Irrigation Work, Building with Stone and Starting a MASSIVE Clean Up

Hi, we are Harriet and Mauro and in February 2021 we bought an abandoned smallholding in Castellón, Spain. In these videos we share our life as we restore and improve our little stone house, learn to grow and preserve our own food, and bring our 4 acres of farmland back to productivity.
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Music in this video:
I Promise I'll Try - Mica Emory
June 21 - Victor Lundberg
A Dance in the Sun - Erik Fernholm
Red Hook - Roy Edwin Williams
From EpidemicSound

[@BeccaAl]

“Stick is a tool, stick is the original tool! “ Harriet- and not just good for onion holes, for chicken poking too!

[@mkats5102]

You could always build a dead hedge along the wall where the dog jumps down. That is cheap and easy to build and it would be effective. It is also good for wildlife 👍

[@marlousv]

Oh that would look really neat too! It will get overgrown probably with plants. But that is only adding to it in my opinion.

[@barbaradionne7768]

What is a dead hedge?🤔

[@mkats5102]

@@barbaradionne7768A dead hedge is when you make a fence by piling up pruned branches. It is a good way to use branches that you no longer need. If you google it you can see photos.

[@danyoutube7491]

@@barbaradionne7768You hammer some stakes into the ground a foot or so apart, do the same again a bit further along the length of where you want your 'hedge' to go, then lay branches on the ground in between the stakes (so that the stakes prevent the pile of branches from collapsing sideways). Pile branches and sticks up until it is the height you want, jam in a few smaller sticks into gaps and there you have it. You can add leaves as well if you want. It is just a simple barricade that also provides some habitat for insects.

[@barbaradionne7768]

@@danyoutube7491 Thank you!😊🇨🇦👍

[@melanieward6576]

An idea for the wall is to construct thin narrow cages/baskets, anchor them to the wall and then fill with free stones from around the land. They are called gabions. There are You tubers who make their own cages using farm supplies rather than going to a builders merchant.

[@carolmcmillan1108]

I agree Gabion walls would keep with the rock theme and much easier 👌

[@rosemaryjasper1121]

Wow, that was no mean feet getting the pipework from the top of your property down to the house! There was just no stopping you! I just love your no messing about attitude! ❤

[@metislamestiza3708]

happy Mother's day Harriet - you're the hardest working mamacita ever!

[@normamurray4450]

Wow, for such a petite person, you sure can do a days hard work Harriet! You and Mauro are such a lovely couple...you're a pleasure to watch. Little Santos is such a doll.

[@LPay-jy8mx]

"I prefer to be called "The Titan" ... :) Mauro, I appreciate your charming playful cleverness, and congrats on your your rock-building!! And Harriet, my hat's off to you, as it is every week. You are a lovely and inspiring force of nature, and I'm glad to see you smile as you make progress on your land.

[@a_highland_life]

The paddling pool for Santi is a lovely idea and knowing how hard you work Harriet, I’m sure you’ll get it done. Santi is growing up fast and looking very like you.

[@SunraeSkatimunggr]

Looks like 1950 to me. I'm a 1956 human and I'm a little leaky, too :)

[@Joanna-iy3ii]

Love the swing for Santi! He is adorable!!!

[@stevejohnstonbaugh9171]

Watering the gardens now. I will suggest using a submersible pump that you can move from water tank to water tank. Find a large plastic or metal container with a handle (5 gallon bucket) and drill 1/4" holes through the bucket to act as an algae filter. attach a rope to the handle and keep the edge of the bucket just above the water surface. Set your pump into the bucket. Fit 16mm black poly pipe to your pump and run the pipe to the furthest corner of your garden for maximum overage. Install fittings on the output end to connect the 16mm pipe to an overhead impact sprinkler mounted on a tripod. Use the water in your open tanks first before using your trucked in water for watering. Walk the pipe back to the town fountain and repair all of the leaks by cutting out the broken joints and installing new couplings that you will glue in place. I would do this as a priority as water likely flows to your holding tank overnight. Remove the algae from the area around the opening to your pipe.

[@ClaireInTheAire]

I've been interested in natural pools for a long time, and I'm excited to see that project in action! Happy Mother's Day!

[@johnpenny41]

We have a Border Terrier who used to jump over the wall to visit a neighbour's garden & make himself a nuisance. The wall is about 3 feet high. I employed a technique that I first saw in Sweden. I got some garden canes and placed them obliquely in the ground, spaced 2-3 inches (no more than 4 inches apart. Making the canes stand on a 45 degree angle creates more of a barrier to the eye than if they are completely upright. Animals often steer clear of barriers that disrupt sight lines. It worked very well. I've since used it on raised beds to deter pigeons. It was cheap & easy to install. No need to pay for canes if you've got a ready supply of other sticks.

[@BeccaAl]

5:53 Santi’s little hat with the flowers is so cute. He’s looking so well and you too x

[@inabates8919]

Make a natural fence using your cane, just leave at full length, cut off at your desired height, and secure at base using your big stones.

[@lynnegunn3478]

Thank heavens, often wondered how you could stand the state of the mess. Good for you that the job has been started.🌸

[@maddaslr8827]

this feels kind of backhanded, especially considering they just had a baby that was birthed prematurely and had to stay in NICU for 3 months. they repeatedly said in their videos that they wish they would have had more time to prep for Santis arrival… why not just congratulate them :)

[@liebherr409]

Hello Harriet & Mauro, a tip from me! Cut the Potting Soil Bag open at the top instead of the side!! If you cut open the top of the potting soil bag you can use it for waste instead of those carrier bags that break quickly!! And you can certainly put more waste in them and you can always reuse the potting soil bags, so empty them at the container park and take them back to your Paradise! PS: If I had been younger I would have taken the step to move to another country again! I enjoy watching your videos, keep it up, Ben Ruziack :-)

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Hehehe yes that's true, I always appreciate a nice big strong rubbish bag and then always forget in the excitement of opening compost! 😂

[@elainepearman2309]

I like the little beds near the house so much user friendly for you. Santi is so beautiful and looks like you. Your plans for the pool is very practical and safe for Santi. Good to see the rubbish going from your property. Love the videos. Love to the three of you. 🥰🥰🥰

[@FishPractise09]

What about a wooden trellis that is up against the wall, and higher than it. You can grow things up it then ?

[@susanhernandez7290]

Your planter beds look beautiful. So natural to the landscape.

[@earthangel8730]

Righty tighty. Lefty loosey. I'm 70yo and occasionally still have to bring that rhyme to mind when working with plumbing. When things are upside down I get a brain cloud.

[@karinkallas1701]

Could you include in some videos more of the drawings of the layout? IT is really awesome what you have done.

[@asiira]

Looks like Santi's top half of his face he takes from Harriet and the bottom half from Mauro

[@gingerannie21]

Hi! I've always appreciated how you guys prioritize utility over aesthetic (and I seriously mean that as a compliment!) It has helped me love my not perfect yard and know that doing something is better than nothing. So thank you!!!

[@teresaedwards3659]

To protect that one raised bed , for now I think I would just zero in on the bed itself and put some sort of fence around that.

[@lizwilson6633]

Loving the raised beds near to the house, so much easier for you. Glad you are getting rid of all the rubbish you wouldn't want Santi clambering all over it, as he will do once he gets on his feet. Looking forward to seeing the waterworks up and running xxxx

[@juliemcnair5182]

Happy mothers day ❤

[@kdsketch]

so excited to see you research and build a natural swimming pool in the deposit! You could try one of the insect homes for adding to the wall, cheap to make with sticks and twigs :)

[@livmaritengene4973]

Santi is lovely. You can build a garden fence on top of the stone wall, it would look fine and also secure Santi from not falling down as he gets older. Use wood for the garden fence, surely you are creative to make it look nice.

[@KatarzynaPryciak-q7m]

I love to watch you working around the house and founded a way to create a better environment for your family, when I want to keep animals away from my garden I used the wood to create a barrier around the plants. Can be wall of thick wood sticks sticking together.

[@SmithsdaleFarm]

Natural swimming pool is an amazing idea 😍

[@stevejohnstonbaugh9171]

My suggestion on valves for the garden; Fit one large valve (32mm?) just downstream of your 'T'- one to isolate the house and one to isolate the garden, These will be the expensive valves. Run your garden pipe around the structure to the center of your gardens. I would use 3 - 90 degree X 32mm(?) elbows to avoid wide radii required otherwise. When you are at the center of your garden beds, run you 32mm(?) pipe straight downhill and plug the end with a removable cap for winter draining. At the center (length X width) of each garden, install a 32mm(?) "T" with a reducer to 16mm facing upward. Install a piece of 16mm pipe and a 16mm valve for watering each terrace. This arrangement is suitable for hand watering now and drip irrigation in the future. I hope this suggestion is useful.

[@BeccaAl]

In answer to your question 25:04 Wall to block Una? - What about a little higher in stone and then put some trellis with strong posts to a metre + That would stop Una getting through, let some light through and you could also use it to grow plants up, like green beans or support tomato plants. I’m not much of a gardener but my folks are, they have a french style potager garden in England. Ornamental and edible. The natural swimming /paddling pool is a beautiful idea, can’t wait to see 👀

[@jldisme]

For a dog-blocking wall, i'd get some chicken wire and make a fence with that then plant some quick-growing vines or flowers to conceal the wire mesh. less work and cheaper than trying to build a rock wall. I've also had a lot of success growing vertical cucumber vines. With the drought being so bad, have you looked at getting a drip irrigation system?

[@maryannknox7158]

Happy Mother’s Day Harriet

[@bellaloba2684]

Bamboo screen for wall? Likely rolly polly's , ones that curl into a seed looking ball, often they do lots of damage! from not quite ready compost eating the root of your cabbage, they demolish roots on my peas and beans. I learned to wait unil the compost is done and they are no longer around.

[@erindixon4378]

Voting for wall made out of the same stone as raised beds :)

[@riettekribben3787]

What a lovely sight to see you two work together on your dream. You have accomplished so much and it looks great!! For your wall to block Oona you can maybe use gauze and let something grow against it, like beans or peas.

[@MrCheerios2011]

I use an adjustable pliers (alicate ajustable) for tightening the water pipes, super easy and no messy grease everywhere

[@arcobalenonellorto8994]

You can add a fence so you can use it also as trellis

[@jldisme]

What a shame you couldn't use that old wood for firewood. That post would look so pretty with some sweet peas or morning glories trained up it. As soon as you said " the tightener" i immediately thought "no, call him a Titan". Great minds think alike. Lol. The modesty peach was hilarious!

[@susanlecuirot1573]

You work so hard, and do superb work , well done The pool would be lovely x

[@deeoh3708]

Dog proofing: If there's enough light, maybe a wire fence with wood posts behind the garden beds, for beans, peas to grow on?

[@kaz3bears]

The raised rock gardens are a great idea. I live in Queensland Australia very similar climate to you raised gardens work well here. We have come out of our drought period and now have our rain and plenty of it. By the time you have done your water deposit the rain will come. Mother nature knows best❤ humans plan but mother nature has her own plan.

[@shaunnarochelle]

wonderful updates the raised beds are looking charming and the natural pool sounds amazing !

[@johnpaul4544]

You could put a trellis along the top of the wall. Then you could grow something up it, squashes or a flowering climber...

[@bellab1973]

Here’s to a leak-free water system when you tuen in the taps!

[@gardentours]

Those raised beds are very nice 👍

[@bfox5767]

For a fence barrier, I would use a hammer or mallet to pound some straight branches into the ground in a row. Trim the ends to the same height after using a string. Then either weave string through the branches for a trellis, or weave branches like grape or willow between the sticks. A shallow natural pond/pool sounds lovely.

[@calleachbeare5173]

Wattle is a great suggestion. It’s attractive & traditional (lots of lovely medieval mss have depictions of wattle fencing around herb garden beds. Good thinking.

[@davidmiller-br4bu]

Amazing job … I like the beds close to the house it’s more manageable until you have more time …yes the drought will give you time to fix the large deposit. Santi is so adorable

[@catherineclement7798]

vous êtes une très jolie famille

[@ginacrusco234]

Hurrah for Santi's paddling pool! I speak only for myself, but actually I AM on the edge of my seat to see your water delivery.

[@followeroftheway9861]

Harriet, you are obviously not afraid of seeing snakes. Happy Mother’s Day to you. God bless you.

[@ema-b1h]

try and do a humidity catcher on the roof , also might be worth investigating in diging a wale.

[@vivalaleta]

I assume you meant "swale". Yes, that's a good idea.

[@jeanettefrancis6473]

Nothing like a good clean out. Very satisfying. The beds look so nice around the house. What about wooden posts or waratahs and chicken netting. Planting plants in front will hide it.

[@jldisme]

Yeah, I was wondering why you weren't using silicone tape. So many things to learn! You are going to be an expert plumber soon. You are well on your way! I just love your videos, Harriet. You are the hardest worker I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing your lives with us.

[@ciscokidfab7595]

In Colorado we might use old corrugated metal sheets supported with wood or metal framing. Or hog wire with 4”x4” (10.15x10.15) squares, framed out with wood. Plus critters can fly in and out.

[@bellaloba2684]

Wow Santi is looking healthy what a beautiful boy, I see both of you in him!

[@pompeymik]

Living the dream! And i swear you look ten years younger in this episode❤ love and luck to the three of you from Portsmouth UK 👌🏻

[@margaretobrien1538]

Raised beds are a lifesaver ❤

[@dawnkerr6966]

Place a see through wire trellis to grow peas or beans up, but if not growing anything a see through piece of trellis will keep the dog from going through plus be a nice see through aesthetic to the rest of the garden. You could hang some solar lights on it. On pinterest they had a timber frame and then hog wire panel attached inside of the frame this would be great to see through the other side whilst utilising it to have a cucumber vine climb up in summer to spill over the other side down the wall

[@janohdegroot989]

You are such an inspiration! I can highly recommend a veranda. Every hour warmer than 25° I spend in the shade, would also be nice for your beautiful son.. Be good, bye 👋

[@marxagarden]

I’ve always struggled with the water pipe fittings too. I usually use a wet rag and water pump pliers. I guess if you have the Titan on your side there’s no need for that. 😄 I didn’t know about the silicone grease, thanks for the tip.

[@queen-of-puddings]

I was going to suggest a stick fence but someone said it so much better - dead hedge. So easy to set up and looks so rustic. You can also train climbing veges or those that require support up the sticks

[@montsepastor1911]

Hola familia, un gran trabajo hacéis para canalizar el agua. Que buena limpieza de trastos. Y sobretodo que bonito está Santi😊

[@reannejarvis9464]

I’ve found a close gridded metal wire fence wire, green plastic coated blends with the foliage and doesn’t stand right out. Easy to instal🇦🇺🎸⚡️🤘🏼🤘🏾💋❤

[@angelaprovencher7150]

Cabbage worms ate your cabbage. For the garden wall , I like the rock wall so I vote for continuing with rocks. Great idea for the water container.

[@karinscholz1358]

Maybe put sticks with fencing/other around raised bed you can use to grow beans etc as a deterrent?

[@arjanvogel6444]

Thanks for your vid 😇💟💟💟 Love and bless you guys.

[@MickeyRaySinghell]

The only idea I can come up with for that wall: use some pallets or other useable wood to build up behind the wall to your desired height, and then use smaller stones/bricks/etc to build it up on the other side of the plywood if that makes sense. You might be able to do it without the plywood, that's just my thought to make sure there's some added support for the smaller materials on top

[@taralink443]

for a quick free fencing use braches as posts and long sticks weave in and out . just a cheap suggestion till you figure something out I have done several but i use then for climbing plants.

[@minime7375]

There is some “lotion” you can use to join and tighten pipes easier, it’s this squeezey tube you can find at any hardware store I imagine (I learnt this working with the tradie on our water and sewer lines) Edit- to block Oona from jumping I used pots with cacti plants in them for my cats jumping on benches. Now cats are a bit smarter in that respect and they don’t go near the cactus plants, hopefully Oona is too? It’s only a deterrent till she gives up using that path. Even plain pots filled with just dirt would do I think if you have enough of them and tall enough to deter her.

[@josiebriggs4922]

What about making a trellis so you can grow plants to climb up it? Enjoy all your videos, thanks x

[@rajexecutivemoreedthaniasi6971]

Excellent

[@mariesalway91]

maybe some bamboo blind type fencing for blocking off the dog route, just some stakes and the bamboo

[@freespiritwithnature4384]

Beautiful work as always.❤

[@doreenwilliams9622]

Add a trellis on the wall

[@jan9562]

Chicken wire attached to poles would block that as an easy throughfare . Perhaps 2 meter poles could be attached to the long side of the wall somehow - though i dont suppose there are many of those just lying around .... Youve got so much done 💪🙂👍

[@GTC7702]

Your work is so inspiring!

[@davemutch8772]

You should get some pipe grip pliers ( adjustable pliers for tightening pipe joints) much easier on the hands.

[@robynclarke5274]

I ove your ideas for the water deposit.

[@GiuseppeAudino797]

Hi guys I hope you getting some rain soon over there Here we’re we are no rain since last September and we bought 6 trucks loads of water Cheers guys 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞

[@asgeirandersen]

Hello Harriet and Mauro. Bravo for the water coming down from the container. and for the project next year have a good week

[@wendygillard2133]

Hi Harriet, you could possibly use lattice to create a small fence.

[@mariafloresvillegas3279]

Me encantan todos tus proyectos 😍 eres una chica lista que se atreve con todo 💚

[@juliannapasztory3819]

Nice change of the front of the House, good job!

[@beniymireia1588]

Cuanto trabajo hay en la finca,pero vosotros seguis adelante sois muy currantes y la situacion no es facil.Santi precioso

[@paulgubanyi7142]

try to spray vinegar on top of wall 1 time a day for 2-3 days , my dogs avoid when i spray vinegar on walkway to get rid of weeds and walk around where i spray it for few days. he may find new way to go on lower terrace

[@juliad1768]

How about on the wall do like a trough = do brick or stones and leave a gap in the middle and in the middle but plant up some nasturtiums and other trailing herbs etc and that should stop the dog and will look good too xxx

[@deborahlee8135]

To Una-proof i would put some posts in and run chicken wire. Then you could potentially grow a vine over it to disguise it.

[@petro3441]

Wow girl you and mr tighten makes a great plumbing team. I do pray that everything works perfectly cause you put so much energy into it. Love the stone raised beds❤❤❤

[@patblaney3895]

Looking good my dear

[@dvidgonzales8376]

If yu have a small sander with large one piece rectangle belts you can clean old wood.

[@susanbrookes8247]

Recently saw a woven upward extension to a dry stone wall. Looked good , was probably pretty quick and you could maybe use olive prunings.... something ive already tried . The long straight ones weave well and are quite long lasting. You obviously have to make holes in the existing wall for your uprights. Not sure how easy that would be though Great video Thanks a lot

[@chantereleeee]

What about a bamboo cane trellis to dog-proof the wall?

[@АнастасияМеметова-й9м]

You are so cool guys!

[@shawncarpenter3857]

The raised beds look amazing

[@doloresperez2139]

Que mayor está Santi, es un muñeco!!! Ánimo hacéis un gran trabajo 😘😘😘😘

[@Annemarieke58]

How about the stakes for the pigeons? Then big crossed ones on a role to block Oona's entrance?

[@christinemendenhall4942]

I love sticks for tools! If you lay them down while working and forget where it is you dropped them you just find a new one.