INVASIVE.... BUT WE FOUND A USE FOR IT! HOMESTEAD PROJECT PROGRESS AND CLEARING ABANDONED LAND

Another busy week on the farm but we're so happy with the progress we are making! Lots of progress on the land regen project, spring jobs, tractor update and we take some invasive pests on the land - but we find a great use for it.
Hi there :) We're Marc & Allys, a couple who left the UK in 2021 to search of somewhere we could build a homestead. This led us to one of Portugal's beautiful natural parks.
Self-sufficiency is important to us, whilst we're not off grid, we're keen to rely less and less on external systems. Follow us as we take on many things for the first time - learning as we go. DIY, Gardening, Growing our own food, Homestead'ing, Studying our land, Learning about permaculture and other farming techniques. We also plan to regenerate our abandoned land and create a thriving ecosystem - which isn't an easy task given we're in Portugal's hottest region (Alentejo!)
Follow us on our journey as we face new challenges, and acquire new skills!
If you enjoy it, hit like and subscribe for future videos :)
Instagram: / rootsdownhomestead
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#homestead #homesteading #portugalfarm #farm #farmlife #offgrid #offgridfarm #portugal #alentejo #portuguesehomestead #countrylife #ruralproperty #agriculture #offthegrid #farming #permaculture #diy #organic #organicfarming #invasive #landregen #landregeneration #abandoned #abandonedland #landclearance #spring #trees #plants #agroforestry

[@gaylerobison9518]

If you lay down a tarp where the chipper deposits the chips, you can just lift the tarp by the corners and put it all directly in the truck bed to move to where you're going to use it. No fapping around with bags to transfer it.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Good tip thanks!

[@mountainlife9427]

When mulching around trees, think "moat" rather than "volcano.". Not only does the moat trap water around the tree, ;but allows air around the vulnerable trunk-meets-root juncture. Then pile the mulch on the areas around the trees to encourage roots to seek out that moisture you've created under the mulch. Good stuff, mulch. Carry on; it's looking great!

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks for the great tip :)

[@TheEmbrio]

The aerial views help a lot. Some youtubers seem to think we know their land as well as them !

[@solamano7239]

I applaud your energy & accomplishments

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thank you so much 😁

[@IvanKinsmanSDP]

That rock rose seems to be a mega pain in the arse and really good work and effort removing it by the roots.

[@jcr_jcr]

Love your Brissol accents - never lose them or be embarassed by them. Your berms are looking so good. Thanks you for sharing your life.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Bristolian was rated the 50th worst accent in the UK (out of 51), but i will never lose it, it's part of me haha. Thanks so much!

[@gman7329]

Probably worthwhile putting some mushrooms in the wood chips. Also don’t put the mulch right up against the tree trunks as it holds the moisture on the trunk & can rot the trunk & make it an easy target for pests & disease.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

That's a great idea! Good tip too, thanks! :)

[@TheEmbrio]

A few weeks after sunflowers, some sweet potatoes, for the rambling vines, can shade the soil.

[@feel7251]

when mulching leave the cut material till it dries out , it will then not clog the mulcher also leave the branches as long as you can that allows it to self feed cutting down the hours you need to get it done, cut of any branching stem so you have a straight run as much as is possible , just a few tips from someone who has done a few hours on one

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks for the tips! Seem a logical approach :)

[@kyranmacwood1278]

Wauwwww great job done you both🎉

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thank you so much 😁

[@stephenbeesley2645]

You are an extraordinary couple. Your work ethic is beyond anything. I wish you both every success and my only hope is that in 10 years time I am around to see the fruits of your efforts and labour. Love this channel, your enthusiasm and your attitude.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thank you so much for your kind word Stephen :) We hope you are too! Stay safe and healthy :)

[@eugenecourtney1778]

Well Done!!!!!!!!!

[@RamiJames]

You guys seem like sweethearts. Love watching your journey.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thank you so much :)

[@ourhighlandhomestead]

Shout out to the Bristolians 😁😁😁😁 Great job babbers!

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Haha love it :D

[@Reet64]

You earned your keep today!!

[@rootsdownhomestead]

I think you're right there Reet :)

[@danielpope]

I kinda wish I found you guys for the first time now, I could happily binge watch the next episode now, I'm gonna attempt a miniature pruning on my garden tmrw, but I think I'll need waterproofs and won't have to worry about the heat 🌧️🌧️🌧️

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thank you so much Daniel, feel free to watch them all again anyway haha! Good luck with your pruning :D

[@thenodiggardener]

Hi, YT suggested your channel to me, so I've been binge watching. If you think that rock rose is invasive, you may want to give second thoughts to planting more of the Sycamore trees. They are massively invasive, and the seeds are poisonous to horses. As you will have seen with its tap root, they are not as easily pulled out, even as small saplings. On a plus side for them, they are very quick growing, and great as a pollarding tree for firewood.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks so much for joining and watching! :) All the locals here, say it's invasive, if not controlled it turns ones green fields in to dry ground. I actually found an old picture of this land which used to be green pasture! The rockrose makes the soil very very acidic and also because of the shallow roots, absorbs all surface moisture, meaning no microbiome can form on the surface. It may be different in other climates but here in Portugal and Spain it's a real problem! Appreciate the info on the sycamore, i didn't know they were classed as invasive, they are planted a lot long roads and stuff here in Portugal, maybe i'll think twice before planting any other ones :)

[@thenodiggardener]

@@rootsdownhomestead The rock rose certainly looks pretty when in flower, but you can see from your drone shots that the land looks better/recovering without it... or rather, will with some in moderation if you keep some. Also, if some does flower, the hips are great for syrups, which I imagine someone has already told you. Look into getting yourself a worm farm for all those kitchen scraps you're producing. The castings will be a great addition, as will breeding worms to reintroduce to the land.

[@GiuseppeAudino797]

Hi guys I know you’re working very hard but your farm looks amazing thank you for the good videos cheers 🍻 🍻👋👋

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thank you so much :)

[@miriammuskal5402]

You guys are so hard working

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks so much! :)

[@williamkhatchell620]

Looking great, nice assortment of trees too!

[@rolandtb3]

Using what the land gives to create bio mass, wood chips, fire wood and ash. Creating shade, animal habitat, moisture retention, minimize soil erosion, slowly the dry leavescand decaying branches will create a humus layer. Augument with hay/straw/shredded paper, manure, fertilizer, compost. Continue to add a variety of plants, fruits, trees. Nakid but a rewarding job well done.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thank you so much :) Exactly, trying to make the best of our resources! :)

[@Liz-uq1ec]

Loving your music choices today.. actually always love it! You're doing a fantastic job on the land.. love your videos 😊

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thank you so much 😁 glad you like them :)

[@annalinekennedy1027]

GREAT JOB. You worked so hard. Proud of you 2. Hard if you had to do everything on the land. The land will look so great. Luckily the rock roses pull up easily. Take a good rest and a nice gold beer, a shower and a delicious meal.❤

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thank you so much :) We really try - we kind of forget how much we've done in 2 years!

[@melanieshields3048]

Also you can use tarp under the brush. Use something like the small logs to make ramp into and out of truck bed. Or you can really think ahead and put in truck bed the first time.

[@katefinnegan8129]

I have seen that some people may do well over the summer with newer trees in keeping them watered and growing but then they didn’t wrap them for the winter and because they were young trees they died over the winter. Saw this on about 4 Portugal channels and all said they should have winterized the trees better since they were young, especially the citrus trees. You may want to check into winterizing the trees as I am not a tree expert. But you are putting money into your property planting these trees so would be nice not to have to replace them.

[@elainemcgran8828]

Iv seen the same in other videos in Portugal

[@moniqueslikkerveer6158]

Tnx for this tip!

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Yeah i learnt my lesson with bananas, avacados and mangos! Going to try and come up with a plan to make it easier for us to wrap those types of trees in the winter :)

[@TheEmbrio]

I though you meant protect from wildlife nibbling. But yes, winter weather too

[@insAneTunA]

Awesome stuff. You guys did a great job. Can't have enough mulch and wood chips and the hard and very useful work will most certainly pay out. A tip, as you apply the mulch and wood chips try to keep the stem from the trees free from the mulch and the wood chips. Everything from the tree that is above the ground likes to be dry and oxygenated, and everything under the ground likes to be wet. 👍

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thank you so much :) Can never have enough woodchip, i'm looking forward to doing the fig wood as it smells amazing :) Thanks for the tips too!

[@insAneTunA]

@@rootsdownhomesteadI just received this video that I want to share with you. I think that it is pretty awesome. Urban Permaculture grows citrus in the Utah with only woodchips. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmPap3eLnpqIpbM

[@louiseswart1315]

We cut down a camphor tree. The dry twigs smell just like the Ingrams cream.

[@elainemcgran8828]

Maybe dig the wood ash into the hole when planting the tree it gets into the soil quicker and wont wash away or blow away 😊

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks for the tip! :)

[@donaldmackinnon5779]

A lot off work done, well done to you both. Another step towards your goals.😊😊😊

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thank you so much 😁

[@shirleygraham6229]

Removing the rock rose is improving the look of the landscape and it is great that it doubles as mulch for the berms. Perfect. Win, win as they say.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

It is indeed, and we can actually see loads of grass coming up now where there hasn't been for the whole time we've been here :)

[@bensouthwell1339]

here's me thinking its the arse end of February !

[@rootsdownhomestead]

😂😂 yeah bit behind with the videos 😂

[@morganleticia2316]

Great job on the land

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks so much! :)

[@dw-ct1vl]

As “mountain life” check if “collar rot“ is prevalent so leave small clearing in mulch around stem of tree.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks - will check it! :)

[@neutonrenda2303]

Great teamwork guys, looks like you both enjoy working the land. You got loads done again and it's really looking good on the hillside already.👍

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thank you so much :) We do enjoy making improvements and seeing the results :)

[@neutonrenda2303]

Lol, love how you put your hand behind your back, and explain why with a giggle. 😂👍❤

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Haha safety first ;)

[@barbaradavie150]

I love watching your progress. You have done sooo much. It's going to be so beautiful. You guys work so hard! Awesome progress in this video.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks so much! :)

[@robrichards6219]

That was a great video Marc and Allys. I love seeing the progress on the swales.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks so much Rob! :)

[@neutonrenda2303]

The sunflowers are a brilliant idea, going to be exciting to see how it goes. It's really refreshing watching you guys transform your property.❤

[@rootsdownhomestead]

They're already sprouting! Exciting :)

[@polgarauk5606]

Absolutely love both of yours two's humour 😂 You are both doing a wonderful job with your regeneration program and the difference to when you started is outstanding 😁 Everything has it's uses even the invasive ones 😂 Haha 😂😂 eating the mud yep that's my dog Bonnie, she is a Staffordshire Blue terrier who is a contender for softest dog in Britain title...... Well until someone knocks on the door 😂😂 then evil I am coming through the door to destroy you mode switches on 😂 poor people on the other side look terrified. Until she starts looking for fuss from them 🙄🙄 Sorry went off topic there. I look forward to the next video 😊

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Haha thank you so much :) it's coming along so well! Yeah kaia is always up to something! :)

[@user-zf3yo8zu1x]

be careful what you use for mulch..it sometimes can start growing,.. learned from my own experience

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks for the tip! Yeah we're only doing this before it goes to seed, i don't think it will root (atleast i hope! :))

[@louiseswart1315]

When the leaf load is denser, I would cut down some of those very tall olive branches to a shorter height. It would make your general pruning to improve air and light penetration and your harvesting much easier.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks for the tip Louise :)

[@lindagage7315]

Looking great!

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thank you so much :)

[@terrygauvin3961]

Great video always interesting 👍 👌 ❤

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks so much! :)

[@neutonrenda2303]

Epic amount guy.👍❤

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks so much! :)

[@MisFakapek]

That was a lot of work! Well done! The usual suggestion list from my side: - keep mulch out of the young trees trunk as mold and bacteria will progress to tree way too easy (they effectively will have a colony where it could advance from). - I would really recommend to chip these branches with chipper around the swells otherwise it will take ages for it to be biodegraded. Give it more surface area as the bark on the branches will really protect it from the invasion of fungi and bacteria. - for larger tree branches - consider investing some effort in making a homemade charcoal, it's unbelivelably powerful in keeping the microbial life in difficult environment

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks and appreciate the tips :) Yeah those are the ones that can't really go through the chipper. We mainly use it as shade, we have a layer of hay underneath and want to plant stuff which can grow through the material on top. it's a bit of an experiment, hope it works :) Will have to try the charcoal, we made some biochar last year but it was very time consuming - will try it again

[@garlandgarrett6332]

You need to think about getting/keeping at least 1 beehive... preferably 2

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Would love to! :)

[@franelw6977]

an other YT in Portugal (they are from the Netherlands) said that he would start with nitrogen tree that do well the first year, than plant the other trees. He had an eucalyptus grow 3 m in a year and beneath it grow 2 trees. He had lost trees during the summer !

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks! Is that the Dutch gardener? Yeah we should have gone pioneer species first, then planted more. We shall see how they cope in the summer!

[@juanitakauffman6336]

Great video.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks so much 😊

[@MrBubba311]

Hey from IL, US.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Hey :)

[@vanti772]

Bro...line ute tray with tarp, set up chipper to feed into the back of the ute...fill up ute trey with chips directly...set up again at next cutting pile...rinse and repeat....let wood chips "dry/weather for a month as they reckon its not the best to put on your plants green 🤙

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks for the tips man :)

[@RamiJames]

A good Japanese hand saw is great for pruning

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Should invest in one :)

[@evangelinamunroe6745]

Hello from R.I. USA ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Hey Evangelina :)

[@aok2727]

Thanks!

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Oh wow, thank you so much! That's the first super thanks - so kind of you :)

[@marybarnett9645]

What a lovely mix of trees look forward to seeing them grow 👌 can I ask ? Do you need permission to be planting more trees due to fire in the summer ?

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thank you so much :) No restriction on planting trees here as far as i'm aware, unless they're on the "invasive species list"

[@nevisscot7697]

Hat is a lot of hard work.👍

[@rootsdownhomestead]

It was! :)

[@danmartin6865]

You can chip all those branches. You can do a tarp or big buckets to chip into to make it easier to load and transport to where you want it. In the spirit of giving unsolicited advice. You can retain a lot more water if you compost, seed a cover crop (like clovers) and then mulch the top on the terraces. You can whack, mow. Or bring in livestock to trim with regenerative focused grazing. Might not want goats if your trees are still low, but cattle, horses or maybbbeee sheep could help with your lack of tractor. You just need a small wire electron fence and a farmer who could use some pasture. Might even make a buck renting your land for grazing. All this this should help your new trees as they get established. Since the whole surface was tread and disturbed you're losing moisture and microbial diversity without roots and cover 🤙🏼thought for food

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks! Our chipper jams on smaller branches( or twigs you could say ).It's not super powerful. The larger branches we like to keep for firewood and olivewood smells lovely. I mentioned a number of videos ago we missed the boat for planting clover, without irrigation it's too late. So we will do it in September and try to cover the whole land. This was our initial plan but everywhere ran out of seeds! We plan on clover and alfalfa due to the nitrogen fixing. We have been told comfrey and lupins are good options but they can be toxic to dogs so didn't want to take a risk!

[@robynclarke5274]

Olive trees cn live over one thousand years. One you tuber went to a nursery to buy a few 2 year old trees. This nursery salvages old olive trees for resale. He hd quite a few in the 100'sif years. Its nice to see your older trees regenerating.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Oh wow, that's amazing to hear! They just need a bit of love (and pruning) sometimes :)

[@darrenharber6711]

Eucalyptus makes really good biochar, have you got a worm farm?

[@rootsdownhomestead]

We need to cut some more down, they grow so fasr! We do have a worm farm :)

[@rbrack54]

Have you thought about using urine from the both of you diluted with rain water, and put on your wood-chips to break them break down faster and give the soil nitrogen? (Urea fertilizer)

[@Roller-Ball]

Nice video.........Have you raised your water containers (IBCs) yet after they emptied? You said you wanted to put more pallets under them to get better pressure. Or put the newer ones a few pallets higher. Just a thought.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thank you! We decided not to right now as the irrigation is working well, although it comes out quite slow so had to put it on for longer :)

[@mechanics4all405]

buy second hand gearbox etc,if u rebuild you will know what u have,another buy could have more problems,what tractor is it?❤

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks! It’s the transmission and the gearbox. It’s way out of my abilities to even attempt. I just don’t have the time and the cost of the parts are in the thousands! If I can source replacements that is It’s a kubota b2530 (2008)

[@mechanics4all405]

kubota spares readily available,can buy second hand gearbox etc,shd be around £1500 max worth it i think,but dont know where you are if there are many plant dealers scrap yards. I love the fantastic progress you have already made❤@@rootsdownhomestead

[@neutonrenda2303]

I'm shocked at the damage to your tractor, it wasn't as if it was excessively used doing really hard work, and it looks like a new model. I have been using an old 1982 Ford 7600 for over 20 years without one breakdown. The only thing other than service it is replacing the battery because I left it so long.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Yeah, well, apparently they don't make them too well anymore. Many people have said to me an old tractor is a safe bet for major issues but it will still be in and out of the mechanics :) Sounds like you found a solid one!

[@robertlee6479]

Try using a spade to dig holes as they don t have switches on them. and you need to plant hundres of ttees not 9. I planted 120 in my first planting as I brought bud wood and rootstocks with me from England and growing many fro seed as difficult to find suppies here as most can t be bothered to answertheir e mails.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Um.. yes, but when you have to dig 120+ holes an auger drill does it in a fraction of the time. And if you watched the other videos you'll know we are planting over 120 trees in this project, we are just staggering it. It's difficult with a full time job, so we are trying to do things in a way that makes sense for us

[@robertlee6479]

@@rootsdownhomestead Trees are about the easiest thing to plant. I had a small orchard in England about 250 fruit trees all planted in 1 day I have also planted forest trees about 1,500 in a day and never used anything but a spade for the fruit and a spit for the forest. They plant a lot easier than you think. Why you need a auger to dig holes is beyond me or are you digging through rock. There are certain trees you can plant on rocky ground which break the rock up as they grow, if that is your problem.

[@lacyoflittlerobincottage1403]

Placing the ash inside the hole first before planting, otherwise you're the tree isn't getting the benefit of the ash. If the rock rose has seed pods and they're invasive, why are you spreading them all over the berm?

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Yep, we did put ash in the holes of the trees that like more alkaline soil, we were just using up the spare ash around the trees. And i also said in the video that we are pulling out the rockrose to use for mulch BEFORE it goes to seed :)

[@myitaliantherapyginafiore4414]

Well hello wondered where you guys went. I like your new name...cheers

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Welcome back and thank you :)

[@user-bm9gu1yg6x]

Hi Annemarie from Burnham-on-sea Somerset UK

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Hi Annemarie - have fond memories in Burnham-on-sea :)

[@IvanKinsmanSDP]

Good strong chipper and nice job on those olive trees with the pruning. Out of interest how long was the land abandoned for? So can we talk about end goals? 100% self-sufficiency, semi-self-sufficiency? If livestock, will you separate them from all the fruit trees etc.? And just a side thought - might be worth staking those fruit trees for straight trunks - we picked up 60+ from our local sawmill that do the job and I bought some useful plastic ties (previously used sticks from our wood, plastic coated wire)..

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thank you! :) Not sure, exactly. We were told that it was inherited twice before we bought it and the people didn't live nearby. End goals is just to create a thiriving little ecosystem. If we can make this land sustain itself eventually we'd be happy. Anything else is a bonus and we enjoy giving back to nature :)

[@Melicoy]

Are there mushroom farms in your are? They cycle out cow pop for free. Fill up the pick up truck

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Not sure, should start to look :)

[@ericheise4051]

On your tractor 🚜 search for same type with blown engine and swap it with yours and keep rest for parts. Can you burn brambles?

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Unfortunately the tractors even when sold for spares are not cheap. And I don’t have the time for that amount of labour (and learning how to do it) I did see one for sale but it had a similar damage to mine so was useless to me

[@vivienneturner2028]

Just a gentle question. Why are you planting Mimosa trees when they are such a terrible invasive non-native tree in Portugal? Love your show and content 😊🎉

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Thanks! We are not planting mimosas :) Trying to avoid anything that takes over too much!

[@vivienneturner2028]

@@rootsdownhomestead my mistake. Sorry. I could have sworn that you said you were planting one last week and I thought I saw the distinctive foliage of the mimosa tree behind you in a shot this week. No worries! I'm pleased you aren't planting them! 👍👍😁

[@LifebyBertie]

Marc, didn't anybody tell you you should not stick your hand in that machine ;))) you do get some gert lush mulch from it though. That tractor really took one for the team, that is quiet a hole in that gearbox :( Now, coming from Briz Vegas you two should really do a show just talking Brizzle slang, that would be hilarious :))) Have a great week!!! Cheers Bert

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Haha yeah i don't put it near the blades ;) We do get some gert lush mulch indeed, the olive wood smells lovely! Yeah bloody tractor, need to get an old one that was actually built to last lol Have you seen Bristolian Terrys language lessons?🤣

[@LifebyBertie]

@@rootsdownhomestead I’ll make sure to check that one out 😂

[@gillsmoke]

dude sell the tractor for parts, it's not worth a maybe.. next tractor you by have the mechanic give it a once over before you buy it. Love to see you use the permacultre principle, "The problem is the solution." invasive plants are best used as mulch like you are doing here. The channel Project Kamp is basically dealing with Mimosas and they are so bad it causes fire season in their part of Portugal. they use it for pole lumber, barter it as firewood for tractor time, chip it for mulch, and are trying to keep it at bay for the natives to grow in their place.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Yeah it's a good point. I'm trying to save up for another one. The previous one was from a dealer, and had a warranty but it was not new, so out of warranty. We love Project Kamp, got a lot of inspiration from their work - some good tips there thank you!

[@user-mn2uv2dg8j]

Nice to see you all again. Does sorgum grass grow in your location? And have you thought about cover crops during the winter and autumn season. Seen a fantastic change in the soil at my house

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Not sure, i think someone mentioned that, we are looking at a cover crop mix and working with a local seed company to craft a strong mix for our type of soil and area :)

[@willforbes9850]

I think you want to use seasoned wood chips around plants, I heard they might suck the nitrogen out of the soil to decompose? Not sure, but worth checking.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Ah really? thanks for the info!

[@odonnellsaussiehomestead8257]

Put something that has no use to good use ,lol👍

[@a31817]

Olive wood trees cuttings are extremely advised to be used for any kind of steaks. Take my word on that.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Really? Like cooking steaks?

[@a31817]

@@rootsdownhomestead folks like you might use them as your saying…

[@a31817]

@@rootsdownhomestead was joking, as charcoal, all the best folks, really enjoy your efforts.

[@a31817]

Good morning Marc&Allys, I sincerely apologise if my message was wrongly interpreted (English is not my mother tongue), what I meant was that the savour given by a bunch of olive trees kindles when used as fuel for steaks is divine, due to their high content of specific oil. Used to make my steaks in this way whenever I got the opportunity. On the other hand I do admire and respect yours perseverance and titanic amount of work. Wishing both of you all the best.

[@coby6417]

🌟👏👍🍀💐

[@5joost]

is the invasive species going to get rooted in the birms or will it die off?

[@faibishclassical]

Well done, what are you going to do with all the food?.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Enough for us and to share with nature and friends i suppose :)

[@Alvaro4034]

Is rockrose an invasive or a pionere species? It is quite common in Mediterranean ecosystems and an indicator of fire, since its seeds germinate better after it. The sticky substance that is used in traditional medicine, called ládano, also hinders other plant growth so it may not be that good to use it as mulch straight away

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Good point, i actually found it referenced as a pioneer species in my research on agroforestry and land regeneration. Like any fast growing species, they can take over if there is not a good balance. I found a photo from 10 years ago and this land was a green pasture, the rockrose took over. That;s why many local people plough their land every year. Ah really? Thanks for the tip there!

[@Alvaro4034]

@@rootsdownhomesteadit took over as part of the ecological succession, I guess, as brambles do but with a more positive impact this last species since they protect trees from herbivores rather than hinder their growth.

[@user-xp1ym9ru6x]

Und vor dem Mulchen erst düngen, da das Verrotten des Mulchs viel Nährstoffe auffrisst!

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Ah really? thanks for the info!

[@mumstheword8]

Are there any programs in your area to help with grants for your kind of project at all?

[@rootsdownhomestead]

There are actually, we plan on exploring those after this project. They are normally for specific things - i think almond trees you can get grants for at the moment!

[@Uriahheep1975]

I wish i have a land like yours. That's my dream. I work in a corporate. My gf for three years too. But she dont like homesteading. I need a mate like your wife who dont afraid dirt. I guess i have to break w my gf. Ill shop for another real one. Im nearing 30. Ill buy land.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

This all started with a dream, one day we just decided we were going to all we can to make it a reality! I hope you find yourself in the same position :)

[@user-xp1ym9ru6x]

Die ganzen Reste vom Baumschnitt haben wir in unserem Häcksler auch zu Mulch verarbeiten können. Geht das mit euerm Häcksler nicht?

[@rootsdownhomestead]

it doens't like the small branches :( that's what jams it up

[@suefeatherstone5329]

Are the shears heavy Mark?

[@rootsdownhomestead]

They're not too bad actually!

[@bobjones-xc9fp]

What do you think about keeping worms?

[@rootsdownhomestead]

We have a worm farm :)

[@mikeduda3173]

Hj mark. Just curious 🤔 what do you plan on doing with all the fruit hundreds of trees will produce? Far too much to eat

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Great question Mike! We hope for enough to share with nature and locals :) The rest will just add more composting to the ground :)

[@mechanics4all405]

how do u finance all this?❤

[@rootsdownhomestead]

We have a company which we work on 4-5 days a week 😊

[@mechanics4all405]

fantasticgreat channel❤@@rootsdownhomestead

[@Riaan3108]

Any free or minimal cost compost available from any neighbours? As ever you many ppl to shame with your work ethic.

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Doesn't seem so! our friends give us manure but generally speaking so many people have little gardens that they tend to always have a use for it :) Aw, thank you :)

[@JoseRomero-qg3fw]

Que suerte que no haya falta visado para vivir en Portugal al contrario que europeos que viven en Reino Unido donde exigen visado .

[@rootsdownhomestead]

Umm.. i don't think you watched our earlier videos as we DO need a visa and DID have to apply to live here :)

[@user-vy3vk2sb8p]