Gardening To Hedge Against Inflation, War, Food Security, Shortages, Insanity

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If you agree with the message in this video, please "like" the video and share it to get the message out. If we all take just a few baby steps toward self-sufficiency, when we add them all together, we'll have traveled miles together!

[@FIP60B30T]

Fruit trees are wonderful but take time to get to maturity. Growing your own food gives options for varieties that are not commercial available. In spirit of this video: can you make another one to tell people some cost effective things to grow for this year? I'm thinking herbs, tomatoes, radish, carrots, cucumbers and if one has the space some pumpkin/squash, melon etc.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

@@FIP60B30T I can try to outline some ideas. What I can tell you is this: there is a reason why I focused on building my fig trees and citrus trees first, and that's because they fruit within one year's time. The other fruits: apples, pears, peaches, plums, pawpaws, persimmons...they often take 3-5. Get the fast-fruiting plants ASAP, and build the others around it. That way, you can actively harvest the fast-fruiters while the others mature.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

@@yeelahowah7476 I think in terms of neighborhoods, that is a great plant. If everyone on a street planted things, we could all share. I certainly have plenty to go around during harvests!

[@Mrbfgray]

Let's be clear--it wasn't the extra bad flue it was *our insane response to it* that caused ALL the grief and consequences.

[@Mrbfgray]

Another thing to keep in mind, the 90's were the exception, easy peasy, not normal, 2000's to 2020 almost as easy. Pick any other decade in history and it's war, (and/or) inflation, market crashes, and a dozen "pandemics" in the last 40 odd yrs.

[@SCRT]

Literally to the 1% ‍who's reading this, God bless you, an‍‍d ‍may your dreams co‍me true,‍ sta‍y safe and have a wonde‎rful‍ day. 💕‍

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Same to you! Thanks for watching!

[@carmellayates2503]

Thank you , same to you

[@conorknorr1926]

God bless you

[@MegaTattoo69]

Yeah, God's really blessing all of those Ukrainian' right now that believe in him 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤔🤔🤔 Not so much!🥰🥰🥰

[@MegaTattoo69]

@@conorknorr1926 abracadabra! Allah be praised! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 You know Allah is the only one true God, right? Just kidding there are no such thing as gods!!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@josiahmoeller8821]

Probably the greatest KZbin video of the year! I’m 27 and all of the reasons that you mentioned are precisely why began gardening in early 2020. I thank God for channels like yours and this gardening community here on KZbin. Without y’all it would’ve been a lot harder starting out with absolutely NO knowledge of growing anything. Thanks so much!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

So glad to see a 20-something gardening! We need as many as we can get! The whole reason I started this channel was because I used to love watching Gary Pilarchik's videos. I thought to myself, wow, it's that easy, huh? Just grab a camera and film what you're doing? Alright, I'll try it and see what happens. My point: you'll never find what you love if you don't try new things!

[@KlairedeLysOfficial]

I've been saying this for years, but especially since the pandemic started, back in the good old days when my only worry was job-ending illness. Annoyingly, I've come to the conclusion that most people will dally right up until the hunger pangs hit. Growing food should be basic education for everyone, not just a novel way to pass time.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Unfortunately, I agree with you. Life has been so good for so long that so many think, "It'll never happen to me." And when it does, they're completely unprepared. Gardening is at best an insurance policy with food security that could sustain life through a crisis. At worst, you'll get some fresh air and exercise, and you can reduce your grocery bills some. Either way, you win, so why not do it?

[@crazyclown2650]

Another thing that I have found since I have been alive vs when my grandparents were around is the amount of waste that people allow now. In the 1930's and through the 1960's when my grandparents were around, nothing ever got wasted.

[@annakramar5088]

Agree. It's the opposite now days. We have become a throw away society, because products & clothing are so cheap to buy & more expensive to repair.

[@DimaculanganPunch]

I grew up in the philippines, where my grandfather has a whole lots of fruit trees all over, lanzones, rambutan, jackfruit, guyabano, avocado, dragonfruits, santol, pineapples, and many many more. He also had areas where theres vegetables, peas. We had coffee trees, cacao trees. My grandmother took care of the rose/orchids palms garden area. I now live in the PNW for most of my life. Indoor plants is all I could do right now. I cant afford a house yet. But best believe that once I get a yard, i will not waste one area for nothing. I will grow fruit trees, avocado tree, create microclimate that will support some tropical plants in the PNW. Thank you for being an inspiration. I am a nurse at a hospital, most my focus goes through that, but once i have enough money to afford a house, I will use your teachings and other people's advice on growing plants, the way my grandparents did when I was a kid.

[@lisakukla459]

I live in a camper in a parking lot, but I was able to grow the biggest harvest of my life in someone else's yard. Plus my dog got to run around all day with her dog in a different section of the yard, and I got to enjoy a very well behaved and exhausted dog when we got back home. 🙂 I hope this encourages and inspires you. You don't have to wait until you own property to start practicing now. Surely there's someone out there who would let you use their unused space in exchange for a small sample of what you grow. Lots of people would really enjoy just being able to look out their window and see all the beautiful growth and life instead of boring grass for a change. You're a nurse - you're no stranger to creative solutions! Best of luck, friend. 💚

[@texgal4928]

This is one of your best videos! You have verbalized all the same things that have been on my mind lately. Thanks for sharing your thought and suggestions. They will be an encouragement to others in the coming months. Gardening is rewarding in so many ways. We need to help others to feel empowered and not fearful. I’ll be sharing this video to help do that in my own circle.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you. I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed it. It's so important that we all understand we can do *something.* Even small steps are steps forward, and when everybody takes a few small steps, they add up to miles.

[@billytingen3567]

My compliments for your positive and uplifting encouragement. It's a Beautiful thing when someone that has a Great platform uses it to bring hope and inspiration in difficult times. I applaud you my friend!!!!! You have inspired me. I have stepped out of the box and placed my feet on luscious green grass and it feels Magnificent. I have just added grapes to my small orchard area. Best Regards!!!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm really happy to hear that. All these comments are so uplifting that I guess I need to make these sorts of videos more often! All I ever intended to do with this platform is inspire. The truth is, we can all do something to make things a little easier, and to me, gardening is just the most uplifting thing you can do.

[@suziet6176]

Definitely agree with you! Plus knowing how you grow your own food (free of pesticides) is better than buying processed foods, or canned foods from the grocery store. Plus, watching food grow in your own backyard gives you a fulfilling happiness. Thanks for sharing! ❤️❤️❤️

[@TheMillennialGardener]

One thing you’ll never find in an grocery store: a tomato that tastes good. That’s a reason alone to grow your own! Thanks for watching!

[@ChefCrys01]

Plant trees that provide food. I say this everytime I see a new development being built. They put standard, cheap trees in front of every house instead of something productive. Loved this video. Thank you for encouraging people to grow food.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I can understand why public landscaping trees cannot be fruit trees, since they can make quite a mess all over the streets and sidewalks, but there should at least be an option. Do you want a fruit tree landscaping package, or do you want an ornamental landscaping package? It's a shame it isn't an option. I declined all my landscaping, because I wanted to do it myself.

[@sueperkins8853]

I love all your videos but this one was outstanding. I am reminded of the Victory Gardens of my parents' generation. It was good to hear you mention food preservation, especially canning. I am planting sugar snaps and potatoes tomorrow (zone 8a) and it makes me feel like I am taking a small step in the face of crisis.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandmother. She did not have cable, so all we had was NBC, CBS, FOX, WHYY and PBS. I remember the show "The Victory Garden" that came on right after The Joy Of Painting. I used to watch it all the time. I think it had an impact on me 😅 I literally just put my sugar snap pea seeds in on Wednesday!

[@lisakukla459]

I love this. Thank you for putting this energy out there. It's exactly what we need when people are afraid and the future uncertain. Solidarity with the people of Ukraine. 💚

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you. That's what this is all about - a little stability in an unstable world is worth its weight in gold. When you're hungry, all that stuff we thought had value turns out to be pretty worthless.

[@tricka72]

Ty! I've been saying this for awhile. Everyone can and should grow something for themselves. We expanded our gardens last year and more than doubled our planting space, our front yard included. Our small property is now 75% garden / fruit trees and bushes.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Exactly. You don't have to be self-sufficient in everything. Just be self-sufficient in something. Don't try and replace all your food. Try to replace 5% of your food, and if you love doing it, you can incrementally grow. And, that's 5% less spent at the store!

[@kristinecampbell5585]

Watched a few of your videos in the past few days. THIS video made me a subscriber. I'm 55, so not a millennial, but new to gardening. Keep getting the message out and thank you for all your great knowledge!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm glad it spoke to you. Hopefully, the message reaches others. I really appreciate you subscribing.

[@michaelbroome6603]

Great stuff! I have a yard about the same size as yours. I only started gardening seriously last year, I have 3 6x12 beds, 1 3x16, 1 4x8 and about 60 fabric pots of different sizes as well as 2 compost piles, 1 leaf mulch pile and a shredded wood pile. I am in the midst of working out a water catchment system, my house does not have gutters. I am in my mid 60s and it is bloody hard work! And I am enjoying every minute of it ;-) I am an expat living in East TN. I intend to expand as quickly and intelligently as I can. Meanwhile, about the lawn, I let it grow 1 or 2 feet tall before I cut it, lots of grass mulch and green for the compost through the summer and fall. Sorry to whitter on so much. Keep up the great work, I am an avid fan. Siochain.

[@portermetcalfjr4209]

One of your best videos. Stay strong, stay physically well, be in and stay faithful in Christ for this too shall pass to a better world to come that knows none of these threats or challenges in this often flawed and fragile life.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you. I don't pray much, but I actually found myself praying last night for the people overseas. Hopefully, when this all ends, we come back stronger from it. We have had it so good for so long that we think it can't happen to us.

[@jedd.5407]

Gardening will take a lot of stress off of you! Like you can take it out on the dandelions, and weeds! AND ALWAYS pet your PUPPY! “I’d really LOVE a mean tweet, full grocery shelves and $1.43 a gallon gas right now!”

[@ginavandam735]

Thanks for lifting our minds with all the positive energy😀👍💕 This is exactly what we are doing..every little space and even growing in containers on the fence. Big watertank to collect rainwater. Not to forget what grows in the wild like berries and mushroms etc. Herbes for medicinal purpus . It's free and it grows everywhere. We live only 40 min by plane from the warzone..uncomfortably near. We have to grow -not only for ourselves but also for all refugees coming now. Families that had to leave everything behind...Everything but the clothes they were wearing...hard times are acoming... Greetings from Sweden🇸🇪

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Oh my God. Please stay safe. I'm so worried about you all over there. The US is so isolated that we think it can't happen here, but it just isn't true. It's amazing how all those things we thought were so important suddenly become meaningless in times of real trouble.

[@lauraposton4464]

Please take care and if you come into contact with refugees let them know America is praying for them

[@mariap.894]

This is why I love you, because you have a kind heart, because you care and for that I hope you and your loved ones are always happy and in good health. Hugs to Dale 💜💙💚❤🧡💛🤗 Thank you!🤗

[@TheMillennialGardener]

My dream is for a world where everyone with some dirt to grow something in it. It has done so much to change my life and fix my mental health that I can't even describe it. There's just something about it. I don't know if it's the reconnecting with nature, the fresh air and sunshine, the accomplishment of the harvest or knowing that you gave something life, but I want it for others. I'd be so lost and depressed in the rat race without this. And I want it for others. Thanks so much for watching!

[@mariap.894]

@The Millennial Gardener Your 2 requests are granted. Shared and 👍 liked! Keep 😃 smiling!💜💙💚❤🤗

[@everettmcdonald2088]

What an excellent video. I’ve been growing food in my garden for 50 years because I enjoy it. Now with the prices and poor quality of produce at the store, I find myself adding more fruits and berries in my landscape, even tucking in vegetables wherever I can outside the garden. Thank you I think I have found a kindred spirit.

[@CapeFearDragon]

Thank you for saying how useless lawns are. Unfortunately, too many people live in housing developments that dictate what they can and can't do in their own yards. I'm fortunate not to be one of those people, but I wasted too much money and labor for too many years growing something that gives me zero return on my investment until one day I finally realized how stupid it was. Because of this, I have a special hatred for azaleas now. There are tons of beautiful plants that produce some kind of edible crop. As you say, grow as much as you can in whatever space you have.

[@boinerz]

Well done, you! Your message is wise, enthusiastic, positive and inspiring, and very much on point for our times. Your message here is, like all else I've seen you do, well thought out. There is an additional benefit to what you are suggesting: gardening itself is a stress reliever. My garden is my Zen. No matter how troubled I am about what's going on in the world or my own little problems, that melts away when I'm in my garden. Again, well done!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That's the primary reason I garden over everything else: peace of mind. It is a distraction that keeps my mind off everything else. All the problems of the world go away when I'm doing my "gardening thing." Everything else - the better quality food, the fresh air and exercise, the food security, the added value to the property itself - that's all just a bonus. There are so many mental and physical health benefits to gardening that I could drone on for hours. Everyone should have their own gardening space, because it really is a life-saver in so many ways.

[@codyanjilleelott7619]

So many great ideas! I've always hated trying to keep my grass looking green. I would rather take that energy and focus it on tending to plants I can eat from!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Exactly. Lawns do nothing but take from us. Fruit trees give back! Many of us need some open space for personal reasons, so even I will be keeping much of my lawn (mostly for my pup Dale), but we certainly can do with less of it. I used to *hate* mowing my lawn when I first moved in, but now I have removed so much of it between my garden and edible landscaping that it takes less than half the time it took to mow when I first moved in...and I'm not done, yet!

[@noreenworrell9524]

Well said I am in a Master Gardener class and ninety percent of the class is growing flowers. But I have increased in three years from 3 raised beds to 15 and my freezer still have food that was frozen from 2021. Thanks again I just shared this video on Facebook

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Every fruit was once a flower - I guess I grow a lot of flowers, too 😅 You're doing it right - incremental progress is the best kind. It isn't overwhelming and it's totally manageable, and when you look back a few years from now, you'll be in awe of the progress.

[@quenuk]

Thought provoking & relevant to the uncertain times that are upon us. Thank you for encouraging me to re-evaluate how I can better utilize my growing spaces. 👍🏻

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm glad to hear it got the gears turning! Definitely look into the sunny spaces in your yard that get at least 6 hours of sunlight and see how you can use them to your advantage.

[@svarghese9424]

Oh I forgot to tell you that I planted 26 different type of Figs in my villa at Dubai after seeing your video. I got my second fruit season in an year. Thanks for your encouragement and videos

[@KJV7154]

Wow! ok I'm going to get more figs now. Thanks

[@angelaburrell-lewis2955]

Preach it brother , I hear you. I have been maximizing my garden gradually over the last 2 years. Trying to convert my husband's thinking.

[@TerryeToombs]

My husband and I bought property about 4 years ago that we are slowly turning into a food forest. We have one criteria for any plant that grows here: it has to provide food or attract beneficial. The running joke when we're at a garden center and I get excited over a new plant, my husband's only question is, "Can I eat it?!"

[@carmellayates2503]

I'm so pleased with watching you today . Tank you

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I appreciate you watching!

[@FosterFarmsOk]

thanks for posting this. we have to encourage more and more people to start growing their own food. even if its just a few % of their needs. Just ordered more soybeans ive been needing to get

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Exactly! Don't aim for 100% food replacement. It's an insurmountable task. Aim for 5% food replacement. If you love it, expand to 10%. If you don't, hey, that's 5% less you're spending at the store!

[@cfbx-lx7216]

Great video !! we've a garden for 35 years now, and when you pick your own fruits, vegetables, when you preserve it for winter, it's impossible to be happy with grocery products and stop gardening. Thanks for your channel. Greetings from Europe

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It's true! During the growing season, I pretty much just use the grocery store for meat, eggs and dairy. If only my HOA allowed chickens, I'd be able to scratch eggs off the list, but you can't have it all I guess. Thank you for watching! Stay safe.

[@lindapertusati7990]

This has to be one of your best, informative and practical videos I have watched. Thank you for sharing this.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm so happy to hear that. I had zero plan with this video and just spoke from the heart, so I'm happy to hear it rang true. I hope it inspires some to take action, no matter how big or how small.

[@Avemarianow]

Yes! Right on!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I appreciate you watching!

[@Avemarianow]

Thanks be to God I listened to my parents & grand parents on how they lived and survived war & the Great Depression!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

The old saying is that nobody has ever regretted being too prepared.

[@Avemarianow]

@@TheMillennialGardener yes and how can you stay safe if your not prepared! We need to be ready spiritually too! 🙏 📿

[@imogenbegns]

Great video. Careful with growing things close to your house without a soil test. Depending on the age of your house there could be lead or other heavy metals in the soil, that you really want to avoid.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I had my house built in September 2018, so I know it is all clean fill. I’ve spent 4 years composting and mulching my perimeter beds, and they grow surprisingly well! My general thoughts are anything you grow in your yard is going to be cleaner than even the best organic produce in the grocery stores. If your plants are healthy and doing well, your soil should be fine. Otherwise, your plants would be sick.

[@aquaseahorselove3939]

That’s my problem. My house is almost 70 years old. I have a sunny area and perfect spot next to my house, but I decided not to take the chance so I chose to create a tropical garden there instead with booming flowers to attract pollinators. I have the vegetable garden beds out across from it. Unfortunately my neighbors oak trees give too much shade in my yard so I can’t get that 6 to 8 hours some plants need. My winter garden just did spectacular though since greens don’t need as much sunlight.

[@backyardfarmingwithashley]

Thanks for posting! I started growing more when this whole thing started. Last year we invested in more fruit trees. And yes we need to embrace gardening again it's more than just food security it's also therapeutic.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If there is one bright spot to the pandemic, it is that it created a lot of new gardeners. Hopefully, we can keep spreading the message, because we need more. It is the greatest therapy on earth. I know I never feel more at peace than when I’m out there.

[@backyardfarmingwithashley]

@@TheMillennialGardener absolutely!

[@Lvaladez114]

Faith. Keep the faith. Support your local farmers' farmer's market and grow something. It may look dark, but we will come through it to a bright future. Don't look to the lie a vision. Seek out truth.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Stay safe and spread the word. If we all grow something, our neighborhoods could feed us all.

[@shaysummers3520]

Totally agree with you! After spending hours working in my yard, I was frustrated with the "lack of return" and decided to move toward an edible landscape. There are so many beautiful plants that are edible to replace the defaults offered up by landscapers. And a slightly tangential question: I ordered purple asparagus crowns (purple passion)--do the ferns grow purple, too?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Exactly. If you're going to spend all that time pruning, mulching and mowing, spend the time on something that loves you back. Ornamental plants just take, take, take from you. Fruits and vegetables give back, and fruit tree blooms are often more beautiful than the ornamentals! The purple asparagus has green ferns. They look identical to green types.

[@shaysummers3520]

@@TheMillennialGardener Truth! Thanks for answering about the ferns. A little purple tinge would have been awesome, but I can't wait for purple asparagus!

[@BethOvertonCPMmidwife]

Thank you so much for this timely much needed message!!!! I'm 68 years old, raised by parents who survived the great depression. But I am teaching myself tto garden for the first time in my life. I just wish I had started years ago!

[@simplesimon755]

This was a great video. The recent events have really worried me. In a way, I think it stirred up all those Cold War anxieties that I grew up with. I'm hoping to make this my first year as a gardener and now I feel a genuine sense of urgency about it that I didn't feel before. Thank you for all the lessons and encouragement from your videos. I will be scouring your videos for info about places from which to buy seeds and maybe some fruit plants because I know you have made some recently. Thanks again.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I’m glad to hear you’re thinking about giving gardening a shot. Start slow, and don’t get in too far too fast. Focus on accumulating small victories, because I guarantee you, you will be hooked on the successes and want to see what else you can do! And you CAN do it! It is a magical thing knowing you’re creating life, and that life you create loves you back by giving you food to sustain yours. It is the ultimate circle of life.

[@heavymechanic2]

Everything you say about having a high maintenance decorative yard is true and a HOA complicates the issue.. Before the shutdown, I expanded our vegetable garden and purchased a second deep freezer. I joined a gardening group discussing fruit trees and started reforesting our land by removing an overgrowth of trees and brambles. I'm in zone 6B and have planted Pome & Stone fruit trees, blueberry bushes, and just acquired thornless blackberry bushes and a hardy kiwi start. I also have a start up honeybee apiary for pollination services as my neighbor has issues with 20+ beehives next door to his farmland.. Learning to garden is an acquired skill, many people struggle growing; I respect Katie's Crops for her efforts at teaching our youth valuable life skills.

[@amysnipes4245]

A very welcome post. Thank you.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for watching!

[@traxmom]

Thank you for being such a positive influence in the world. Be the change you want to see, right? :)

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Exactly! This channel will always be about trying to recruit new gardeners. The more of us we have growing our own food in this world, the better off we'll all be. Imagine a world where no one is afraid of starving. Boy, would that fix a lot of problems!

[@stewartj1966]

Love the message! Started my garden last year along with a few fruit trees and I am so happy about it! Your knowledge and your message is much appreciated!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm so happy to hear that! You are going to be amazed at everything in another year or two. When I look at photos of my dead, sandy, empty yard in October 2018 and look at it now, it's pretty magical. Thank you for watching!

[@sylvia10101]

Thank you MG! 😊This is such great help👍

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful. I think now, more than ever, we need to prepare for that "rainy day."

[@christinebrooks6364]

Hi, Thank you for sharing your videos. I love utube as we can watch how others grow with lots of ideas and support, too. My hubby and I have a plot each on an allotment site for 7 years and love growing. We are still learning every Year 🙂 stay safe and take care 🙂

[@barbour121]

Great video. I thought I was going over board with the fruit trees, berry bushes and seeds, but I'm glad I listened to my gut and invested in my future

[@TheMillennialGardener]

One one has ever regretted being over-prepared or having too much food. Having the ability to live off the land and choosing not to is way better than the opposite situation! If you're going to plant a tree, make it one that feeds you 🍎

[@MadScientistSoap]

Working as fast as I can. I have all my fig cuttings going in this weekend and have a grape orchard started.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Outstanding! Just make sure you slow down here and there and take in all the progress. Starting your own orchard is, in my opinion, one of the most rewarding things you can do. Seeing old photos of my yard today versus what it was 3 years ago is just amazing, and it has only just begun. Make sure you savor the fruits of your labor - literally and figuratively!

[@ricbitsanimation8766]

Your video is a year old and this inflation is getting worse day by day. I am from the Philippines and started gardening seriously 5 months ago on a 120 square meter roof top and it helps supplements foods to my family. I do really appreciate your advices about self sufficiency specially in this hard times. Inflation here up to this day is really insane and most of fellow Filipinos literally have no space to grow food that is why most of us here are very dependent to cheap and unhealthy processed food or instant food like ramen or canned sardines for each meal which is worth 6% to 10% of their daily minimum wage, not including 2 kilos of rice worth a less than 2 USD for a whole day. I thank you for this wonderful advice. Your video is the one that I have been searching for many weeks now, How to manage this inflation with gardening and self sufficiency.

[@bloodyhelldamn]

I too am in nc i just brought another greenhouse for vegetables and tools. I also planning for shortages.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I wish I could have a high tunnel. Maybe one day if land becomes affordable again 😌 That is fantastic. I wish you the best of luck!

[@creativegirlhomestead]

Well said! Go Captain Dale! 🐕 Thank you for sharing! Blessings! 😊❤️🌱

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you for watching! I appreciate it! Dale says hi!

[@creativegirlhomestead]

😁

[@CB-sr8ee]

Not to minimize any of the seriousness of this video because everything you said is SUPER important, but that cute little asparagus spear popping out of the ground just brought me so much joy!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That's what gardening is about. Every time a bud breaks, every time a seed germinates, every time a flower turns into a fruit - it's a victory. Every year, some things fail, but there are literally thousands of victories. It's the most uplifting thing in the world, because we win so much!

[@NnekaOchonogor]

Going full on this season!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm glad to hear that. There's nothing better than having your own supply of fresh food.

[@Mark4WorldPeace]

Indeed I shopped Aldi and Another store today Tragically prices are skyrocketing on food.Especially Meat and Fish.Eggs and dairy also If affordable and available stock up One might not see prices like this again Pet food prices also way up Seems dry goods also Farmers are seeing huge increase in fertilizer and feed costs It may force many to surrender Bottom line…. find what’s sustainable to buy for produce Try to grow more if possible There will be challenging options Sending Light from MN

[@TheMillennialGardener]

My precious Cafe Bustelo, after being out of stock for over 1 month at Aldi, went from $2.88 to $3.49. It has been $2.88 for years 😠 Make fun of me if you wish, but Cafe Bustelo makes AMAZING cold brew! I am thanking God I stocked up on all that fertilizer in September. I don''t know how people can absorb these prices. It's just insane. Whatever is happening, I know we'll come out stronger on the other side, but I'm afraid how long the tunnel is. Sending love from NC.

[@Mark4WorldPeace]

@@TheMillennialGardener Fortunately many people are shopping wiser and living with more sustainable habits.Including what they choose to eat.In many cases less and Healthier.The poor and marginalized will continue to suffer so people NEED to share.I bet it makes excellent C.Brew

[@etiennelouw9244]

Great video, I started my veggie garden in 2021, I planted 6 trees, Mulberry, Lemon, Fig, Guava, Avo and Moringo, with Cape Gooseberries as well. I had a great harvest for a starter garden and I agree with you. I believe in Cape Town, South Africa it is going to get really bad.

[@johnfrancis6940]

My biggest issue is shade… I live in an area of wilmington that kept all the large live and turkey oaks. Also, the sun we do get is pretty limited due to the orientation of the house. We are changing out the front flower bed that was meant to keep the yard from sliding into the drainage ditch. We are going to do sweet potatoes so that they can vine down the hill into the ditch, with medicinal plants in the bed. I kinda want to do okra there as well, like a hedge.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Sweet potatoes make a really good cover crop. So do strawberries. Sunlight can definitely be an issue. Have you considered removing some of the trees or branches to get a little more light? I would avoid trying to remove live oaks since they're such majestic trees, but some of the lesser oaks and pines I'd have no issue taking out or trimming to allow more light. Worst case, landscaping around the front yard with fruit trees and fruiting shrubs where it may be sunnier is a good solution.

[@cubanmama4564]

Great video! I live in Southern suburban California where land is so expensive that a 2500 sq ft house on a 60 x 100 ft lot is now selling for more than 1.5 million $$$$$. So we plant in flower beds, bags, 5 gallon buckets, and between the citrus and avocado trees in the front of the house.

[@sunshinetampa7434]

This is an awesome video, I couldn't have said it louder than this. I've been telling family and friends the exact same thing. Grass serves no purpose. I hate the fact that people live in subdivisions and cannot plant fruit trees or just scared to because of fees when there is an alternative like you said of switching unless hedges to edible food. My niece just closed on her house and we're going fruit tree shopping to plant for the future. Thank you for your video!!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I understand many folks want or need a lawn. However, you can't tell me that some of those useless landscaping bushes can't be replaced with a fruit-bearing bush or dwarf fruit trees. There are so many gorgeous, flowering fruit trees that look stunning as landscaping *and provide food security,* and they can be arranged in a way that take up little space. Whether you landscape with them around your house, make it as a perimeter privacy hedge, plant them against a fence, etc., there are ways you can have a productive garden that is 100% invisible to the untrained eye.

[@ryanrex297]

Great video and subject. It’s fair to say most of us who grow fruit and vegetables feel that need to plant and save in times like these. Keep planting y’all and we’ll be alright.

[@svarghese9424]

If you have a backyard, all should grow we should practice start planting our own food as much as possible

[@mattbarker4921]

Great words of encouragement. I'm planning on expanding my current garden setup.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Excellent. It never hurts to have too much growing, let me tell you 😅

[@barbaracarbone4658]

Thanks for this video. You spoke very positively. Growing our food is something we need to get back into. .. Dear Dale was doing his job!! Lol. 🐺💞🍅

[@Avemarianow]

I have seedlings all over my house right now🙏💚🙏

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That's good. Don't forget to add some grafted fruit trees. Most seedling fruit trees take 7-10 years to fruit, but grafted trees will only take 1-3 years, because they're taken from mature, fruiting trees.

[@Avemarianow]

@@TheMillennialGardener I have one of your fig CDN as well as 20 others I’m hoping they take root! I have different Berries waiting in my garage to be planted too! When is the best time for them in 6a zone?

[@Avemarianow]

@@TheMillennialGardener I ordered dwarf doughnut peach nectarine tree but not sure if they were grafted.

[@lulasalem1250]

I'm happy to say that I have successfully killed my front grass lawn, and back. The front will become a meadow, and the entire back will be a vegetable garden. I only eat what I grow, having had a farm, and know all about pesticides, both in soil and on produce. Love this video

[@richarddetriquet9642]

Excellent video! Our agricultural production and delivery system will collapse soon.,..... only a matter of time. We have gone from small family self sufficient farms to an industrial farm system. Locally sourced, nutrient dense food is hard to find. Children are raised without any knowledge of growing anything. The waste of fossil fuels in gas and fertilizer is incredible. Getting rid of lawns and learning to grow and can food is a great first step. Thanks for getting the word out!

[@momx4571]

This video is so on point. Thanks for the much needed information. If you have family, friends and neighbors with any green spaces ask them if you can have a small space to grow the basics. Start with Lettuce , tomato’s and cucumbers or just your favorite veggie’s. Most people would be happy to have food growing in their yards to share in. Talk to people in your circle and start growing circles. Someone in the circle will be interested in canning and can teach others in the circle to can. I have seen videos of people in inner cities with containers gardens in their apartment.

[@conniedavidson1807]

This is such an important message for everyone. I hope others get their first garden plants growing this year.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! I appreciate you watching!

[@russbowman6801]

For lawns, use clippings to grow worms. Yes, we put in pears, apples, satsuma oranges, berry bushes of all kinds, peaches, lemons, strawberries, and it is very nice to pick our own.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Excellent! Thanks for watching!

[@josephpitch9648]

Great Idea's .stay safe from New Jersey

[@TheMillennialGardener]

My old home! I was born and raised in Atlantic County!

[@josephpitch9648]

morris county @@TheMillennialGardener

[@fastcars7835]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video, i live in a small town house in Florida and i have fruit trees and i grow vegetables as well, all in pots, people walk by and look at me like am crazy 🤣 but no excuse people need to start growing and saving seeds. Thank you again and great videos, happy gardening.

[@sharonloves]

Gardening is not a band wagon, that is for me gardening is a way of life. Taking a carrot that has sprouted and putting it a glass of water then planting it in my yard is intuitive. My parents instilled in me that life is continuous. Almost every vegetable can be sprouted and used. I live on acreage now but while living in an apartment I had an avocado tree, onion, peppers , tomatoes and various herbs growing on my fire escape. Everything in life goes up and down, the idea of uncertainty will come and grow, but what I find most beneficial is to live by example through my children and friends. I share my harvest leave it out in boxes in front of my house. I give thanks in all things and strive to be better everyday. Be well.

[@christines2787]

We have a beautiful hedge that is cold hearty tea. My front yard has a striking bed of Amaranth. Huge red plumes. Beans are easy to grow and are prolific

[@marshabalderrama8903]

I agree. Inflation is all up very high. What is this country turning to?🙄😖

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Whether it's temporary or here to stay, it pays big dividends to assume it is permanent and to be a little prepared. Being able to eat off your own yard is certainly a weight off our shoulders.

[@theorangevestarmy4255]

A few friends & I have been into gardening since we we're kids, embraced the Back to basics lifestyle in the 80's, still living the good life here on the farm, growing heirloom feed corn, raising hogs, chickens, goats, gardening, fishing, crabbing and lots of hunting, food security is a way of life, God speed! 🍉🍅🫑🌶🥒🐖🐐🦌👍

[@acidnut]

I have a fairly small backyard and have many fruit trees in high density format. I have been saying " I only have one more spot for a fruit tree." After three years and about 20 trees later, I still have a spot for one more. lol

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Right on! The only dangerous amount is *none!* If that one spot ever truly becomes one spot, hey, there's always grafting!

[@S.Kay.Steffy]

Great video with great suggestions.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@TearDrop455]

Totally On Target!! We’re starting a garden , the first time in a very long time 😊

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That is wonderful to hear! I love nothing more than hearing someone say they're starting a garden or planting a fruit tree for the first time, or the first time in a long time. If everyone takes this little step, we will all be so much less reliant on grocery stores. Congrats!

[@pamelabamfield928]

Thank you for saying that, you are so right I hope people taking this seriously 🙏 I live in a town home and I plant all my vegetables I'm not good at it yet but I'm learning, with your help,

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Every year, we get better and better. I still have a lot to figure out, myself. Savor the victories and learn from the mistakes. There are no failures if you learn from them.

[@jerseygirl5486]

Very wise advice! Just yesterday, I was researching what I can grow along my fence line. Thanks so much for an amazing video 🌱🎋🪴🍃

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@pondholloworchards]

This time 2 years ago I had seven acres of lawn nowadays only have 4 acres of lawn with 3 acres planted for food forest. More to come. Thanks for the video

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That's incredible. A 3 acre food forest! 😯 I'll tell you what, if you have a 3 acre food forest for your family, you earned your lawn! 😂

[@gabinodelacruz8946]

Excellent video. Thank you!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! Thanks so much for watching!

[@Danielsanchez-zr7hc]

I have a small plot of land as well, front yard; 2 apple trees 2 peach trees 3 fig trees 7 blueberry shrubs 2 grape vines. Backyard 3 fig trees 1 peach tree 2 grape vines 4 honeyberry trees 2 Raspberry bushes and around 25 different fig trees on the back deck. Plus a little garden for veggies. Wife says I have a problem but she doesn't complain in the summer when we can walk outside and eat off the land.

[@annakramar5088]

Wow! impressive garden. I think I would sit under the trees & eat all day.🪑

[@steveo_o6707]

So true!! Thanks for the encouraging words

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're very welcome. Thank you for watching!

[@we_want_chilli_willy]

Awesome video my man, I just planted 10 fruit trees in my ¼ acre yard this week taking my total fruit producing plant and trees to 44. Hard times are coming people. Be prepared.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

OUTSTANDING! Fruit trees are the ultimate insurance policy. Best case, you'll save money on your food bill for superior quality produce. Worst case, it may be a lifesaver if bad stuff happens.

[@SiriusScientist]

Excellent video! I think the best point is not to wait until you have the vision of “ideal” in your head, but to start where you are now, with the resources you have available. We started gardening in a small basement apartment in Pennsylvania with a single tomato plant in a container that we purchased from a box store. Not ideal, but it taught me things and I even got a few bonus tomatoes as a reward for those lessons. Fast forward to another tiny apartment in downtown Boston and I expanded to greens, tomatoes, bunching onions, chives, peppers, herbs, and other container friendly plants instead of house plants. A couple two foot window box planters from the box store can provide greens and micro tomatoes that have a short harvest time. Gardening is an ever changing adventure, and your reward is more than just the food you grew yourself, it’s also the knowledge and peace of mind that you can, no matter what the scale of that garden looks like right now. Community plots are also a great resource for those interested in expanding their growing potential when living in a city (they are extremely popular all around Boston). If you want to give starting seeds a try, check out your local Facebook gardening page, or your local library. Many libraries here offer free seeds, or host a free seed swap. We now have the luxury of a house and a significantly larger growing space and did exactly as you recommended-pulling a lot of the useless monoculture/landscaping or invasive bushes in favor of plants that also produce food, like blueberry bushes. We are lucky and now live in a “right to farm” town now, north of Boston MA, where home gardening is actively encouraged. I do still keep a few containers growing inside year round (not to mention my recently discovered fig obsession). I’m in the bucket with the oldest of the millennials, about to turn 40, and missed out on years of experience growing when I thought I was too busy, but that one tomato plant was the spark I needed and I hope this video helps others make that same realization.

[@Scottyrock1000]

Great channel and great message. I just found and subbed you today July 2nd. and already things have become so much worse. I am 62 and starting to garden again for all the right reasons.

[@conniegibson904]

Thank you for taking the time to do this video. I've just recently found your channel and absolutely love it!!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad the video was helpful and that you're enjoying the channel. I really appreciate your support.

[@drewdavidson4264]

9A SETX I ripen fruit 12 months a year and have 300sq ft of raised bed. I've been building my lawn with additional imported organic material for 2 years. I could immediately turn my .5 acres into a giant garden in a month.

[@knifemaker2472]

Great video! Edible landscape. We’re planting shade crops like lettuces, in our formerly, formal decorative beds this year. Adding another bed as well. Square foot method really works for me, as urban setting of houses, and trees I can’t afford to cut down, limits my garden to about 150 sq foot, but I grow alot in the space by going vertical too. I will always garden. Even if in an apartment, using the balcony I would have 5 gal buckets for tomatoes, peppers, cukes. Herbs in the windows! Glad you added that for people in those circumstances.

[@sandy-rr1by]

Gave away all my canning gear couple years ago, too much trouble just for me. Dehydrator and food saver are now my preferred methods even tho limited I grow salad leaves in raised beds year round. Buckets and half drums also, are like mini raised beds and the weeds are controllable. This time, okra and sunflowers are landscape.plants!!! Love raw okra in salads!

[@jmtyndall]

I know this is an older video, but its a really good one. First of all, love the channel and I've learned a ton. I have only been gardening for a couple years in the spring and summer, but would love to see some content on how you are able to extend that and grow food year round (planning seasonally, successions etc.) and storing that harvest for use later (like you touched on in this video). Love the channel, thanks for all the great content and being a gardening inspiration!

[@sillyme8302]

I agree so much with this I've been stressed about the empty shelves and inflation and the lack of fresh food in my area, so I'm starting as much I can in containers this month. I'm not able to bend over those short beds so containers are the way to go for me.

[@aquaseahorselove3939]

Agree. The last few times I tried to buy produce, it looked old and gross. When I would get it home, things in bags like potatoes and celery or scallions would be rotten. The fresh food supply in stores is defunct. It’s so rewarding to go into my backyard and get those same items and they’re fresh and delicious. I’m growing garlic, onions, celery, beans, tomatoes, eggplants and more... I’m putting fruit trees around the perimeter of my home. I hardly ever buy produce at the grocery store anymore. I started out with a small container garden the end of 2019 and my passion for gardening grew and my garden continues to grow, too. 😄

[@sillyme8302]

@@aquaseahorselove3939 I've never had or tried eggplant I'm pretty sure i have some seed though. is it good?

[@aquaseahorselove3939]

@@sillyme8302 Eggplant has to be cooked right to really taste good. I look up recipes for it here on YT and they turn out really good.

[@aquaseahorselove3939]

@@sillyme8302 My favorite recipe is Basil and Eggplant - a simple way to cook thai basil eggplant. It’s a quick short video with the ingredients in the description. Just do a search with the title. I’m growing a bunch of thai basil, I keep it growing year round.

[@sillyme8302]

@@aquaseahorselove3939 Thank You I will look for some of those.

[@DC-rd6oq]

Wonderful video. Everything you said is so true. My lot is about the same size as yours. My house is small, but as you said the driveway and garage also take up space. Plus I have a huge deck, a large screened in porch and I too have a dog that needs a place to zoom. The remaining square footage doesn't seem like a lot but it is when you plant along the fence line as you pointed out. On the sides and back along the 6' privacy fence I planted dozens of fruit trees. I also have a short picket fence in the front yard where I planted blueberries. And I still managed to fit in about 1,000 SF of space dedicated for annual vegetables., some in-ground, some raised beds, some containers. My fruit trees aren't producing yet, but I haven't had to buy vegetables since the pandemic started. I always have something fresh to eat, have plenty to preserve, and still give a fair amount to friends/neighbors.

[@marshallhosel1247]

A few generations ago, everyone had a garden and fruit trees. Time to start to get back to it.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Exactly! It’s so easy to have a few, and they pay you back 100-fold.

[@marykate4048]

You are so right about growing something to supplement your food. Growing your food no matter the amount, gives you a special joy. Thank you once again for the encouragement.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! At best, your garden will keep you alive in rough times. At worst, it's fresh air, exercise and rewarding fun. Either way, you win. Have one to be prepared and pray you never need it.

[@victortoscano7721]

Thanks for being a mentor for so many. I love your channel. Agree in the so many silly side plants that can be replaced by fruit shrubs. Fantastic channel. Thanks for taking your time for such phenomenal explanation of nature. Thanks My friend!!.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! The message needs to spread that you can have just as beautiful of landscaping with fruiting bushes and fruit trees - and they feed you, too! Imagine if everyone had a couple fruit trees how much less fearful of food shortages and how much less dependent on grocery stores we would all be 😀 Such simple, no-compromise things can truly change the world.

[@WillBrownAuthor]

Great video! I really like the idea of utilizing your space no matter how small it is. I too have about a quarter acre lot and you’ve given me some great ideas. I just have to push the bounds of my dreaded HOA’s rules on the allowed size of garden beds.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm so happy to hear that! Some HOA's are a bigger pain than others. Luckily, mine has no restrictions on garden beds. However, most will not notice if you do things like plant blueberry bushes, feijoa bushes, blackberries, raspberries, etc., because they look like ornamental landscaping. A lot of fruit trees are "invisible" as well.

[@WillBrownAuthor]

@@TheMillennialGardener Good point. Thanks!

[@AyahuascaSage]

Seeing the amount of time some of my neighbors devote to micromanaging their lawns when they could be learning the ins and outs of growing vegetables, fruits, herbs etc, producing FOOD, trading plants and sharing food with neighbors feels like such a waste. It seems like people are gradually becoming aware that there are alternatives though--some states in the US have even started paying people to get rid of their lawns!

[@finding_mahmoud]

Thank you for this thoughtful video. I live in Europe near this mess and was thinking the same: how can I secure parts of my food supply + save my money when the shortages and panic hoardings start again. I woke up to your video while I was planning my small garden and now I have more ideas. 💚

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm glad the video could be helpful. I'm very sorry to hear you're so close to this terrible conflict. May you and your family be safe during this time 🙏

[@2Birds1Stone_]

Right on!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks for watching 🙂