High Tunnel Prep | FREE Nutrients For Our Garden

It's time to revive the garden for this year's growing season, today we prepare the high tunnel by adding chicken manure and locally sourced spent grains.
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[@yukey2587]

Throw the spent grain, compost and chicken straw into the high tunnel, then chuck in the chickens. They will scratch and till the ground in 2-3 days. Then go back in and shovel your beds back into piles. Let those little raptors work for you. They will be very happy, too.

[@vlastaott3499]

Lp

[@charlenekociuba7396]

Yep, go the extra mile and let the composting heat, heat up the tunnel. It's been done successfully ( Edible Acres demonstrates on their KZbin), it's a win, win,). but they also have access to restaurant throw away food sources year round in Ithaca. This couple do the most they can and it is indeed admirable.

[@benkiran3996]

Hey guys I'm from India as we are lock down in India due to Carona virus I've been watching your videos and you guys are so lucky to have such a natural beauty, I too live in a village I do have chicken, pigeons, turkey, a dog called Afro, I love you guys living so simple and praying for you that God would protect you and keep you safe and sound, take care and God bless you.

[@lalalabuschagne2333]

God bless you too. From South Africa

[@marylouise890]

God bless world 🌎 🌍 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@tinge1954]

You guys have shown me what the meaning of "hard working ppl" is

[@peacefulwife5199]

That's for sure.....they work hard, play hard, eat hard.....but that loving look they have for each other is so soft and tender....❤

[@micheleharris2361]

Such pretty chickens! Don’t beat yourself up about the plants. We all forget things at some point - I’m glad you’re going to be doing a garden still.

[@kingrafa3938]

Love watching Arielle explaining everything about the garden.

[@kerrynphillips9153]

It’s so refreshing to hear you talk about your mistakes or times that you ‘mess up’ as you put it even though we don’t see it happening on your videos. You could just go on as if it hadn’t happened but you are honest with your viewers. Thank you for that.

[@whistleblower1238]

Just an opinion, One of the hardest things in life is to be honest to yourself, the other is to show your vulnerability. Just as your journey show; you both have a phenomenal amount of courage !!!

[@millerzion6863]

you prolly dont give a shit but does someone know a method to log back into an Instagram account?? I somehow lost my account password. I would love any assistance you can give me

[@brentleymatias9368]

@Miller Zion instablaster ;)

[@millerzion6863]

@Brentley Matias Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site through google and im in the hacking process atm. I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@millerzion6863]

@Brentley Matias it worked and I now got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D Thanks so much, you really help me out!

[@brentleymatias9368]

@Miller Zion you are welcome xD

[@koreancountrysidelife7071]

Here is Korea. Nice to meet you ~ I happened to see You do a lot of mulching in the plastic house ,,, We are just mulching Growing organic crops. ^^ In cold Alaskan life Be healthy ~ ^^

[@jonihughey1352]

It’s called a Greenhouse. 😁

[@txpyroguy817]

When you are waiting for a big train and that little excavator goes by. LOL

[@TxgrlnGa]

ATownPyro I imagined another dead moose on the tracks 😪

[@mikewagemann4129]

Every time I hear someone complain how hard I it is to grow your own food Im going to send them to this channel, way to make it work you guys are amazing. I love how you admit to failure, and allow us to see what you are going to do different next time.

[@fuubar21]

My heart goes out to you for losing all of your plants but super glad you stuck with it!

[@nadjaehrsam5427]

I can imagine that you don’t read my post on a two year old video, but simply wanted to thank you for sharing so much of your life with us! The successes, the adventure, your failures and hopes… I find myself inspired and blessed by you again and again. Thank you so much. Hope you find what you are looking for! Much love from Switzerland

[@reedamanda814]

Ugh so heartbreaking.. So sorry for the loss of those seedlings. Crossing fingers for your broody chickens!

[@avonleanne]

sigh...TOTALLY feel your pain, but on the other end of the spectrum...I left my seedlings in my tiny greenhouse shelf too long and fried them! I am new to gardening, so of course I cried and cursed myself, but yes, started anew....I need a better set up, but am trying to use what I have naturally, but I know I will be more successful if I get a better set up! sigh....thanks for sharing a booboo with us newbies...its sort of encouraging to see that a seasoned gardener also makes mistakes...=)

[@mariafongoul]

My grandparents had greenhouses they grew plants. I can remember in the winter we had to get the flats ready to seed and the greenhouse was so toasty, but in the summer forgetaboutit (jersey word) it was so hot. Oh and rotten egg fights too! My grandfather grew tomatoes also and would sell them to Campbell Soup. They grew all kinds of plants and flowers,my grandfather used to get so mad at grandmom cuz she wouldn’t charge the right price for the plants, she practically gave the plants away. Grandmom was awesome!

[@freepress6665]

Pursiveer in gardening never give up no matter what do it like your life depends on it , You guys are the real deal

[@GeckoHiker]

When I see spent grains I see bread! That's because I make my own beer. Our chickens like spent grains as long as I dehydrate them first, but every batch of beer yields 4-6 tasty loaves. You use flour, but it extends the flour a lot.

[@RubenFletcher]

You young people are awesome. More young people need to follow your lead.

[@brendabest9086]

Eric you had my mouth watering there on that breakfast sandwich 😛👍 Ariel girl , chin up and you be PROUD of what has been accomplished in the short amount of time that you both have been there. You have done wonders in Alaska and I THANK YOU for that. Good luck on the new seedlings , I'm sure you have time 😊👍

[@sonja_hooper]

-* Charles Downing uses a Hot Bed... Straw and Horse Manure which Heats up and he Places his Seedlings on this.Bottom Heat .. Wonderful Off Grid way to help the Seedlings during Cold Temps.

[@gregmiller2916]

Awesome video!!! Everyone makes mistakes, you'll be fine! Can't wait for your growing season to begin. Next time, I am suggesting you do an update on your food supply ... what is running short, what was overkill ... that would be interesting!!!

[@brucea550]

I second that request! 😎

[@BryanKilbourne007]

Boy that Moose burger sure smells so Good. Your a great cook if i can smell it in Knik, Ak.

[@davidchapman7495]

Sorry to hear you lost your plants, on the bright side it's better now than something happening late in the season, good luck

[@trishapomeroy9251]

I watched this video when it first came out and I didn't know anything about spent grains. I just picked up my first load and thanks to this video, I will be using it for my garden as well as my livestock. Thanks for the idea and inspiration.

[@carmenospino1991]

I’m enjoying watching all your videos. I very love it . My son loves it too and he’s learning everything of your..! Thanks you guys.❤️😘

[@cynthiamyers4265]

I've had good luck growing okra in my greenhouse at 8000 feet in the Colorado mountains. I don't get a lot, but I only plant about 6 plants too. It does well.

[@coloradopackratprepper]

Me too!!!💞💞💞💞

[@angelo16yay]

4:09 Chicken slips on ice

[@sstorm66]

Buhahahaha

[@lissee212]

Thank you!!! I needed a laugh! :) :)

[@TheBombson]

lmao tnx!

[@hol_9533]

Thank you

[@videosrfun4me189]

put a temporary secondary and even a third smaller hoop tunnel in your high house. pvc pipe and plastic with holding spring clamps. this will add several growing zones with the inner smaller hoop hose for your herbs and perennials that need a boost start.. you can also put a solar powered light and fan to warm the air slightly. remove the inner hot houses as your weather warms.. this will also retain heat and warms your soil faster for spring.

[@barbarafentress2933]

Yeah!! So happy true see a new video. A new season of gardening. I love how y'all work together on your projects.

[@rhondadorst3553]

Hello, I came across one of y'alls videos while watching canning videos. I can salsas mostly. My parents and grandparents where committed gardeners and canners. And man I kick my self all the time for not listening and learning more from them. Since the Coronavirus has happened, I've invested and took what I do remember and put it to use. I just wanted to say that you two young people have impressed both my husband and myself. At our age we would never try to venture out like y'all have done, but we love your videos and have learned so much from y'all. I respect and admire both of you so much. We wish you both nothing but the best of luck and prosperity with everything you do. We look forward to watching y'alls adventure.

[@jamesgaul3544]

I really like how open and honest you guys are with sharing the good with the bad. May The Lord bless you both and keep you all safe.

[@bonahisme]

Dude. That’s the best ditch water in the valley!!!! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@neilmunro6683]

Great job... Kindness your way Neil [Lochness Scottish Highlands }

[@michaelcox1071]

Bummer about the seedlings, but remember, you will make mistakes. It’s unavoidable. What matters is how you decide to recover from them.

[@jamesedwards1588]

You could build a hot compost bin in the high tunnel. Layer the compost in the bin, water, and turn ever 3-4 days. As the microorganisms rapidly multiple the compost will break down much quicker and give off heat.

[@Tater79bj]

YES!! So stinkin excited to see what your garden does this year!

[@jeep4ron]

Breakfast looked good. Nothing like getting ready for the growing season..!! Everything is going to be awesome again. ❤️ Have a fantastic day you two..!!

[@rce2553]

Nice work batching out a full days worth of breakfast sandwiches. Thinking way past just breakfast, very efficient. It's obvious you two work very hard needing all those calories. Best of luck with your garden this year.

[@gloriamoore766]

I really admire seeing a young couple willing to work as hard as you do. God bless you.

[@lesleywatkins1172]

Love you two, you work so hard, but always together! You can grow new plants, everyone is allowed slip ups! 😀

[@jaimanlive]

Wow one of the best videos I have seen! I love how Do you guys use the spent grains and the bedding from your chicken coop totally awesome!

[@lisagrafton2529]

Have you checked out KZbin videos on "water glassing" eggs? It's a way to preserve extra eggs for winter, when the chickens don't lay many, if any, eggs. It's a very old concept, but some people still do it. It can only be done with fresh laid eggs--NO store-bought eggs would work.

[@danamama6766]

Now that is a to die for breakfast!! And watching your broody hens brought back a hysterical memory to me that you might enjoy. We have used light bulbs in the coop in the winters. One day a few years ago one burnt out so my husband or son, no one can own up to whom it was, changed a light bulb but obviously put the old one in one of the boxes then forgot. So a hen decided to sit and we let her and no one was disturbing her used that box. Why we never saw it prior I have no idea. It was opaque though maybe that's why...well I went in one evening and she was sitting crazy weird like bumped up that night. She had been sitting for a good two weeks. I pushed her up and was freaked out because there was this huge light bulb under her! And it was warm and totally intact and she must have been rolling it over everyday so carefully with the chick eggs god bless her soul! (that was hard work :( ) And she was really mad at me for taking it away. It was huge compared to her little eggs! I was so stressed out! She was like you mean person! I went running and yelled at my husband and son!! And they were a bit bewildered but said, and its the truth......well nothing really bad happened did it? I guess, other than she cackled (screamed) at me for quite awhile....but she did forgive eventually. I hope that cheered you up a bit too. I have been gardening for years and make many boobs still. I still have things I grow amazing one year that bomb the next..... And you have taught me some things I never knew. And I love to learn new things. Gardening will never just be exact. I try to tell my husband that. Its an adventure. Hugs

[@loufarbus2330]

Your videos are inspiring me to want to start gardening. Your tutorials are so easy to understand and cover all the details that most gardening programmes assume people know, but actually us newbies don't. Thank you so much and blessings to you and your family of animals.

[@jimmieburleigh9549]

Heating the high tunnel is where a rocket mass heater would come in handy. Like with the onions if you get bit in the butt on loosing them like you did you have the option to buy ready to plant onion draws

[@445supermag]

As nice as that high tunnel is in the winter, you should consider building a small one on top of your root cellar. It would keep your stuff from freezing, it would keep the snow off the hatch and it would keep water from around it also.

[@videosrfun4me189]

when you get a frost unexpected have a small stove with a heating fluid coil around the chimney pipe.( propane or wood). put a raised bed down the center and under it place piping with glycol type fluid. you can use an small pump to circulate the heated fluid down the entire length of the hoop house. insulate the pipe were you don't want the heat to escape from..

[@jackiemartin2874]

You always show what the dogs eat, but what do you feed the cats? I’m so very sorry about the plant loss! And I’m really glad you’re pushing through and replanting.

[@honeybadgers1996]

Sorry to hear about your loss of plants, Arielle. But, you guys are survivors and will rebound your losses. I believe in you two‼️

[@alaskanwifelife7892]

That spring you went to is right next to our place, go farther north a bit until you go over the bridge and there we are.

[@loydmeeks9553]

I love your videos as you don't constantly jabber and no music, Keep it up.

[@AfterTheRains]

Shame about your seedlings. Perhaps a little reminder alarm on your mobile? The high tunnel looks less like a haunted house after the clean up! 😀 And, what another good resource you have found for the garden and the chickens.

[@claraisely9397]

Sometimes you can save frost bitten plants by spraying them with H20 b4 they thaw. Blessings

[@rdlowman6]

I am 74. Growing up we had a house with 10,000 frier (meat) chickens. We would sell them and get a new bunch of chicks every 8 weeks. We would add shavings/sawdust between bunches and clean to the ground every other bunch (16 weeks). We always had great gardens and pastures. 10,000 chickens produce a lot of poop. We had a spreader and once out we would till it into the garden. Works great.

[@jamesmoore5603]

For your starts an easily assemblable 10' pvc pipe hoop tunnel in your tunnel would offer double insulation and maybe cut down on the need to move things so much in the spring. It might also extend fall growing for greens.

[@brucea550]

You beat me to it! A cold frame in the high tunnel would effectively add a zone of warmth. Still not enough to make it through a night of single digits though...

[@soapsoilandsunshine3241]

What a bummer about your seedlings getting frosted. If I have something important to remember, I just set a reminder on my phone. I'm totally muddle-headed and forget straight away, so as soon as I know I have to remember something, I set a reminder. I lost a lot of plants a week ago because I forgot to water for one day. Searing Queensland head, no water = dead plants. Oh well. Start again. I have 110 days until first expected frost. Time to replant. Great video.

[@alane6555]

Yes, the loss of the young plants sucks but if you learn from it, it is an education. Is there something you can do inside the cabin to remind you that they are in the high tunnel? Like a bright green cloth on the railing to the loft. When you bring the plants in from the high tunnel you put the green cloth on the shelf with them. Also remember that this was not only a lesson for you but for each of you viewers. You and Eric are so honest, open and just GREAT all around that all of us can't wait for the next video to come out. But we also know that it is work to make them so I believe that many of us let the ads play even if we are using that time as an intermission.

[@marylouise890]

That’s sad that you lost so many seedlings that year. Another channel created had trouble remembering to turn a watering facet off after changing animals water everyday. A commenter told him about the bracelet thingie. It helped him 100% to remember to turn off the water. I know this is a older video. I just thought about it when you told us what had happened to you ❤

[@beesonjim]

You're doing a great job! We learn from the things we do!! I'm looking forward to the next update!

[@kenshores9900]

Okra freezes well and pickles well.

[@owbeer]

and old guy told me once that during winter you gotta shovel snow into the greenhouse/tunnel, it keeps the ground moist.

[@susanwoodward7485]

Spent hops = GARDEN GOLD!! Very "hot" when fresh, meaning high nitrogen, so let age before planting. Also, if you live in suburbia, REALLY STINKY for awhile, so beware offending your near neighbors.

[@MichaelMcbratney]

It's better on your back to carry 2 buckets to balance your back...

[@gardening-in-the-woods]

Totally agree, I have carried thousands of pails of everything imaginable. Always balance your load, your back and hips will thank you.

[@stewartc4558]

double layer poly with an air layer should blanket the area. so it keeps a lot warmer.

[@wayneweber2540]

Seeing you guys fetch water out a spring reminds me of a spring that my mom and stepdad did , going out from the home site , they always made sure there were at least 6 empty1 gallon containers in the vehicle

[@shellymb]

I have had chickens for years, when my hens start to go broody they may fail to set the eggs because the other hens knock them off the nest, because most hens lay in the same nest. Once one looks broody, set up a quit area and block off other hens from that area. Provide hen with water and food nearby. Make sure the nest area is well insulated Underneath.. one old flashed way to stop a broody hen is to put her in a wire cage because the cold on there chest will stop them, I used an old plastic dog kennel, but a hutch made out of pallets would be fine also. Hens will be More successful that way..

[@terrinadeau8965]

Tee shirts and shorts here in Oklahoma today, but your snow and ice looks great to me!

[@Yutani_Crayven]

Why is it that chicken sounds are always so calming

[@angielester26]

Fan for life here. I learn so much from watching you both. And get so inspired. Between you and one other channel I watch... I can't wait to change my whole way of living. Thanks for all the knowledge and inspiration.

[@yasminghani2073]

Lot of hard work

[@peacefulwife5199]

Awww, Ariel & Eric, stuff happens.....do not beat yourself up over the plants. You know what. You're garden this year WILL BE THE BEST EVER!! Stay positive. We all make mistakes. Sure you spent a lot of time, and love on those plants but.....don't be sad. You are WOMAN......let's hear you roar.....own that garden.....you got this!! ❤❤

[@farmandforage8851]

Love the garden videos! Lots of good information for us newbies!

[@DaenaDanzig777]

Please share how you learned to be a gardener, you are incredible. 🥰

[@gryjones4851]

I really liked the longer video format!

[@JamesJones-pt9cz]

U both did a great job on your Hightower, and chicken coop. Watching u both takes me back when I was growing up on the farm. U both do amazing jobs at your task everyday. U will always be successful because u both work together, and have the determination for it. Love your videos , both of u stay safe.

[@MarahScott]

Thank you so much for sharing. Sometimes it feels like the mistakes are few and far between for others so knowing it happens to us all is a wonderful thing

[@smithfamilyhomestead1515]

Aww big happy dog supervising the chickens!! Cheers from Arkansas!!!

[@russianroulette715]

The loss of all those plants sucks so bad sorry that happened but I know you guys will rebound and have an amazing harvest this year! Love your channel and all the great things I learn from you guys.

[@HHeirloomIA]

Booo on the loss of the seedlings, but you have time to restart!! Good score on spent grain. Most things do not go to waste on a homestead, dead plants go into the compost pile and poop into the garden. I hope spring shows up soon for you!

[@glenwaldner7178]

Oh nooo sorry for your loss, we ones moved (transplanted) our tomatoes from the greenhouse to the garden. Next day to our horror over 20 were eaten off by cutworms. 😭 That’s a hard pill to swallow. Take care.

[@melindasloan6099]

My wife and I planted seed potatoes this afternoon that I had ordered from Territorial Seed Co. We usually plant them on Good Friday every year but the forecast is not favorable for the next several days here in Iowa. Onion plants, carrots, beets and cabbage plants will follow in a week or so. I enjoy watching your gardening vlogs. Thanks.

[@MrScoresby]

WIRE CAGE COMPOST: Have you considered building a round wire cage 5' across and 3' high just inside the greenhouse. This you could fill; in layers with the remaining straw bedding and chicken manure; with a little dirt from the paths ( for local soil organisms) and the spent grain. A pile this big might generate enough heat to start composting until you are ready to use it in the main garden. The pile 5' across and 4' high ( 1' above the wire ) keep adding material as the pile settles. When you get closer to your last frost date. Remove the wire cage and set it in the garden then re-pile the compost with the top material and the sides in first. Then the center and bottom material on top and down the sides. With the air from the re-piling the pile should heat up again. The secret will be making the pile big enough to generate core heat in your temperatures over night . The wire cage just outside the garden all summer long will provide a home for all garden and kitchen waste not fed to the chickens and their summer bedding. At the end of summer as you remove the lower growth from the tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vining plants; I would start interplanting fall and winter greens. Now move the wire cage back into the greenhouse; and re-build the pile; to generate heat to stretch the season. the old guy Bert

[@galeholt1523]

Ariel, you are amazing! You are my hero! I love your videos and am always so excited when you and Eric have a new upload. Wish you both the best!

[@saa8458]

Love the sun ☀️ when you are hooking up the trailer. It looks massive. Sorry to hear about the herbs. It can be disheartening when you put in the hours and effort but these little setbacks are what makes gardening worthwhile in the end. Can’t wait to see your outside garden area in the next couple of months. Your doing great work. 👍🏻 Happy Easter 🐣

[@robhakeman5873]

I know people that put golfballs in the nests and if you can get some kind of a light in the chicken Coop they have a tendency to lay more. Have you ever made Pickled eggs ? Idk if you follow them or not but Mike and Erin with Our Wyoming life have 2 high tunnels and then grow some of the hardy vegetables till December or January you should follow them and if you have any questions about high tunnels talk to them

[@jasonwilson7998]

Can't wait for more growing/planting videos. What other projects are in store? Maybe a little sneak peek?

[@TheGardenerNorth]

If you use bottom heat you can reduce your germination time by a half or even 2/3 rds the time.

[@cplatter38]

Hey! I used to lasagna garden too... might go back to it...maybe... but, I've found that my outside beds warm up faster if I can break them up also, I over winter most of my animals in my tunnels, I use a portable roost for the chickens (50+/-) and move it around a lot, same with the rabbit hutches.. the goats spread their own.. then I add a layer of peat, till and plant... one of my tunnels floods bad every breakup so I keep my ducks in there, They filter out any weed seeds I get, I've had a chick weed problem in the past. Good luck this year! Hopefully it'll be like last summer!! That was a great garden year!

[@emilymarguerita2781]

Last year I left ALL of my tomatoes outside by accident and I lost all 50 of them. Thankful a neighbour donated about 6 tomato plants! Maybe ask around, I know many people start way more than they need!

[@timstewart8690]

Thanks for the updates guys. Glad to see you're still keeping busy! I would suggest you keep growing your tomatoes in the centre of the tunnel. As they reach the top, lower the whole plant while bending/coiling the lower part of the stem as best you can. keep doing this while the top continues to grow. Feed your plants and all should be well.

[@riff2072]

1:32 Nice ice driveway. I bet it was easy to make too. :)

[@Battlehummel]

Nice work, have you considered pine bark mulching your walk ways, once it breaks down you can throw it into your beds for more organics then relay a fresh load in the walk ways.

[@elizabethwhite6364]

So much fun to see what you are up to, lots of knowledge! Sorry for the plant loss, you will remedy I know! Wow - 6 more weeks of frost! Cannot wait to see what you've got growing! Thank you!

[@dwhite1282]

Another great video...very informative. Jessica is a natural in front of the camera, it feels like she’s talking to you instead of at you....great job guys. Stay safe and God bless If your interested Prudhoe bay still sucks but at least I’m working.

[@richardsabean5781]

WELL THAT'S A FIRST FOR ME.. NEVER SEEN IT DONE OR HEARD OF IT... GREAT IDEA...

[@jimjames3168]

Kitchen timer! Start saver.

[@MrDenniscrystal]

Thank you very much for this video...i am from india, kerala..Here it is hot summer..watching this cool video mind getting cool,waiting for other videos

[@donnburge9774]

i remember when they closed that spring and posted it, the sign was torn down and never replaced that was about 1998, i use to get water there in the 90s

[@TheRLeske]

why did they close it?

[@tonimitchell9930]

What a good idea getting the brewery barley. I have some of the coffee places save their grounds for me and that is a huge resource, I will have to check with the local brewery here. I have been looking into hot beds in high tunnels to heat as our weather is a lot like yours.

[@jakipullman]

Oh my sooo much ice on the ground! You both are amazing and admire what you do. Lots of love from Australia. Stay safe 🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️