New Farm - Six Months In

Thought it was about time to catch everyone up on our new property and show you some of the good and bad of how our first six or so months has gone. Got some living pathway trials, some beds we're managing without mulch (😬), and a little about our poor drainage issues. Also give you the wash pack rundown.
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[@marissaquinain865]

farmer has perfect freedom.farmers can do everything that makes life satisfactions.life is how we make with farming. its really the first thing human should do.

[@cherylbertolini3140]

Great video thanks for sharing.Happy Fathers Day.

[@SunilSingh-me7et]

Good morning

[@peggyhelblingsgardenwhatyo7920]

Wow, Jessie! Info packed episode. Thanks for the outtakes because I thought you were able to say exactly what you wanted to say the very first time.

[@notillgrowers]

🙌

[@rufia75]

Jesse, have you considered trying trialing woodchip paths that have edible mushrooms inoculated in them? Winecap or oyster would break down the material and feed the soil and plants really well. Also, research has shown that winecap mushrooms actually kill and/or immobilize nematode crop pests, including the root and stem nematode that targets garlic and other alliums. You could definitely sell winecaps or other mushrooms for an incidental profit at market. Also, winecaps are really aggressive, so once they spread through a material, you really just need to top up the mulch every year. Furthermore, they are terrestrial fungi, meaning they like soil and interact with it very well (actually required to get them to fruit), so I suspect they are very health for soil food webs. Since they work so well with soil, I really want to try combining a pathway of woodchip and compost inoculated with winecap with a cover crop like clover and see how it does. So combining two pathway systems in the same walkway and see if they can work in harmony. I might have to sow the cover crop a bit sparser.

[@MrThatguy333]

I just started doing this because of your comment, haven't seen any fruiting bodies from the mushroom yet but thank you so much for the idea.

[@joetabone6418]

can you please tell us a little more about why you plant sweet alyssum beneath your tomatoes?

[@notillgrowers]

Beneficials and pollinators! Bracanoid wasps, for instance, and others love the flowers. Also they're pretty, edible, and the plant makes for good ground cover.

[@emac1177]

Look at that sky! Beautiful farm! So happy for you and your family!

[@notillgrowers]

Really crisp sky that day!

[@johnrosier1686]

Thanks to you and Josh for putting this video together. A lot of good ideas here. I am always trying to learn more because the more I learn the more I realize that I don’t know enough.

[@Jeffipookins]

The new place is looking great! Very exciting and nice to see the plan coming together.

[@victoriacarleton6647]

Love the music! Some videos for other gardeners are not easy on the ears! Thank you!

[@jenniferpresnell9558]

That bit about harvesting the lettuce is gold. 🙏🏽

[@BadAppleArt]

Long time fan! Congratulations on the new farm, ya'll have done some incredible work for just 6 months. I would love to hear more about these 4 ft beds. I am a farmer and we are doing 30" beds, definitely thought about putting in some four footers, especially on the sides of plots where our main paths have some wiggle room.

[@LVSpeedweLL]

Just finding your channel and appreciate what all you’ve shared. I’ve got four foot bed/rows in my garden and your split bed idea is brilliant. Also the Sweet Alyssum💡🌸🐝🐞so glad for this idea! Thank you.

[@koreanature]

Wow, I will always cheer for you in Korea I'm looking forward to a great video. Have a nice day.

[@tolbaszy8067]

5:08 Is that Eliot Coleman weeding in the background? The new farm looks great! Excellent video! Blueberries are a good solution for that wet area. Thanks!

[@ellensedge1898]

Great stuff, thanks Farmer Jesse. So many good ideas I'm incorporating in my little homestead, really lots of crossover as we are zone 6A. thanks!!

[@damicolicious]

I am growing both wasabi radish, garlic, and onion this season and this looks amazing. I'll need a few months, but I saved you and am going to try this. Great video and recipe! Thank you!

[@jtamsmom5]

I'm excited for you. Thanks for the video.

[@hrplanttrees]

Hello brother I love watching your videos, it's great for planting, caring for and fertilizing 👍

[@nathannalgene521]

@Farmer Jesse, you mentioned your slope in terms of drainage. I am interested in the slope with regards to solar radiation and plant growth. Which way is your slope orientated in relation to the sun? My context is for a new site development in Cape Town, South Africa (mild winters, no frost) that has a gentle slope facing west, away from the morning sun. In your opinion do you think this slope will have a significant impact on plant growth? Plus drying out of the soil in late afternoon which could be positive and negative. One benefit I have considered that having lots of late afternoon sun heating the beds will help summer fruits ripen early..

[@sciencetoymaker]

Yeah, elderberries have been a great find, both for places with poor drainage as you mentioned; and also steep slope problem areas. And so easy to propagate: just stick pieces of pruned branches in the ground before they break dormancy and almost all of them take. And in general so much easier than blueberries. Good named varieties that fruit on first year canes.

[@teachatami45]

I am excited.

[@owendavies8227]

I love having violets. They were a groundcover under most of my crops when I lived in West Virginia.

[@Andr1919]

Love the bit about not having compost. We use chickens to prep most of our beds in the Winter (northern Wi) and have a hard time finding good local compost that isn’t full of weed seed and rocks.

[@TW-fs3fj]

Try local waste facilities, they usually compost leaves. I compost leaves that my neighbors bag up, it takes about 3 months for them to fully break down. Limited weeds, excellent nutrition for your soil.

[@SimplisticFarms]

Looking GREAT!! I'm very intrigued with the Living Pathways..

[@notillgrowers]

same, haha!

[@waynesell3681]

Amazing tour!

[@lizabouchard5706]

Would love an updated video of all your intercropping successes and timelines (eg start with carrots and then 3 weeks later relay plant lettuce kind of thing)

[@sandradelvecchio6894]

Thank you for what you’re putting out there. We moved around the same time! I love the living pathways- I didn’t know that was a thing, I thought I just liked the grass for paths look and ease of mowing.

[@notillgrowers]

It's still very much a work in progress for our crops and context, but it is not a new thing, for sure! Strip tillage, for instance, has been around for quite a while and there are several version of living pathways in the market garden out there.

[@paintingtracey]

Looks great!

[@sandygarrett6098]

Fun! Fun! Glad you got the new place. Looks like you e been there 10’yrs!!

[@ES-mc3cc]

"We brought the kids; always a good idea." LOL!

[@TheVigilantStewards]

Love the intro song that weaves through the video! glorious horn

[@sushant.sumu9376]

So amazing video

[@BigMicksLittlePlot]

I know the big feild boys use Tile, in the uk there isnt the stigma on using tile and you could set up a retention system incese of drought or make a pond for frogs at the lowest point. and that could help you ease the swampy feel and fend off blight in your tomatoes. I just got your book and its like discovering the wheel and fire all at once! well done and thank you!!

[@carriewebb5764]

I'm a home gardener in central Ohio, which is a similar climate and I'm really loving the information you're sharing about your drainage issues. We have similar struggles and I'm concerned that we have some broken tile in our yard because of how wet it remains. We actually live on slightly elevated ground compared to the homes around us, but our yard can stay very wet for several days after rain. At times you can hear the water bubbling through the ground. I don't know if you will see this comment but if you do, how do you go about discovering if you have broken drainage tile on your property?

[@seanbalch7563]

I gave it a thumbs up before I even watched. Enjoy your informational content very much. Progress is very impressive 👍🏼👊

[@steveroberts3713]

This is a good channel!! Thanks

[@renatehaeckler9843]

Get some katahdin sheep and a barn to keep them in at night, they eat the leaves out of the hay and strew the stems on the floor. You'll soon have more compost than you know what to do with. I put it thickly around the edges of my beds as a weed barrier and as it breaks down it improves the soil and feeds the plants while holding in moisture and feeding earthworms. Excellent stuff!

[@flatsville1]

If the white sweet alyssum doesn't perennialize for you in your zone, there is a golden/yellow variety which is a true perennial. I use thyme which is low growing, takes abuse & cutting back well.

[@notillgrowers]

Good to know!

[@Marshall_Weber]

Awesome Video!!

[@charliecameron2551]

Thank you

[@Distinctions]

Love this channel.

[@clarkansas6590]

Good job

[@jillyd2807]

Very succinct. I like it 😃

[@floriswou]

Heey Jessy, I think you should start looking into the idea of compost being only an inoculant for your soil in stead of a mulch. And let growing plants be your mulch. If you manage a 365day full green cover as much as you can become super non dependent on constantly making or buying compost. 1 dusting application and a few tea foliar sprays of well made compost should be enough to colonize your soil with multiple different of fungi, bacteria and some others from the soil food web. Your plants with their roots will take care of multiplying them, so they can in turn feed your plant.

[@birdbird7965]

Trying to take a nap but it’s impossible because your content is too interesting & informative. Zzzz

[@teachatami45]

Love it.

[@cchurch5037]

Amazing progress in such short time! That wash station looks halfway to your own commercial kitchen👨‍🍳

[@notillgrowers]

Oh that would be rad. Maybe one day!

[@jamiemelton6527]

I appreciate the no compost approach, we do have access to compost but at $62.00 a yard delivered it hard to always spend the money. I do see the massive benefits of the compost so it’s a trade off. We’re trying cover crops this year

[@mrjuderaw87]

Gotta love Rick Grimes in his off time

[@luckysharma1053]

Nice video 👍

[@chrisshepherd8708]

Corn is number 2 behind Conifers for plants that creates more organic matter for the soil. Not a great cash crop, but it makes up for it as a companion crop and a natural trellis for other crops. Great work FJ😎

[@notillgrowers]

Indeed! I also use corn as a cover crop (that was going to be in this Sunday's video but it had some serious sound issues and I had to scratch it--so next week!).

[@browntownorganics2172]

Looks great! I’m interested in the cover crop mulch area. Please keep us updated on that plot.

[@notillgrowers]

absolutely! gonna take a couple years to really develop, but will be entirely in cover crop this fall (except for the garlic plot obviously).

[@suereid2084]

Hi from AUSTRALIA

[@dougruby6591]

I love this video

[@SgtSnausages]

A good wheel hoe with a wide selection of attachments is *essential* in our native clay, natural, non compost-mulched plots. A lightweight, razor-thin colinear hoe, wire hoe/weeder, and the like - dainty little precision instruments that they are - do less than nothing in that kinda material. They work great in the no-dig, deep mulch plots but 2 days after a rain in the native clay and it bakes a hard crust that makes those fine tools useless until the next rain.

[@notillgrowers]

Funny enough I still have my old wheel hoe, but I literally have not used it in 3 or 4 years. Gonna probably see some action this year

[@DhinCardoso]

Was like this an year ago, imagine nowadays ♥

[@harrykersey3181]

Loved it ! Your living my dream . I mean that in a good way . It's warms my heart to see what's going on in the farm communities using progressive tech. And just being kind to your planet " skin it back lil Brother!

[@cynthialouw2970]

Sounds like you and Josh have quite a few laughs with filming. Looking good

[@charityravn9993]

Jesse/Josh = good books or resources (more video from you two) on composting ? Lower SW GA - below the fall line, soil is sand. Weather unpredictable. We have our tunnels, are trialing tarps, cover crops and abundance of leaf/wood chip. Would love to hear more on your thoughts.

[@davidweston8032]

Great content as always! But good god you made me laugh on outtakes. Thank you!

[@TheVigilantStewards]

What does the sweet alyssum do under corn or potatoes? I live in Texas so we don't have as much water, but in my biointensive beds it could be great if I don't get wood chips because they get irrigated. I love seeing the living pathways experiment and also the lack of compost experiment using cover crops. We are short on rain and compost here, but we have more land... so we can use the extra land to grow materials for compost and mulch to feed and layer on top of our garden beds... kind of just a big feeder system. I've wondered in the context of vegetables even how animals can best be incorporated into that idea to build fertility even more and not deplete other spots on the property for the vegetables sake. So I'm really excited that you're playing with these concepts. I hope they inspire more videos and more books. I would love to see more content inspired by this actually since you requested us to let you know at the end of the video if we want to see more - yes yes yes! Walk throughs and results etc. Also, I think that track should become the channel's 2021 soundtrack :)

[@parkerbender09]

Looks awesome! I want to buy one of those hats.

[@notillgrowers]

should be available again this fall!

[@chrisshepherd8708]

PS love the outtakes LMFAO

[@dennistaylor3796]

My buddy that runs a blue berry farm had to abandon a wet area that keeps killing the blue berries bushes

[@notillgrowers]

For sure, they can't take too poor of drainage. Still have to correct that first!

[@ranchoraccolto]

mine squash has the same effect but the contrary, the farther to the water they are the worse they are.

[@christinebottaro9017]

Seems that wood chips encourage worm activity and mycelia growth quite a bit, plus woodchip pathways look attractive. I suppose a trial comparison of living pathway compared to woodchip pathway would have to include comparison of water absorbency, photosynthesis, carbon sequestration, and maybe a few other things. I wondered as you described drainage issues if you’ve studied and used keyline design of your landscape to address water management?

[@cliftonmcandrew8984]

We have a grass here in California. It’s called nut grass and also a wild Bermuda you would never want that in your garden.

[@Fleshbits1]

I'd like to see where you get the materials and how to build one of those "tunnels", as you call them. I wonder if there is something smaller scale I could put on a backyard on 0.1 acre, to start seeds with shade cloth. It is 100 degrees here too often.

[@quelaw7436]

…new sub bro!!! great info, thank u! ill b startin this spring n my backyard! last 2days ibeen watchin ya channel iappreciate it

[@notillgrowers]

Thanks! 🙌

[@przybyla420]

I’ve got a perennial cover crop/living mulch species possibility to throw out there. Pennywort or kenilworth ivy. Here in Western Oregon it is easy to control, seems to only grow in amended soils, easy to remove, good at covering the ground, doesn’t seem to have allelopathic effects. I think it’s most potential is as a border plant to claim the space at the interface of path and bed. Wouldn’t help at all if you don’t have weed pressure from the paths.

[@przybyla420]

We use it as a bit of an indicator of when to water too.

[@teachatami45]

Place dasheens at that spot that has water issues. Dasheens thrive in swampy areas.

[@jasoncook2294]

Not only does that looke nice for yourself I can tell you that I wouldn't mind living next to this farm at all.

[@andysbucketgarden]

Looking good Steve, interested to see how this goes. Any idea on running costs?

[@MrCntryjoe]

raspberries bloom early, bees love them. the wedge might like a few? only had enough dough. great setup. ☮ HTGDE.

[@notillgrowers]

We've got some raspberries but they hate "wet feet" so we're looking for a drier place on our property to relocate them. But raspberries are the best. Love that crop.

[@floriswou]

I've written something in a discussion on your channel that explains why things work that you try, like living pathways, and letting perennials stay in the ground while growing a ''cashcrop''. I would highly recommend checking this out!:)

[@chrisshepherd8708]

Have you incorporate white Dutch clover for a pathway and cover crop for garlic? Also have you thought about caramelizing your garlic for added value? Bates over at Bear Creek farms does this and gets an extra buck from his garlic

[@goatgate3815]

How many helping hands make it all happen? Volunteers and paid staff? Really appreciate the many pilot plots and planting techniques you are attempting 😬

[@notillgrowers]

Thanks! Two people full time in the field ((me included) and Hannah helps pack and manage books , orders

[@goatgate3815]

@@notillgrowers. C. Dowding has mentioned that he has 75 hours of weekly help. When we see the magnitude of your market gardens it helps us to put into perspective what we should expect as a single person. I'm home alone at 76 with some experience in only traditional gardening. Living on ten fertile acres in the Ozarks of SW MISSOURI. Have changed over this year to 5 60 foot by 3 foot no dig beds following Sir Charles method. It's going well enough. My advantage is an endless supply of cattle/sheep compost. Will spare you the details least you turn "GREEN" with envy. Your presentations have excellent volume, video and move along appropriately. Thank you for helping us old timers too.

[@garthwunsch]

Biology should open up the drainage… did for me. After ten years of No-till, I have zero compaction to the end of the penetrometer… 24” Subd

[@rochrich1223]

How well would wet ground match up with poly tunnel? Gutters and drains pencil out better if the ground was worth more. Higher heat, more drying. Raised beds, containers or perhaps tables would be a step away from the water table.

[@HerbHillFarm]

Thank you so much this video. Why sweet alyssum under tomatoes? Regards from Finland. :)

[@Anthony-kb8hn]

Foliar spray should help your squash plants.

[@GreatTree168]

wow❤

[@Veronica-nq9kr]

?? Very informative and entertaining.What do you use for the hoop house tunnel frame?

[@geraldcroft9020]

Intro music 👍👍👍

[@herringtonfarms5927]

I have a small area that seems to never dry as well. It will become a duck pond.

[@smhollanshead]

If your soil is holding water, you have to get your plants up to improve your drainage. A tall row would help. A raised bed would be even better. The taller the bed the better the drainage.

[@Organicagain]

Or you could dig some trenches and drain some water. Use the dredged soil to raise the rows.

[@miguifly3095]

I see so much forest around! Super great. Have you factored in CO2? I heard that being important to consider in your interview with John Kempf

[@sandradelvecchio6894]

“We’ve dumped a lot of money into this farm and don’t have it for compost”, boy I hear you! Luckily I have about an acre of woods out of 3.3, and we bought a wood chipper, so I will have that. And I’m using a lot of grass clippings, but don’t have the amount of growing space you have.

[@notillgrowers]

Yeah grass clippings are great! we have a field in the back that we'd like to start pulling some hay from but that's a whole other issue of tools and time, too

[@sandradelvecchio6894]

@@notillgrowers and $$$!

[@timothyohliger5888]

I have a question about the nutrients you added to the squashes to help them maintain vigor even though the soil was in a wet/low area? what amendments were used? please and thank you!

[@chriseverest4380]

Didn't call me a nerd? Missed it! When did you start nerdifying Jesse?

[@sanchitmitttal2856]

hi , very nice video , kindly elaborate on nutrition management in your vegetables what schedule do you follow...

[@notillgrowers]

We've been applying Brandt's OMRI Orchard Mix for micronutrients about once evert 15 days. I will sometimes use KNF applications as well if it's clear what the deficiency is, but in this situation it's likely a lot of combined deficiencies.

[@farmermann210]

Someone come do this to my farm.

[@liamrudman4916]

How did you make your raised beds? Literally just dig them up and make the walkways deeper? What are you going to be doing for helping those plants get the nutrients out the soil? Do you add in any microbiology anywhere? I'm busy going through the "Soil Food Web" by Dr Elaine Ingham. I've listened to some podcasts you've had with her. As I'm learning more I'm more and more convinced on the fact that we aren't farming the crops but merely tending to look after the soil microbiology

[@notillgrowers]

Yeah, essentially, though I used a rotary plow instead of a shovel. Same effect, just faster. As for the nutrient applications. we are using Brandt's orchard mix mostly. I also use various other things like KNF treatments when I know the specific deficiency. Loads of microbes! I soak every tray that goes into the garden in vermicompost tea slurry.

[@jaminbaer2301]

Bears, beets, lettuce, green onions, Battlestar Galactica.

[@borqnaplashkov4385]

Borage!

[@shaungarbry88]

Have you ever looked in to Buffalo grass as part of your living pathways?

[@Quercusssss]

Could sub-soiling help put with the poorly drained plot ?

[@flatsville1]

Getting a tractor with a mole plow attachment in there might be tricky & wreck some beds. The lazy way might be to plant rain garden perennials through the swath that floods? He'll lose some bed space, but gain pollinator habitat.

[@notillgrowers]

The subsoiling would be tough in this conditions. We're using a heavy duty broad fork a bit in these beds to help open them up. Raising the beds as well and cover cropping for organic matter.

[@danphillips4590]

Jes, what do u sell garlic bulbs for at mrkt?

[@HeavyJuicedPicks]

you look alike Rick grimes sir good video