How I Became Self Sufficient in 3 Years (almost*)

[@epicgardening]

Pro Home Cooks x Epic Gardening incoming...

[@jessicamaesilva30]

Can't wait!

[@LifebyMikeG]

I'm in

[@Junzar56]

What a cool combo!

[@Andrea_Weird]

Two of my favorite creators!!

[@ritacasaverde]

Yasssssssss

[@TheCatFan21]

Botanist/aspiring homesteader here. Plant flowers. Plant tons of flowers as long as they're at least naturalized (preferably native). Flowers bring in parasitoid wasps, parasitoid flies, and carnivorous pollinators who actually do a great job of managing invertebrate pests in the garden. Parasitoid wasps sound scary, but the native ones are EXTREMELY helpful and aren't aggressive. If you have problems with rodents and rabbits eating your garden and live in the country, consider planting closer to trees or install a raptor perch. Raptors like owls, hawks, kestrels, and more all rely on perches to allow them to ambush prey more effectively. As a bonus, kestrels are primarily insectivores, so they're another layer of insect protection in the garden. If you're so inclined, you can easily make owl boxes to help bring in the pest control experts! Cool video. Thanks for the info!

[@ImMonty365]

I totally appreciate you sharing your expertise 👍🏽moving to Utah and will have to research a lot before starting a garden…I was actually thinking about building a greenhouse🤔to hopefully have some success.

[@muhammadumair-si9qp]

Just the other day i was thinking what is the point of flowers I mean i love them just like everyone but apart from being pretty i thought they are good for nothing. Sorry but i was being a functional communist. I now i know this. Thank you

[@dandeliondreamspodcast9469]

Planting perennial and self seeding annual flowers was a game changer for my garden! When we moved here we had so few beneficial insects and pollinators, now we have tons of diversity and it even attracts an army of frogs and so many species of small birds! I love to watch the landscape come to life!!

[@SamStone1964]

What about feral deer?

[@PorchGardeningWithPassion]

Very cool tips!

[@CJBray_heritagehollow]

I’ve been growing my own food for a long time and I used to do all of that work until I had an idea that changed everything! I created 2 fenced in areas. One for my chickens, and one for my vegetable garden. Whenever I have vegetable scraps or any kind of compostable material, I throw it in with the chickens. They scratch through it and break it down and turn that into poop. The next year I put my vegetable garden where the chickens were and I put my chickens where my garden was. No more need to compost :) It has been working great! . PS the chicken coop is right in between the two areas so on year one they go out one side and on year two they go out the other.

[@jeas4980]

I am just starting this same process this year! We have plans for addition fence to create a 4 section rotational grazing/gardening loop. Our chicken run has 2 elevated coops as bookends that hold 15 chickens each and there are walk through doors front and back and side to side...so it's ideal to make 4 separate garden plots. We are considering adding rabbit tractors to the mix for diversity in compost material. We also started wood chip piles and log structures for mushroom growing in the shady area of our yard in hopes that "mushroom compost" can also be added every 4 years or so. It's so exciting... I'm glad to know it's working for you. I've not heard of anyone else doing this like you've described and it's very reassuring to know that it is working for you!

[@CJBray_heritagehollow]

@@jeas4980 yes it totally works!!! 😊🍆🥔🥦🥒🥕🌽🍅🥬🌶️🧅🧄🍠🫛🫑

[@CJBray_heritagehollow]

@@jeas4980and the chickens also eat the grubs and eggs of nasty bugs :D

[@JenenaMaughan]

I agree, my chickens have always done the composting & cultivating, while fertilizing & eating the pests. I live in Australia & found compost bins attracted vermin such as rats, roaches & tons of flies.

[@carolmoore1038]

Chickens do not have to be expensive. I imagine the closer you are too the city were suburb the more expensive they are but we letters free range and 3 seasons of the year week barely have to talk them any food. They find their own greens and they're own protein and they are pest control in we're we live that is huge because we are over run with insects. You don't talk to spend thousands on a coop we builders out of pallets and pallets crap. If you take care of them right they will really if ever get sick. We have never had ours to a vet. We had a consult with a vet only once. Pretty much if we lost a chicken it was a predator. I found we have lots of those if I give them a place up off the ground to roost. You can ferment their food, grow them microgreens and fodder.. and feed them kitchen scraps there's a reason that not very much money is called chicken feed . I find it well worth it

[@Randomness662]

This right here is why Mike is a certified Pro Home Cook. The entire point is that it's not anything super ridiculously fancy like, say, Joshua Weissman's many cooking videos, but to show that at home you can have a nice garden and also cook with just about anything you may have laying around and still have quick, delicious, and filling meals. Amazing channel and much love!

[@stschubs]

lol that time Joshua Weissman pulled out a coffee roaster for a starbucks but better video xD

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks for the shout-out! Your space looks fantastic. You’ve done a great job. Glad to see you’ve left the rat race for your own slice of paradise.

[@ChristyThorington-zp6dx]

I follow you, Epic and James. It’s like having mutual gardening friends, lol. Now I’m following this guy!

[@ciesiesl]

Same! ​@@ChristyThorington-zp6dx

[@ahutton49]

I’m 61 yrs old. Growing up my father always had a huge garden. We lived in a house and most of our neighbors had gardens as well. I grew up and bought a house and the first thing I did was plant a huge garden. I had my home for 18 years and sold it when my children left to go to college. In the townhouse I moved to I had a container garden for 4 years. I moved into a studio with a balcony and had a container garden for about 7 years. I then moved into a 2 bedroom apartment and this is the first time in my life I didnt have a garden. 😥😥😥I miss my garden!

[@LifebyMikeG]

I hear you on that. I took a big hiatus after my roof garden when I was living in a smaller apartment in Brooklyn. It always felt like a piece of my soul was missing. Let's just say that's where my love for indoor plants emerged!

[@ahutton49]

@@LifebyMikeG My son closes on his new home this month and I get to setup a garden over there. He has a huge backyard! Summer 2024 can’t come quick enough for me. I’ll be teaching my granddaughters to garden as well.

[@doloressanchez9214]

😢

[@reggaemama3]

Is there a community garden? If not, grow herbs on the windowsill

[@ahutton49]

@@reggaemama3 There are community gardens but they have waitlist! Long waitlist.

[@tenthousanddaysofgratitude]

OMG. Please do more garden videos. I love finding other people are garden nerds. I only have 200 sq feet community garden allotment, but I grow so much there!!! Companion planting, succession planting and no dig organic gardening is my style.

[@jamesprigioni]

Let's Gooo!!! Such a high value and inspiring video bro!

[@Saddmun]

Woot! Cool seeing you here James! Love your videos

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

what a glorious video!

[@ДамирЗандаров]

Love your vids. Say hi to Tuck 🐕

[@GardeningwithDave]

Love your videos! Cindy and tuck should meet.🎉

[@daniville88]

Hi James! Hi Tuck! 🌻😊

[@natalialopes719]

Loved to see this video. I am 70 years young and empty nester. I always had a garden as a single Mom of 3 children. I loved feeding my children food that I grew. I loved having them see how food grows. This past summer I started everything from seed. Had so many tomatoes that I could hardly keep up with the canning. Kale, arugula, green beans, eggplant, Basil, parsley, mint, thyme, sage, chives, so much more. I got such good exercise and fresh air and great food!! Keep up the good work.

[@lavernabouzspain]

Hi there Ms., 70 years young. I'm Ms. 75 years young. Horray for you growing and eating what you enjoy! You've made me smile just thinking about all the garden food that you are growing, canning, sharing and storing. You to keep up the good work. God bless!

[@pixelrancher]

Great to see you following as many Permaculture principles as possible. Another protein source for the urban farmer that's often overlooked is rabbit. As easy, if not easier, to raise than chickens are. Considered a "high-value" product. Usually harvested at three months old (1.5 - 3.5lbs.) up to eight months old (4lbs.). Their manure is "cold", meaning it can be used immediately unlike chicken manure which will burn plants if it doesn't rest first. (4 - 5 times more N than chicken manure, 4 - 10 times more P, up to double the amount of K). Their urine acts as an organic bio-pesticide.

[@doubles1545]

Agree. Rabbits are a beneficial addition to any homestead/farm.

[@YOUENJOYLIFE]

i'm raising rabbits for all these reasons

[@LifebyMikeG]

yes my brother has been pushing this!

[@rchic09]

Love your transition into this garden life. Please make more garden content. Please show garden to table recipes. I watch food videos and gardening videos and I do not see many channels that can marry the two. 😊

[@abbie2151]

Have to say I haven’t watched you much recently. But I just wanted to stop buy and say thank you for teaching me how to cook 7 years ago. You and your brother were/are the best. ❤️ thanks for all the beginners guides!

[@KeithandPamBilyeu]

Pam here….my first garden had a walnut tree on the side…NOTHING grew…found out the trees and nuts poison the soil…and takes forever to build up the soil. Best thing you did was bulid beds and adding compost and mulch. Your no till method also saved you too.

[@debrapaulson7882]

I have been gardening since 1970's. We live in Pa and have a battle with critters to keep our garden produce. We first had an 8-foot fence, and my husband watched a deer jump it from a stand still. We extended it to 11 feet and the deer broke through the mesh fence. We now have a 12-foot fence and the deer have not entered. It has been made with heavy wire which is partly buried to keep the groundhogs from digging underneath. We put barbed wire at the top to keep the groundhog from climbing in which he did once time. Deer visit to eat fallen apples and any they can reach. Opossums and groundhogs eat apples too. Squirrels get in as they can go everywhere. One year they stole my green tomatoes, they left empty plants. I use beer traps for slugs. The longer the garden is in place, the more animals will discover it. Racoons also take some of their share. Good luck. Your garden looks great.

[@mrmrlee]

Welcome to Long Island! Been here my whole life. The recent weather trends here have been milder winters, temperate summers, and prolific amounts of rainfall. This creates a great gardening environment. As far as compost goes, another great idea is to get free compost from your local municipality. Our town in Suffolk County supplies free compost and mulch as it becomes available.

[@alanshamah4845]

I have been watching your videos since the beginning. In a studio in park slope. I love how our priorities have evolved together. I was obsessed with cooking and making fun things for guests and learning the basics- you helped me with that. Now I am obsessed with homesteading and chickens- and you make this INSANE ! video. Crazy to me.

[@udoheinz7845]

We started our own vegetable garden this year and the anticipation for the coming years is gigantic. would love to se some more garten to kitchen videos!

[@donnawestbrook8992]

I highly recommend looking at what you most enjoy eating and the planting things you plant once that keep producing year after year. Fruit and nut trees and bushes, herbs, berries, asparagus, medicinal and tea garden, even tomatoes and peppers can be part of a food forest/permaculture plan that a traditional vegetable garden is added to. Planting guilds and succession gardening can multiply yield without much additional work.

[@udoheinz7845]

@@donnawestbrook8992 yeah that is what we are doing. we did a lot of reasearch and try to create a food forrest. so we use perma culture, no dig, terrapreta , trees, bushes, herbs,.....

[@donnawestbrook8992]

@@udoheinz7845 wonderful, we did also, some things worked and others were great learning experiences. Sadly a polluting factory has moved close and we are moving and will start again. There are a few things I will do differently.... Like Jerusalem artichokes and mint will only be planted in controlled areas, lol. More trees of a type will be put in at once incase some die. I have a single almond tree that survived out of 5 planted.

[@Lilnate_17]

I’m 21 and I’m so inspired for my future as a pro home cook can’t wait to have my own garden like you

[@Oktopia]

I built my garden space from scratch on top of the lawn this spring. I have grown things in containers only up until now. I look forward to enjoying years of produce and cozy work.

[@AJ-ms1hy]

This is so awesome!!! Way to go!!! My husband and I love cooking (and I love your channel for meal inspiration!) and started gardening 3 years ago and we produce most of our own veggies and some of our own fruit too! It is such a fulfilling and satisfying thing to grow your own food!!!!!Next up is chickens, getting a better composting system figured out, and hopefully building a small caterpillar tunnel next year for winter gardening! Thanks for the inspiration!!!

[@EUSA1776]

The masculine urge to create a garden like this then surround it with high walls and defend it at all costs.

[@lalthamuon6720]

The vegetable lord rises with his high walls

[@iconofsin1043]

yeah, I just hit 36 and created my first garden this year. Sucks that I gotta defend it from neighbor kids who dont understand that it's not cool to walk in the garden..... damnn

[@rebekahkimsey9593]

This video came at just the right time! I was very discouraged after this past summer’s garden failure (only my volunteer tomato plants produced 🤷🏻‍♀️) TY so much. Your YT channel is educational, encouraging, and just make’s a positive difference. Keep sharing!

[@tenthousanddaysofgratitude]

Don’t give up. I’ve been at it 7 years and only now feel like I’m just beginning to learn how to garden.

[@JenniferGermain-rb2xg]

Grew up with gardening, as soon as I had space i gardened, not a lot of space but I can cram a lot in it. Have sun room with some hydroponics, so greens, tomatoes and herbs. I hope I never have to stop. I watch all the same gardening channels plus MIgardener (in my growing zone) have learnt so much and enjoy my time in the garden, my quiet time :)

[@tenthousanddaysofgratitude]

Mi gardener is great - I’m not in that growing zone but I learn a lot from him.

[@stschubs]

so excited for you! I've loved watching your gardening journey! We've been a CSA for 6 years, and every year there's learning. We just got our greenhouse, but we're in Manitoba Canada, so...no winter growing for us, but we certainly extended our season!

[@LifebyMikeG]

epic!

[@Mishimooshoo]

I watched this channel when it was Brothers Green and was pleasantly surprised to see he's got a whole ass house and family now! Goals!

[@anndennis7163]

The very first step to being successful gardening is a paradigm shift in your own mind. And Congratulations for accomplishing such a feat. I've been gardening for 50 years + and spent 3 years as a mastergardener for a cooperative extension. Stopped playing with that when I discovered the program (at the time)did not allow experimentation. I know from my husband that that has changed as he stayed in the program and was able to help make some changes in the program. We keep chickens so we know what they are eating and for the fertilizer and eggs. I personally believe it's worth it for even emotional benefits.

[@1eparry]

Wish I had a space to do all this. I use a community garden for all my growing so I’m much more limited in what I produce but getting the whole family involved is the best way to do if. My 3-year-old daughter loves picking cherry tomatoes and seeing all the flowers in the garden.

[@tenthousanddaysofgratitude]

A great thing about community gardens is the community. I love to learn from others and help fellow gardeners.

[@RayF6126]

I grow lettuce under my potted herbs I invested in plant stands and found hanging pots. I put mint, thyme, oregano, lemon balm, and a bush tomato up high, spaced them out about a foot and let my sun loving plants shade out my lettuce a bit. Then in the winter they take over a window in my home.

[@sarahkp729]

I live in an apartment in seattle and i have a mini garden across my patio, windowsill, and some of my roof. I have some hydroponics going, some soil grown going in towers, pots, railing planters, and grow bags! I grow a lot of our herbs and greens as companion plants or indoors :)

[@opraha1113]

This was very encouraging. Just finished my first gardening season and I definitely had unrealistic expectations. Lol. I’m glad to see the exponential growth of your garden. It gives me hope for the near future. Thank you for sharing your journey and all these great tips

[@helenebennie3961]

I like an idea that came from "More Than Farmers" KZbin channel. Concentrate on just a few things first (and doing them well) rather than getting burnt out trying to do it all. This year I'm just doing garlic, tomatoes, potatoes and herbs. (Growing in Australia.)

[@opraha1113]

@@helenebennie3961I actually follow their channel! Lol. Yes, I think that’s great advice. Definitely approaching next season with that in kind

[@tiffles699]

I'm doing deep bedding this yearfor my chickens as I moved from NC to PA so the heat from it breaking down helps keep them warmer at night.

[@seanjcameron]

That is a beautiful size garden. My dream! Everything looking beautiful. Nothing beats field to fork in four minutes.

[@crystalwebb5725]

You are going to LOVE your high tunnel. Growing through the cold season is what got me hooked. Congratulations!

[@eternalrealist2836]

I have sporadically followed your cooking videos for years, but never knew you were doing this. I'm so impressed! Bravo!

[@VoodooViking]

I live in SE Louisiana and I agree. I’m gonna move back to Seattle soon and I miss the soil and growing conditions up there. It’s honestly ideal for gardening. However each place has its flaws and high points

[@FrontYardFreedom]

That high tunnel looks epic! I removed my front lawn to start a vegetable garden, currently about 6 months in, nowhere near self sufficient but it has produced enough to add vegetables to a lot of our meals.

[@HoHoFunny369]

Do you have an estimated cost of the initial setup? (Fruit trees, Chicken coop, Fence, season extension shelter, etc…). Additionally, do you have an estimated cost to maintain the property? Thank you for the video and any insight you can provide.

[@kittiew260]

Thousands no lie..I spend on average at least 600 a season

[@Joseph-yc6qb]

Gardening can be done very cheaply. It really depends on how you go about it :)

[@Siluvian]

If you make friends with other gardeners you can get fruit tree cuttings for free. Chicken feed can be supplemented a lot with garden scraps. You can use recycled materials to build all of it except maybe the fencing. It does not have to be expensive but you are definitely paying for convenience.

[@PorchGardeningWithPassion]

This is a great overview for gardening when it comes to framing just about everything one needs to keep in mind. I really related to the part where you lived in an apartment because that is where I live currently and it was the inspiration for my gardening channel. The before and after this year, after going all in, was pretty wild. I just need to find time to edit it properly and post it. Thank you again for drawing attention to this incredible lifestyle 👊🏻🍉👊🏻

[@BarneyGumbl3]

Our chickens were free range, they had the run of the veggie patch, their coop connected to it directly, they scavenged there for incects, and we fed them kitchen scraps as a supplement growing up. They didn't cost a cent in upkeep, and were definitely financially worth it.

[@goldenferret8382]

Wouldn’t they also eat the plants tho? Did they only have specific access to certain foods that they couldn’t eat? I’m genuinely curious because I have been thinking about getting chicken but don’t want them destroying my garden 😅

[@mjohnsimon1337]

Another great option are hydroponics. There are systems you can buy to grow your own fruiting veg/herbs. They can be pricey, but they almost always go on sale and you can even pick up a few of them used for pennies. I grow my own herbs, lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and peppers!

[@Shria9]

I'll be expanding the garden at my parents' place next season when I take over the house. This will prove to be very useful. Thank you!

[@rhiahlMT]

LOL, Todd never tried winter gardening in Montana. 😂 Still, in my greenhouse I can grow up into December, the cool season crops and I can restart in February instead of June here with it. Cool season stuff in February, then I can do seed starting in there in late March to get crops in the ground in late May or June.

[@tashiii18]

Loved this video and seeing your progress throughout the years. Nothing beats homegrown food.

[@phibi8694]

My biggest problem with this tutorial is just... money. Soil and compost is expensive. Pots are expensive. Fruittrees are expensive. Not everyone is able to spend 1500$ or € or whatever on starting a garden that won´t pa it´s own bills until a few years down the road. I do have a garden and though I love it, up until recently I wasn´t even able to fill 1 raised bed with bought soil as my student job just didn´t provide enough money for that. So yeah, take your time, one step after the other. Find pots along the road, start seeds from your groceries and have patience. You will get there, even if it takes 5 or ten years.❤

[@dianejackson2736]

Great video!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge & wisdom. You've also chosen most of the garden creators I love. You can always learn something from the channels you mentioned. You've covered all of the important considerations for growing your own food. I consider myself inspired! Well done!!

[@andrewhammill6148]

Very happy for you that you found gardening. It is tedious, tasking and time consuming at times. But in the end, it is satisfying. My garden is 24' x 52' with a 6-foot fence around it. Seems to be able to keep the deer out here in the Texas Hill Country. And there are quite a few. I see at least 20 - 35 of them every day on the property walking near the garden. I throw some of my stuff over the fence for them once in a while. Usually eaten within a day. A lot of that has to do with the fact that I have cattle panel trellises at the back of most of my beds, so it confuses them. Acts like a double barrier. I want to know where you got that screw thing you are using in the compost piles though. Looks to be very useful.

[@timroyal7552]

Greetings from NZ. You say it so well. More inspiration for a better garden. Really like the composting tool.

[@magicmantis]

I just discovered you last night. Your garlic and onion video. I absolutely LOVED it! This is my second video and I am just fired up to get out in the garden, even though it's raining. (Las Vegas) Then when you mentioned some of the gardening all stars, it was awesome! I can't wait to see what other gardening videos you have. I'm thrilled to be here, your videos are amazing! 😍🤩

[@chloecovington1785]

This video is one of the best I’ve seen on gardening. You had me hooked through the whole video keep up the good work!

[@LifebyMikeG]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@dianegerlach2454]

I love Epic Gardening! I rented a plot couple summers ago. Its a part time job to maintain. Unfortunately it was too far away from me also and the only plot available to rent that year. Next year I plan to volunteer with a community garden. I love all that you have done with your property. Clearly you are ina better zoning area too.

[@kahineg]

While I really enjoy the cooking videos (I learn so much from them) this was an excellent video. I just moved into a condo and have a small patio area. I am looking at vertical gardening to supplement my veggies. You are spot on that if there is a will to garden there is a way. Thanks so much for the video. LOVE THEM !

[@coyne777]

clearly youtube has been very good to him. i wonder if he is jewish. seems like only jewish people are successful on youtube. not attacking but this guy is nothing special. i'd like to see his analytics and what he makes per month.

[@harrykhanal1853]

Gardening was the video that pulled me into this channel and now i try to follow your recipes. I always wanted to be a Pro Home Chef and this channel surely helps me.

[@Iamhome365]

We save loads by having our own hens! We've halved on our feed cost by fermenting the feed! They absolutely love it and egg production went up, it was patchy for a while but since fermenting its pretty much consistently an egg a day. We just have 4 hens, enough for our family of 5. Highly recommend fermenting

[@kellycarroll6829]

Blessings to your lovely garden and family! 🌻

[@fs5miFi1dM4u5]

When I was a kid my mom would take me to the local woodworker to ask for sawdust as a bedding material for my hamster. To them it's a byproduct so they really don't mind you taking it. I think that woud work for chickens too.

[@rogergille1]

Great info on your garden and it looks like you have an interested assistant!

[@morethanfarmers]

That’s a lot to accomplish in 3 years! Great job man.

[@SisterShirley]

Really good video Thank you for this synopsis I will use it as a guide Skipping over my strong points and focusing on what I need to improve

[@CharlesEsther-mj2oh]

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.

[@whitneykani]

Your dad did an amazing job with the furniture

[@shanavallino1907]

Beautiful job! My personal experience with chickens has not been expensive, I buy local hay (very cheap at the right time of year) and local feed. But it does take a lot of time ❤

[@RaymondLancaster-x5o]

Best episode yet! Been wanting more gardening content thanks

[@beth5765]

Another idea with chickens would be a deep litter method especially in the winter. Instead of emptying weekly simply add more wood shavings on top of the droppings. This will add heat to the coop and if the chickens get cold they will use this heat. You just want it to stay relatively dry and have good ventilation.

[@reneelancaster8714]

When you do clean it out in the fall, winter mulch your strawberry patch with the used shavings. The following summer crop will be amazing!

[@jessicajordan680]

For those lacking space, vertical gardening with Green Stalk planters (or a similar system) would produce many varieties of food and is beginner friendly! 😊

[@bettyadkisson1681]

Do you have comfrey in your garden. It helps the grow naturally. I took one plant and separated it into 5 plants then this year I've been putting it all around the inside of my garden fence too help keep the large weeds down and even put it into my front flower beds in a l shape it also sucks up the extra rain fall from the neighbor's gutters and it's a good tea for watering every 2 weeks. Plus it brings in bees. And the leaves are good on burns too. Cause I've always used aloe for my burns but this time I used comfrey leaves and wrapped my finger with. You could feel the burn being drawn out.

[@ardenthebibliophile]

You're gonna love no till gardeners. Jessie is a phenomenal market gardener and you'll learn a lot about systems

[@andrewpinto1778]

Enjoyed your clip, seeing that you have the space and using your space so well. Like your chickens, create an area where you can raise guinea pigs for meat. They eat 90% grass, their manure is great for plants aswell, they don't dig, don't jump, they don't bite, multiply quick and easy to raise. It's just a tip. It's worth it to add to any backyard food forest. They keep the grass down very well.

[@katiemcdaniel3063]

I watch your videos all the time and I was so excited to see the link to “more than farmers”! They are awesome!! Not always relevant to Alaskan gardening to be sure, but super motivating!

[@klu222]

I lived in Seattle when I first started gardening, and it was through our local P-patch program. People could apply to have a plot in their neighborhood or any of the neighborhoods of Seattle. It costs 25-50 a year, but I was low income, student, and a parent and it was waived. It was the best feeling to be able to grow my own for the first time as an adult. 😊

[@Sarahr98998]

Amazing! Wish you had addressed specifically how you are preventing the insects from destroying your crops. I feel like that’s the number one issue.

[@jtuck682]

I started watching your channel because you gave such good explanations of how to cook. Now, seeing you are also an excellent gardener. Wow, the sky is the limit for you. Your fellow KZbinr Epic Gardening just released a video were he says he grossed 7.8 million dollars. Oh, Deer in Long Island, who would have thought 😮

[@handsfullofgoodthings]

Thank you! This was precisely the encouragement I needed right now. I'm in year two of my urban/deck garden, and while I've been smart about the money invested, it feels like my harvests should be much bigger by now - but I've recently watched all the brassica I've started for the last three months disappear to pests. I'm hopeful again though. Thanks for the shot of inspiration.

[@helenebennie3961]

I don't know where you are but the "Aussie Gardener" store has great pest cages for vegetables that work well for brassicas. Maybe you could find something similar in your area.

[@chriswren2559]

Another channel you might check out is Edible Acres situated in New York. Love your high tunnel! Wow! that is going to open up so many options for you including a nice place to start seedlings

[@jackiek4159]

So much value in this video and your garden looks amazing! 😍🙌🍅

[@GoldenRtvrs18]

Oh thank you so much for this complete look! I've been working more and more to being more self sustaining

[@robertomaldonado7397]

I do landscaping on the side and you might be surprised to know that quite a significant amount of our customers actually do have gardens in their backyard. I’ve even seen people with chickens in violation of HOA

[@sourdoughsavant22]

There are lots of actual homestead channels that you can look into. Acre Homestead, Three Rivers Homestead, Seasonal Homestead, etc

[@Bosch1300]

What a great video, This is where want to be! I just got started growing mushrooms. Which has a huge learning curve for me.

[@Piehash]

I appreciate the information about utilization of collected rainwater, but upon further research I've decided I would only implement this into my garden if I had an additional filtration system with it as well. The sky is not a "magical" filtration system, and contaminants on your roof or in your gutter may introduce unwanted bacteria or viruses into your system. That said, this is only a potential issue if you are using the water to irrigate food you intend to consume; something else such as flowers, etc. are not much of a concern at all. I think the tip at the beginning is a fantastic universal tip, take what is applicable to your situation from multiple sources and incorporate it into your own style. And always do your own research! Thank you.

[@NicoleHoltActress]

Very inspiring, thank you! I'm in my first year of gardening and already learned quite a bit.

[@moomoocho1196]

More garden videos please…loved this one 👍

[@youthserg9066]

holy crap dude. I mostly followed your cooking stuff but this is crazy! That dude from jersey you shouted out is who I was looking at as inspiration to do this. It's something for the future.

[@ThScarletPimpernel]

Growing along with you! Starting my 5th season and looking forward to an apple, cherry.. peach.. I’ll take anything !! I’ve evolved into a mix of Huw and Millennial gardener

[@lurvklutt7415]

Loved the video! I'm more of a garden guy but your videos is my go to for inspiration in the cooking game 😁 glad you also enjoy and share your setup. Suppose you have kiwi-vines (kiwiberries) along that trellis? If not i highly recommend it, and sea buckthorn! The best 😍

[@LifebyMikeG]

yep kiwi berries on the fence line. Haven't fruited yet

[@vlif479]

Wow! What a Great video. So much good information. Thank you for sharing your journey in gardening.

[@SoliRhymesWithJulie]

This used to be one of my dreams. It's awesome to see the reality of it coming to fruition.

[@padders1068]

Mike, great video, thanks for sharing! 🙂

[@pobo6113]

A couple things - I am subscribed to you but didn’t get any of this 🤷🏻‍♀️. I really enjoyed this video and am impressed with your progress in 3 years. I have an active garden that I am expanding as I get the $$$ for it. I have chickens and have just added rabbits. Even if you raise them for meat and have then as pets only the manure is the best. You don’t have to compost it to us. I am thinking of the possibility of a small high tunnel. Thanks so much for all you do . 👍

[@DuongGarden]

I have a small garden, only a few meters long. I'm trying to buy a bigger piece of land and have a proper garden. Looking at your garden gives me even more motivation, keep going. Thank you for your video.

[@James1980-]

I used to use a half moon edger but replaced it with a Fiskar edger. It’s a fantastic tool. So much quicker than the half moon for me. I also combine it with an Azada hoe which I use to just take the top turf layer off. It disturbs the top inch of soil but for me it’s time saving.

[@GardeningwithDave]

Love it! Thank you for sharing your gardening journey with the world. Happy Gardening! - Dave

[@zacharyrohrer7976]

Absolutely beautiful garden. I appreciate what you're doing to inspire people to garden. Also, a loong way off from self-sufficient.

[@tonyn3123]

If I had a greenhouse, I would do exactly as the family on the "Living Traditions Homestead" You Tube channel. I would do exactly as they have done. It is the most maintenance free greenhouse I have seen, bar none. As I am older, I could still garden with their methods. Yours appears will need a lot of labor to maintain each year. They grow veggies and salad year around in Missouri. Both your environments are challenging to some extent. Good luck.

[@rebeccawatson9284]

Congratulations, Mike! How great for you guys.

[@guillermosalgado1778]

Love your content thank you for being so informative 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽

[@jenn6838]

Great baseline information! More gardening videos, I'm also in cold area and would love to have more inspiration.

[@daschawk]

I would love to see different versions of this garden, based on your budget. As someone who works at a nursery, I have a bit of a cheat advantage in terms of the seedlings, however-there's no shot I can afford any kind of structure(s) like that.

[@Lunasgarden2021]

Robbie and Gary Gardening easy are incredibly inspiring and of course Self sufficient Me in Australia plus the others that you mentioned are my go good for gardening 😊

[@eileenthomas6342]

Wow you have done fantastic work lots of luck making your dreams come true .

[@RorysRamblings]

Great guide! More people need to garden!

[@resiliencyisrough]

Mike you have been inspiring me for years. Thank you so very much, truly. ❤