Learning to Grow - 6 Strategies

[@Marialla.]

I love the way you mentioned that our goals, values, and environment all shape how our "ideal" garden would look like, and therefore no one gardening method can be right for everyone at all times. Gardening with groups of people I have often found we have conflicts of understanding what the garden exists to do, and what is the best way to get there based on what we have to put in. People learn from their family or from a guru that gets all their faith and loyalty, and it can be difficult for them to validate any other path. It is sad when these methods interfere with their ability to grow a successful garden at all, because they know they cannot do it the "right" way, so they imagine it is impossible. Having a wide range of examples such as yours can help so much to inform people's choices and open new options to them.

[@REDGardens]

Thanks for the really interesting comment. Your point about gardening with groups is a really important one, and one that I have experienced in the past. This project of exploring a number of different ways was, in part, inspired out of trying to get out of that discourse of one method being the 'right' or 'best' way. You have put into words a few things that I have sensed for a while, and I think they are really important, especially that the conception of the 'ideal' method can get in the way of people being able grow successful garden. It seems that this can be such a barrier for some people.

[@fxm5715]

I agree very much with this, especially if you are the sole proprietor of a garden. There is no one, true, correct, optimal way to garden, or to do almost anything else in life for that matter. If something isn't working for you, certainly try something else. Or even if it does work, but you just don't like it! One of the things I miss from allotment or community plot gardening is seeing the wide variety of successful approaches. One person's uptight monotony is someone els's beautiful order. One person's chaotic, train-wreck of a plot is someone else's harmonious, natural food forrest. Garden center fertilizer or home made compost, row covers or cold-frames, seed starting or direct sewing, what's the most important is what keeps you engaged and motivated to continue to learn and "grow."

[@Marialla.]

@@fxm5715 I love your point about staying engaged. As long as you're getting something out of the garden that makes you want to stay engaged and keep trying, the garden is working for you! Sooner or later anyone who keeps at it, perhaps trying new things sometimes, will eventually find success by their own definitions.

[@zazugee]

I started by reading jevons biointensive double dig book I was obsessed with it tbh Then later found about the no-dig But even tho no-dig have a scientific basis behind it like the well researched minum tillage i still don't throw away the double dig method Its good to start a new bed with When you don't even have a good soil to begin on, no-dig needs years to start working So really its about understanding contexts and needs and not about being fanatical about one method or one school

[@Marialla.]

@@zazugee You are not wrong, and to someone with that energy I would totally agree. But in my own case I am very physically weak (nearly disabled) and have very limited access to a garden (once a week, for a few minutes). So in my circumstances, starting off with deep mulch no-dig makes sense even though it will take longer to produce as much. This is a great example of how keeping your mind open to various methods helps each gardener choose the path to success that's best for their needs.

[@Usonian7]

"I just want to garden next year" as in, I don't want to get to over whelmed and quit". This is what I kept at mind when I started gardening, I had our first child on the way. I only got tomatoes and peppers in, and when we got back from the hospital, the garden went from "it looks ok..." To "omg, it's a tomato hedge". But I'm on year three and have conquered hard pruning tomatoes and many other things. Don't give up, it's ok, don't get overwhelmed. The goal is to keep doing it next year.

[@wendysgarden4283]

Interesting, as always, I'm 65 years old, a bit overweight and arthritic, and I've wood chipped 5000 square feet (450 sq. meters) in 2.3 years, fenced, built trellising systems all alone and learned to can foods, so I'd like to shout out to other old people and say, "it's doable even at this age, even if you aren't a triathlete at the outset." After retirement, it's a great way to stay active and learn new things. Also, e. coli on lettuce is much more dangerous for old people, so it's safer to grow our own.

[@REDGardens]

Thanks for that! Excellent and important point about it all being doable, even for people who are not so active.

[@zazugee]

Still beware of some animal's feces in the garden

[@dadude4960]

exactly this. it's sad to see old people with completely dead and overgrown gardens. there's so much energy to get from it. it tastes better both psychologically and in reality to grow your own. and it's extremely rewarding for the spirit.

[@joncunningham9530]

I really appreciate the careful records and the data you collect. Its hard to find other sources of information that take gardening as seriously as you do

[@REDGardens]

Thanks. Glad you find my work and approach valuable.

[@PaleGhost69]

My biggest hurdle when learning to grow was having land to grow on. You only have so many options with a balcony container garden. Unfortunately, I'm still in that situation but I was given an opportunity to tend neighbors garde who was getting too old to tend it. I cant wait to have my own land that I can design however I want.

[@trockodile]

Keep searching and working hard towards it. It took us moving the whole length of the UK pretty much (700+ miles), a complete career change and over 2 decades of saving and learning along the way to get here, but it is entirely worth it! We wanted enough land to have animals too, hence the 2 decades delay, but if its what you truly want you find / make a way for it to happen. Great first step though tending a neighbours garden, building knowledge, friendships and community spirit in one move - awesome work! The very best of luck with your journey.

[@REDGardens]

I was been in that situation years ago, and I know it is tough. Hope you are able to get your hands dirty and grow a lot this season!

[@Marialla.]

I too live in an apartment, with only a shaded patio. I'm finding space to grow a garden this year at my church, who have agreed to allow me to take over a small 100sf plot at the edge of some unused ground to create a demonstration garden. It isn't as ideal as having my own backyard kitchen garden, but it is a chance to be involved and grow something more than I otherwise could. If the demonstration garden proves successful I will be granted permission to makeover more such space, and possibly inspire others to try as well. I hope that for you also there might be opportunities waiting beyond the borders of your own property, if you can search them out.

[@tomjones4318]

I haven't had a real garden in 25 years. Just diving in this year. Planted seed trays this week and already have tomato and okra sprouts. It's still cold here in the US and everyone says don't mess with okra till it warms up good. With nothing but a $12 heat mat I have okra sprouts on the first of March. What a rush. I'll start even earlier next year. Never know what's possible till you try. If my garden looks like yours in a couple of years I'll be very happy.

[@REDGardens]

Tom Jones Excellent! Best of luck with the growing!

[@5xXelementalXx5]

Videos keep getting better!

[@REDGardens]

5xXelementalXx5 Thanks! good to know!

[@helio2k]

I'm deep diving. I'm leaving a comfy office job and start working on a farm on monday. Yeah!

[@mrJMD]

Best of luck to ya! Keep at it and you'll make it!

[@cyrylski]

How did it work for you?

[@helio2k]

@@cyrylski ha! what a nice reminder. It worked great. It was everything i had hoped for. Found my calling. Decided to study horticulture and i'm loving it, already have great connections and it's looking great. At every job i worked before, i wondered how i could do this pointless work until retirement. (and mind you, these were no bad jobs or less paid) Now i finally know what i want to with my time

[@inactivated0]

@@helio2k this makes me happy

[@ceedee2570]

I just watched this again. What a fantastic video! You present such great options for people to think about on how they could move forward. Also, it is terrific that you point out growers can explore/leverage multiple approaches concurrently.

[@REDGardens]

Wow, thank you!

[@cyrylski]

Bruce, I'm re-discovering your whole footage after more than a year of watching, as I'm starting to see my future in market gardening business. Thank you.

[@matiasgs89]

thank you. this videos are EXACTLY what i was looking for, smart yet approachable.

[@REDGardens]

Excellent! Glad you appreciate my efforts!

[@vossierebel]

Good to see you smile! Yes, celebrate your achievements - you are winning on a large scale!

[@BBDoesTheThing]

Some of the comments here are just as good as the video! Red Gardens- Growing your Community :)

[@10tuntongue]

I've been growing vegetables bit by bit over the last few years with my father after he bought a small hobby farm. This year I'm going all in and starting a market garden. I have a lot to learn but I love every minute of it. I think there is a big difference between gardening to feed yourself and scaling up to sell your produce.

[@trockodile]

Another awesome upload, thank you. Keep up the excellent work encouraging and educating others from your amazing project experience to date. Your high quality videos and dedication to the content of your channel is very much appreciated! 👍

[@REDGardens]

Thanks for that great feedback!

[@SimpleEarthSelfReliance]

I am so happy that I missed some of your stuff, because I am re-binging now. This is an eminently respectable bulk of advice on learning. I agree about the 'giving up', and that is where folks fall out. There is too much attention on succeeding (and what does that even mean) and comparing with others (when each of our circumstances are vastly different). Most importantly to me, is to never say/think "when i learned...", because learning never reaches the past tense, and those who think it did, will not grow any further.

[@REDGardens]

Nice way of putting it.

[@hairybass480]

Your videos are true to what you are trying to deliver. Your words mean a lot to people. Keep it up. Good job!

[@ethanmcdonald5899]

Dude where did u come from.? Your so smart! I love listening to you, yourealllllly are definitely a critical thinker

[@fxm5715]

Insightful, as always, Bruce. I definitely get overwhelmed and give up if I take on too many new challenges at once, and I moved to a new home a few years ago with poor soil. My path with my current garden has been to have one or two crops with long-term payoff every season to keep me engaged year-round and motivated (potatoes, garlic, multiplier onions), a few "instant gratification" crops (sweet peas, tomatoes, spinach), and then on top of those, expand my space and explore one or two new crops each year (peanuts, corn, melons). One bed a year, and now I have four large raised beds, and this year a new fenced in area for soil level beds. For my situation and personality, slow and steady expansion and learning seems to work best. Keep up the great work, sir. It is very much appreciated.

[@REDGardens]

Thanks. So many people seem to struggle, and I think your approach to have a few 'long term payoff' crops and some 'instant gratification' and trial crops is a good one, putting a structure and limit on things. Hope you have a great season with the new space!

[@Marialla.]

I like how you're thinking. My own project is to grow a garden out back of my church's property. Like you, I'm starting small with just one bed and a very few limited crops (inspired by Bruce's "Simple Garden"). My choices for stuff I only have to tend on Sundays includes potatoes, herbs, and some flowers, grown under deep mulch. I look forward to transitioning to fall and winter crops after the first potatoes come up. Maybe squash, then kale? I don't know, but starting small gives me the chance to learn a little as I go, stacking small successes, adjusting from small failures, and proving myself as I go to earn enough trust to expand later. Some people and situations benefit from jumping in headfirst, and some benefit from gentle incremental growth. As you say, relying on a base of some nearly-sure bets builds the safety and trust, and then keeping it fresh with a few medium-risk experiments with potentially high payoff builds the experience and wisdom in a manageable way.

[@michaelmcclafferty3346]

I have used a no- dig approach exclusively on our allotment. Next year, I’ll mix the methods up a bit using some of your experiences Bruce. I think I’ll try to grow less variety but more of we like to eat. The Simple garden seems like a good idea. Thank you for your inspiring work and taking the time and effort to share it.

[@REDGardens]

Hey, I am really glad that you found some value in this video! Good luck with your explorations next year!

[@bootsrootsandberries1939]

I have always found your videos to be very informative and the levels of data you collect and publicise is amazing albeit region, site specific. At the end of the day, as gardeners there is a huge amount of information be it videos, literature and so forth out there for us gardeners or 'allotmenteers' to able to use to for own benefit but understandably 'Trial and Error' will always take its place as a major principal to any garden and allotment as well as the sense of good well being felt by the grower when they harvest their own crops. Sharing advice and techniques is very beneficial but not being afraid of disappointment when things do not go as we hoped is right up there. Best Wishes Bruce.

[@REDGardens]

Andrew Till Thanks! I think your point about not being afraid of disappointment is a really good one.

[@Puddlesports]

i love all your videos but your accent makes it so much better

[@REDGardens]

Thanks - glad you like my accent!

[@tahliel]

I've had many difficulties 'learning' to grow. Generally they are difficulties with soil/space/water/weather/cost/materials rather than actual 'growing'. Like you say, plants want to grow, it's in learning how to solve or overcome these other challenges that I've really started to see progress in my garden.

[@bernardpare2509]

I really like your approach , and view on things

[@JeeJeanVittoVlogs]

I love your method of gardening or farming vegetables. Thank you for sharing.

[@BizcochoDislexico]

Thank you for the video. Recently i have turned lucky having the opportunity to start growing, but having bad results. Im justo starting to learn and want to make a living of this. Now we starting spring, so im already putting letuces, corn, Radish and beat, and now i will go carrot. Hope i have some lucky, so far i had succes with corn and really good chilis. Best from Argentina.

[@aenorist2431]

Good point on the limiting side. I am one of these people that follow a "school of thought" so to speak (Charles Dowdig/The general No-Dig market gardener crowd) and find that to be extremely helpful, but I am struggling with the load of trying to do all the things at once. Probably going to see them through because time is of the essence, but I am thinking of splitting into "core" and "experiment" crops, to prioritize my attention. Good advice, even though it wasn't meant as such :P

[@REDGardens]

That is a good crowd to follow, with excellent support and ideas from a diverse and growing community. I think your splitting into 'core' and 'experimental' crops is possibly a great way to prioritise things. Thanks for the idea.

[@ArkansasWoodcutter]

Micogreens is a skill I plan to add this fall and winter. In a learning phase for them. I appreciate the wisdom of your content. Thank you for this.

[@chrisversola26]

Great info for sure! The thought of using the hardier crops in the first year to more easily prepare soil for later years' more finicky crops is a really cool idea that I will definitely try out.

[@REDGardens]

Chris Versola Hope it works well for you.

[@jeffreymabbe9829]

Am new at this channel but it is epic!👍

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@keithoshields2434]

Thank you for your videos, they are so informative.

[@philandhannahslittlefarm1464]

Thanks for sharing! It's an interesting thought project! I totally agree about getting caught up in one method and being in an echo chamber thinking that one method is the only way. One of the reasons this my favorite channel! I will be attempting my own versions of your experiments in the coming years!!

[@trillium7582]

Great insights and much for me to think about. Thank you! This is the first year I'm trying to be more serious or rigorous about what I'm learning while gardening... before this I've been fooling around and trying a bunch of things, scattershot. This year I think I'm going to grow one whole bed of tomatoes and try to get better at managing pruning so I'm getting a really clean, usable harvest.

[@heathermacdonald6404]

Thanks! Another great video.

[@danielfisch655]

Great and super relevant information for all of us, thank you for sharing.

[@MrGman590]

Something that can throw a wrench into things is taking over someone else's garden. My sister-in-law had a garden, that unfortunately she started and then got bored with. I took it over midway, and have no idea what they were doing; and since I'm only learning myself, I don't know if what they were doing was right. This was last year, and I did manage to get a harvest that year (I grow blue potatoes; I figured if I can't make potatoes grow then I have no business growing anything else!) but it was miniscule. I ended up with many seed potatoes, so I'm trying again this year.

[@REDGardens]

netchingretch I can imagine it is tough taking over someone else’s work - glad I haven’t had to do that, though it would be nice to not to have to start from scratch all the time. Hope you have more success this season.

[@ktm8488]

really interesting, thanks

[@PermaPen]

I tend to follow the Edison approach: keep failing until you find the way that works (for you)... The journey is tiring, but I think I've found my preference now, having looked in all directions. I've taken on a sort-of apprentice on one of my plots, with the idea that she can do pretty well what she likes on her own bed, and I'll tell her whatever I know about her intended plants/methods. I'm surprised by how much I know now! I only started this because Waitrose herbs were so expensive...

[@RonnieMinh]

Great information and presentation, thanks!

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@nicobass1966]

Great video and many thanks

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@flaviusnita6008]

You are so damned right! Thank You!

[@cameronwolf3021]

I have been gardening for a only a few years with no reasonable success. I think I tried to do too much too soon. I hope your plan is to decide which model garden is most beneficial over the years and then continue to master that particular one.

[@REDGardens]

Sorry to hear that you haven't had much success, hope it is a better season this year. Perhaps when I retire I might settle into one method, and go down the path of refinement and practice.

[@zazugee]

I had my share of failures Last year most my plants died in summer bc of failure in drip irrigation Also in autumn the first sowing and transplants didn't survive I was about to give up and just throwed too much seeds like carrots and spinach and reddish They ended growing well late in autumn and winter I got a good havest after failing 2 seasons in a row

[@jamesalanstephensmith7930]

Informative!

[@boibio3563]

Love ya man

[@REDGardens]

Boi Bio :)

[@Marialla.]

This video could be good in the "Simple Garden" playlist, as it mentions aspects to consider while starting it, which aren't mentioned in other videos.

[@REDGardens]

Good suggestion. I need to watch it again, and figure how to incorporate those points into the next video about the Simple Garden.

[@ashleyhavoc1940]

Liked and commented for algorithm.

[@REDGardens]

:) ... for the algorithm

[@dollyperry3020]

I feel that you have missed two key components to learning. The desire to learn will be motivated by, in this case, our desire to eat the crop. So if tomatoes are your favorite ....then you should learn to grow tomatoes even if that is a more difficult crop to grow. Because the desire will give you more strength and endurance to learn. Secondly, you have completely missed mentoring as a learning path. If you want to grow tomatoes...you go to the best tomato grower in your area and talk with him/her and learn as much as possible given his/her willingness to teach you. This is my favorite way to learn and I feel that youtube videos are very similar to this way.

[@REDGardens]

You are right about both of those. i guess I had seen the motivation of what you want to eat as being part of the growing valuable crops, but then failed to actually articulate that point in the video. Mentoring is a seriously useful learning path, though I never really used it, so I guess that is why I didn't include it. Or perhaps my mentors were a few authors, which unfortunately is a one way communication.

[@fxm5715]

I suspect that your first point is implicit, but it's good to be explicit about it, too. Gardening just because you feel some social, financial, health related etc. obligation to do so is an up-hill battle. Building in some very tangible rewards is a great way to stay focused and keep motivated. Two of my main crops are very inexpensive in the grocery store, but fairly easy and tremendously satisfying for me to grow: potatoes, and onions. It's magical to dig up buried treasure, never knowing exactly what I'll find. I also build in short-term, very visible rewards, like sweet peas, basil, and spinach, so that I know there will be some payoff quickly. With those things too keep me going, it's a lot easier to explore new ideas and weather the inevitable failures along the way.

[@Marialla.]

@@fxm5715 As Tom Sawyer once said, "Work is anything a body is obliged to do, and play is anything a body is not obliged to do."

[@homeplay4476]

Great advices! I am looking for systemic gardening courses to learn the right way instead of picking up bits and pieces of knowledge here and there. I looked into agriculture education but those are geared towards large scale farming. With only a 9x9 ft lot, I am sure I need to do things differently. Could you recommend some resources? BTW, I am a new gardener in my 2nd season. Thanks a lot.

[@gravychipplease]

Hi Bruce - what is the vegetable at 1.27 (I have started on an allotment and there are some vegetables growing from the previous owner and one is very similar to the veg at 1.27)

[@MrZesty-zu4xj]

How goes the seed saving this go around?

[@binaytamangvlogs581]

wow

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@Abzarad]

4:54 "fail faster". oddly nice!

[@GGeloRob]

When's your book coming out :)?

[@REDGardens]

Good question! I use to think that I woods write a book based on the gardens, but then realised that videos were a better forum/medium for me. I might still write a book or two, but no time this season!

[@GGeloRob]

@@REDGardens yeah a book would deprive everyone of your majestic voice. Maybe you should do narrating when your waiting to get into the gardens

[@REDGardens]

Robert MacPherson ‘Majestic’?!? I really don’t like the way my voice sounds, but I guess that is the same with many people.

[@VagabondAnne]

@@REDGardens Your voice is crisp, resonant, and completely intelligible. I do a lot of transcribing for work, and I can tell you that most people mumble, hem and haw, you know, like, I don't know, UHHHH.... You could easily have a second career making audiobooks. In college I studied classical voice, opera, etc. Your voice is terrific, your delivery is professional. Keep at it!

[@REDGardens]

VagabondAnne Thanks! I put in a lot of effort into these videos, because I typically mumble ;)

[@lenov100]

Maybe you can tell about the joy of gardening a bit more . :) besides that, I find your video's very helpful and educational! Keep up the good work! Greatings from the Netherlands.

[@REDGardens]

There are loads of channels talking about the joys of gardening, I figure I didn't need to add to it too much! ;) Thanks, and hello there in Netherlands!

[@danielmontesdeoca136]

i´ve been wondering... why you don´t use cardboard instead of plastic fabric?

[@luutas]

I ask myself what kind of person dislikes a video like this. There must be something wrong with them

[@jeffdustin]

What I am most in need of is how to grow the proper amount of vegetables, fruits, and grains to feed my family. I end up overplanting some things and underplanting others. Finally, with failed crops it is hard to judge the real yield from your efforts so overplanting feels safer...but then you don't weed it properly and you get less than you think you will. Tricky business and might be worth a video?

[@victorybeginsinthegarden]

Help you neighbor out that is already growing learn by doing

[@REDGardens]

That is another great way.

[@adamyocius]

What application do you use to record your data?

[@REDGardens]

Adam Yocius I use Numbers app on an iPhone - which is basically a spreadsheet. I don’t know about other apps but this one has a handy ‘forms’ feature that makes it really easy to enter data into a spreadsheet.

[@X35O]

One day he's going to tell us which method is THE BEST! I hope ... ;)

[@Marialla.]

He can only tell us what is the best for his circumstances. You'll have to work out for yourself which method would bring you closest to your own goals, given your particular values and available inputs such as money or labor.

[@X35O]

@@Marialla. That was a joke, my friend. :)

[@LockRocker]

Completely valid thought, after engaging in the various methods at some point you would think the efforts would move into some end game decisions and hone in on only the best strategies to evolve and stick to the contenders. There comes a time to cut the bad players and get your game on. I think maintaining some systems is more for the channel than the growers.

[@mikemorton954]

So what your saying is carrots are awkward blighters 😜

[@REDGardens]

Yeah ... sometimes!

[@pinballwizard6906]

✌️😎

[@nonyadamnbusiness9887]

Good video, but here's how you learn to garden. You find an old man in your neighborhood who has a really good garden and do what he does. You have to actually get up and go meet him to do this. You'll probably have to listen to boring stories about stuff that happened in the 1950s and 1960s. Deal with it. You can experiment with new methods when your freezer is full.

[@REDGardens]

That could be a really good option for a lot of people. Unfortunately there aren't any old people like that around here - it seems that everyone growing a 3 or 4 decades ago.