GUESS WHAT WE FOUND! A strange day on the homestead!

We thought that this week was going to be a bit... well... normal! We were wrong very wrong.
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We are- a family of four,
Mum- Annie,
Dad-Bruce
Two children Elsie and Betsy
One dog - Doug
2 Cats - McTat and Ash
2 Pygmy Goats - Treasure and Bell
and we decided to trade our busy life as home and business owners to chase the dream we’ve harboured for 10years.
How did we get here
After years of saying one day, we finally realised that these opportunities don’t just land in your lap and if we seriously wanted to make a difference to the Earth then we were going to have to stop talking about it and do it!
We sold all our stuff, got rid of the mortgage, sold our camper conversion business and landed in a dream come true. After traveling in our van we settled here in the west of Ireland. A place that has always been special to us. Annie is half Irish and since we met 12 years ago and she took me to meet her family i fell in love with Ireland too.
Now we’ve made this dream a reality there is no stopping us! our plan is to work hard, meet new people and learn new skills that will guide us on our journey of permaculture and creating a way of life that sings to us. One where we aren’t bound to the banks, working every hour and outsourcing all of our needs. A simple way of life, with connection to ourselves, each other, the earth and our community.
Vlogging with
iPhone 11
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Olympus OM-D 5 mk ii
Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14 mm F2.8 PRO Lens
Lens Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40 mm F2.8 PRO Lens
Mic Rode VideoMicro Compact On Camera Microphone
Final Cut Pro
DJI Mavic Air

[@sidninewton5377]

Your new critters are just showing up !

[@OffGridBruce]

😂 tell me about it

[@Nate1975]

Nothing wrong with them. It will grow. We have the same pollytunnel and they flower early, still loads of tomatoes later on in the year. Everything actually grows earlier and faster in the pollytunnel. Try not to overthink things with planting. Everything grows in my experience - 20 years of doing this, never failed. Just plant, water, weed and wait. Picking off flowers feels counterintuitive to me. Just let it do its thing

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks for this comment. I think it’s east to overthink sometimes. I’m excited to see what happens in the tunnel over the next few months

[@brianraftery1645]

Don't forget your in the west everything grows slower and later except weeds. I've been growing tomatoes in my poly tunnel in Mayo for the last few years and nothing usually happens until August with most tomatoes coming in September. You just need a bit of patience all of my plats are about the same size as yours and I grew them from seeds in January in my kitchen.

[@OffGridBruce]

@@brianraftery1645 thanks Brian that’s reassuring to know 🙏

[@sshaw4429]

Pinching is a solution. A good choice. They are smaller because they are in green house. 6-8 hours are necessary.

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks. They are doing well now and have fruit on them. Hooray 😃

[@davidfennell5124]

Pollytunnell looks great Bruce and the stone around it is a great investment for soakage and to walk on. Budgie was so cute, can only imagine how much the kids are loving it

[@OffGridBruce]

Any animal and those girls are happy. I think if they had it their way we would have a zoo

[@66bigbuds]

Get them tomatoes planted in the ground. They're just root bound. Take off the blossoms, and bury the plant with just the top sticking out.

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks. They are all in the ground now and doing well

[@grahamyoudell4105]

Hey Bruce…. Keep passing you and only realise it’s you til I’m a km up d road… can I ask where u got the poly tunnel?… keep the vlogs rocking us locals are loving it… 👍

[@OffGridBruce]

Haha brilliant! If you see me again give me a shout. The tunnel was from first tunnels. They had a good deal on at the time. I’m pretty happy with it so far. Stood against those storms with no issues

[@tiffcat1100]

Congratulations on the budgie/s, how delightfully random 😊

[@OffGridBruce]

Very random indeed!

[@danpoxon2425]

I think them tomatoes will be ok once you get them in the ground of the tunnel they could potentially be pot bound or used the nutrients up from the compost but I’m sure that once there in the ground a couple of weeks an get there roots down there be flying Id remove all side shoots to encourage them to grow upwards

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks for the info! 🙏

[@moniquem783]

Just discovered you through the gript interview and have subscribed because Annie’s patchwork trousers are adorable! The content isn’t bad either 😂😂 Have just watched half a dozen of your vids and yep I can definitely continue watching and learning from you. Something Annie said in the interview was exactly what I needed to hear. To have the courage to go for it. I have a buyer coming through my house in the suburbs this week but haven’t yet found my homestead in the country. I need to have the courage to take the chance and make it happen. Yes it’s scary, but it’ll be worth it. Love the community you’ve got out there. Hope I end up in a place like that. And the quiet! It’s so peaceful! That’s my number 1 thing. I need peace and quiet. Second is a big kitchen so I have plenty of space to preserve the harvest and have multiple projects on the go 😊

[@OffGridBruce]

Ah she has a great collection of trousers like that. She’s great for pushing me off the edge and seeing what catches us. So far it’s served us very well. I wish you the very best on the next chapter whatever that may bring 😊

[@moniquem783]

@@OffGridBruce well, there will be plenty of trouser inspiration for me then! I picked up a vintage loom a little while ago and have figured out how to repair it so I’m planning to weave lots of little patches to make trousers with 😊 I really do like the push off the edge and see what catches you philosophy. I think I’ve figured out my safety net so a fall can’t do too much damage 😂😂😂 Thanks for the good wishes. It’s taken me a long time to get this point and now I’m so close I can almost touch it. It’s so exciting! Btw, something I’m really interested in learning about which nobody else I’ve found has fully covered it. Coppicing. Not just how to chop it down and rotate through, but actually how to set up a woodland for coppicing. How to calculate how many trees to plant for it, spacing etc etc. Just for if you’re ever out of video ideas 😂

[@treecutter]

Thay look OK probably a bit early don't pick the flowers off Thay will pick up soon pot on when the roots show out of the bottom of the pot

[@OffGridBruce]

Brilliant thanks David 🙏

[@robscoble1579]

Another good video mate. Regarding the tomatoes, some grow slower than others, so you just have to let them ketchup...😜🍅

[@OffGridBruce]

😂

[@cab1n]

Great stuff. I rescued an identical budgie 3 years ago and still have it along with 2 more :) Get a cuttle fish bone and a mineral block. Also make sure they are away from draft and always have access to seed and water. Hope this helps

[@OffGridBruce]

It does help thanks. Will defo get a cuttle fish bone and already got a mineral block

[@allonesame6467]

You guys are awesome!

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks 😊

[@BM-hb2mr]

Coffee grounds aren't the best things for a lot of plants , there is a chemical in coffee and it sometimes stunts the growth, but, are you sure the tomatoe plants aren't dwarf s

[@OffGridBruce]

None of them are dwarfs but thanks for the heads up regards coffee grounds

[@brianmcguigan5881]

Check the roots, they may need potting on (up a pot size). Remove the first trusses (the stem with the flowers on) let them grow on to have 5 to 6 trusses only. After that remove any other trusses that form.

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks Brian. I hadn’t heard that before. Appreciate the help 🙏

[@emcc8598]

Tomato plants are just a little bit small but will definitely improve very quickly once planted and given a liquid feed. *Don't pinch out the new flowers* That's called the first truss and a sign the plants are getting ready to fruit. And that's what you want! Once plants are growing tall - tie them up and later in the season, pinch out the sideshoots to maximise tomato yield. As an experiment- take just one plant and pinch out the flowers. Hint: The result will be more foliage not fruit!

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks for those tips. I think maybe we have been over thinking a few bits with it being our first year growing but I’m happy that they seem ok. Appreciate the help 🙏

[@emcc8598]

@@OffGridBruce Btw. A couple of tips which are a definite labour saving is to get some dedicated gardening tools. A pickaxe is great on a building site but an awful thing for gardening! Lookup 'Digginghoe'. It's a lifesaver especially with Irish soils. Much better than a spade as well. Also paths- if you clear the vegetation and add a decent layer of aggregate stone - it will bind really with the soil (your soil seems to be clay I think) and this will form a natural Mcadam surface (minus the tar bit) making an excellent path without the need for plastic or ground fabric. Test out a sm section in case your soil isn't clay. I also see you've found out just how easy 'lazybeds' for potatoes are. Hint: they're not!

[@OffGridBruce]

@@emcc8598 haha yeah I think the person who coined the phrase lazy beds was having a joke. I have actually bought a mattock/cultivation hoe from fruit hill farm but it hasn’t turned up yet. I’m actually quite excited for it to get here as have lots of jobs for it. We do have a lot of clay here and there. Some places we have nice black soil. Thanks for the tip as I would rather not use the weed suppressant matting if possible

[@dreadedscotslass]

Pick the flowers off. Take off any suckers (the wee shoots growing from between the main shoots) as that stops them concentrating on getting bushy. They will grow up the way. Then feed them with tomatoe specific feed. Bigger pots or into ground then leave them (obviously water them)

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks it’s interesting as even here in the comments there are conflicting ideas but I’m sure they have all had results they are happy with. I pleased to see this comment though as we had pulled some off on some of them so I guess now I have an experiment on my hands

[@dreadedscotslass]

@@OffGridBruce I do it every year with each plant. It makes the plants concentrate on the buds. I usually take off the 1st few buds as well and it shocks the plant into producing more buds (quickly) as it needs to produce to put out its seed. Its worked for me and I get between 20 + 40 tomatoes per plant.

[@alybridgwater3282]

Hello bruce take the leaves of the tomotoes that are touching the soil to prevent disease never grow them near potatoes also watch out for blight they come from the sam family grass clipping or straw keeps moisture in

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks for that tip. It’s great to have this info before it’s too late

[@dreadedscotslass]

I'm gonna try planting my potatoes in straw next year. I've watched KZbin videos and it saves a whole lot of digging 🤣

[@alybridgwater3282]

@@dreadedscotslass lazy gardening is good I've planted me spuds covered in straw and grass clippings for the past 5 years keeps the moisture in I plant desiree because its drought tolerant and a good all rounder and I leave them to get on with it until they are ready

[@grettastarritt6851]

Just leave the tomato flowers mine are flowering. -- all is well with them and I am in Donegal

[@OffGridBruce]

Thank you for the words of reassurance 🙏

[@ianwynne5483]

Customs and Excise will be after you for VRT, if they see you commonly on the road with that reg , you must register your UK vehicles as Irish if you're living here.Also your driving licence needs to be changed over.

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks Ian. I know. Got pulled by the guards not long ago. Paper work is being done and s usual is taking forever. Got the Irish license :)

[@terrygauvin3961]

Great video 👍 always interesting 👍 can't wait for the next one 😀

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks Terry 🙏

[@angelabyrne154]

I do a giggle every time I see your daughter’s hair. It reminds me as a child I hated having my hair brushed and looked like this too! Come to think of it, I still don’t brush my hair often but don’t seem to get it so tangled now.

[@OffGridBruce]

Ah I love it. Every now and then she decides to give it a brush but the back of her hair has dreadlocks (her own choice 😂) I think it suits her personality down to a T. Elsie on the other hand has done all sorts with hers from shaving it all off to long hair to her bum. Unfortunately I can’t join in with my hair or lack of 😂

[@dreadedscotslass]

@@OffGridBruce I'm a dreadlock girl so I'm so glad you guys are supporting her in that choice if she wants them. If your ever in Scotland come give me a shout and I'll lock them up properly with a crochet hook for her 😉👍🏻❤

[@Starlight22215]

If you pick off the flowers you won’t get fruit. I’d leave them alone, or do what I do when seeds fail, go to the garden centre, or one of those tables people put out with surplus plants. I’ve got some toms that are huge and some that were frost damaged and looked dead but I nurtured them and they are fine, if a tad small.

[@OffGridBruce]

Good news then :) I guess time will tell

[@tiffcat1100]

I’m sure you’ll get plenty of good advice on here but Jess on Roots & Refuge would definitely help (although in USA) 😊

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks for that 🙏

[@glenakiwibackyardgardner1193]

Depends on variety and weather condensation or or not and fruit size could be part of your tomatoes flower and size if you planted a cherry bush variety then it will grow flowers early and produce alot of suckers they'll be fine they'll grow

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks. Had some great tips from everyone. I think we will just sit and wait fingers crossed 🤞

[@kmoon2921]

Disco was a lucky Budgie in his/her choice of destination, a great holiday until their owner is found or great forever home , well done guys.

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks 😊

[@equatorialcat4569]

regarding the tomatoes flowering, I think it is age related. Plant some new ones and they will be the same size in a couple of weeks and will be sure to grow to full size.

[@OffGridBruce]

That’s interesting. I’ll plant a couple and see

[@chickenlady3155]

I was sure the answer was going to be 'Shergar'. But a budgie is good too.

[@OffGridBruce]

That would have been nice 😊

[@johnoleary528]

Great entertainment, thank you!

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks John 🙏

[@jembo1959]

Hi Bruce sorry I am only getting to your video now as most weeks I pop in for a look on a Sunday, I was busy myself taking in a 20 foot container to my garden, anyway welcome to Disco the budgie and if you don't mind me commentating, Disco is a boy he has the blue colour on his beak. As to your tomatoes not to boast mine are bigger 🤣 if you just water the stem and not the hole plant it helps also always water in the morning as you don't want plants sitting in cold water over night as temperatures drop especially a poly its not like a greenhouse that holds heat. keep lower leaves off the soil in fact trim these off if touching the soil it will help keep disease at bay. sorry for the big long letter best of luck as well with the path, and check out Quick crop in Sligo for a tool called a chillington hoe great for the garden and a back pain saver. 👍

[@OffGridBruce]

No worries. Sounds like an interesting project! Thanks for the tips regards the tomatoes. Funny enough after releasing that vlog it was like they heard us and just shot up. I literally just received a mattock I ordered from fruit hill farm and I’m itching to use it :)

[@davideaston1139]

I use the no dig method to grow toms and everything else, works a treat, no weeds, higher yields, late season blight is my enemy and caterpillar's over my fruit

[@OffGridBruce]

We have kind of no dig in the tunnel. We had to dig out the brambles that used to occupy that space. I laid down card and hemp roll and put some fresh topsoil and compost to plant into. Looking forward to seeing how the year goes

[@lazycarper7925]

finding that budgie in your remote land is insane, its absolutely blown my mind, and its sooooo cool, thats like some sort of other world type stuff, i like to grow tomatoes , love it infact, and your plants that are flowing early is a very good thing bcos tom plants that have all they need in a perfect soil, will delay flowers, and then flowering can be a bit low yeild, small pots till the first full flowers will send the plants into a good flowering state, and then when they go into there final lovely rich soil or compost mix, they will continue to pump out flowers and fruit, if you feed them comfrey etc, with tomatoes i find i dont want loads of nitrogen in the feed or soil, nitrogen =leaves, so bonemeal, is my first go to soil amendment, for flowers and fruit, other extras are wood ash, blood ,fish,bone meal- and what will dictate what to use! is your soil ph, buy a ph meter it will serve you well for years and keep toms happy,for eg wood ash for fruit if your soil is low ph,- dont mix your coffe grounds into soil always ontop!,trust me, and your courgettes will start really well in big pots but later tail off not so good, trust me do one in the corner of the polly tunnel ground if you can or outside,hope in wrong and yours do great good luck,

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks for all the tips there. Lots to take on board there. The Budgie was an insane find. Not something I ever thought would happen. He’s quite a little character. We planted some comfry not long ago

[@conordavoren7497]

Your welcome Bruce,

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks 🙏

[@TheFarminskis]

Dog, Cats, Goats and......Welcome Disco 👋👋👋 😆

[@OffGridBruce]

What next!!!??

[@TheFarminskis]

@@OffGridBruce logically, a giraffe 🦒

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Great video as always, loved the music on this one. It's probably great on the other too but particularly caught my attention this time for some reason. Polytunnel pathways are looking 👌

[@OffGridBruce]

Thanks. Yes I felt the music had a nice happy few to it

[@bigwilf1966]

Add chicken poo to your feed if you have chickens. Great for all things green. your Toms look fine too me and Helen( my Girlfriend). Nice guitars too. Gratz on the new addition too the family too. loved the cabbage white spray too with deffinetly give that a try.

[@OffGridBruce]

Ah my guitars ❤️ we will be getting some chickens soon enough I think so will defo bare that in mind

[@bigwilf1966]

@@OffGridBruce feel the same way about my mandolins.

[@prubroughton2327]

are you potting into straight compost, because not a lot of nutrition in compost it is a soil, organism feeder ( smile explanation) not a lot of air spaces and will need drainage material added or in my long experience the plant roots smother ( 70 years a gardener hear in nz) have a look at Charles Dowding if you don't already or Huw in Wales

[@OffGridBruce]

I love Charles Dowding channel. The tunnel is sited on an old bramble patch so not strictly no dig right now. We dug up the roots of the brambles we could see and then mulched with card and hemp roll. I then put fresh topsoil down and dressed with compost. I wasn’t sure if that was right but thought that over the years the soil will hopefully improve year on year. I hadn’t realised that about compost until a few days ago when a friend told me the same thing. Thanks for sharing your knowledge it’s very much appreciated

[@JasonLockwood87]

I am on a similar journey to you on Anglesey, north wales. Although I have been incredibly bad with the KZbin videos over the last year and a half. I’m still in the rat race I’m afraid. Hoping to be free next year. It’s great to see you both trying new things and taking back control of your lives. You’re both an inspiration. Cool guitar playing by the way. I’m a bass player. 🎸you definitely seem like the kind of person I’d like to have a pint with. Looking forward to the next video

[@OffGridBruce]

Good luck with everything. I hope you get to start your dream. Thanks regards the guitar playing. A pint and a jam sounds good doesn’t it :)

[@JasonLockwood87]

@@OffGridBruce certainly does mate. Shout me if ever you’re driving through Anglesey back into England. I can show you and your family our homestead

[@OffGridBruce]

@@JasonLockwood87 lovely I will do

[@irishcottagerenovation9900]

Hi guys, what variety as that will make a difference with growing habit ? your doing a great job.

[@OffGridBruce]

Ah we have planted so many different varieties I’ll have to ask Annie

[@CORRIGEEN71]

Try some Irish beef steak you won’t ever need a cabbage

[@OffGridBruce]

I do love a cabbage though :)

[@tiffcat1100]

What does the yellow machine do? Water/flatten the stones?

[@OffGridBruce]

It’s a wackier plate. It compacts the stone layer by layer

[@tiffcat1100]

💖😊💖

[@michaelgriffiths6395]

You need a greenhouse to grow tomatoes with glass.

[@davideaston1139]

No you don't, i've been growing them for years outside and in the polytunnel... there's nothing new under the sun

[@tiffcat1100]

With climate change and warmer weather …

[@reginahetherington1769]

Hoi Guys, give me a capital "H" on your credits 😉

[@OffGridBruce]

Oh no! I can’t believe I missed that!

[@reginahetherington1769]

🤣🤣