Mulch Crops & Support Species We Grow In Hawaii

[@docgima]

I know life is unusual right now, just wanted to let y’all know that we miss your videos. Just got done revisiting some of my favorites, and you’re wonderful ambassadors to the Big Island Life. Much love you two. -Bryce 🤙🙏

[@OffGridHawaii]

We have been talking about making an update video for a while now but can’t seem to get enough motivation to do so. Lol

[@docgima]

OffGridHawaii Yeah, it can be hard sometimes for sure. 😂 Be well out there, and you’ll know when the time is right.

[@MomsSelfReliance]

All your plants and trees look so happy and healthy ,everything is so green amazing

[@OffGridHawaii]

Thanks!!

[@liv3127]

The nature b roll is soooo pleasing

[@OffGridHawaii]

😉

[@g..n.4700]

I just cooked chicken for dinner and I added lots of chopped Lemon Grass. It gives the chicken delicious aromatic smell and tastes yummy too.

[@OffGridHawaii]

Nice 😋

[@mikeash7428]

Nice vid. You're having fun there.

[@jasonrig]

you guys are so cool and inspiring. thank you for sharing

[@OffGridHawaii]

Mahalo for the blessings 🙏

[@tinyhomestead6023]

Glad to find your channel

[@liv3127]

Hello from Texas. been a loyal fan living my dream through your Channel for a while now. 💕

[@rolo2415]

Great video you guys, I really like the little cutscenes of insects and stuff between all the good info. 😁🤙

[@OffGridHawaii]

Mahalo! Glad you like 😊

[@ziggy5369]

The land and plants are looking super good these days.

[@OffGridHawaii]

Mahalo 😬

[@teamcautiouslyextreme8072]

You are back again 🤙

[@OffGridHawaii]

Yessah!!

[@g..n.4700]

I like those papayas and star fruits.

[@SteelCircuit]

Love watching the videos. Helps give me ideas on what I can do with my property on the big island. Helps knowing what will work is each situation. Thank you.

[@OffGridHawaii]

🤙🏽

[@marikasadkowska3031]

I was just checking in to make sure you guys were loving life bc I’ve been eyeballing some rugged land in Hawaii

[@FailureIsaChoiceTeresaPrichard]

me too Eliza, plan to be there by May of 2022. I hope Mike and Paulina are okay. I have learned a great deal for my future off gid plans and hope to learn more once I'm on the island from them. Praying they and their property are okay.

[@jeremybrody2885]

Property looks amazing. Keep it up!

[@OffGridHawaii]

Mahalo! 😊

[@Julesrenee82]

I sure appreciate all the great info you put out there for us. Planning our move to the BI this Fall. Our dream is to do a lot like you guys do. Growing healthy trees and plants, make a food forest etc. Thanks again.

[@Downirvana]

Aloha! We just sold our house in Wisconsin and are starting our planning towards Hawaii! You two have been an amazing inspiration to my wife and I! thanks for doing what you are doing! Mahalo!

[@died4us590]

Wow, it's been awhile, glad you guys put out a new video, wish you would make more. Everything looks so good and full of life, great info as well. See you next time, God bless.

[@OffGridHawaii]

Thank you :)

[@shadwells460]

How are you 2 doing? No post in long time. Stay healthy n happy.

[@MariannaK94]

Thank you for sharing.

[@dezzyjones]

Love you guys so much. Keep up the lifestyle.

[@OffGridHawaii]

🤙🏽

[@FailureIsaChoiceTeresaPrichard]

Miss you guys!!!! Looking forward to your Chicken coop video! Hope to see posts from you soon!!

[@thechief762]

Please give jack bean (canavalia ensiformis) a try, get just a few seeds of the white seeded variety. It is intermediate between the crotalaria and pigeon pea. The long pods are edible like green beans before they make seeds and are very good. The plants grow easily because the seeds are large they are easy to plant. They grow up to 3 feet high and wide, prune them at one foot and they will turn into a bush. One good thing is they don't twine around trees or other plants, they last six months, make plenty of seed, and nodulate fix nitrogen well. They work well around newly planted trees or as a skirt around larger trees. I started with two seeds and was able to plant the seeds from two plants around 2 acres. Good luck.

[@Cjandlindseyland]

as always another gem:}

[@OffGridHawaii]

😊

[@pedromq7807]

I like the mexican sunflower the best... wonder if you guys tried or researched any native cover crops? Ive been trying to figure out one for dry rocky soil. Is that a banana circle in the back in the end of the video?

[@cl5473]

Great video! I need to add more mulch crops to my garden, great idea! Do you get alot of plants growing up under your fruit trees from the chop and drop seeds?

[@OffGridHawaii]

Some things pop through but they’re easy to get rid of. It all depends on what things you are using I guess.

[@moniquaalea]

Hey you guys! We did it! We bought land in mountain view and move over next month to start our build! After we quarentine of course. 💗 We're island hoping from Catalina Island lol. You guys were such an inspiration and I thank you for sharing your experiences.🙏 Question~ what are the top 5 plants you would grow to start off with? I'm really excited for taro! Maybe because I love growing potatoes but that's where my plans end at the moment.

[@OffGridHawaii]

I would suggest getting the staple foods going. Kalo, sweet potato, cassava, ulu, banana.

[@sunflowervalleyhomestead1098]

Just wanted to say we miss you guys! Hope all is well!

[@ziggy5369]

My bestfriend and I really want to live out there and I'm really into permaculture and have been raised on a semi-permaculture farm in the midwest. We have looked at land in the same area you guys are and are planning on being woofers this upcoming winter so we can see the land in person and be sure the island is right for us before moving out there permanently... I've been called by Hawaii the big island to be exact since I was a child. Any advise, tips or farms you two would know of that are worth checking out it'd be appreciated.

[@zwaian2626]

Epic work guys.... Check out Clive Cheetham...he grows papayas and bananas with just 'stick mulch' (3+ ft thick of piles of molokia, gunpowder, and albezia trees) lets hono hono grow on them and become a hotel for microbes bugs and worms.He also grows taro with mainly elephant grass (cane grass) mulch and can do that without outside inputs. I know he has used fish and cow meal to supplement when he didn't have enough mulch...and he has 20 acres of grass to feed to 1 acre of plants...I like a mix...i believe in adding the minerals back in the soil and getting them locked into plant tissue and mulch before quitting ammendments.

[@Robbinski]

Take the seeds off first. I find some plants I cut love the wetness in my Hawaii area and the plants reroof themselves and I end up having to pull them out of the ground around the plants I put them around

[@dezzyjones]

Did you guys have any formal training/certification in permaculture? Or did you just learn through books/online and then through trial and error? My ultimate goal is to live this way, but I’m in college right now, hoping to build an online business of two to sustain me in when I live remotely. How should I go about learning about permaculture so I actually have the knowledge before jumping into it?

[@OffGridHawaii]

We took a class called “How to grow a complete diet” by Wade Bauer. The class was specific to the area we live, which is really important to make sure you learn the right techniques. I would suggest watching as much KZbin as can, that’s where I learn stuff now. I have only been doing this for 4 years so I still have much to learn myself, but that’s the fun part 😉

[@andrewbowlgarte4738]

start doing is the best way to learn , worrying will always get you know where

[@redfirekla]

Glad to see you guys making videos from the big island, did you guys end up moving from NY or still traveling back and fourth? Have you guys also tried growing quince fruit, curious how that would grow on the big island .. god bless

[@OffGridHawaii]

Yes we live here now. Never tried growing quince. I’ve tried it once, I love the smell of them.

[@savedandsanctified4126]

Great work do you cook the pigeon peas as well

[@OffGridHawaii]

You can eat them raw when they are very young but as they mature they have to be cooked.

[@savedandsanctified4126]

@@OffGridHawaii yep arroz con gandules for us in Panamá respect

[@i-spy-ty]

How are you guys doing during the quarintine? Hope all is well!

[@mattelmexikendoll]

Hi Michael how big is your farm?

[@makionyx7751]

Any advice for moving to Hawaii? My family wants to move there, but financially we aren't well off. Watching your videos is very inspirational.

[@OffGridHawaii]

It can be very hard if you don’t have much money.

[@makionyx7751]

@@OffGridHawaii I figured. We plan to save and sell unneeded things. Love the way you guys live!

[@andrewbowlgarte4738]

@@makionyx7751 its all about wants vrs needs , expectations , reality , how do you want to live ,no matter where you move , simpler sustainable life is drastically cheaper , but in hawaii basic things cost more , milk ,building materials , ext, than your use to , so big house , big money , small house non traditional configured with a sustainable methodology , you can live cheap

[@younoneed3648]

Aloha! About how long would you guestimate it takes one person to spread a truckload of black cinder or mulch over graded area via wheelbarrow? What's your back feel like the day after laying cinder or mulch? Looking to keep my expectations within the realm of reality and plan for recovery days as necessary.

[@FailureIsaChoiceTeresaPrichard]

Really missing your videos!!!! Will you be posting soon?

[@TheCircleKgirl]

Hey guys. Just wondering how you guys are doing? It's been a while since you posted a video.

[@OffGridHawaii]

Hi! We're doing just fine, were actually thinking of putting out a video soon. As in we will eventually put out a video before winter comes back lol 🥴💁

[@scottmorrow3254]

Aloha Mike, I will be looking for your expert services in the near future. How can we connect?

[@aklb43]

Whats up, where are ya guys? It's been four months since your last vid.

[@kristinwest832]

Make some more

[@Andrew-dg7qm]

Sure, avoid addictive inputs, but isn’t BI mulch free?

[@OffGridHawaii]

It’s free to pickup 3 yards or less per day but it is very limited and is only available 3 times a month usually.

[@Andrew-dg7qm]

OffGridHawaii very nice. Kauai mulches albizia and such but nurseries sell it composted for $45/yd

[@TheMysticAbode]

keep it up hawaii fam (:

[@mzkuuipo]

Vetaiver has don't better for us with occasional flooding. It needs a large amount of water to help it sprout.

[@OffGridHawaii]

No shortage of water here. 😉

[@zwaian2626]

did you ever add trace minerals (manganese, zinc and boron) to your soil mix....a lil goes a long way to help plants get started

[@OffGridHawaii]

Yeah I’ve added azomite , coral, and boron. These days I only add the coral.

[@dukejackson5681]

Hi Michael, can you please tell me if I should be adding chicken manure if I am using a lot of falling leaves from the fall here in west Texas for covering around my plants for the winter here I am worried about my soil becoming to acidic and I also top the leaves off with woodchips too

[@OffGridHawaii]

I think it’s different here because the growing season is year round. I would wait till spring to give them nitro rich fertilizer. You can maybe add dolomite to the soil if you think it’s getting to acidic 🤔

[@zwaian2626]

More leaves the better! i would never worry about the PH getting more acidic from adding any kind of plant matter...if anything, it will become more ideal and come closer to neutral.

[@poisxe]

Hey where are you guys?! Miss your videos!

[@OffGridHawaii]

We've been hibernating but ready to get out into the ether net shortly. Stay tuned 😉😎👀

[@thedudeabides3930]

@@OffGridHawaii Please do!

[@TheChenny73]

Do you have problem with caterpillars and flies on papayas? If so how do you control them?

[@OffGridHawaii]

We haven't noticed any on our papayas 🌞

[@TheChenny73]

OffGridHawaii Always keep an eye on them. The papaya hornworm makes quick work of papaya leaves! I walked past one of my plants and discovered about a dozen hornworms destroying my plant!! They are so well camouflaged.

[@molekamalumaleumuleaenonhi6149]

Are these mulch crops invasive to our native species

[@zosyn2563]

Where are new videos!!!!!!!!!!!

[@OffGridHawaii]

“Soon” 😶

[@Foldisfitch]

​@@OffGridHawaii ...I hope you have a bunch ready to upload!

[@thedudeabides3930]

How're you guys doing?

[@homesteadfarms5315]

Love your videos. Can I meet you to buy some plants? I'm in pahoa

[@Ultimatefitness360]

What is common name of crude alaria because its not showing on google from this name ?

[@OffGridHawaii]

Crotalaria or sun hemp. There are many varieties of this plant too

[@Ultimatefitness360]

@@OffGridHawaii ohh sunhemp ok thnks

[@kerryalvarez3291]

When r you guys going to be posting a new video!!!

[@OffGridHawaii]

Hopefully soon 😊

[@Invisible_Difference]

This probably isn't the best place for this question, but I'm wondering if you can comment on crime on the eastern half of BI. How much of a problem is it in general? How about in the Puna district? Hilo? Keaau? I've been looking online at land everywhere from Mountain View to Paauilo (searching further north with hopes of getting away from the homelessness and drug-infestation), but on paper it seems that you get what you pay for. Then it seems that Keaau is a bit safer, but they've had flooding in recent years. I'm wondering if I'm over-reacting about all this, so I thought I'd reach out to people who actually have first-hand experience.

[@OffGridHawaii]

Well my first thought is that if you're planning on getting property on this island then you have to see the area and experience it for yourself for at least a couple of weeks. People are nice and great in general, but there's a horrible drug problem. Our experience here has been positive when it comes to crime. We have never been robbed or assaulted. However, we have heard of people getting robbed and even murdered in our neighborhood. We see several drug addicts all over downtown and in rural neighborhoods roaming the streets on a regular basis. We would not feel comfortable leaving our cars parked in a public remote area such as near a hiking trail for fear of it being broken into. The police are pretty useless when it comes to crimes and rumor has it that often they are in the know but won't do anything because of fear. Shitty people dump old or stolen cars and trash on neighborhood roads constantly. If you leave your property for an extended period you're very likely going to be trespassed and chain/fence/gate/locks could be stolen. The best way to combat crimes in your neighborhood is to develop positive relationships with your neighbors and make good connections. Hope that helps 🤙🙃

[@Invisible_Difference]

@@OffGridHawaii Yes, that's a big help. Thank you guys!

[@madrn5324]

Aloah, Drugs are a problem every where on the island. In Mountain View, we just got our first home invaison in the area; and we are off paved roads. Its not infested its just a problem like any other city or small town. The Puna is just not what it used to be and neither is the rest of the world. Its still the closest and most affordable you will get to the real Hawaii. Mahalo and good luck. PS looking for somewhere on the island; you need to stay a few weeks and drive everywhere.

[@genem6380]

Where are you guys? Have not uploaded video in the while.

[@OffGridHawaii]

We are still here just haven't felt like making a video in a while but we're slowly but surely getting ready to start making some good ones soon.

[@genem6380]

OffGridHawaii Awsome, looking forward!

[@prubroughton1864]

Mark of self sufficient me an Australian gardener on KZbin uses lemongrass as a hedge/mulch check him out 😊

[@thethirstyturtle788]

Hey Michael and Paulina:) I was wondering how you guys do your laundry?

[@OffGridHawaii]

Laundromat

[@thethirstyturtle788]

OffGridHawaii how far is the nearest one to you?

[@OffGridHawaii]

10 min. But we usually go to Hilo one cause it’s nicer which is 25 min.

[@thethirstyturtle788]

Do most places in puna need top soil brought in if you’re going to start a fruit forest?

[@OffGridHawaii]

Yeah most areas will need soil. It can be ready made or you can make yourself with mix of black cinder and (macnut) compost and whatever else you want to add to make it rich in nutrients. Majority of the lots are lots of hard solid lava rocks from what we've seen...

[@AJRey-jd7on]

Random question. Did you guys ever get your own mailbox?

[@OffGridHawaii]

Yes we’ve had a P.O. box for about a year now

[@AJRey-jd7on]

Oh yay!! That was a random fact I would have never thought of about moving to Hawaii. I have never commented on a video. How cool to get an answer! Thanks! 😊

[@VeganChiefWarrior]

how do you guys get iodine, selenium and zinc? (for yourselves) after researching nutrition lately and using cronometer im just like.. well.. growing all my own food (especially just fruit) doesnt really seem that ideal nutrition wise, seems like we are supposed to be more the nomadic scavenger type and need to eat seaweed and all kinds of random things.. what confuses me most is i dont see how we would know that we need to eat specific foods for specific nutrients and i guess since we ate fish and oysters we didnt really need to worry about it too much, those who lived inland do seem to run into deficiencies even if they eat inland animals

[@OffGridHawaii]

As a vegan I think I was constantly zinc deficient. Now that we are no longer vegan, all the symptoms I had are gone.

[@VeganChiefWarrior]

@@OffGridHawaii whatsymptoms did you have? and are you eating animals now or just vegetarian?

[@johnrobert2022]

no new vids

[@zwaian2626]

pigs getting hunted as background noise...lol hawaii

[@brittanycarlstrom8340]

I love this channel, do you have an Instagram account as well?