Grow Calories, Not Lawn Ornaments

What to grow in a limited space, starting seeds now, can I raise livestock in my environment?
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[@nancyhjort5348]

Worm bins are a great free fertilizer and soil ammendment while being low maintenance and use a small space. I just throw in my non-animal food and garden waste.

[@bettylansford]

My husband is a gardener. I will mention this to him. I've heard where folks who raised rabbits put worm bins under the cages. He may look into this as another source of fertilizer. Thanks for the reminder!

[@elizabethjohnson475]

Excellent idea. Jerry Hanson of yt's, Pine Meadow Hobby Farm does that!

[@ianhorne8364]

Sean last year you did tap the trees around your new workshop I remember watching the video of you bringing them in

[@tamaragonzalez2227]

Shawn if you wife enjoys flowers I would suggest also planting around the cabin some for her. Rose hips are used for tea, tulips are eatable, Hibiscus also are eatable. There are many flowers used that are for tea, medicine and you may want to study up on that as well as make your home look lovely with flowers. Just a thought here.

[@damogranheart5521]

Violet leaves can augment a salad. The blossoms and roots are also edible.

[@tamaragonzalez2227]

@@damogranheart5521 Thank you for adding more.

[@damogranheart5521]

@@tamaragonzalez2227 Thank you! I worked with children in a neighborhood garden and I talked about different native foods. Then Covid kind of messed that up! I'm looking forward to going back.

[@tamaragonzalez2227]

@@damogranheart5521 That is wonderful as our future generations need to be taught how to survive that the past generations taught us. I hope you can go back soon to teach the children. Happy St. Patricks

[@hilarywhite2953]

Quite a lot of the useful medicinals also produce beautiful flowers. It's very doable to combine beauty with pragmatic utility.

[@pacop1196]

Living here in Florida we have the advantage of two growing seasons, at the on set of Covid we built approx 300 sqft of raised beds. This past winter we had a bumper crop of carrots, cabbage, green beans and we actually got some tomatoes that self seeded. I don't live on a large piece of property but we have been able to supplement our vegetable purchases from the supermarket. I fully agree with you in that regardless of property size getting a garden growing is beneficial not just for food but also the outdoor enjoyment of tending to a garden, great video and thanks for sharing.

[@damogranheart5521]

@@amytaylor5454 God bless you also!

[@deborahmarlewski6786]

I am in northern Idaho and I grew sweet potatoes in my greenhouse last year. They did great. One of my sweet potatoes weighed in at 4lbs 10 oz. It was yummy

[@damogranheart5521]

That is impressive! They are such beautiful plants!

[@libbysevicke-jones3160]

Having spent a short time on a Canadian farm (9 months) l totally get what you are saying. I was raised on a farm-let, where my parents raised Angora goats, ducks and chickens; then l married a dairy farmer here in New Zealand. We only had a small herd of 260 milking cows, + replacement stock, beef cattle; with about 100 sheep as lawn mowers to keep the grass down around the buildings. We were lucky to have prime fertile, open countryside, where our cattle are grass feed all year round. Silage, hay and root crops were grown as supplement food only, for the winter. Most people have absolutely no idea what is involved in farming animals. I was shocked at the way Canadian animals have to be housed in barns for up-to 7 months of the year. Plus how few animals a farmer can own animal to hectare ratio, due to the land required to grow the food for the winter months. We now live off the grid with a third of our property in bush land. Our neighbours can’t understand why I won’t keep livestock. I’ve taken early retirement- so for me, looking after farm animals does not equate to a retirement lifestyle. Though we are looking at getting about 6 hens as l miss fresh eggs. We have a subtropical veggie garden and orchard started ( citrus, bananas, pomegranates, etc) and our first year here has already been relatively successful; though l am on a big learning curve; as l know more about animals than l do about plants. The open hectares of our property are being planted back into native bush. I’d rather spend my retirement enjoying the wild life, and having the freedom to travel our beautiful country. Love your videos and your no nonsense attitude towards life.

[@johnbowley5754]

I' m growing runner beans, carrots, tomatoes, beetroot, brocolli and spring onions in two 40' borders, lettuces in a raised bed, rhubarb in three containers, potatoes in another four large plastic containers and melons, cucumbers and mustard cress in my 8x6 greenhouse. I have three small nectarine trees, four small apple trees and two small pear trees, all of which I have grown from seeds, in my small lawn. The rest of my garden is taken up by a 12x8 shed, 18 x 8 patio and a 10' trampoline ( for the grandchildren when they come round ). My growing area is quite small but most of what i do grow lasts most of the year especially my beetroot which i preserve in numerous jars.

[@sharonp.6505]

I agree 100% with your analysis of the cost of raising livestock. We're in Maine and have gone from a large farm in the 90's to a smaller farm in the 2000's now to a small 2 acre rural home. We've raised every kind of livestock (except cattle) over the years and have never done better than break even on the cost (usually lost money). We convinced ourselves that our own home-raised meat was superior (and it was) but it was still a financial drain. Now that feed prices are climbing steadily, it doesn't make sense to raise livestock at a loss. It might be different in a warmer climate on a holding that raises grass as a feed crop. But you still need grain for most livestock and it makes more sense for us to eat the grain rather than use it for livestock.

[@ShawnJames1]

Well said

[@Thrash230723]

Love when you talk about these topics, I’ve learned so much from you regarding gardening and self sustainability. Always a great morning with a cup of coffee and one of your gardening discussions!

[@amytaylor4407]

Hello there👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a good day? God bless you!!!❤️

[@damogranheart5521]

@@amytaylor4407 God bless you too!

[@amytaylor4407]

@@damogranheart5521 Amen Ty. Where are you from?

[@damogranheart5521]

@@amytaylor4407 Minnesota

[@amytaylor4407]

@@damogranheart5521 okay. Why did you reply my comments?

[@fondoftheduh]

Rutabagas. Turnip greens. Beet greens. I'm going to put beans everywhere I can and dry them the old Appalachian ways because we grew up healthy on beans, potatoes,corn bread and oats, squashes and all the regular garden veggies. Space is a problem now because city ordinances allow flowers I get by with a few tomato plants and cucumbers. Had some squash running around last year and got weed notices. Cut your grass notices I have a big porch so I'm going for containers and looking upside down hanging plastic bottles videos to use upper spaces

[@ireneburke1732]

It's almost like they don't want you to grow your own food. If you live in the U.S., my guess would be it's either a blue state or town or you have some type of association in your neighborhood. But guess who they will turn to if things go more sideways or further south than it already has. There will be a lot of theft, especially food from gardens.

[@irenemathieson4229]

I so enjoy watching Emily’s channel as she finishes her cabin. She is an amazing young woman. 🌸

[@tracythorn2918]

I think you are the busiest guy on youtube Shawn. The long-term storage of those calories is also an important topic though better suited to the harvest season. There are many sources of information to learn the techniques (canning, drying, cold storage, etc) but it would be interesting to hear what your approach will be when the time comes.

[@amytaylor4407]

Hello there👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a good day? God bless you!!!❤️

[@damogranheart5521]

I'd like to recommend a really good book for canning and different storage methods called "Putting Food By". I understand that it has been updated. Blessings on you and your endeavours!

[@douggibson9084]

Great video Shawn. Sweet potatoes use 10 gal. grow bags and use greenhouse to extend in spring and fall. I'm trying that with potatoes and sweet potatoes. Thanks.

[@amytaylor5454]

Hello there👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a good day? God bless you!!❤️

[@catherinehutton9133]

Excellent advice for us all Shawn - I imagine (from what you've said previously) that you've set up or intend to set up, bartering relationships with neighbors for things like eggs and milk?? I think bartering in a local community is a lost art and something that should be encouraged for us all, whether we are city or country based, to try and do. I am lucky that we have very good dairies in my region, so I do my best to buy all my milk from them and to buy my fruit and veg from local weekend markets, so that my money is going back in to my community...but it's not easy or cheap to do this unfortunately for a lot of people. I'd find it hard to not have my hens though, which I know not everyone can do, as they take up some space. I just love the company they give me and also the reason for popping down to the garden at least twice a day. They are so easy to care for and are fantastic at breaking down my food scraps, which are then raked into my compost heap - so a win win for us all. I don't have a dog or a cat, so I look on the cost of the hen food as a cheap expense in comparison to feeding a domesticated pet. The bonus of course are beautiful fresh eggs everyday - in this part of the world they lay nearly all year round. Also I don't think it does anyone any harm in having to care for something other than themselves. Is it so good for the psyche and helps keep me centered on the here and now.

[@elizabethjohnson475]

I've heard that here in the states, once the economy fails, bartering, etc. will be outlawed. Also, Blackrock, Mr. Gates, and China aren't helping either, but instead are buying up housing and land, and agriculture land. A seeming push to put people in cities for better control by central government. Deep inside, though, I believe the Lord's got something up His sleeve!

[@jennyprorock]

Pigs. Perfect for cold weather, woods and small areas. Also give you a good fat source for cooking and even fuel. Pigs love acorns and scraps and are good at finding their own food. Slaughter in fall. Also a great organic fertilizer..if you're living with family near by it would be a good thing for one of you to keep a male and one a female over winter so you're only dealing w a single animal each, then they can mate and youd have the piglets to share at the end of the year.

[@graemewoodruff9988]

A good chat, I’ve had a lot of success with potato’s, pumpkin, beetroot, beans and more here in Australia this year but still lots to learn. Thanks for bringing us along!

[@graemewoodruff9988]

@@HavNCDy I didn’t do anything really, I’m in north east Victoria. It wasn’t our normal hot and dry summer so it made for a good season. Did have a major issue with slugs on my lettuce plants.

[@hulkflattt7854]

@@HavNCDy There's a lot of videos out there with household ingredients you can use I use water baking soda oil and soap I don't remember how much of what I just mix it in a spray bottle over the years When you look at the different recipes you'll see one with water baking soda oil and soap That one worked really good for me Cheers

[@damogranheart5521]

@@graemewoodruff9988 A quick slug trap is to leave a board in your garden. When the sun is high turn it over and you will find the slugs. I just squish the little darlin's. I have had good luck with an old pie pan with the rim at soil level filled with beer. They head for the beer and end up drowning. Be sure to check the underside of plant 🍃 leaves. Hope this helps you out. From Minnesota!

[@bmunday]

@@HavNCDy I manage my vines with manual control. and then let it happen once the fall rains start. although many talk about epsom salts. regardless its much worse if you subject them to drought.

[@msbevking]

Hey Graeme. I’m in Wodonga. Excellent year for pumpkin. They have taken over. Blackbirds ripped out much of my spinach, silver beet, lettuce etc. I have started growing amaranth and am about to harvest that. It grows like a weed and can use it as a micro nutrient as well as a grain. It is also very pretty. About to plant garlic. I am using beetroot for it’s green leaves. Also nasturtium leaves and flowers for salad and pesto

[@Snowdog070]

Try to route the exhaust from an internal combustion engine into your greenhouse, in your case any propane fired equipment. The CO2 emissions when captured under the roof will be beneficial to plant growth. Most commercial greenhouse operators either buy CO2 and release it under the tent or route their boiler exhaust under the tent to provide a carbon-rich atmosphere. Ambient atmospheric CO2 is around 430 now but if you could double that somehow your crops would benefit and not need as much nutrients in the soil.

[@TheOffGridExperience]

You are right about livestock cost and space to raise them. I only have about 3 acres of good pasture which is enough for my small herd of Dexter cattle, babydoll sheep and nigerian dwarf goats. I chose those breeds because they are much smaller than other breeds and are good foragers that require less food. Cheers!

[@ShawnJames1]

That’s why we chose Dexters too. We had 9 acres of pasture but it was so poor that we couldn’t sustain 5 or 6 head without buying tonnes of hay

[@TheOffGridExperience]

@@ShawnJames1 I go thru about 7 small square bales of hay a week (Nov-Mar) for my 3. That also feeds the sheep and goats plus we supplement with very little feed/grain. I'm keeping them around to breed and sell plus have food security if/when needed.

[@LoriSkees]

I look forward to seeing your garden this year. So many seed companies have been sold out of a lot of seeds. I ordered early and managed to get everything I wanted. I’m just south of Lake Erie and I planted sugar snap peas and spinach today. My cabbage and broccoli seedlings are looking good. I started those in February. Planning on potatoes and onion as well as zucchini, bush beans, tomatoes, carrots and bell peppers. I also have two huge rhubarb plants. All in 300 square feet of raised beds. I think we’re getting to the point where everyone will need a garden. I’m looking at mine as more of a necessity than a hobby lately.

[@mattdavis7256]

Been planning for the garden and will be planting some seeds in April. Crazy how prices are getting and it’s good to know how to take care of yourself anyway. You’ve been a big motivator when it comes to me trying to be more self reliant, thank you👍🏻

[@browsedeweb8834]

Went to the supermarket last week and a pound of sliced roast beef at the deli counter was $20. Unreal.

[@mattdavis7256]

@@browsedeweb8834 it’s insane, I’ve started looking into the fridge and if I want something I don’t see, instead of thinking of when I can get to the grocery store I think of how I can get it myself. I picked up gardening a couple years back and it’s going to be bigger than ever this year. It needs to be haha. More people need to learn how to grow, hunt, fish, and can their own food.

[@kevincerce5056]

Shawn, there's always freshwater fishing as a food source, healthy eating too.

[@ositagordita8550]

I totally agree about the chickens and livestock. ✌

[@beatrizsaldeno9615]

Hi Shawn. What happened with Callie? She got sick? an accident? Regards and best wishes from Venezuela.

[@PopsBarnCatMafia]

YOU ARE DEFINITELY right on the cattle... I run anywhere between 200 - 250 head of cattle on a consistent basis and have to keep and maintain several parcels of grazing land. It can be a full-time job just rotating them between pastures if not done right. A good average is 10 acres per head... at a MINIMUM. If you're not prepared and miscalculate anything... you can be put in the poor house real quick.... btw... There are NO vacations. 🐂🤠🐂

[@ShawnJames1]

Lol, exactly, it’s difficult to arrange socializing time with our rancher friends. If you research the minimum acreage per cow, most sources say 1 acre per head. That’s so far off of reality!

[@PopsBarnCatMafia]

@@ShawnJames1 Indeed... at 1 acre per head, there would be a heck of a lot of supplemental hay setting done... which defeats the whole purpose ESPECIALLY with the cost of hay.

[@AUNTFRED]

I am actually planting a garden this year because of you. Thank you for all the knowledge you have shared.

[@debbysprague5099]

Turnips and carrots are easy to grow and store well over the winter months.

[@djmoulton1558]

White potatoes have a very high Glycemic Index. Try purple, red or yellow-fleshed potatoes instead.

[@joelupa2558]

Love what you’re doing for the next generation and current. Thank you

[@benjigirl1971]

Down here in New Zealand we are just coming into autumn properly, so we are opposite seasons to you. I’m nervous about how to prepare now that we have passed corn and potato season, so I’m focussed on buying legumes etc to store up. I’m trying to think about what autumn and winter crops could be possible to grow now, as I think we are in for a bumpy ride this winter. Love your channel. Thank you so much.

[@1957jmhiser1]

onions and garlic ,radishes ,crops winter good beets sugar Aren't

[@1957jmhiser1]

posts it Backwards

[@jennyprorock]

Start a Ruth Stout bed and get your potatoes in now. I know you get some snow there but not sure if it's as bad as where he's at in Canada or where I'm at in Northern Michigan..probably not since we both have about 5 months of snow straight. But it's an easy and fast way to grow a lot of potatoes. And onions. At least you'll have some peace of mind a few months from now. You can also grow in a giant drum or buckets. If you have good lighting and a place that's not burning hot I'm sure you could grow inside. Or in a shed or garage..

[@bocadelcieloplaya3852]

Maybe try a tower garden indoors with grow lights

[@auntiepam5649]

@@jennyprorock I am also in Northern Michigan for this year he can store dry and dehydrated or dehydrate his own from purchases. I left carrots and parsnips in the ground, when my snow is gone I will see how they held up.

[@sherrekarl9640]

Acorn or butternut squash have high calories, And taste lovely roasted with jam, since you cook on fire a lot. Love your videos.

[@auntiepam5649]

I really enjoyed your reasoning on this subject. Grow calories and high cost items, sustain and save both are a win.

[@annakennedy-conroy3216]

Shawn, I found the answer to my question to you about the bees 🐝 It was on the Shawn James channel 4 months ago. Sorry for repeating what someone already asked🙃 You probably get that a lot. I've been following your daughter Emily's channel plus your "My Self-Reliance" channel and I just caught up to the "Shawn James" channel. That's why I haven't seen anything about the bees till now. What an awesome down-to-earth family you have. I want to thank you for sharing your dreams and never giving up on them & keeping them true even through difficult times. Starting over had to be the hardest decision to make, but you did it together as a family. You've maintained a good clean wholesome channel that all ages can watch without hearing foul language or a bunch of bleep bleeps. We have all learned so much from you, my favorites are the hand tools you take time to explain and teach. Plus the cooking in the outdoor kitchen. I've now had 7& 10 & 12 yr olds who want to learn to cook. We have ages of 2-91 and I love to hear the younger ones say "I'm going to learn to do that" followed with "can we get a dog like Cali" So 2 dogs, 3 cats, 4 quadcopter camera drones later😵‍💫 were watching the adults teaching the youngsters about self Reliance. I have family and friends living in Alaska and the Montana Canadian border area who maintain small colonies of bees that help with pollinating their gardens and producing a small amount of honey for home use. Again thank you for letting us be a part of your Journey. Teaching our young ones the importance of "Self Reliance" is as important as primary and secondary schooling. Thanks, Shawn

[@Blackbriars-Shadow]

Pigs can be raised in the woods. Buy a couple in the Spring and butcher in the fall. Rotation using electric fences. Just need to provide water and movable shelter.

[@amytaylor5454]

Hello there👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a good day? God bless you!!❤️

[@ChildOfGod0777]

Shaw you have definitely been a motivator in these times, i live in central Texas i have directly planted my seeds already, i have been so anxious to get the seeds in the ground, i haven't seen sprouts yet, but i am hoping to in a few days.. we started smaller with the garden..and already have plans to double it in size...we all need to get back to what our ancestors used to do, i used to help my mom can tomatoes, i asked her how to can them lol, i am ready...i purchased jars and have been canning lots of jam along the way...that is high in calories 👍 keep up the good work!!

[@elizabethjohnson475]

I'm in far north California, zone 9 for growing vegetables. It's pretty dry here. We live on top a mountain in a temperate zone (banana belt) and many years, have no frost here, though at the bottom of the mountain there will be. So with temps at night mostly in the 40s, and daytime mainly 60s in mid-February I sowed and planted. Things get a slow start outside; but they are coming up and I won't have to sow/plant in the heat of May. Our soil temps go from 40-60F.

[@ChildOfGod0777]

@@elizabethjohnson475 Elizabeth, thank you, i know im getting anxious, i really wanted to get them growing before the heat kicks in...but im not sure it will be super hot here in Texas, last summer we never even hit 100 a single day...which was strange..but welcomed...things seem to be getting cooler...this winter just seems to keep lingering...even in Texas...i am gonna keep taking care of my garden and im sure my seeds will be coming up soon!! I am so happy to have a garden again...getting back to growing our own food is what we need ro do!!

[@TammieFulmer]

We are also working hard on growing are veggies and some fruit and of course we have 6 chickens laying eggs and 1 laying duck we are finding out that by doing this is really beneficial to us and some neighbors.

[@amytaylor4407]

Hello there👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a good day? God bless you!!!❤️

[@tommychew6544]

When you mention beans my first thought was pole beans, they will grow up to the top of a 10' trellis and take up much less room down here in the mid-US.

[@almadeckard8360]

Remember, natives used corn stalks to also grow vining crops on.

[@daleadkins2448]

Around here it’s called the three sisters method. Squash corn and climbing beans. Squash helps keep the weeds shaded out, the beans provide nitrogen for the corn, and the corn allows the beans to climb the stalks. Three crops each square foot.

[@giselecontassotdesayvre8090]

merci pour tous vos conseils..personnellement j'ai commencé mes semis dans des petites serres, ce matin je termine de nettoyer mon petit potager...rien à voir avec votre espace..c'est vrai que j'ai toujours eu dans mon stock des aliments de base..haricots, lentilles, petits pois , carottes que je conserve à l'ancienne , comme faisaient mes parents, dans du gros sel, dans de grandes jarres..des pâtes, du riz..etc...je sais pour le bétail l'espace et la nourriture qu'il faut!!....vous êtes un homme très courageux..etc..votre famille aussi RESPECT.

[@mikep8080]

You might want to look into nitrogen fixation plants like legumes, peas, etc they will pull nitrogen from the air and draw it down into the soil. By planting them as a companion plant they will help. A common Indian planting was called the 3 sisters. A corn stalk to provide a climbing surface, legumes right next to them, and then a broad leafed plant to help shade and retain water for the plants. You should really look into building a simple aquaphonics system. You provide nutrients from fish waste to feed your plants in a similar method as hydroponics but without the need of chemicals. The plants will remove the fish waste using the nutrients excreted from the fish. And best of all you eat the fish when they are of size. I have grown 10 tomato, a cucumber plants and some odds and ins in a 4 square foot ebb and flow tank. Also introduced red wigglers into the bed so they could eat the solid waste and convert it into worm castings one of the best fertilizers around. And another perk red wigglers are perfect for fish bait.

[@elizabethjohnson475]

Odds and ends. All good ideas for self-reliant folks to make fertilizer, when faced with a fertilizer shortage.

[@mikep8080]

@@elizabethjohnson475 My vermicompost system was built under a 12 foot rabbit hutch. And the worms broke it down so fast that I went through 50 of leaves from winter in a very short period. Thats 3 houses of leaves. Its been our primary fertilizer for decades. Though I do add others to enhance the compost. I also use a refractometer to test my vegetable nutrient level. If you saw how much garbage they feed us you would be shocked. We also had free range chickens that cleared all insects and mice (them birds are ferocious raptors).

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Hello Shawn, Good to get the clarity in the food production... thank you... Take care. Paul,,

[@raymondmiller427]

Yay! Spring brings sugar! Awesome. I wonder how much chaga will be blooming this year. Good luck on all your gardens this year!!

[@amytaylor5454]

Hello there👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a good day? God bless you!!!❤️

[@graciegolden2290]

Sweet for you all.. Really stunning your habitat and what you create as you go.

[@CarlJones14]

Emily is a rising star, such a great role model for not just her age group, but everyone. 👍

[@Renegade7990]

What does she do

[@halinawiecek2297]

Thank you for the video,can wait to see your new garden growing.

[@scottewen2522]

Blueberries in acidic soil and carrots and onions store well.

[@amytaylor5454]

Hello there👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a good day? God bless you!!!❤️

[@toolkit71]

have you thought about hooking up a tube system for the maple sap? When I was a kid there was someone that had a system setup that fed all the sap from the trees right into a set of stainless steel casks and they were raised so that they could just add the sap to the boiler with very little energy required. Also your workshop is at the base of the hills so it would be an excellent place to have a "sugar Shack"

[@sunrisesidesnowdogs5920]

I think that may require a pump which then requires electricity. I use the gravity method plus you don’t have to buy so much tubing that way

[@adelineparinduri]

One of your best talk. Compact with insights and ideas and experiences especially on the things you don't talk about that often (gardening and livestocks).

[@abbushcraft]

Well Shawn. I just want to let you know.... that you are irreplaceable. The last 3 months... I am glad that you got to have a holiday. Or that you were able to choose to look after the stuff that you did. But. I really missed seeing you. I tried to find others like you on KZbin. I tried changing my interests. I have watched a lot of other bushcraft and outdoor living videos. And... you still are just the best. It is a testament to the quality of the man that you are. You can share whatever you want to share on this channel. You have a way of sharing it... that is wise. And I appreciate that a lot. I know you are going to be busy... and editing and getting it sent on the internet.... and all of that takes time. And for that... I am very glad that you make the effort. But, I just hope you realize.... that you are doing a good job. A very unique job. A job.... that I know now... I can't replace with someone else on KZbin. Very unique and irreplaceable

[@ireneburke1732]

Very well said, and very true. Even us city dwellers are able to put some of his ideas into practice.

[@coramdayo]

Butternut squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and winter squash all are great high-calorie, easy-to-grow options. They all store well without any special preserving methods. You just need a cool dark place to store them.

[@marthaadams4393]

And all of these make many kinds of dishes

[@coramdayo]

@Martha Adams yes, exactly. And, each one phase more than just one person. 1 butternut squash is easily enough for a family of four or even six. You can also make pies like a pumpkin pie out of a butternut squash.

[@justinflott5133]

Starting a cabin build in Ontario next month. A video on things you are changing from your original cabin and why would be great.

[@mitsstim2664]

Great information specially for the off grid ! Good video and thank you for posting this video.

[@williamburdon6993]

I had remembered a family in Pasadena California from back in the 1990s their name is Dervais and they were almost self sufficient in the city on less than 1/4 acre including the home and a shed. There are several KZbin channels dealing with them , I highly suggest watching what they are doing for ideas for some of us, It's obvious that you have investigated this to the tenth degree Shawn, many of us watching will probably get started sooner than later , because of you. Thank you so much.

[@davidperry2989]

You could use half your garden scraps to feed the chickens and let them free range for parts of the day. This would cut down your feed costs. 5 or 6 chickens on your new property would be great and you could keep costs down. Not to mention chicken manure is by far the best for gardens.

[@conniewaite1996]

They make good bear food too.and coyotes and wolves and foxes.not worth it when he can shoot turkeys and grouse

[@itatane]

Speaking of lawn ornaments vs. calories, I feel a little ashamed of my lawn... far too much grass left in it. I am trying to encourage the violets, dandelions, English daisies, moss, self-heal plants and clover, but that darn fescue puts up a fight. I always wondered why folks will fill their landscape with frequently invasive, usually toxic species and spray powerful poisons on potentially beautiful or even edible native "weeds". Some of those same people will then go pay through the nose for "organic salad greens." A food lawn can be low maintenance, pretty, and a food source all in one. If mowing is a hassle, there's tons of low growing flowers and plants out there.

[@amytaylor4407]

Hello there👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a good day? God bless you!!!❤️

[@itatane]

@@scotts7804 sadly, too true. I should have prefaced my comment that my experience is with yuppies and snow birds who have places in the semi rural areas around me. They are constantly fighting with the local vegetation and wildlife to maintain their acres of sterile Bermuda grass. Never understood why folks move out to the country to be free from city life, only to bring city life with them. (Doesn't happen all of the time, but enough to be a thing.) As for actual city gardening, there's a couple good books about "urban guerilla gardening" One of the best examples I have seen is when my neighbor years ago (when I lived near Youngstown) pulled out his privet hedges and planted dwarf mulberry bushes. Jam, pies and syrup galore. (And the government was none the wiser.)

[@Dean.F]

I like the way you consider the value of your time and resources through math. It helps to quantify the rewards for your effort. Although it's not exact, you've introduced a new perspective to gardening for me. I like when you discuss your decision processes around the homestead, it's very business minded.

[@danielluma2948]

If you grow cucumbers I put up chicken fence for my cucumbers to grow up to 7 feet tall vines and still produced lot's of cucumbers . Not bad for 2x4 box 7foot tall that yielded 27qaurt jars in Ohio

[@damogranheart5521]

Well done ye!🥒🍇

[@williamburdon6993]

I was one of the people who asked about chickens and sheep or goats , I had never thought about the environment being so different. I remember watching a family that had the moving coops, and their goats were eating patches of brambles and creating more useable land for their property. As you said , I think they were somewhere in Ohio in a completely different scenario Thanks for explaining the difference

[@laurareutter6928]

So many people suggest raising chickens but they are very tasty prey for animals such as raccoons, foxes, coyotes, wolves, eagles, hawks and more. They would have to be protected 24/7 and live inside a well fortified coop.

[@warrenjohnknight.9831]

I grow many vegetables in my tyre gardens, place two low profile 18 to 20 car tyres with good compost and they keep warm place make alot of compost wilt all the garden waste kitchen waste etc, and you can move them around for the best sun,

[@bigunone]

Well thought out reasoning. Many years ago I grew corn and pole beans next to each other the beans grew up the corn and provided nitrogen for the corn.

[@MsVictoria4ever]

Green onions is super easy if you purchase them and instead of throwing out the ends with the roots still attached, I clean them, plump up the roots in water and plant them. I reuse them all summer and have fresh green onion tops for salads. Even a 10 pound bag of potatoes can produce more potatoes if you let it go to where the potatoes are sprouting eyes and you cut them in half and plant them. Saving seeds from vegetables is another way to cut down cost of growing your own.

[@lorraineeagle4009]

Love the video and the lessons on gardening. I like most everyone that watches have learned so much from you.

[@annakennedy-conroy3216]

Shawn, I don't know if anyone has mentioned starting a bee colony for the production of honey and helping with Pollination with your garden. I'm just curious if you are considering 🤔 something like this.

[@melodytenisch6232]

Great idea!👍

[@johnnaylor4348]

Shawn it's a good idea to keep all of the fish heads and carcuses in yer freazer through out the year and when you come to corn planting season grind them up and put a small scoop in the holes you are planting in . You will thank me later.... This is an 18th century trick that the native north American indians used.

[@leaffan72]

Have you considered a geothermal green house setup like Green House in the Snow? They are growing citrus trees on dwarf tree roots, Bananas, and pineapple, with frigid winter temps outside.

[@poisondwarf70]

have you look into growing hemp for Soil Improvement hemp produces high quantities of biomass (a matter which returns to the soil and decomposes, feeding nutrients back into the ground). For this reason, hemp is often grown in rotation with winter cereals, which require high-quality soil

[@amytaylor4407]

Hello there👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a good day? God bless you!!!❤️

[@royramey5659]

Always enjoy , if your going to grow corn grow enough for 4 or 5 chickens and you'll have eggs and nitrogen for your compost. We have 5 hens and they give us many eggs. I'm sure you know this.

[@amytaylor5454]

Hello there👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a good day? God bless you!!!❤️

[@catherineshiddengarden2596]

How did your mushroom plugs do? Ty, for answering that question about chickens etc. I had a feeling you might think about the cost of feed.

[@amytaylor4407]

Hello there👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a good day? God bless you!❤️

[@melodytenisch6232]

Good talk and advice Shawn. I just have 3 small gardens but grow things in buckets and hanging baskets too. I grow potatoes, root vegetables, spinach, kale, onions, garlic, greens, beans, tomatoes, strawberries. Sprouting micro-greens work well on kitchen counters. Your family is doing great things! Kudos for that. Looking forward to your future plans and adventures! 👵🙏😊💖🐕

[@stewartbrennand4987]

My tenth summer was spent north of Prince George, B.C.., catching trout and going wild with my brother as our Dad built motel cabins on the Salmon River. Just north of there was an old homesteader who supplied us with worms , on occasion, for bait. The worms were from his potato garden which was comprised of a mound evergreen needles raked from around the cabin and vicinity. The worms did ok, but apparently the potatoes grew very well in the loose, acidic medium.

[@ginawhisnant9966]

Instead of chickens look at quail - not bobwhite but Coturnix quail. They start laying at 8 weeks and you only need one male for 5 or 6 females. A sturdy frame of saplings that can be moved would allow them to forage for insects and seeds, fertilize an area you want to plant in later. The frames should be no more than 2' tall so the birds can't startle and break their necks. Broadcasting millet and alfalfa seed and growing patches for feed later would not require large open areas. you could have eggs and still allow some clutches to be hatched to replace the birds eaten. If 10 are hatched, when they are 8 weeks old you can harvest all but one or two males. In the winter you could move the birds into the greenhouse and continue to have eggs, fertilizer, and bug control. Instead of having to have pasture or raise hay look into sprouted fodder like barley. A shelf with stacked trays can feed a couple of goats kept for milk /cheese/butter in winter and in the warmer months they will browse like deer, helping to clear areas. I am from the Appalachian mountains. My grandparents had a farm that was in most places steep, and a series of level areas where timber had been cut all connected by old log roadbeds. These were also grassed and my grandfather had cattle. He also raised Tamworth hogs. They do well in harsh conditions, grow well on what they forage in the woods, and are a leaner, bacon-type pig. He bred at least 2 or 3 litters a year, traded a couple for Yorkshires or Old Spots for hams, butchered a couple of Tamworths and sold some. A little low cabin-type, movable shelter filled with leaves would work for them. Electric netting/fencing with a solar charger would contain them and discourage predators. My grandpa called the Tamworths "pig plows." As we walked fence lines he would take some dried corn, poke holes around small tree roots with a walking stick, and drop in the corn. he'd tamp it down some, and throw a little corn around. The hogs would go for the corn, chewing through the roots and killing the sapling trees. Later the standing deadwood would be harvested.

[@DerykRobosson]

One cannot really go wrong with meat rabbits such as New Zealand whites. The initial costs would be a barn like structure to keep out the predators and the initial breeders. After that the ongoing costs are pellets and alfalfa for food and straw for bedding and warmth. The price of meat is often a large portion of a trip to a store.

[@coramdayo]

Totally agree. From what I understand a breeding Trio can provide approximately 300 lb of meat per year.

[@nickfraser2844]

What about survival food in a bucket with a 20 to 30 year shelf life and preserving/canning meat, jerky etc. I watch a lot of off the grid canning video's to see how others do things. Bee keeping even herbal remedies.

[@janettroyer7003]

So informative and you really know what you're talking about. We appreciate you sharing your videos. You're making great progress!!!

[@TaigaTurf]

Some lowbush blueberry make great pickings around the house

[@chriswren2559]

KZbin channel Edible Acres is all about food forest and they have been raising chickens in a cold climate using food waste, compost and fermented waste grain.. Charles Dowding channel is all about no dig gardening just using compost on the surface... layers of cardboard to cover untilled ground.. lots of information on Single turn simple composting.

[@amytaylor5454]

Hello there👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a good day? God bless you!!!❤️

[@angelahames5056]

We are in the same growing zone, I am in Minnesota, USA. Rutabaga is a great veg to grow also - lots of calories, flavor and easy to grow and store!

[@ulfdanielsson3931]

Living off grid in the same kind of climate, in Scandinavia, I see your point with difficulties feeding domestic animals in the winter without large areas with grass and hay. But hens give good fertilizers back under our fruit trees and eat our dinner leftovers as well as some pellets during winter. We only keep them for the eggs. I couldn't be without eggs. But about the calories, I store lots if olive oil, coconutoil and some sesame oil, in my root cellar. I guess you buy salt, peppar and coffee and so on, so why not also buy healthy grease to get enough calories? I also store some butter in my freezer. Love your videos, thank you. And Emily is a role model for all young people.

[@leswinnipeg4046]

I asked that question !!!! Nice to see the comments being read. Awesome to have that interaction with a KZbinr

[@mags102755]

Hi there. I am following Emily's channel and find her engaging, informed, and interesting.

[@amytaylor5454]

Hello there👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a good day? God bless you!!❤️

[@timgrede6845]

You might look at the catfish in a barrel method of growing fish. It is growing worms and bugs (beetles, crickets and so many more) to feed your fish and birds. If you do not do the fish but grow the bugs and worms to feed the birds. If you go 1 step more you can grow (duckweed, azolla fern, water spinach and so many more) to feed fish and birds.

[@emmalenaRN]

The hens and rabbits provide a lot of manure aldo for the garden

[@2011woodlands]

make sure you test the PH of the soil if your planting fruit trees and bushes, some like acid and some like neutral soils.

[@scribblydoodle2924]

Key among your comments today were: Calculate cost/benefit and Climate. I am in the second group Shawn mentionned. I grow his so called no-calorie foods (spinach, lettuce, kale, kohlrabi, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, parsnips, arugula, onions, garlic, bok choi, mustard greens, etc.) because they are super easy here in Southern US Zone 7B. They are crops I grow during the months of November to about March. And I grow them because they are extremely expensive in the store. And frankly they've lost most of their nutrients by the time they arrive in the supermarket. I have also invested in things that won't mature in the near future, but are a good investment in my food forest (perrenials) like strawberries, blueberries, apples, asparagus, grapes, elderberry and figs. For those, I am careful to invest in things like Muscadines which are more native to the South than some of the typical table grapes. I am having great fun learning how to propogate some of those from cuttings (especially figs and Elderberry) because the cost of buying plants is NOT cheap either. The challenge for me is not the desire to grow, but the amount of sunlight on my property and figuring out which plants will actually produce in semi to full shade. I had to remove some large trees (literally brought down by English ivy), but unlike in Canada, these other older growth trees for me are irreplaceable and not coming down unless they die. Summer crops for me are Tomatoes, Peppers, cucumbers, beans -- all of which I can eat fresh, but also have learned to preserve. Peppers especially can be extremely expensive bought in the store. Oddly enough things that I could grow further north like zucchini (almost to excess) haven't been good to me here -- too many pests. If I grow pumpkins, I'm sure to pick a native variety. As to the discussion about calories, I real wonder at how many of us need as many calories as what is the general rule of thumb. The average American who goes to the office and sits behind a desk all day, drives around (rather than walking or biking), isn't burning the calories at the rate Shawn and his family out working the land every day are. High calorie foods like sweet potatoes and corn are cheap. I'd like to venture into something like Millet --but again have limited sun space for it. My final thought on space is learn how to garden up and down by trellising crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and beans. You can fit a whole lot into a small space. Some so beautiful you can grow in your front yard and the neighbors will never know.

[@amytaylor5454]

Hello there👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a good day? God bless you!!❤️

[@patrickresch5325]

I would check out Off Grid with Doug and Stacey, Stacey on their KZbin channel. She talks about sweet potatoes; you can also eat the leaves which is very nutrious. I bought some sweet potatoes that are organic only at the health food store. They do have allot of good information. Just like you! My husband and I really enjoy watching what you do. You are amazing on what you do and have done at your other log cabin that you built. - Vollie

[@benjohnson9011]

Good points on how much pasture is needed for animals. Growing grains for just 'your people' takes a lot of land. I follow several big farmers. One last year was driving his big combine around in his field looking for yield. Most of the time his yield monitor was reading zero! (Drought) This years supply is, for the most part, last years crop. I farmed for 45 years so I'm not passing on 'prepare' talk. The USDA commonly over estimates yield either for political reasons or not to panic the public. Now most countries are banning exports knowing what is coming. There are a lot of innocent people who are going to get hurt because they only watch the 'nightly' news. They buy chickens thinking they can feed them or grow the food. Besides the high cost, availability will become crucial. The animals will be hurt first as the 'feed' will go first to humans. I see many people just turning their animals loose to fend on their own. This will re-arrange the predator system. Too many come out here to Yellowstone to see the talking animals and hear orchestras in the trees. You provide a great service Shawn.

[@fgb3126]

My son belongs to a collective farm and they feed their laying hens kitchen scraps. They also have a yard where the chickens can get out and find some foods on the land. But no snow most of the time (Pacific Northwest). But I don't recall them buying chicken feed.

[@ShawnJames1]

You can definitely forage hens in warmer climates, but food is buried under three feet of snow five months of the year here

[@fgb3126]

@@ShawnJames1 right. I keep forgetting that! We're in the Pacific Northwest of far northwest WA State and our moisture comes in the form of WATER!

[@dilbotmacguillacutty4849]

For the budget conscious: Dollarama and Dollar Tree both have packs of seeds 3 for $1, plus the soil and the trays... I just used medium size party cups with drain holes in the bottom... The seeds may be older stock but they will grow. Great for beginners. For $40 I have 90 cups with 2-4 seeds in each cup. I'm in Calgary and will transplant around May Long Weekend. That's a 60 day head start!

[@joebacarella2829]

Who does this kind of planning and thinking about crops, calories, yields and such, Shawn James, that`s who, I know darned well, I would have bought some chickens, built a coop, and later realized it wasn`t worth the effort or cost to keep the whole thing running. I would have thought a bunch of lettuce and tomatoes and greens for a nice daily salad, would be terrific, never even thinking about caloric values, yeah it`s diet food, I would have starved the first year, You sir have changed my thought process of how I view everything I do from here on out, now I take a step back and do all the required homework, I will garden smarter this year, the cost of food is just so insane right now, one trip to the store for a few items always seems to be about $100, and you barely need a basket to get it to the car. Your thought processes are game changing, no wonder you have 3 million viewers.

[@husky500cr]

I like the title of your video. My good friend who lives down the street from me is from Nebraska and he has an acre of land behind his house he farms. One day he told me just think if everyone that lived in a house, grew plants and trees you could live off.

[@velveleh]

thank you man for what you do to keep us sane.

[@droidian]

Interesting. I live in a 40'x150' property in a St. Louis suburb. I have mostly weeds instead of grass, but I've recently noticed wild onions, little strawberries, mushrooms & dandelions. I'm not sure if any of them are edible. I also have 2 Pin Oaks, and a mulberry tree(yet to fruit). We have tons of squirrels, birds and even a few rabbits here, too. I'm probably the only person in my Illinois city that thinks about this stuff. kek. Thanks, Shawn.

[@amytaylor5454]

Hello there👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a good day? God bless you!!!❤️

[@johndebolt5853]

Hi Shawn, thanks for the great video as always. Gardening is a job in itself. We enjoy watching Emily work on her channel as well. Be well and safe.

[@ajlinville8092]

I planted asparagus in the garden a few years ago and it produces very well. Also planted several different varieties of blueberry bushes. I freeze the berries and use them throughout the winter. Also transplanted some ramps to the woods on our property several years back and they are starting to come in good.

[@carolreed9553]

Black eye peas are easy to grow,they are abundent,I'm in central mn.

[@amytaylor5454]

Hello there👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a good day? God bless you!!❤️

[@whiteturtleadventuresandphoto]

We are eating our home grown tomatoes in Alberta in March. We have so much usable growing space with so many windows in our homes and with the addition of some LED grow lights we can grow some food year round. I heard someone say a few months ago that we are designed to eat more vegetables and grain then supplement that with meat once in a while that we could cut down on our meat consumption with no issues. In many cases it is smarter to buy some items that cost to much to produce on a small quantity.

[@markemerson8399]

I wouldn't mind growing some tomatoes on my balcony. However, I'd really love to grow pumpkins and potatoes. Potatoes might be achievable. Parsley and silver beet is definitely achievable. I get full sun from sunrise to midday.

[@donaldhofman5257]

Great insight! Thanks for the information!

[@elvisneedsboatsbennett2455]

My peach and plum trees are loaded with blossoms already. I am behind on planting seeds, so I will have to use seedlings. Zucchini, squash, okra, tomatoes. I have never had luck with beans, but I want to try butter beans so I can put away succotash.

[@lorrainedunbar4274]

SHAWN, my husband and I are PLANT BASE PEOPLE no meat !! we have managed to get rid of high bloods pressure meds , Cholesterol meds and it has worked ! for folks out there that are trying to prep and can't have animals because they live in towns or cities they can grow a garden but need to know what to grow to reach their daily needs to sustain a healthy life style. Meat is incredibly expensive . Not saying this to get folks to go plant based but if things get really bad having an alternative is a THOUGHT. beans, rice, potatoes, should be on pantry shelves think beyond meat . Again not trying to convert anyone but just saying if you get to a point and can't buy meat to feed your family and stay health while we all go thru this expected food crises think out side the box. Not everyone hunts or fish or can . We are homesteaders and practice what our parents and grand parents did during the depression WE GROW !!

[@amytaylor5454]

Hello there👋👋, how are you doing today? Hope you’re having a good day? God bless you!!❤️

[@amandar7719]

Looking forward to your greenhouse seed growing video. Did you leave any leeks/onions, rutabaga in the garden last year to see if they survive the winter snow covering and successfully go to seed this year? Really enjoying Emily’s videos. A true inspiration for our youth developing skills and trying to balance their joie de vivre and aspirations with the challenges of society’s current craziness.