Our Off Grid Life | I Think We're Ready?!

[@davidstoddard9160]

So many off grid farmers that move on to Spain and Portugals farms dont seem to learn how to trim trees properly, and it is so important in order to get the most out of the fruit and olive trees.

[@meganjmeganj]

My favorite video yet! Harriet you are such an inspiration to me. Love how you two have transformed your land and made a home for yourselves

[@ginacrusco234]

How lovely that you doctored up that broken plum tree limb! I have seen an entire apple tree knocked horizontal by a car, still bearing fruit years later, so you may well be successful. I don't know which makes me happiest, the juicy ripe fruit, the growing kittens, or the delightful puppy who I'm dying to meet.

[@platformforcryptoeducation5864]

Your profile is totally distracted from looking at your photos. I must confess that you are indeed an angel. and you are a very beautiful woman I don't normally post in the comments section. But I think you deserve this kind of praise...if you don't mind sending me a follow-up request. i want to be friends with you so that we can become friends and learn more More information about us.....

[@VanderlyndenJengold]

A few days ago one of my apple trees lost a branch laden with fruit. It was just too heavy. I tried to save it yet it fell off completely. We are using the immature apples to cook with, so not a total loss. Disappointing all the same!

[@margaritamanresacapo2540]

Gracias por compartir , yo también aprendo cosas a través de vuestros vídeos 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

[@debhosaflook7849]

Lovely video as always. You are such a workhorse Harriet. I DO NOT know where you get so much energy and strength from. That flat tire on the wheel barrow was so inconvenient but you kept trying to make it work for a while longer until a new tire was available. I say it every video but it is true, you are a huge inspiration to all. Can't wait to see more of the new family addition. XX

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Aw that's very kind of you but honestly I just compile all the moments of work from a week into one video - it probably looks like more than it really is! 😂

[@dvidgonzales8376]

I've put bricks etc. Under fence boards to stop wood rot under fences. Also make a cone of concrete above tiop of concrete to keep wet soil from going down the mold holding the 4/4 post. You can soak your feet in apple cider vinegar with water for a minute or two.

[@Elik576]

Harriet cuidate de herniarte por el esfuerzo exagerado que haces por ejem con la carretilla llena de tierra a mi me operaron hace poco por ello ademas me hacen muy feliz verlos trabajar con tanto entusiasmo y los grandes resultados que obtienen me recuerdan a mi y ya tengo 63 años y sigo trabajando los felicito.

[@sandielefant8258]

I'm enjoying your videos so much! Love the heartwarming music as well :). What a life you've created for yourselves and unreal how much you've done and learned in just a year and a half! Amazing!!

[@rickardenstedt]

Thanks for another lovely video on the progress of the finca... Rickard🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🌹

[@rominademattei1266]

Harriet sos una super trabajadora! Felicitaciones!

[@MBoville]

Hi, Harriet & Mauro. The straw is food for the goats. if you only put straw, they will eat it. You must cover it with a mixture of straw mud and water. it is preferable to put the straw in water until it swells, and then add dry mud to make the mixture more homogeneous and strong.

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Hi, that's exactly what we're doing, as we explain in the video.

[@sugarbomb26]

Thank you for another look into your wonderful life! Harriet, you must have muscles of steel, but please be careful about how you use your body. I don't want you to get injured.

[@lurlyngrantham5401]

You are a very hard worker swty. Love watching your videos very motivating♥️🙏

[@mtoralf]

It's amazing what you do and what you've done. Your attitude has helped me in many occasions to get off my butt and be more productive around the house. With that amount of work it's way too easy to get burned out. I hope you find time to relax and enjoy what you're creating. You deserve it.

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Aw thank you!

[@patriciawilson6524]

Oh my Harriett you work so hard. Please be careful to not over do.Years later you're body will let ya feel it. Excited to see next video.

[@EnglishMadeleine]

I know it’s too late for the broken branch on the plum tree you showed us in this video but in the past, I’ve had a similar problem and I made a prop from a large cut branch which had a V at the top, then wrapped the broken part of the branch in gaffer tape and trimmed it down a bit. It worked and the branch eventually knitted back together ☺️ I’m glad I found your channel and am enjoying seeing how you are working your land. Also, seeing the sunny weather is a boon when it’s cold and grey where I am right now. Good luck with all you do.

[@gabrielaetchepare5105]

Holaaaa desde Argentina!!!! Conozco España y la amo ....tienen una finca fabulosa y estan haciendo un trabajo increible, aprendo muchisimo con ustedes....aplico muchas de sus ideas!!!! Desearia que sus videos fueran eternos y no terminaran me encantan!!!!! Saludossss

[@Joybells06]

Way to go, I love what you're doing for the goat shelter, I might do an extra shelter, mini version for my chickens 🐔 thanks for the inspiration 😊

[@meeshelle1397]

Great progress! 👏🌟 thanks for sharing 🐐

[@mary4482]

Ver cómo trabajas siempre es una inspiración. Felicitaciones!!! 🌱💚🇨🇱

[@faibishclassical]

You are the one and only!!.

[@Believeittwo]

You don't need more boards added to the pallet structure. Stretch the wire mesh tighter onto the pallets and add the straw after putting the mesh up. This will reduce the floppy wire when applying the cob.

[@amparoalvarez9001]

You can smooth out the surface by wetting it with water as you use either a wall smoothing trowel or your hands...The finish always looks better...

[@sofiettaa7946]

Me encanta el cob, tus gallinas son muy afortunadas ya que proporciona un gran confort térmico. Simplemente me pasaba para agradeceros el vídeo, un gran saludo! 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@cinthiaramos1174]

Va quedando todo muy lindo en la finca, te felicito, vas logrando todo lo que te propones y te lo mereces, mucho éxito en todos tus proyectos.

[@juliannapasztory3819]

Hola chicos, Harriet (bella), y Mauro, como siempre disfrutando de verlos, adelante!, Este proyecto será genial! Estaremos pendientes de vuestro éxito y ejemplo!

[@ceferinocanibano6284]

El campo está precioso. Ha sido buen tiempo invertido. Es mucho trabajo pero lo has dejado muy bien.

[@LaHuertadeIvan]

Esta genial como vais avanzando en la finca, a mi en particular me encantaria mas videos en castellano, no tengo nada en contra del ingles pero me cuesta un pelin!!

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Gracias Iván me encanta que hayas visto el video 🤩🤩🤩 Eres una inspiración! Haré más videos en castellano para tí! 😁

[@LaHuertadeIvan]

@@LittleSpanishFarmstead me encantan todos creo que aun no me perdí ninguno!! Ojo solo que en ingles como me siento un poco torpe no suelo comentar, pero verlo, lo veo!! seguir con el trabajazo qeu estáis haciendo, esta genial!!

[@florentinomoya7470]

Hola, el arreglo de la rama no está mal, pero cuando una rama está tan cargada de fruta, es conveniente como dicen por la zona donde estáis (falcarla), se trata de ponerle a la misma un palo que la aguante, el mismo va del suelo a la rama. Los agricultores de naranja lo utilizan mucho para que las ramas no se rompan. Seguir así, estáis progresando adecuadamente.

[@Believeittwo]

Videos tutorials about pruning various types of crop trees will teach you how to keep the trees in peak condition and providing quality produce.

[@trishwalton6628]

We love your little farmstead! You two have created paradise off grid. Would you please include your recipes? Would love to make your spicy plum chutney!

[@arjanvogel6444]

Thanks for your vid 😇💟💟 Love you guys.

[@dvidgonzales8376]

You can buy wheel barrel tires that are solid or tubed tires that have bolts on the sides.

[@auroraalonso1125]

seguro que el taller va muy bien, habéis pensado en todo. no se si seguís a country life vlog, en el capitulo de hoy, en el minuto 8:21el señor prepara las ramas de un manzano muy cargado para que no se rompan las ramas.

[@rachelunderwood4868]

I hope you guys are all safe and well during the current heatwave - the wildfires in Spain have been on the UK news today. Really enjoyed another visit to your finca!

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Aw thank you. We were OK thanks - I think the UK actually reached higher temps than we did!!

[@danyoutube7491]

Whoops, forget my broken branch advice, I hadn't watched further on in the video :) @11:20 those plums look great, like little apples!

[@josegarciacalderon6568]

Hola. A la desbrozadora le puedes poner una cuchilla metálica, te puedes ahorrar mucho hilo.

[@ruthquinn6229]

what a fabulous video once again sweet Harriett. I love how resourceful and innovative you are. you truly inspire me. I love your comment that you never sit down, but perhaps others might like too. I could So relate. my neighbours who always see me in my garden, wonder if I in fact sleep there. lol/ anyway, good luck for the workshop, and I hope that little shot of a puppy is a hint off some beautiful news too follow. blessings and love from Australia dear one. xxx

[@douglashellofromarizona1229]

I’ve seen Adobe construction in which they use clay,straw, and horse manure. Something about the chemistry of adding a horse manure interacting with the clay straw and makes it stronger product. Without smell eventually somehow.

[@mrs.jillaroo6907]

Good going Harriet & Mauro!! Harriet, you are a little powerhouse :) this barn shelter is going to be so nice, roomy and cozy all at once for the goats. Will you be catching water from the roof as well? It looks like it will be a decent size. Very impressed with all your extra fruit trees. And while it was hard work, it must have been so satisfying seeing the results of your hard work!!

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Aw thank you! Yes we do plan on capturing rain water, not sure when I'll get round to adding the guttering though, haven't even got the roof on yet haha

[@mrs.jillaroo6907]

@@LittleSpanishFarmstead well, one step at a time is all it takes ;)

[@monicacruz4407]

Great goat shed project. I believe that the wetted, muddy straw would mean the structure would have more thermal mass and therefore be cooler and stronger, but I get that it’s more work and cost. Strimming the field was epic and well worth it to uncover some unknown trees, one piece of advice is to sacrifice the broken branch, your noble attempt to save it might actually encourage disease to get in and risk loosing the whole tree. A clean cut with a pruning saw would be best practice, and you can always improve the shape of the tree over time with consequent pruning. Mucha suerte para el ‘working weekend’ 😊👏🌱

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Thank you so much! Thank you for the tips too! The goats would welcome me sacrificing the branch... they are desperate to eat those plums! hehe

[@sunmoonrise]

Oh..my..that really cause some sore. Bless ur health

[@davidstoddard9160]

Instead of straw , you could use the cut brambles and grass you cut in the video , and that would work as well as straw.

[@davidwilson2264]

Harriet the bamboo would be ideal wire them together like a wall then rub the cobb in also couldn't you rent off the field great work

[@mandytaylor1008]

Bless your heart you are a trojan

[@detectivemikevarnado7515]

You are a great worker. Wish you could help me! Good luck and keep it going.

[@gorgeoux]

Could they be greengages/ the most fragrant and sought after plums? ❤️ Loved the piano music for the kittens sleeping and the plums picking.

[@ninemoonplanet]

The addition of the mud will reduce any fire hazards for your animals. With the changes in the climate, keeping animals cooler, safer, and hopefully happier would be my priority. Yes, it entails more work, but I prefer peace of mind over my own weariness. That design is intriguing and certainly makes sense for your needs. I noticed something, your muscles are growing. 🙂

[@ninemoonplanet]

All that strimmed material could be great for cob. Personally I prefer "rammed earth" buildings, they're somewhat less labour intensive to start with, but the do use small amounts of cement, a drawback in my opinion.

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Thank you! 💚🐐🐐

[@ninemoonplanet]

You're quite welcome. 🇨🇦

[@juliad1768]

Wow you e been busy hauling mud, great start on the goat barn, oh who’s puppy? See you next week xxx

[@theresamcinnes8440]

Hi was watching ur video of what u have done with ur home so far, u have done so well! There is a solution to dusty concrete! PVA watered down and brushed on apparently works! Also the metal door which u dont get light in, u could make a stable door, half wooden at bottom and glass at top? Xx

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Aw thank you! Yeah I love the stable style door - useful for keeping the dog inside but letting air in haha. I dunno how to make a door but we have a friend who might be able to help!

[@spanishlifeinthemountains8035]

Great video lots of hard work well done. We have definitely dealth with some crazy weather here in Spain. Maybe what has effected your olive trees. Look forward to the next update :)

[@regtitch5200]

Nice One! Trash cobbling ;) x

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

hahahha good one!

[@Yurei_Dokuro]

Dentro de los palets, antes de rellenar de paja, deberias poner algunos palos verticales para que le den más estabilidad a la estructura. El problema con ese adobe que estas haciendo es que el adobe se realiza con tierra arcillosa y estiércol de caballo (4:1 en volumen), a la cual se le añade una parte de aserrín cada 4 partes de mezcla (arcilla/estiércol) en volumen, y no paja y arena que es como se realiza el relleno de los tapiales. Y tiene razón Mauro, esa mezcla esta muy seca, debe parecer un engrudo para trabajarla cómodamente.

[@DJ-uk5mm]

Wall looks great but. I think you Should build your cob on a ‘stem wall 45 cm high 18 inches build the stem wall from stone or bricks if you have them. This will avoid the moisture undermining the base of your wall :-)

[@komorifarm9308]

so inspirational

[@Piano_sessionfree]

Buenas chicos. Otra opción, por lo que vale la madera ahora mismo, y el costo de los palets, es hacer la habitación refugio de balas de paja. Es mucho más eficiente y autoportante. Yo tengo como vosotros y con balas.

[@MauroGestoso]

Los postes si son caros, pero los palets nos cuestan 1€ usados, así que no está tan mal. Igualmente nos gustaría construir algo con paja también 👍

[@Piano_sessionfree]

@@MauroGestoso genial! El tema es probar y encontrar lo que os llama.

[@Diosanaoli]

Viendo todos los materiales que necesitas no parece que sea más barato??... muy bien trabajo!🌻

[@Piano_sessionfree]

Como?

[@MauroGestoso]

El coste (que para nosotros no es caro) no es el único factor a considerar. Casi todos los materiales son naturales, locales y no requieren gran cantidad de energía para producirlos como el cemento o los ladrillos.

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

La madera siempre va a ser cara hoy en día, si no la talas en el propio terreno. Supongo que podríamos haber usado un marco de metal pero como es una construcción natural, preferimos usar materiales naturales. En realidad no veo como podría haber sido más barato, quien te va a vender o montar un establo para menos de €300??

[@JanMorsø]

So worth the constant effort. Pity about strimming chord, plastic finds a way, we'll make some out of natural material, some time.

[@johnlander1610]

Could you use the cut hay to put in your cob mix to save purchasing so much straw

[@merygp4732]

You could germinate all the seeds of plum trees and so on...

[@Sousyned]

While a lovely idea in theory, most fruit trees don’t grow true from seed, plus they grow very slowly unless they are grafted to a hardy root stock. That means growing from seed it takes a long time to see if the result is any good. It’s a fun experiment if you have the time and space, but probably not a great project when time, space and resources are limited.

[@cawfeedawg]

Quince? The original fruit used to make marmalade. :D

[@colleen2386]

Love the way you rescued that tree. Let us know how it does? This episode was all about Hard Work!! Whew! I hope you both enjoy the workshop with your friends.

[@erikslagter3231]

with harder brush, use a cutting disc (2 / 3 tooth), because the 2,4mm wire is more made for green grass and succulent stuff. With the disc you can just keep on chugging until you run out of gas ;-) Greetings from Sueca, Valencia ;-)

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Too many rocks, it would have blunted it too quickly I think 😞

[@erikslagter3231]

@@LittleSpanishFarmstead you might have a point there ;-) we don't have rocks luckily. BTW, they are very easy to sharpen with the angle grinder

[@punjabseth260]

nice

[@ncrpejxi]

Let the goats clean that area

[@deatraparks4739]

hello---always good to see you---i envy that you can live like this, i know its really hard work, very healthy. your food also. seems unique for me ---id like to know what else you eat with these folks coming to help---i admire you both---enjoy this---deatra

[@deatraparks4739]

the hearted messages never comes up thanks anyway---deatra

[@dvidgonzales8376]

You might order some smaller tools for example military susplus, German, Czech, Italian , they may be less expensive and lighter and funner to use and. Stronger.

[@joannadrawe6654]

I used to work hard like you do, Harriet. Age and bad knees have caught up with me. Pleased to see some young people still know how to work hard.

[@helenvwalker7919]

MANY young people in my experience.

[@richarramos466]

harriet creo que el barro tiene que ser mas fluido ,asi es mucho mas manipulable ,lo vi a los himba en africa como construyen sus chozas y tb para hacer horno de barro tb es un poco mas fluido,lo dejan secar y si se cuartea ,le dan otra mano mas,eeres muy trabajadora harriet eres mi favorita,te mando un beso y abrazos,desde argentina,bye

[@MauroGestoso]

Si, es una de las cosas que aprendimos. En el próximo video verás 😉

[@kathleenlerchenmuller9469]

Stuff the walls with the dry grass and weeds that you cut down.

[@jeffjones9792]

Why not use the 'straw' you strimmed from the patch of land, mix with cement and sand to back fill the insides of the pallets. Add stones you dont want to bulk out the mix as you go. See you sifting stones by hand: 2 x 2 wood, 6 feet by 3 then pin 3 thicknesses of chicken wire across so you have a small hole sieve. Stand it up at 45°, wheelbarrow behind and shovel through. Soil in barrow, stones on the floor in front. Please don't think I'm nosey, but have had small-holding for long time....pigs, chicken and crops. Now if I'm working more than 4 hours a day, I'm doing something wrong!! Hats off for choosing the way of life, now make it work for you.

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Aw thank you! All good advice! Honestly the hay I cut would not have made much filling, the weed cover was pretty sparse, and I kinda wanted it to stay on the land to provide a bit of protection from the baking sun. But would have been nice to be able to provide more of our own materials... maybe one day!

[@jeffjones9792]

@@LittleSpanishFarmstead Thats fine. Like your reasoning. Wish you all good people, all the best.

[@panzerdivision1700]

Ya es un clásico los domingos ver los vídeos que suben, les tengo una envidia sana por la vida que están llevando la verdad, un saludo desde Asturias, y una pregunta random, Mauro de donde es ? PD: Saludos a tofu y a los michis también.

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Muchisimas gracias! Mauro es argentino 🙂

[@panzerdivision1700]

@@LittleSpanishFarmstead ya nos parecía a mi mujer y a mí, nosotros también somos argentinos, recién terminamos de ver el vídeo, por cierto para las carretillas también venden ruedas con dibujo, para andar en terrenos complicados como los que tienen ahí. Así que adoptaron un nuevo hermano/a para tofu ??? Jajajaja se ve precioso el cachorro. Saludos y hasta el próximo video.

[@nataliaghidirim1655]

dear, I have kittens same age of urs) u can give them water, milk, boiled chicken fingers, dry food.

[@miriamgr88]

❤

[@ncrpejxi]

That flat tire you may be able to fill it with foam…

[@happysing9070]

👍👌

[@maitemaitechu1685]

😘😘😘👍👍🐈🐕🐐🐱💡🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🌻🌻🌻gracias,de quien es la música en la parte de la pared de barro? Me gusta mucho.enhorabuena por vuestro proyecto.

[@christopheredginton6242]

Could you not use the strimings instead of straw with the cob mix? That would save you 7 euros a bale.

[@coby6417]

👏🌟👍🍀💐

[@dvidgonzales8376]

To Alexandra: my wife is English, dual citizen and our life has been a constant wrestling match.

[@clarisse942]

Hai Harriet and Mauro, ,it is quite normal that a heavy branch full of fruit should be supported by a heavy forked branch from the ground standing up to support the fruit branch .special with apples because they are heavy. Greetings from clarisse

[@nathanbennett6659]

how much land do you actually own can you do us like a tour

[@rajexecutivemoreedthaniasi6971]

Spain is Good country in EU,

[@anamatalaranya8392]

Si mojaras el suelo con bastante agua te resultaria mas fàcil cagar lu con el pico.

[@anamatalaranya8392]

cavar * (no ca..💩r). Perdón 🤣🤣

[@soniahofmann4969]

Excuse me Harriet for asking but you seem to do all the major labor I know Mauro works full time...but that's a lot of hard labor for a woman and you seem to be doing that everyday I think you need a little help you're going to make yourself sick

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

He does plenty of work, and I'm perfectly strong enough to do heavier work too.

[@jimmytwizzle7836]

When you say “these fields behind me”, why not just turn the camera around so we can actually see them instead of trying to look past your head.

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Instead of just saying something negative why not lead with something positive and useful? 🙃

[@sugarbomb26]

I thank God that this extremely hard working young lady even has the patience to film her days under that heat and with immense physical challenges. Can you imagine wrangling with a camera too? I am so grateful to have a glimpse into her amazing life.

[@MamaTatuada]

Yes!! We do the same here, we never plow, we cut al l the dry grass and leave it on the ground to help enrich it and yes, in our small town the people plow everything, we should broadcast the documentary "Kiss the Soil" in all the town squares hahahah *Big hugs from our off-grid project in south Spain!*

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Aw thank you! Hahaha yes, great film! I try to respect what the locals say as much as possible as they have soooo much knowledge with farming and I know nothing, but it is just so sad to see the difference between our ploughed and non-ploughed fields... just rocks and dust in the ploughed lands :( There must be a better way!