Make Your Own Soil | Fruit Tree Nursery Update

[@Daphnedidit]

We live on 12 acres in southern Alabama. I have no reason to complain that I can’t grow crops. You guys are awesome. Thank you for this video.

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

Different challenges I'm sure, but I bet you see a bit more green than we do!!

[@justafig]

There are a lot of bad soil conditions all over the country.

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

@@justafig very true. Here we have bad soil to start with, so it's to be expected. The real travesty is the soil we've destroyed over the decades with really bad farming practices!

[@MarSchlosser]

Daphendidit: do you raise sorghum as a cover to break up the clay? That's going in her (AZ) because of ground squirrels.

[@jordansme1234567]

Cant is an excuse with a little aeration and nitrogen any soil can grow good crops.

[@Liz-bn8fw]

You inspire me! I'm 70 and wish I had started much earlier in life! I container garden but wish I had someone to make the beds and get me started with inground gardening! Now more than ever we need good organic home farms/gardens

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

Wow, you are an inspiration as well. Getting after it at 70 when folks half your age are wasting away on the couch playing video games. I suppose there's nothing wrong with that, but I agree, we all need to be providing as much as we can for ourselves. I think I saw another comment from you and you're down in Tucson, correct? If so, container gardening is a great option. Even with raised beds, there are a LOT of challenges with critters getting after your produce. At least with containers it's easier to protect from squirrels, rabbits, birds, etc.

[@Maria-ql3fc]

It's so hot here in Alabama I think someone left the door to hell open. The heat wouldn't be nearly as bad if the humidity wasn't right up there with the temp .

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

I have to admit, we really do prefer our dry heat. It's not fun either way, but I would really be complaining about that humidity. It's suffocating!!

[@mesutozsen903]

Eline Emeğine Sağlık Bu Güzel Vlog ve Video İçin Kolay Gelsin Hayırlı İşler Bol Bereketli Kazançların Olsun 👍👍👍👍

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

Teşekkürler Mesut. Dünkü canlı yayında seni görmek çok güzel. Yayın yaparken tercüme edecek bir şeyin var mı?

[@jherman89]

Kudos for your efforts! Instead of sourcing your materials off-farm, you can grow them using cover crops and support/n-fixing species (e.g., mesquite, chinaberry, leucaena). You can use to make compost, improve soil, improve microclimate, feed animals, etc. You have lot of bare soil on your farm and think planting drought-tolerant cover crops (and trees) will do wonders for your soil, animals and crops. Think permaculture. It's totally possible. I could also recommend other plants that fall into this category as I've created a list for Tucson's climate.

[@joniboulware1436]

There is a limit to available water, drought tolerant or not.

[@jherman89]

@@joniboulware1436 Not sure I understand what you're trying to say.

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

Thanks for the suggestions here and we're working towards some of that. The main focus for this farm was creating an income first to allow it to be self sustainable from that standpoint. As we move forward we'll begin filling in where we can using many of the permaculture principles you're suggesting. The one caveat for us is the limit on how much of the farm we can keep "green". Being on a well in a water management district in AZ we're limited on how much water we can use to sustain green areas (drought tolerant or not). We're already pushing that limit now, so we're not able to add much more in the way of "green". That being said, if you have some suggestions on crops we'll take them!

[@jherman89]

@@EdgeofNowhereFarm Totally understand, but I do think these practices would increase your income and reduce water use for your crops. Let me explain. While cover crops and n-fixing/support plants don't contribute directly to your income, they do greatly improve soil, improve your soil's water-holding capacity, lower evapotranspiration (water loss), all of which which will increase your crop productivity and lower water use. You're right, these plants would require water to get established, but the most drought-tolerant (the few that I mentioned) can survive only on rainwater after getting established and their presence would lower water use for your other plants through shade and symbiotic relationships. Also, all the biomass that you prune from these plants would increase soil organic matter and improve your soil's water holding capacity. I'm guessing much of the rain that falls on your property runs off as it can't infiltrate and be stored in your soil. That would lower your reliance on well water. A great example of these practices in action is Geoff Lawton's Greening the Desert project in Jordan. His "food forest" and garden is entirely on rainwater. I recommend his youtube videos.

[@Reciprocity_Soils]

@@jherman89 and, while EON Farm slowly adds to their soil through the liberal application of wood chip mulch, I would like to add that dung piles in the pens could attract dung beetles that will pull the manure into the soil. EON is teaching us many of their good ways of growing trees and produce. Incorporating animals (rotating cows followed by chickens) for soil development will come sooner or later. Peace and health for all their work on the Edge of Nowhere Farm.

[@Pamsgarden213]

I am now using all of my leaves and stems I cut off everything when pruning as mulch as well. It is amazing how fast everything breaks down.

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

Hey Pam! Yes, it really is amazing to see everything turn to soil, even here in the desert with a little TLC!

[@pauliewalnuts2007]

Beautiful Cat, thank you for sharing

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

She likes to be right up in our business!

[@pauliewalnuts2007]

@@EdgeofNowhereFarm now it is her business 😉

[@midoman6659]

Hi guys, love your content, I started building new garden in my new house last September and i have different types of trees fruit and evergreens it was beautiful and saw progress but this summer late May early June the heatwave reached 52C° /125F° and the whole garden changed from green to yellow! Everything dried and died. I saw your video on heatwaves and how to take care but i guess it was too late for me. I did not follow the watering schedule like in your video since its 50 square meters and i did not have drip irrigation system. I was watering daily or every other day So i appreciate you make an update on how to take care of your plants in summer heat (update video ro the original one). Ps. Now i have irrigation system set up hopefully i see an updated video just to cheer me up and teach me a thing or two. Also the only 2 trees survived are Assyrian plum(Cordia myxa) one of my favorite fruits and medicinal too and Jujubes which are both native to my city Basra - Iraq

[@midoman6659]

I wish you try to plant Assyrian plum it’s so delicious as a ripe fruit or you can pickle it when green or just dry it and have it as a tea. So good, i bet it will thrive in Arizona desert since we have the same climate.

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

Sorry to hear about those losses. We know just how you feel having done something similar many years ago. I have not heard of that tree before (Assyrian Plum). Off to Google for some research.

[@taylorvanbuskirk8040]

I think it's a given. All your cats love the spotlight.

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

They really do seem to be all up in our business when the camera is on! 😂😂

[@AbidAli-bv2gl]

Excellent video. Jujube picture with others fruits tree , Goats Ducks, geese. we learnt how to make my Own Soil

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

Hey there Abid. Glad you enjoyed this one!!

[@MarSchlosser]

Get that water out for the critters! One tub out front, square and holds 5 gallons. It's low to the ground so birds and such can jump out if the fall in. One out back is an old restaurant wok, 18 inches across. It loaded with rust but so what. Looks unpleasant, but no baby quail drowned this year. When I checked it for skeeters today it was sitting cockeyed. Something very heavy had to have crawled in to do that. Mouser (tattler), I guess. I hope our friendly li'l World Destroyer stayed for a nice feast of ground squirrel. The kumquat is still in bloom; two months now! Nothing on the jujube bushes, but then the wind is bad this year. Another mango pepper (bell) gnawed to a stump. Potato vines gnawed off, 3rd time. But, you kids look great! You're a blessing on the farm and I love that.

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

Water really is the answer all around this time of year. We had an early shot of monsoon activity in June and then nothing since which is disturbing. We've noticed our Kumquats tend to bloom and fruit throughout the year also now that they're getting established in the ground.

[@gm2407]

Nitrogen, carbon and water for the win.

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

Bingo!

[@Thuy_Dailylife]

❤Gretings from Viêt Nam ❤❤❤

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

Wow, all the way from Vietnam. Hello from the US!! ❤️❤️

[@Truongthikimcuong92]

Hi ❤ Nice to meet you ❤❤❤

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

Hello!!

[@cathielinn9146]

I love this video and your excellent explanations of how to build your own "good dirt" right in the planting bed on top of the poor native dirt. I live up in Prescott and am just a home gardener trying to figure out how to grow flowers and shrubs among deer, rabbit, squirrel and javalina--and how to make my mostly granite rubble into healthy rich earth. I can't till my planting areas because I hit giant boulders of granite at just a few inches down, so am building small raised beds and using other containers. I have very little composting material to work with and need to buy dirt to get ANYTHING to take root. I like your idea of laying down the hay, putting in the compost, and covering with wood chips right in the raised bed and will be trying that method now in preparation for fall planting. Thank you!

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

Glad you enjoyed this one and found it useful. We have had good success with this method, so fingers crossed it does well for you also!

[@belindahopkins7875]

Thanks❤

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

Glad you enjoyed this one!

[@kindlia]

You two are awesome. We live in San Tan Valley and have been having trouble getting chip drop. Still after the dream!

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

That can be a challenge the further away form civilization you are. We've found that paying for the drop does help!

[@kindlia]

@@EdgeofNowhereFarm We are on the "edge of nowhere" on the other side of town from you, with one lot between us and the Gila Indian Res. We can see across the Gila valley to Tucson. We still haven't busted open your Mulberry wine. Waiting for a very special occasion!

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

@@kindlia wow, I imagine that is quite the view!

[@justafig]

The Colombian Giant blackberries also tip root.

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

We've noticed that and it spreads pretty easy. We're assuming it will do that throughout this expanded bed and hopefully we can get some nice, ripe fruit one of these years before they wither in the heat!

[@justafig]

​@EdgeofNowhereFarm I only have 1 growing out of the soil, but 3-4 from tip rooting just this year. I had my first I-258 breba Fig. today, btw.

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

@@justafig fig season is definitely here and the first fig off the tree is always exciting!

[@paulm965]

Great video. What are the tall structures seen in 0:24-0:25? Fences covered in vines? Have you covered that in another video? Thanks!

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

I want to make sure we're on the same page. Are you seeing the grapevines on trellising surrounding the garden area to the right of the screen?

[@paulm965]

@@EdgeofNowhereFarm Thanks. Yes, the 90 degree elbow, upper center right on the screen. I'm guessing it's a grapevine on a tall fence? I like the way it adds structure and it seems like it would be a great windbreak.

[@paul.1337]

My cat goes in and out a window near ground level and she's brought a few friends with her on a few occasions. Three weeks ago, she hopped up to the ledge and was eager to bring in and introduce me to the concerned-looking chipmunk she was carrying in her mouth. She's never brought me a squirrel or rabbit though in a little over ten years. They're probably too big for her to see them as prey. Squirrels have some kind of nasty claws too, so it's probably for the best.

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

That sounds about right. We've had the cats do fine with baby ground squirrels, but when they get ahold of an adult they walk around with a squirming critter that just winds up being too big for them to handle. Amazing to see them be the predators they're designed to be though, huh?

[@Adnancorner]

You really need to look into elephant grass/napier grass, it produce canes like sugarcane and you have on site production of woody material. Plus its a perinatal grass grown form cuttings and is edible for all animals but also good for biomass production. They use it in India to produce A4 printing paper. They are heat loving grass that grow in the heat quickly.

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

We've had a few other folks suggest them as well. I tried to find an inexpensive source and was unsuccessful, but need to check it out again.

[@patblack2291]

Once you try aluminized shade cloth, you'll likely move away from black shade cloth. Black absorbs the light and turns it to heat, whereas Aluminet reflects the light away.

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

This is the first time we've used shade cloth on plants, so we're newbies. First I've heard of that. Where would you suggest sourcing it?

[@patblack2291]

@@EdgeofNowhereFarm I have had great service from gothicarchgreenhouses who have lots of custom options. The 50% aluminized comes in 14 and 28' widths and you can order by the foot. You should order taping and grommets. It will easily last more than 10 years if used seasonally and stored where mice can't get to it.

[@debratakagawa4764]

Thanks for the video. Do the berry runners stay within the bricks?

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

They will run anywhere with moist soil, so as long as you contain the moisture, they'll stay contained in that area.

[@fenrirgg]

My favorite part of your farm is the raptors' cage (where the turkeys live), because they live with the sorghum there haha. Also I notice the moringa is getting pretty big, are you using the leaves for something?

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

Those turkeys are always fun to watch moving through that sorghum. We have a brief clip of what we're doing with moringa in an upcoming episode, but we prune it throughout the growing season and dry the leaves into powder to be used in our smoothies each day. The branches are fed to the pigs, who eat pretty much everything we don't!

[@fenrirgg]

@@EdgeofNowhereFarm cool!

[@zebmars8944]

Have you tried a "Bird Scarer Kite"?

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

I've seen those before and have had folks tell us they only work for a short period of time before you have to move them. I imagine we would need a lot of them!

[@Alisone123]

I planted some of the Prime Ark Freedom blackberries after seeing them on your videos, They are fantastic! I am thinking about trying a loganberry, Have you tried those?

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

No we haven't tried those before. We've attempted several varieties over the years and found the only 2 that produce well for us are the Prime Ark and Triple Crown. The biggest challenge we have is our dry heat in early summer. That has a tendency to stop most varieties of berries from fully ripening without drying out.

[@Alisone123]

@@EdgeofNowhereFarm I know what you mean about early summer, because I'm down the road from you in Surprise, AZ. Which is sweeter, Prime Ark or Triple Crown?

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

@@Alisone123 the triple crown is sweeter, but the production and consistency of the Prime Ark is far better. Also, the Prime Ark grows more vertical with far less "running", so it's easier to control for size. It's one of many reasons we just keep that variety now.

[@knicks252525]

Can this be used as potting soil

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

I'm not sure it would be ideal for that on it's own. Potting soil generally has components that help it hold more moisture than "garden soil" will.

[@Adnancorner]

How much it cost to get these cement blocks ? or made them yourself ?

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

They're pretty inexpensive from Home Depot or Lowes. Usually around $2 each.

[@bwhatitiz707]

What percent of your expenses are taken care of by income unrelated to the property? Is 100% off grid/ self sufficient possible in your opinion?

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

Our personal expenses (think everything contained inside the house not related to the farm) are handled by my (Duane) regular income. The farm itself (everything outside of the house) is now completely self reliant from an income standpoint. I'm not sure I'm qualified to answer the off grid question as that is not something we've considered. We prefer to have all of the amenities that being on-grid offers and we would not be able to do everything you see here in an off-grid situation in the desert.

[@bwhatitiz707]

@@EdgeofNowhereFarm Finding a place between the earth we live on and the numbers on paper is a balancing act. Thank you for the insight.

[@robertlemoine3500]

Thankyou 😊

[@EdgeofNowhereFarm]

Glad you enjoyed this one!