It’s Going To Take A Lot

[@RabbitBerry-hu4wh]

In about 1958 I was A barefoot boy on a 560 acre farm in NW Missouri, 10 miles from Osceola. Watching your boys work barefoot with you takes me back over 60 years and brings a tear to my eyes. God Bless you and your family!

[@TXNLaurenMcN]

Rabbit1948 Berry ~ If '48's your birth year, we have lots in common. I was also a barefoot kid in '58, but in FL, rather than TX where I was born. My only farming experience was whenever we'd get to go to my uncle's ranch near Hernando where he raised goats and cows. Other times, we'd sit on his back porch in the middle of an orange grove on Lake Apopka and watch the storms light up the night skies. Great memories, both.

[@riderretired5258]

I was a little ahead of you. In 1956 My Dad just retired from the Navy and we picked up from Virginia and moved to San Antonio,Tx. We lived in the city about 6 months until he found a 6 acre little farm about 20 miles out of town. His plot selected for our first garden was rather large to me, a 10 yr old. it was about 5000 sqft. The idea if a garden was great. there was an old single blade plow, made to be pulled by a mule in a shed on the property. Well we didn’t have a mule, but my Dad had, in his mind only, an equally good idea. My older sister and I were recruited, more like drafted against our will, to get hitched up to the plow and pull it. Just glad we didn’t find a whip along with it, as my Dad was determined to get that soil busted up. We actually did get it done and all planted. Thankfully for the next one my Dad had purchased a nice walk behind tractor with all the implements. Gardening has always stuck with me. I plant something somewhere everywhere I have lived since leaving Navy boot camp myself, even if only a small container garden.

[@ritamccartt-kordon283]

In 1958, I was 1 year away from getting my Social Security Card! At the age of 9, we, my Sisters and Brothers and I, loaded on a big truck and was taken to Jamestown, TN. There were huge Fields of green beans. The rows were neverending! We were paid a dollar a bushel. I enjoyed the work. At the end of the summer we used our hard earned money to buy our new school clothes! There was 8 of us, our Father had died, leaving our Mother with 8 children. Since he had been in WW1, Mother received $150 a month! She did the best she could. I'm near 70. I still garden, can our food and raise chickens. We didn't wear shoes in the summer except for special occasions! Great memories! GOD bless

[@TXNLaurenMcN]

@@ritamccartt-kordon283 ~ It's funny that this has become one of my favorite comment threads. I really enjoy reading what folks were doing and where they were in 1958. I have a friend who worked at a farm market (and in the fields) in VA and saved his $ to buy his next year's school clothes, too. Even after his family moved to FL, he'd go back to VA to work every summer. I don't know you, but I'm still proud of how industrious you were as a kid!

[@studentoflife2484]

I will be the "little sister" on these threads of comments and half way across the globe(Philippines ) born '69, my grandfather usually took me to farm about 2 or 3 miles from our house...those same values about tending animals, working for little cash selling produce, barefooted from last week of March till school (June) begun again...do put tears in my eyes... all comments that I see here, though I am far away from America, resonates ALL MY VALUES to this day... I GUESS, these little experiences that all of us called OLDs now, are the important INGREDIENTS that most of young ones nowadays miss/lack/ DON'T HAVE ? to develop a GRATEFUL HEART... I don't know, maybe just me...

[@Gardendreamsforme]

Your youngest son sure loves working and spending time with you. So sweet! He loves everything you love

[@renitahebner3084]

Bret just watches you and you can see the focus he has on learning from dad. Great job.

[@MKCarol-ms7lg]

With any luck your daughter-in-law will bring you each a slice of homemade apple pie fresh from your fruit orchard when you are old and gray and rocking on the porch of your farm mansion.

[@Onegoodyarn]

There's nothing like watching a child follow their dad and working along with him. Ben... Your shadow is a very good worker and you are teaching him wonderful life lessons.

[@studentoflife2484]

TRUE....things NO amount of time in schools can ever teach a child... i am a woman, i grew up with my grandpa basically coz my dad was a driver , though when he is around, weekends usually, we did house repair, changed tires, changed oil, those stuffs... BUT my best lesson, are from grandpa, planting and growing food.. summer time is fun time for me coz i could stay barefoot , go swimming in the river after doing all my garden chores...those days are the best memory to this day..

[@grandpaslakehouse-homestea6113]

We are all so conditioned to buy everything. Some people cant understand its not about growing everything, its about growing something. Any piece you can add to your table is great.

[@s.h.2708]

And you know how it’s grown as well. The cleaner we can eat the better.

[@MrJcalvino]

1 pig, 40 chickens; potatoes, onions and garlic for a entire year; and a ton more of seasonal vegetables. So easy

[@tommielourogers4327]

QUESTIONS I am thinking about looking for a place for a small homestead in either WV, TN or NC. I know what the land is like around where Justin Rhodes farm is. But I am now a widow so it is no longer in my budget. What county are you in? How is the cell service, internet service, property taxes and utility costs in your neck of the woods?

[@grandpaslakehouse-homestea6113]

@@tommielourogers4327 We are in Norther California. Unfortunately Ca cost of living is one of the highest in the Country. Taxes are high, Gas is high, electricity is high. We also have some of the most strict regulations around water collection, solar and Building codes. We hope one day to find a better Homestead location because Ca is becoming less and less Homestead friendly. Best of luck on your journey.

[@tommielourogers4327]

@@grandpaslakehouse-homestea6113 Yes, I know exactly what you are talking about. My husband and I lived in the Eureka area back in the 1990’s. I was a landscape designer and almost every design I did had to appear before the Coastal Commission. Even then California was way over regulated. We were offered a job in Tennessee and decided to move. It was one of the best decisions we ever made. The people were nice and friendly, the prices were reasonable, and for the most part the government minded it’s own business, which kept taxes low. When I asked the Hollers about the area around their homestead, I was referring to North Carolina. I already knew that Northern California was out of the question, strictly based on the government now being so anti-business and anti-farms. It is a very beautiful place but I would never live there again. But I would suggest that you look at homestead prices in East Tennessee or Kentucky. You will be shocked at what you can buy for what money you paid in California. Taxes are reasonable utilities are not too bad and Solar is also a good option. You won’t believe how delicious and clean the tap water is.

[@sharonnowlin2297]

I LOVE Your Family ... a Family that can raise boys who can dig a hole using their bare feet to push the shovel into the hole ... what more can you ask for!!! You guys got a lot done!!! Thanks for sharing your precious family life with us!!!

[@leannekenyoung]

I know eh?! And today they’d be told don’t dig a hole with your bare feet you could cut your foot off or some other horrendous thing! It’s unbelievable that we managed to survive our childhood given all the “protection and protective” gear that you MUST wear today!! I mean you would think kids had no brains at all mind you some don’t seem to but isn’t that what survival of the fittest is all about? Do we really want these people walking around? Lol! Sorry it just strikes me as funny the musts and rules that they have for children today some are legit but most are crazy! Imho 🥰❤️🇨🇦

My youngest son is about your ages... when he was about 9-10 yrs. old, on Earth Day, I brought him out in the woods and we dug up a 4 ft. Maple tree and planted it in our yard together, just him and me. He still remembers that every year. That tree is still thriving even though we don't live there anymore. Making memories is important. 🌳

[@jeanlee1911]

yall need to take pictures of each of the kids next to the trees they grow with the trees. a wonderful gift to the future.. Prayers from a California mama

[@sandyc6569]

Great ideal!! 👍😊

[@stephaniebohn9002]

Ross Holler LoL

[@studentoflife2484]

wonderful idea

[@CapnBrindolyn]

It makes this old country girl's heart so happy to see your barefoot littles right by your side in the garden. The knowledge, work ethics & skills they're learning will be invaluable to them the rest of their lives. Thank you your sharing.

[@patriciaherman6499]

We planted 14 fruit trees when moved to our dairy farm and within 5 years we were getting fruit. Living in NC your weather would more beneficial to your growing season then us in NY. Can't wait to see how your garden looks later in the season. You both are blessed with a beautiful family.😊🇺🇸

[@peggyaf6657]

Is Bret going to plant his own garden again this year? The boys are so helpful. It’s nice to see them dig in and help around the homestead!

[@archaprice3372]

It’s delightful to watch all the children grow, especially Lilliana.

[@Zombie-adventures]

Hey Meg the old farmhouse can be your new soap shack!! Or turn it into a B&B, or camping; people can come and spend a week learning to grow food!!! Darla

[@catracampolieto8989]

How awesome of Stark Bros to send you more trees. Such a blessing.

[@bm88880]

Your boy’s are simply amazing & very hard workers , not to mention it’s a big blessing to have them help you and Meg. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 and baby girl will definitely help momma when she’s old enough. A family who works together thrives together and grows together ❤️♥️❤️♥️❤️👍👍👍👍👍 many blessings to your family 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 luv your channel thank you 😊

[@moyaking8961]

I have just recently moved to a bigger property which has a total of 13 fruit trees (some I have 2 of) and 4 grapevines. I have lemon, mandarin, orange, mandora, pomegranate, nectarine, fig, papaya, apple, raspberries olive and mespila (looks like a yellow plum and tastes like a pear). I have also started a large veggie patch of broccoli, cauliflower, various tomatoes, various peppers, melons courgette (zucchini), cabbage, spring onions, various lettuces, celery, peas, beans and strawberries. Where I live on Cyprus is where they grow bananas and we get inundated with them from the local farmers. It's a very gratifying feeling being able to harvest your very own produce.

[@StoneKathryn]

Sounds like heaven!

[@islandgardener158]

If you have deer in the neighborhood, you need to fashion a cage around your saplings. I personally use 3/4” x 5 foot wide hardware cloth and make a 4 foot diameter cylinder and slip it over the trees. It last for years, and an be reused on young trees. We fasten them to the ground with 12” long U shaped heavy wire, the wire that’s used on the bottom of a chain link fence to keep it straight.

[@rajinevin7273]

The boys are so adorable!!! In their bare feeties and the one helping you in this video... you didn't even have to ask him. He just got a shovel - in his bare feet - and off he went. You are SOOOOOOOOOO fortunate to have 4 boys!!! And baby girl will probably be in there gardening too when she gets a little older!

[@dianapollex3266]

That's A LOT of work but you're in your element Ben. And having helpers is fantastic!! God bless this beautiful family.💖

[@CoderToHomesteader]

I'm just starting my KZbin journey of homesteading and becoming more self sustainable. I'm glad you really outlined that you won't be able to grow your own coffee but you want to reduce your general reliance.. Modern homesteading.

[@miah5561]

Hey Coder To Homesteader I’m just getting into web development, what kind of coding do you do?

[@CoderToHomesteader]

@@miah5561 I'm a principal software developer, honestly these days I manage teams and do system design more than anything. Spent plenty of time in the land of Java & PHP though.

[@miah5561]

@@CoderToHomesteader thanks for responding I appreciate it!

[@dlaney4275]

Art and Bri have some seed potatoes that they really don't want to plant. You check to see if you could plant them too.

[@BiterAvid]

Yes big bakers she was shipped by accident. She has already cut them and they are ready.

[@sandybeach4751]

You can’t be self sufficient in everything but you can be self sufficient in some things... For me I never buy garlic, silverbeet, rocket, lettuce, lemons, bay leaves, mint, rosemary, parsley, rhubarb, chives, sage. I can grow all year round so we eat seasonally something from the garden every day. It’s a good feeling plus bonus no packaging or chemicals when you pick it from your backyard.

[@warrenrines3924]

Always love to see you and the boys working together. Just planted my garden yesterday.

[@soniaspangenberg8557]

I just got my first batch of chicks ever. From Murray McMurray. They are so awesome. Very active and healthy. We just got them on Thursday morning. We got Americana's and Beilefellders. They are all beautiful. I am so attached. I finally am a chicken lady. Woo-hoo 🐥🐤🐥🐤

[@grannybearsgarden]

My dad always saved his own seed potatoes. I know they say don’t, but his potato patch was 5 acres. (He provided potatoes for several families) There was no feasible way to purchase enough certified seed potatoes.

My grandpa bought half and saved half of his own. It was like insurance either way, guaranteeing he'd get a potato crop. The cut potatoes he'd toss in sulphur to prevent fungus.

[@diannt9583]

I did mostly store-bought seed potatoes last year, but had some leftover ones from the year before that. They ALL yielded great potatoes!

[@transylvanianfarmer]

That’s crazy! Why would they say not to? That’s how we’ve been growing potatoes for generations in my country. Large potatoes for the table, medium to small ones for seed, and tiny ones we fed them to the pigs

[@peterellis4262]

@@transylvanianfarmer You're right, of course. But there's a huge push to force people to not just buy seed, but only buy it from the corporations that have managed to get a patent on the plant. It is crazy and people need to reject it.

[@kathygarber9407]

Growing anything to add to the table that you don’t have to purchase from the grocery ...or possibly can’t...is great ! I love watching the progress you’re making! Be blessed and favored always ❤️🙏🏽

[@joconnor2717]

Great to see your son helping

[@cassityart7001]

That red clay would make an awesome color for a cob oven! 🔥🥧🍞🍕😋❤️🌱

[@TXNLaurenMcN]

Cassity ART ~ You should see the t-shirts that have permanently been dyed dusty red using that clay! They're gorgeous.

[@Bennybob01]

We are actually planning on making a cob oven! It’s on the list along with a root cellar and a smoke house!

[@charlotteforrester3118]

The boys are hard working young men! ❤️❤️❤️

[@suzieclary3328]

No coincidences. Those potatoes were hidden so they'd be available to you this year, eh! Woot!!

[@reneebarton9295]

True

[@lindal5303]

I thought the same thing when Ben said it, lol.

[@Katydidit]

This video really took me back to my childhood. My family always saved potatoes for the next years' planting. We sorted out the smaller and medium sized ones, and then sorted again for the ones with the most "eyes." We set those aside.. My Dad built a huge bin in our basement to store hundreds of pounds of potatoes through the winter. When we ran out, in late Spring, my Dad would grumble because we had to eat rice. And every year we would plant even more! There were 6 kids in my family, and we all, and many other families of kids in the area, went to help one neighbor farmer harvest his potato fields. It took 2 whole days! I love watching your boys grow, you are going to need that farmhouse mansion, Meg. :)

[@MinnieAcresFarm]

I appreciate you sharing your experiences. We have to stick together and spread awareness about mental health and normalize sharing and supporting each other so no one has to feel alone in their struggle 💕

[@burgheracres7639]

💯

[@Ms.Byrd68]

Thank you. Someone finally said it, admitted it... veggie prices are HIGH! I remember I went to the grocers and brought FRUIT just for an ALL FRESH FRUIT weekend and had to spend enough for at least two weeks worth of groceries! FRESH FRUIT!!! REALLY?! And we wonder why some people don't eat right! You eat what you can afford and what you have access to. That's why you want to encourage people to 'grow something'! In the end it will give you money you can put somewhere else and it will be a healthier food source. Do it acknowledging that everyone doesn't have the money or the room to do what you maybe can do. God bless your family!

[@jahrulz247]

The boys are a huge help .and you know how to treat them right .

[@Carballoca]

Never realized how hill and valley the farm is until the last few videos. Your right the camera doesn’t show it at all... Can’t grow toilet paper either but you are growing corn save those cobs...🤣🤣🤣

[@glendaruff125]

Lol

[@marciannaprice1882]

👍👍👍👍 As we will be getting a late start..I won't be able to plant anything until after Mother's Day...I have used laundry baskets, lined with brown paper bags to plant potatoes in... Grow as much as you can! I truly believe we have major food shortages coming!!

[@edithjohnson6835]

I just love those boys, y’all are so blessed! You did a wonderful job raising them. ❤️❤️

[@ruthgergits7699]

I learned to grow veg and fruits. We had grapes, strawberries, Apple trees, and pear trees. I live 17 miles outside Chicago. We swap vegs with some neighbors too. I grew potatoes in bags and used potatoes left over too. As suburban sprawl continued the town wouldn't let us have veg gardens viewable from the street. Ugh! Now retired and sold the house. I now container garden on my patio. Keep up the good work!!!

[@janetk9536]

God does these little miracles like finding forgotten potatoes. Love your growing family

[@dione.c.3432]

G'day from Northern Australia. You know lining your driveway with fruit trees would be a good idea. The trees get the runoff from the drive and everytime you drive in and out you get to see the progress of the fruiting cycle. Maybe something to think about. Cheers, ~D.

[@butterlite100]

I love that one of the boys helped you plant. Justin Rhodes always has the kids helping him, maybe your others are off doing other chores.

[@Bennybob01]

The two younger boys are almost always with me and the twins are usually helping mom.

[@StoneKathryn]

Its good the older boys are helping mom because I know they can cook. I'm hoping they have been doing a lot of helping in the kitchen and the laundry!

[@tonygrimes13]

@@StoneKathryn Be careful as some people might call it *"slave labour"* or *"child abuse"* these days!!!

[@ncoplin1000]

Alot of great ideas are born from "coffee talkin'! "A man without a vision perisheth..." Here's to more coffee talkin!

[@larrellpalmer5179]

You get better quality vegetables when you plant your own. No pesticide on your food that alone is a blessing. I have 2 containers that I plant my vegetable in, can't wait to start planting. You guys doing a awesome job

[@tammy4him42]

My dad decided to plant some peach and apple trees when I was a teenager. We called the area where they were planted “The Orchard”. We lived in Hendersonville, NC, also known as Apple Country, home of the Apple Festival with REAL orchards as far as the eye could see. I went in the kitchen one afternoon and announced to my mom and her visiting friend that I was going to “The Orchard” to lay in the sun. The friend said she didn’t know we had an orchard. We all had quiet a laugh when we explained that dad had proudly planted and lovingly tended 10 fruit tree starts in the back yard. Haha!

[@mzkatiep]

I grow a container garden. I always use the sprouting potatoes from my bin, they do great, the one time I bought seed potatoes they didn't do well at all, go figure - lol. need is the mother of invention

[@donalda7181]

Mag it's no big deal, you have a house your living in. So you can take your time. That's the difference.

[@diannamc367]

It really bothers me that some people feel the need to get "uppity" about other's abilities to sustain themselves or not. And I love that channels like your's are willing to address that in a succinct manner. Keep doing the things and inspiring the rest of us as you go. Bless you!

[@jessicarigdon6241]

The garden beds look great!!!! Makes your yard pretty!!! I’m jealous!!! Lol

[@elizabeththequeen943]

It is SO satisfying planting a tree.

[@sharonspivey7913]

I forget the son's name that is working with Ben in this video but he is one hard working young man. I applaude him and his hard work. I know your other son's help out but it just seems like this one son is always helping Ben. You have some wonderful boy's and l know you are proud of all of them....God bless you all.....🙏🙏🙏🙏❤

[@StoneKathryn]

I'm not good with their names either but I think it is Bret.

[@hanorabrennan7909]

A holler to the Hollars!

[@veragamsky1734]

I used to peal potatoes, when making for a meal, thick were the eye was and plant that. I got potatoes when dug up. Maybe not as much as a half would produce but better than buying seed potatoes. With my parents we planted a 50# bag of potatoes and in fall we dug them out and they all got tossed down in the basement, loose. All winter they laid on the dirt floor.We had our big furnace down there but where the taters were it was cool. We had taters for breakfast and dinner. Never had to buy any.

[@villagesteader3552]

Very timely video as we are renovating the yard of my family home. Instead of the ornamental trees that are in the way of our proposed in ground garden. We want to remove them then plant some fruit trees along the back fence. We can’t move to the country because Mom has advanced dementia and we just can’t do that to her. So we make the best of the situation and compromise...we have a 1/4 acre homestead for now, we garden and keep layer chickens. I also grow seedlings for my Siblings. ♥️👍🙏🇺🇸🤓

[@beccagee5905]

Thumbs up for doing what you can, where you are. I've seen a lot of stuff grow in a yard. It can also look very beautiful. God bless the work of your hands!

[@villagesteader3552]

@@beccagee5905 thank you.♥️🙏

[@robertbates5537]

Opened delivery today and I messed up. Order 6 cherry trees - not know each order comes with three trees. Planted 18 cherry trees today 🙄

[@robertbates5537]

Unexpected good thing - I think... lol

[@soniaspangenberg8557]

Awesome. I've love cherries.

[@lindastrandquist2429]

Lots of cherries 🍒 once the start producing.

[@StoneKathryn]

With that many trees, maybe you'll get to eat some yourself! The birds are good at eating a tree bare. Good luck to you!

[@ma.dorcassamson8494]

I just love watching that little boy always around. He seems like the only one interested in what you do. I call you both Batman and Robin. 😍😍

[@09conrado]

These kids will turn out just fine and you know it. They will find their way through life

[@barbarabrand190]

It amazes everyone i know how little I buy at the store, including me. Its nice to have the boys helping, I miss my young people not only for the help but for the company. Your family has grown in the last 2 years, inso many ways, I love that the dirt is looking darker and richer, not so orange. God continue to bless you and yours. Im always inspired by your efforts to do better with mine.

[@bhavens9149]

first fruit should be within 3 to 5 years. especially since those look like they are 2nd year starts. also your in NC not the desert, ergo a bit faster. :)

[@allentruitt8632]

Our ancestors didnt grow coffee either, but they traded for it from the bounty of their crops. There is no excess of a needed item. God bless you folks.

[@janh519]

I found your videos about a month ago and I’ve been enjoying them more than I can say! I’ve looked at several that were filmed at your home in CA, then some as you traveled across the USA! I’ve really loved watching your finding your farm! You found the BEST location and I love everything you’re doing with it! You have a good home now! You redid it inside and out, too, then you had your baby girl! You have a good well...lots of water inside and out! Now you have lots of chickens, pigs, and a cow! Meg knows how to cook anything and how to do the canning, also! You continue to grow more food each year! You are all doing great!

[@r.m.podlewski1887]

Just a note from a nursery tree planter.(over 30 years) Best to keep your tree's roots covered with a tarp (something dark) when taking them out to plant. It keeps them moist but also light triggers roots to sprout from the graft. Really like your vlog. Glad you can really get your garden growing this year. Best wishes from Minnesota.

[@judifarrington9461]

Build that farm castle! Your grandkids will love building memories with you! ❤ I read of a grandfather who planted a fruit tree for each child.

[@zaviahopethomas-woundedsou9848]

Blueberries would love those spots that get swampy for a day.

[@southernladywithmanyhats7428]

He loves hanging out with his Dad. Awesome help and I am soooo proud of kids that want to work! Good job Bud!!!

[@mariezafonte6473]

Nice to see the orchard grow. You have lots of good helpers there.

[@lindabunce5133]

So do you have a cellar? When I was growing up, my mom made an in-ground cellar for apples, potatoes and carrots. Dug a deep hole in the garden and threw in sawdust. Layered the fruit or veggies. More sawdust and another layer. Worked great. We had them throughout the winter and early spring.

[@mindi.m]

I love the help that you have as you move around the farm and get things done! The boys will remember planting those trees!

[@caterchatter4671]

Nice music Meg! You guys are gonna have boatloads of food which means lots & lots of canning,lots of preserving. Momma is gonna need a food cellar. Please get a milk cow or at least some goats, it’ll be fun guys:) you guys could keep all ur milk in stainless steel pots chilling in ur spring water. Course Ben would hv to build a spring house over a small portion of the stream like a cooler type small building. It’s gonna be a fun summer. As much room as u guys hv eventually we can move on to planting winter wheat/rye, field corn in summer for ur cornbread!!😳😉

[@janetpaulsen195]

I’ve been following you since just before you found your land. I’m amazed how much you have accomplished in this short time.

[@margaretbedwell58]

The gardens and orchard are coming along great. I guess God knew seed potatoes were going to be in short supply this year and that why he let you forget those from last year. Any other time I have potatoes in the pantry and before I can eat them I have big eyes growing in them. This year...nope...not a one grew eyes and the ones at SS were pitiful. So none for me this year. If you have evidence of deer on your land, please make some chicken wire cages to go around them. Y'all have a blessed day. BTW time to get baby girl some overalls so she can get down and dirty. hahaha.

[@nelliefarr1540]

make a nice shade with some grape vines going up for lovely summer outdoor eating under

[@CopperIslandHomestead]

Our first set of Stark Bros trees arrive in about month!! (We have a late frost date) So excited to be planting for the future ❤ We only have a half acre of land, but it will be chock full of food, if I have anything to say about it 😊

[@juliepizzolato1911]

I'm all in for voting for a farm mansion! LOL...But in all seriousness, that would be awesome if doable. Your homestead just keeps getting more and more beautiful! Loving all you share from North Idaho zone 6a 💚🌻🌿

[@jenniferr2057]

Ben. Turn around and look behind you. See what you have done! It's beautiful!

[@thegoodfight426]

Mrs. Hollar's smile lights up the world!!!😊😊😊

[@nancycowan6109]

Here is the middle of a city, I shop at my co-op and willingly spend the money on delicious organic produce and ethnically raised meat, etc., etc. I shop our lovely farmers markets in the summer, I’d love to be able to grow my own but we do what we do to eat good clean and nutritious foods. And thank goodness for those hard working farmers who do the hard work for me. I’m beyond appreciative. ❤️

[@leannekenyoung]

That is soooo cool your sons will hopefully have your beautiful homestead to bring their children to year after year and be able to pick all the incredible fruit from your orchard. Definitely something to do for future generations and probably the most overlooked thing that people don’t think to do in the beginning! Most times they will be on a property for several years cutting down trees that are in the way or whatever and they never think to plant any. I’m thrilled for you guys and it sure looks like trees planted a year ago are growing nicely! You are very smart people and I hope and pray you get the shop of your dreams Meg and your three or four storey mansion so all your children can return home with their kids and visit and keep your farm growing and thriving!! All the very best to you, may God continue to shower many blessings upon you.🥰❤️🇨🇦

[@rosaking8488]

Wow Ben! Those garden beds are amazing! I love them! It makes my heart so happy to see your boys working the garden with you. ❤️

[@dianehall5345]

Good your land has a slope to drain. Raised beds a great idea! You can always go back and level. We are still cold in New Hampshire. Happy to see you planting! Encouraging to see this undertaking to feed your family with clean food. Our farm cannot be 100% self-sustaining, but we have made a difference in what we raise and plant towards food security. We buy or trade with our farming/gardening neighbors. Makes for a meaningful community of folks who care about the land and each other.

[@Steve.5]

Garden fresh vegetables are a real treat! My grandparents had large gardens. Corn on the cob, vine ripe tomatoes and watermelon fresh right out of the garden! City folks are really missing out. There is truly no comparison!

[@JJJJ-ou8be]

plant your corn down by the streanm corn loves water

[@Oururbanhomestead1966]

Hello from Appletree Urban Homestead in Perth Australia. Love the video and loved watching Ben and Corbin working together, a great father and son bonding moment, making memories that will last a lifetime xx. PS, it's my son's 21st birthday today (the 25th April) and he asked for a raised garden bed to grow spring onions in xx

[@OhioJeremy]

I was a big fan of Stark Bros for a few years. I ordered 7 Honeycrisp, 5 arrived in great shape, 2 arrived lifeless. When I called, they were rude, said the trees were out of stock and wished me luck on the 5 remaining. I call BS on their 1 year guarantee. I have since moved on to Cummins Nursery, planted 22 already this year and all have survived after planting.

[@RebelCanners]

Corn need four rows side by side for proper pollination to form nice ears. Last time you planted a single long row. I hope you do blocks of corn rows this year for better results.

[@VACatholic]

Have you considered turning your orchard into a permaculture style ala Stefan Sobkowiak? He recommends trios where you plant berries and other perennials at the base of your trees. That way while you might not get the results of the fruit of the tree, you at least get some other stuff out of it in the meanwhile! I know it's easy for me to give you more work, but something to think about!

[@traceywye6504]

When you are growing things the most expenisive stuff is going cut you food bill the most, thing like potatoes are good for opening up thalen the garden as by the time you are finished you will a well dug garden bed!!!

[@lindamartinez8569]

I enjoy watching your family. No pretense, just working and day-to-day life.

[@GardeningInMangalore]

Nice to see your homestead growing steadily with all your hard work and planning 👍

[@heatherk8931]

Great seeing your orchard grow. You may be surprised with fruit on your trees in a couple years because those are probably 2nd or 3rd year rootstock and the grafted fruit are often already in flowering age. 😊 Blessings and well wishes for you all❣

[@vivianwilliams2216]

Very nice family team work on the potatoes 🥔 and the trees 🌳🌲🌿☘🍀😊👍💕💕💕

[@batpherlangkharkrang7976]

Hi.... Meg and Ben nice to see you love watching your videos, thank you for sharing your video homestead 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 🎥👍👍👍

[@gkevineady49]

What a good help he is, and he doesn't need instructions.

[@myretiredhobbiesgainesvill8140]

When you mentioned doing half the row in corn, I thought of something I will pass along. Corn needs to be in side by side rows so the pollination will be blown from one row to the other. A single row of corn often will not germinate very well, it's best to have multiple shorter rows instead of one long row. Hope this helps, always enjoy watching your videos. You have a beautiful family. Take care.

[@jeanbonus902]

Love watching the little farmers helping their dad,love your homestead,watching from the philippines.

[@oneyetiger]

We lost all our bush beans at the frieze you mentioned that was coming. We are a 100 miles south of you guys off I-26 in SC. Just replanted today. The life of a gardener has ups and downs, but when it goes on your table it's worth it.

[@juliewholohan2415]

Making memories 🥰when your boys have their families here they will talk about the days they planted with their amazing parents….Kudos👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨

[@reannejarvis7098]

Now you have the fruit trees in.. there's a good use for the cardboard. Mulch with cardboard then cover with mulch to keep weeds away. Works a treat. Keeps weeds away while young and establishing

[@bradpolmateer4266]

I watch a lot of these types of channels and many are struggling to plant It’s either way to wet or wind snow and cold

[@lindal5303]

You're right, I woke up to 3 inches of snow last week, in Ky, it was 22*. It's very difficult to grow anything early.🥀

[@PartTimePermies]

Our method for planting potatoes this year: We did not get all of last years out of the ground, so we will let them come back where they are. For that matter, our last 5 years of potato planting, I always seemed to miss pulling some of the ground and I now have volunteer potatoes all over my garden... No need to buy any for seed unless I want to try a new variety.

[@diannt9583]

I'm getting going now, too, on my land. The local feed store has ordered in seed potatoes, and they "should be in next Monday", for the past three Mondays. I sill want some of those when they do come in, but I do have some gone to seed that I will be planting. (Was going to do that anyway, but I also want more than I have available now). Fruit trees - Yes, ordered some about three weeks back; I am up further north than you, so they won't come in until the very end of April. I think its bundled sets of 4 apples and 5 plums (or vice versa), and two Asian pears. Holes are already dug. Murray McMurray - Excellent chickens! I did some CC last September - they were great (the birds, however, are dumb as rocks). I have red broilers scheduled to arrive in July this year from them, and will be incubating/hatching layer eggs from layer chickens already here (many of whom originated from Murray McMurray). That's indeed a great chicken resource! Wish I could do pigs, but there's only the one of me. There's a good neighborly community of farming folk here, but I do have to draw a line. Last year's endeavor was quail - and I have a batch of them hatching at this very minute in the incubator behind me. I totally appreciate the notion of raising most of one's food! And yes, I'll still need the supermarket for coffee, tea, avocadoes, and a few other favorites that won't grow in New England.