]

Wish I had a better growing season here in nova scotia Canada! Good season guys hope all is well !

[@ahavarichardson5426]

Well, hello neighbors! I'm starting my Homestead gardens now! I have many of the same plants growing on here in zone 8b north central Florida, checking in! Moved a month ago and have been working on beds just like Jim! It's going to be great!

[@nathanwall8169]

Jim is a hero :) Always got nice educational videos. Always learning something new. 🌾🍓

[@pattyfoster6987]

Thanks Pete for sharing Jim’s yard. This is the best.

[@mayamachine]

This information from Jim Kovaleski is invaluable. I garden in Maine, was head gardener at a indigenous sanctuary in Maine. I also scythe, really want to meet Jim. Peace and thanks

[@aofferle1918]

intensive but low stress, all about it! cant wait to see all the small gardens popping up this spring

[@Constantinului]

Amazing one. Thank you dear brothers !

[@lewisrogers8699]

Love jim, keep up the updates!

[@ahenriquez1474]

Thanks so much for the updates!!

[@TheCutlerShoppe]

Nice thanks Pete for this update on Jim!

[@marygolucky]

Nice Gardens

[@maryanneanderson8902]

Thanks Pete for a great update on such a great farmer with his stress free farming/gardening . Way to go Jim 🙏🏼

[@acelticmiscellany]

Awesome guys, it´s paradise

[@username0623]

Thank you both for all the information.

[@jenn6838]

Great Jim update! It's always nice to see what he's learned and what he is willing to share with us.

[@beerooted8550]

Thank you Pete... I can listen to Jim all day

[@Justin-lx6ku]

Great job !

[@terriebirdcumminsjamison1368]

It’s such a delight to watch these videos. Thanks so much!

[@user-xv3zj6mo8u]

Jim looks even better with a beard. And the garden is just amasing.

[@missourigirl4101]

Always a fun pleasure seeing Jim and his babies

[@Angie-ci1lp]

Absolutely stunning!!!! God continue blessing JIM👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@nancytharp8213]

Thanks for sharing. Great ideas for multiple plantings in season. 😎🏖🏝

[@rostamkocholo]

Comment for Jim regarding fungal growth on brassica; Increase plant spacing, get rid of diseased leaves as they appear( lower leaves), and grow them in areas with better airflow.

[@elderberryjamz3654]

He already said he’s not willing to give up space, a fungal resistance variety is most likely the best option

[@rostamkocholo]

@@elderberryjamz3654 hi Jamz. While this seems like giving us space, but in reality he can grow onion or garlic among those plants, and I am suggesting adding 4-6 inches. Just enough for leaves not to touch each other or barely touching. Great point, I should have clear that on the beginning.

[@trishdavi7049]

Those broccoli are healthy otherwise...even the ugliest ones. I would be taking off the ugliest leaves. . Had broccoli overwinter in Canada the deer took all the leaves off but the broccoli came back. I agree get the ugly leaves gone so the spores don't blow onto the healthy leaves or other varieties

[@dixieboy5689]

Jim, dont forget us up here , in Downeast. Maine. Spring is coming early this year. Alewives will be running, fiddlehead ferns and asparagus and rhubarb will be up . Time to eat good. See you soon Pat Mt Tom Charlotte. Maine

[@audreybarnes6527]

Jim's seeders is awesome. When I make mine, I'll probably countersink the holes as my hands shake a bit.

[@PeteKanarisGreenDreamsFL]

Sweet!

[@Sheenasalesthriftytreasures]

Jim is so inspiring to me I’m watching A second time thank you for doing videos with him ps love your garden center

[@jonnyhawt8973]

30 degrees was the low there by the river in New Port Richey. 22 for me in Shady Hills. 29 at work for me in Palm Harbor with thick frost. Really wild how spotty the frost can be. Looks like his papyas survived. Mine are all toast. Wondering how the morninga did at his place.

[@lindamarie1696]

Oh! I LOVE this! Can you plant your whole yard with a garden instead of grass everywhere? We're planning on relocating from Minnesota to Alabama and am looking VERY forward to the longer GROWING SEASON! WOOT! If anyone on here lives around Birmingham, let me know. ☺️

[@Floridamanfoodforest]

I admire jims work as i can relate to working on my own for the most part, hearing him explain his reasoning for planting what why when and where can only be expressed through years of getting to know your plants, much noted Jim and pete thanks for the cotent! saving for the master class!

[@sambmendez2454]

Awesomeness 🤩🤩🤩!!!

[@Getawaymoments]

Awesome video. That freeze got my tomatoes too. Love Jim's attitude! I need that zen.

[@kirstinseaver3462]

Love hearing you talk of biodynamic gardening principles Jim... way to go !

[@Ohsnapski]

If this wasn’t in Florida I’d be impressed lmao. Even here in Pennsylvania I can have cold crops growing well into the second or third snow we get and they will survive underneath the snow if it melts in a day or so. This winter, through total utter neglect nearly all of my Kale survived the entire winter and are starting to grow again

[@lindagriffith9558]

I have been missing the Jim updates so Thank You so much Pete for making it so!!! I live in N Central FL and we had the same frost and our lettuces pushed right on through...Jims Regenerative Micro-Farm is truly inspirational and very informative for all who grow food on their own property and are able to sustain themselves and their fellow housemates be it family and or roomies/friends in so much nutricious, delishious, fresh and home grown, thus organically, again, thanks for shedding all this Light, Jim Pete and All who help make these vids happen!!!♥

[@vintagetrishgarden]

It's art Jim. Your plants eat frost for breakfast. Thanks for another great check-in, Pete.

[@nightflight41]

Hello Pete. I love how you incorporate those nice beats in your shows. You have an impressive and nice style about the way you do things. I think it works for you so never change your style never stop being who you are. That is how you bring peace Harmony and love to the planet. Grow on my brother grow on.

[@poodledaddles1091]

Thanks

[@ppt2038]

Pete as always I love you videos.

[@OriginalPiece17]

Legendary

[@thenj123]

I love those old Florida homes.

[@AlicatStyle]

Love the garden! Beautiful! Hello from Miami!

[@gardengirl7446]

LOVE 🧡 JIM

[@nalberto356]

What’s great garden and an awesome farmer! Jealous of your tomatoes in February, cheers from the PNW

[@FairyRosee_]

If Jim digs the soil blocks then I guess I'm finally on board with em too lol

[@PastorIhaza]

Beautiful Garden.... Would be great for kids to tour and learn gardening, too.

[@staceymccabe6199]

Just awesome….if I came to your area I would recognize your yard….love it! You are so hardworking…..

[@kitchenGardenofficalchannel027]

Hy🙋👍👍

[@robincorcoran343]

I m always loving to see this ! That yard is amazing - it s inspirational!👏🏼😀❤️ I garden on a small patio off my apartment in New England - see you at Tasty Tuesdays when I come to Fl in April!

[@crrc250]

Zone 8 Ga. Broccoli I started from seed, decicco, has no problems, didn't germinate that well but the plants that grew produced until a hot spell, I left a few to bloom for the bees. Yet a bundle I bought from my local farm store, all had spots badly just before forming heads. None of the other brassicia plants have it. Same food, in the same plot, protected with row cover while young, drip irrigation. After they made small heads, I pulled them out. Oh and plants had air, 2ft apart.

[@timdarmetko4039]

awesome :)

[@johnbrzenksforearm8295]

The only brassicas I ever worry about in the cold is broccoli and cauliflower. I grow mostly collards, cabbage and mustard greens and they go through several frost and at least one hard frost and do just fine. They taste way better growing in the cold.

[@matiasishere1487]

I just had a heavy frost Mar 13 2022 and my mustard got smoked. Covered baby broccoli with pine straw and some surviving.

[@schwam6]

great video pete, you should do a q/a or something with jim, would love to know what other gardeners he follows and that as he is always mentioning seeing other guys doing certain things, would be interesting to see who he follows and takes tips from. as always thank you pete!

[@naturegirl2873]

I wish I was his neighbor!

[@robertphillips9014]

Me and you both !

[@charlotteking8123]

Just what I needed. NPR is a little warmer than my area in Hudson; that previous weekend killed basil, volunteer tomatoes, all the bee-friendly "perennials" except Simpson Stopper including various salvias (Blue Porterweed is coming back from its base) and also fire bush. It was educational but heartbreaking. One winner was the Cape Honeysuckle, which is growing strongly along a fence now that it's warm again. My lettuces, broccoli and peas did OK but have bolted and I cut the last of them a few days ago (except for the peas). Beets got knocked back, turnips OK but aphids infested them, we'll see. I'm learning my microclimates but I want to plant tropicals in the warm spots.

[@seasidecreations4526]

👍☺️🌱🌻💜. Awesome Jim video (again). TY! Love the 🍅 crop he picked B4 frost. We had a little cold damage to 🥑 🍌 & ixoras. I did cover my toms. We have more critter issues 🐀🐇🦝🐿️. How does he keep his at bay? Thanks to these vids...we have a full on food forest now here in our #swfla yard. 1 part butterfly gardens, we just hatched our 110th monarch 🦋 #milkweed, we have 3 cocoons. Front is full veg garden, 30 🍅 growing now (from seed), other side fruit 🥑 🥭 🍍 🍌🥥🌴. Herbs-basil dill oregano chives and basil from seed all lived without covering. So did lettuces, micro greens & dandelions. My neighbors r loving your channel too! You are helping so many Floridians live their "green Dreams" ☺️💚🐸

[@TWBlack]

Tried planting my English Peas late last year since they can handle cold weather...but here in N.E. TN it finally killed them. What I should have done was planted them about Feb...then maybe they'd have been done before time to plant my green beans in my raised bed. Unfortunately a couple of years ago a late May hard freeze killed a peach tree and really inhibited my blueberries. We're get spring like temps right now but it still gets really cold at night...so I'm going to make a hoop house out of that raised box I guess. Need to get my greenhouse up for sure.

[@silencedflower8441]

I believe, as you stated, that this is caused by the fungus Alternaria brassicicol...

[@clivesconundrumgarden]

The stone wall traps the cold air. Frost flows like water. Cheers from Victoria Canada

[@thornhedge9639]

Based on the "1000 blocks takes 3 hours"; Jim's 25,000 blocks a year would only require 75 hours spread over the 3 different plantings each season. Which means not including making the blocks themselves, he needs 25 hours to seed the blocks for each planting. Sounds incredibly reasonable to me. Eight days of 3 -1/2 hours each. Just like eating an elephant; one bite at a time.

[@ronhart4166]

MR PETE, I know this question has a lot of variables. But I notice you guys installed overhead watering. So my question is how often does Jim water his garden?

[@chantallachance4905]

The celery is perennial I had some in my greenhouse Quebec zone 5

[@trishdavi7049]

Great to see Jim again Pete. Thanks is the mulch the same under the good broccoli as under the ugliest?

[@markw6609]

How does Jim bend the rebar for the tomatoes so evenly?

[@BonnieBlue2A]

There is a tool for that. It attaches to the back of a receiver hitch.

[@backwoodsbaby9729]

I'm going big this year. I'm starting seeds later today and I'm ordering 40 pounds of seed potatoes. 🙃 I'll lay down some paper then cover with compost and put the taters in there. I have 20 rows, 30 ft long for everything that doesn't get too big. The cabbages, Brussel sprouts, corn, okra and some beans are gonna be in the back yard tho.

[@marygolucky]

Hello

[@teresalindholm3166]

Hi I doing all my own planting and gardening my self love everything about it hands in the ground just would love get my hands on a sole block but were we live don't wet things like that love your sweet potatoes

[@jasonhatfield4747]

Your lettuce harvesting technique is what Charles Dowding does.

[@jn-xs9ug]

Great update! So he never uses BTs or spinosad? Thats amazing, especially for his location!!! What brand of seed does Jim use for his veggies? Is it all the same Brand...from mail away seed companies or local? Could you do another Video on what exactly grows in his area best? Does he save seed using Heirlooms or are they all like F1 Hybrids that are more disease resistant? Thx!!!

[@karlstruhs3530]

build a greenhouse on your house. the heat of the house will keep it from freezing. your tomatoes in winter keep a small beehive for your pollinators make sure to plant some buckwheat for the bees.