Biodiversity at My Old House and My New Homestead

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[@mikeskelly2356]

We had 130 acres of Tamarack pine surrounded by State land in the Adirondacks. The land hadn't been logged in 80-90 years and we were starting to see a lot of dead wood on the mountain. We had a logging company in and he said 'another ten years and no one would want to cut these trees'. We arranged to have every other tree removed (the oldest ones) and our forest came alive again. Saplings were able to take hold without the closed canopy, brush grew and the animals returned to browse. The logger milled most of his cuttings into lumber and was able to provide local home builders with reasonably priced building materials. We were happy with the result and now, five years later you can hardly tell from the air where trees were removed.

[@jaketews938]

When you shared that you were leaving your other cabin and were going to start over, I felt so bad for you. But now that I see what your plans are for your new spot, I can tell you are very excited! And I can tell it's going to be way better. Looking forward to seeing your vision come true.

[@mtn_linda364]

My parents were children of the Depression so I grew up in a track house with food gardens in front and in back. When they retired and sold the house the new owners CEMENTED over the gardens to make space to park their RVs and boats! You bring back my youth with your channel.

[@justbruh1823]

that is so sad that the new owners did this...

[@hexhex7220]

"A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit." Greek Proverb. A wise old man who taught me woodworking, told me to plant cherry trees for my great great grandchildren.

[@henrietta9206]

What are they doing in Singapore? My great grandparents planted successful, food-blossoming durian/fruit trees, the authorities are cutting down despite large petition numbers. I love the life u painted too..planting for generations down but what is the Government doing? We are too small for voices to be heard. We too, like food from trees instead of megamarts or cooperations.

[@c3plus192]

We bought a newly built house in a newly developed subdivision six years ago. Our yard was a typical grass “desert”. Now it’s filled with trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals. Wildlife is abundant and such a pleasure to observe. Anyone can do what we have done. We’re older, retired. Not much work to turn a dead zone into a haven for birds, reptiles and many other kinds of wildlife. All they need is a little habitat and clean water.

[@dianebesand425]

Hi Shawn.Loved this video and listening to your understanding of biodiversity. I am 75 now, but trained in Ecology, botany, habitat management, wildlife management. You are speaking my language. I worked for USFS after college and spent my days working alone in the the woods with nothing but arial photographs in various forest habitats. My main job in the summer was to map or type various habitats onto arial photos and then record what the secondary associated species shrubs, forbs, grasses, moss, lichens, mushrooms, etc. For instance, in a Doug Fir, Tamarack (Larch), Snowberry Habitat type, which would be on North facing slopes that were wetter, while South facing slopes in drier areas would contain Ponderosa Pine/ Wheatgrass habitat would contain a completely different understory. I loved doing this and could look on an arial photo and predict what I would find relative to slope and aspect when I got to the location. Nature taught me so much more than I could have learned in school. Working alone in the woods amongst the Flora and Fauna was the best job in the world for me. Depending on where I was, I would encounter, Bear, Moose, Elk, Deer and smaller species all living together in a plant community. In the fall I remember during rutting season standing in an Aspen grove and hearing the male Elk bugle. I really think you have the right idea about how to manage the various habitat types on your property. Rewilding I think is also important and your willingness to not only leave a smaller footprint, but also improve the various habitats you find on your own property is outstanding. My hat is off to you. I love both your channels and look forward to more.

[@JDLarge]

It’s all fun and games until a neighbor knocks on your door and tells you that you need to stop feeding the birds because they are going into their yard and bothering them. I know right! My solution, I added a few more suet feeders hung from my fruit trees like Christmas ornaments using 50lb fishing monofilament … I have a dozen each now, half seed feeders and the other half suet. I love the birds. Also a half dozen hummingbird feeders on my back deck. True story! I even put six foot stakes in the ground with oranges halved and stuck on the tips for the oriels and man are they pretty! I can’t wait till they tell me to stop growing my own food next. I told the wife I’ll plant pumpkins and every squash known to man all around the front yard if they do! Oh I will too, believe me! 😉 Stay steady on course brother, your doing it right!✌🏼

[@LaLadybug2011]

J. D., sounds like you could apply to have your property listed as a bird/wildlife habitat-not kidding either. My grandmother lived in a little town in northwest Louisiana for over 50 years that was designated as a bird sanctuary. I always thought that was really cool. Anyway, you sound like an awesome neighbor to have-people that love animals are usually very kind.

[@JDLarge]

@@LaLadybug2011 awww, I wish I could, I’d love it. Between the wildlife and trees and plants I’d really enjoy that. I do love my critters and my green thumb. And they said I’d never be able to grow tomatoes in Iraq… pfffft. I ran rubber tubing (an old air hose from the dumpster at the motorpool) from the air conditioning condensation trays on my barracks roof to three 5 gallon buckets filled with soil and grew three different kinds. (Kinda borrowed some soil from under the sergeant Majors grass/sod and combined that with mess hall mushroom soil and gravel at the bottom for drainage and a damaged umbrella from one of the food courts eating areas over them tied down to keep them out of direct sunlight😉) I love self watering veggies… I also transplanted wild flowers I’d find on mission from the desert to a few of our fobs I’d revisit while staying over after missions up and down Iraq. It was so nice to see those and then actually pick fresh tomatoes in a war zone lol. I figured I was there anyway so… One has to look hard sometimes to find the beauty, but I assure you it’s there if you look close enough…✌🏼I had put a barrel lid upside down to collect overflow water for the birds to have a bath and or a drink from. I’d never seen a bird pant with tongue hanging out but it’s true. Poor babies… I left it all up there when I left too…

[@deborahpellerito6117]

@@JDLarge You are amazing

[@JDLarge]

@@deborahpellerito6117 nah Debora, I’ve just found that I can locate beauty in some really ugly places is all. It’s easy enough to do, just read between the lines cause it’s there. It helps keep it all in check😉 Enjoy your day friend🤗

[@charlottemoorebutler3376]

Shawn you look healthy and well rested. You are doing a terrific job in what you do for your living environment. Love your videos, I am learning so much watching all of them. Praying for your success 🙏 and the safety of you and your family. God Bless!

[@MrCow579]

I miss the old homestead because of how developed it was. But I am so excited about all the developments you are making on the new homestead! This is going to be a story of a lifetime

[@colinham9148]

If you add reeds to your stream that will do a variety of good for the bugs small birds and will also clean the water. You can use the stems to dry to either make a thatched roof or basket weaving. If you looking at carda bees these are forest bees u need to face them east with 6 holes drilled at 30°angle about 6 inches long and a couple of holes above same length for the male bees who hatch first then mate with the females that hatch second . They don't sting but do bite and are far more productive than honey bees. To improve water retention in your sandy soil buy cheap cat litter made of clay. Dig hole small trowel of cat litter plant on top with soil, water in and cat litter swells to keep water back for the plant during hot periods. Hope this helps.

[@thelittlecountrygal]

Oh the deer in the beginning was so sweet. The terrain is lovely!

[@peterhennig4678]

Oh dear

[@maryblaylock6545]

@@peterhennig4678 🤗

[@johneratcliff]

Dinner!

[@thelittlecountrygal]

@@johneratcliff ahaha! Ahh😅

[@MrWooferer]

These garden updates and wildlife talks are my favorites

[@theodorecharles635]

Great video and some good life advice. We've owned an acreage for the last 17 years and one thing we've really noticed is how much you get in return when you go out of your way to be nice to the birds and the bees, especially the birds. We put up birdhouses all through the forested areas and always make sure there are several sources of water that are kept clean and topped up. That's especially important in times of drought like we've had the last few years. In return for doing that, the diversity in the forest has improved almost amazingly. Now just about everywhere in the forest has wild currant bushes, Saskatoons, and raspberrie bushes like crazy. All created by birds spreading seeds around. Before, there were no Saskatoon bushes, only one currant bush and a small raspberry patch and now they're everywhere. It generates a lot of free food.

[@maceycornell]

my house sits on a half lot and now if you seen my place all the good soil I have brought in and all the plants to eat not just look at raised beds and it is crazy how fun this is. Love to see your replanting good trees that will help the generations to come if we dont do it who will I teach my grandchildren and that is what I do every one doing small things.

[@douggibson9084]

Excellent update. Bumblebees are used by most gardener as they're very hardy and come out even in colder temperatures. Thanks.

[@straubdavid9]

Look up Mason bees ... they are the real workhorses in the bee pollinator world. Many gardeners do not even know about them, even though their gardens are full of them. They are mistaken as pests.

[@douggibson9084]

@@straubdavid9 thanks David I'll look them up. I know the bumblebees like my comfrey!!!

[@annrhodes3544]

@@straubdavid9 I have a mason bee house underneath my rear deck roof. They mud up the cubicles every year!! Northern California.

[@chriswren2559]

We can all do our part. I'm in a suburban neighborhood outside Dallas. Everyone has the perfect yard... I have slowly, by example, gotten the guys near me to let their St Augustine grass grow to 4 inches and now we're all watering less but our yards look beautiful. I planted the strip between our driveways and all my landscape beds with herbs, milkweed, mint, yarrow, coneflowers, lantana and other perennials so there are flowers for the pollinators 8 months of the year. And it's so easy to maintain. I go out in the spring do my pruning and then stand back and wait for it to come back to life. My backyard leads to a creek with old growth trees and the backyard does not get mowed. It is totally there for the insects birds lizards toads and other critters. All I need is a path back to the mulch pile and compost bin. I've been composting for a little over 2 years and I'm amazed at how that has reduced how often I need to put my household garbage out on the curb. It makes me feel good that I'm not adding more bags to the landfill. And I'm the weird person that's going around picking up other people's plastic bags of grass and leaves out on the curbs and dumping them in my mulch pile or using them in my compost. Areas in the back that were dry shade and wouldn't even grow weeds have been covered with the mulch from all those leaves and grass. Now it's like walking in a woodland, just a soft moisture saving mat that is feeding the trees and preventing the mud my dogs used to track into the house. I'm a 70-year-old woman.. retired computer programmer.. so I'm coming to this late, but all I can say is.. give it a try, it's not that hard. Plus, I'm saving money on watering, mowing, fertilizer. I use no chemicals or pesticides and everything seems to take care of itself. I do have a stockade fence in the back on either side so my neighbors don't have to look at my wild backyard😋 Even if you cannot let your front yard go wild you can reduce the amount of lawn by putting in more beds of ground cover and perennials.. they use very little resources yet still look presentable even for an HOA.

[@1957jmhiser1]

Well now, I'm very excited about your rewinding concept. Especially the insects, the Monarchs. I planted milkweed quite a few years ago and let it grow. I've seen 1 Monarch in 13 years, probably because they're all at your place, lol. My yard 'isn't a jungle. I have a place in the woods, sand for soil, and I've let everything grow wild 13 years, but there's a method to the madness, as the plants are reseeding, the dead plants in the fall is building a nice layer of soil every year, I have plenty of wildlife I share my yard with, and the trees are very healthy. My yard is filled with raspberries, blackberries, wild and domestic flowers, cherry trees, apple trees, it's a haven for sure. I think for ten years everyone needs to replant, regrow, diversify their yards, instead of taming it into a barren green grass carpet. It used to be in the 50 and 60s yards were filled with fruit and berries, gardens, flowers, hedges, beautiful trees.

[@katesisco]

My milkweed planting is about a dozen plants now from one I gathered from the roadside. They are all in bloom, smell lovely which is encouraging as I thought my sense of smell was diminished. Monarchs flitting about as well as those tomato hornworm -cabbage butterfly-- nuisances. I have strongly discouraged tansy and practiced governmental land acquisition to move the lupines further down the slope.

[@stoicepictetus833]

Grouchy neighbours who are intent on 'controlling' nature don't like the fact that your lawn isn't perfect or that there's too much wildlife in your garden. Some people don't connect themselves with nature and actively try to distance themselves from it, when in actual fact we all need nature to survive. So saddening.

[@ShawnJames1]

Funny story. My daughters had pet rabbits in the backyard that would escape their pen occasionally. The neighbour to the right, who had just moved in a few months prior, accosted me for allowing one of our rabbits to squeeze under the fence and eat his grass. Seriously! Not plants, trees, or vegetables- grass! You can imagine how I reacted, which is why I don’t belong in a subdivision

[@samkaka9149]

We are nature. but, non-natural chemicals that we are consuming is making us be self destructive/dissociative from our true nature. Look into cynide/arsenic(poison) in acidic/hybrid foods. check Alkaline foods vs acidic foods and the effects on humans, society and the environment. we are slowly destroying ourselves/nature and we need a wake up call.

[@overthetop4247]

@@samkaka9149 very true

[@detailerslife8127]

Had a similar situation in my Garden. I put in 3 bird baths where the wildlife could drink and wash (I’m in Australia so wildlife can struggle for water sometimes) and my Neighbours complained about the birds making a noise while they were using the Baths. We come from a 65,000 acre Cattle station in central Australia so I found this attitude strange by neighbours.

[@stoicepictetus833]

@@ShawnJames1 A neighbour who lives a good distance from our house shouted at me from his car about feeding birds in my backyard. My feeding the birds didn't affect him at all, but he still complained.

[@sunflowershanti4940]

🌻I’ve been watching since you were filming on your old house’s patio & in the background Cali was pulling tulips up from your planter. Well done, I say!

[@1957jmhiser1]

I just ran across a channel Ironheart. Two young boys who, with the help of their father, built a very innovated earthbag home for $7000. They installed cooling tubes, 2 feet down depth under the home and running out 30 ft or so, and a few high windows, so in summer they open the top windows and take the caps off the cooling tubes and the house cools like air conditioning. I thought it may interest you as you're just starting the basement of your new place.

[@Greg-ys8wq]

Our neighbours often compete with their lawns, but a few of us have started to fight back lol, the dandelions are aggressive.

[@cherrydowns7745]

dandelions are early bee food. Bees need them as they come out foraging for pollen after the winter. LEAVE THE DANDELIONS ALONE, FOLKS!

[@Greg-ys8wq]

@@cherrydowns7745 we are fighting back against the social norm of maintaining a perfect lawn. Ie leaving it all grow whatever is there

[@judithburke1539]

Dandelions are edible, medicinal and good for wildlife. Explore the options for their uses and benefits.

[@dlspiritdancer9548]

@@cherrydowns7745 dandelions are good for eating & medicinal purposes, which is why God made them!

[@JP-bv7bf]

I look forward to seeing how you are making this your forest homestead with all the gardens. I too planted a lot of trees on my home when I bought it 6 years ago.

[@Martlin]

This may be off topic but there should be a lot more community gardens in towns and cities. It just makes sense when you almost need a cosigner to buy groceries.

[@derekcaistor449]

Elderberries :) Years ago I made some wonderful wine from those berries, ah such memories.

[@annrhodes3544]

I live in California now but in the 60s and 70s I lived in UK and made elderberry and elderflower wine every year.

[@BethAnn1964]

I know you loved and appreciated both properties, but I personally think your new property is prettier. As you talk about, massively diverse but it seems more open. Less of a canopy, which (I think 🤷🏻‍♀️) made your other property…. Dark ? ( if that makes sense) Love the tree varieties on this new property and those blue skies!

[@thizizliz]

Yes; I keep thinking that this is an improvement because of the water access, the variable soils, the rapidity with which the gardens have provided food and so much more. The new cabin appears to be bigger, more practical and I'm sure it will be beautiful as well. It's so fun to watch things develop.

[@jaditelady173mary4]

I agree...I'm excited and loving his new property. He is a good steward of the land.

[@young-soonkim6730]

Good Monday Shawn & Cali🐕! I had twice stung by the honey bee🐝bumblebee and once by the wasp. The honey bee & bumble only sting if they felt you're a threat to them and they even give you warning. But, the wasp will sting you without warning, just being near the hive will do it and their sting is more painful than the bee. They go in their hives when the sun goes down and they're not active at that time. There are more wasp hives around your house in the hot and dry weather. 👍🏞🏡

[@jeng151]

I’m extremely interested rewilding theories & practices & in creating a natural oasis in my own backyard- so I love this content. I’ve been reading “Wilding” by Isabella Tree about what happened on their estate, Knepp, (in England) when they reverted it back to nature from having been intensively farmed. The biodiversity explosion that has happened as a result is very inspiring. I think the quest for us to find balance between meeting our food needs & keeping nature thriving has never been more important & is fascinating.

[@reptilianskin]

Anyone that is not living in a condo and has a backyard should really consider vegetable garden. I grew up with a backyard garden. I continue with this tradition to this day. It’s satisfying.

[@lucblanchard4116]

I know people living in apartments growing vegetable gardens on their patios!

[@CADesignStudio]

I have a pretty large raised patio garden at my apartment

[@fatherofpie5763]

you know when we bought our first house, I started a garden because my first son was super picky about eating veggies, and I heard that kids will eat what they pick. guess what? it was absolutely true. my sons both ate beans and peas and carrots and zuchinni all straight from our garden because THEY planted it, THEY watered it, THEY weeded it.

[@strawman3059]

It's a great feeling going out and checking how much everything has grown every day! My first this year

[@DahTiiteri]

I just built one for my parents house last year, and it has seen a lot of use 👍🏼

[@nicolek4076]

Your enthusiasm, Shawn, is so infectious. I'm enjoying your talks enormously. It takes mastery of your subject material to speak coherently off the cuff, as you do.

[@frederickmoller]

I grew up in a part of Timmins ON that was a small village that had huge yards, and many European families including my German one. All the European families had big gardens, but the Canadian families did not, and I actually remember them 'mocking' us for having gardens as they said ' That's what Grocery stores are for', sheesh. This was in the late 1950s, and IMO they thought that we were 'Backward Heathens', but again IMO, these Canadians were the 'Backward Heathens', but I am seeing now that they are growing gardens, are they Backward like us now, it seems like it!

[@MmntechCa]

I've noticed this too. My family is English. Immigrated in the late 50's. We've always had some kind of veggie garden. Ours isn't that big, but I've got tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, cucumbers, celery, and red currants growing. With all the rain we've had in Southern Ontario, everything's looking very healthy. Also got a whole assortment of herbs in pots and some beds. While gardening is getting more popular due to the lockdowns, most of my Canadian neighbours might only have a few tomatoes in pots, if that. I've also noticed that it's only Europeans who tend to dry their clothes outside. Our dryer only gets used in the summer for large items too big to fit on our little umbrella line.

[@lindanwfirefighter4973]

I keep trying to tell my coworkers to prepare. To learn survival skills. How to start a fire, grow a garden. But at LEAST keep 3 months of food in their house. They always laughed at me and ridiculed me! They said the same thing...”that’s what grocery stores are for”. As things god worse because of CV and they couldn’t get toilet paper etc they came to me! Than they said if the grocery stores run out of food I am coming to your house. I warned them not to! They said they would. I told them I will shoot them dead. They laughed thinking I was joking. I was not joking. At some point you have be accountable for,your own stupidity.

[@jackiewille597]

@@lindanwfirefighter4973 I am confused by your beliefs. How does your belief in the generosity of God match up with your belief that you can shoot your neighbors dead for asking you to share what you have?

[@lindanwfirefighter4973]

@@jackiewille597 it lines up perfectly. I’m guessing you haven’t read the Bible eh? I’m guessing that you don’t know what Jesus ordered his disciples to do as one of the last things he said to them? Also it is “ Thou shalt not MURDER” and not “Thou shalt not kill”! Killing is perfectly fine. For example I have the right to kill someone breaking into my house. I have the right to stop a person assaulting another person and if need be to end the threat to that others persons life kill the person assaulting them. If shit hits the fan and you want to open your house to every moron that didn’t bother preparing go right a head I will not be so stupid as that.

[@mbbuckeyes8386]

What’s IMO?. Canadian phase eh?

[@majcorbin]

[Q] Why do grass fed Angus Colorado beef prefer grazing in the Marijuana fields? [A] It is a classic case of the POT calling the cattle BACK

[@laytonb7]

Nice premise … Colorado Black Angus like the fermented silage juice … so its actually: The Black Label Cattle Society … The Marijuana GreenHouses silage and compost feed pigs, sheep and goats … so its: Pig in the Pot, Wigged out Wool & Sativa Sheep Shit, then Ganga in the Goats Beard !

[@cherrydowns7745]

LMBO!!

[@robertweldon7909]

I know someone will have stuff to say about bringing plants from other places, even if they are native. Your ideas of increasing the biodiversity in your area are quite interesting. Remember that this is your home and just like your "city" property, it is up to you as to what is done with it. Bring in plants that improve the place, attract wildlife that is not there, and make the world a better place for all living things, in the process. As others have said, "you are a good steward of the land". Keep going, never stop, because we all are learning from you. ;-)

[@sydneyevans2637]

@Marcel Paul Amen, Marcel ! I can relate.

[@jamiemueller1881]

It does my soul good to see those caterpillars, Shawn! Butterflies are rapidly following bees into the abyss of extinction. I've filled my suburban yard with plants that attract them. Too many affect sterile yards of "perfect" lawn without one damn blooming thing. You're doing the right things on all fronts.

[@DragonflyenAmber]

I think I have only seen one bee so far this summer (I'm in East York) I've planted all kinds of pollinator friendly flowers around my veggies and really hoping that they have been visiting when I'm not here. Things took a long time to get going here too, I thought for sure my garden was a bust so I planted extra seeds, I ended up giving away a bunch of tomatoe plants. Your gardens are looking great, lots of food for winter! Enjoy fishing for the rest of us LOL

[@MichaelJosephJr934]

I recently bought a 1 acre wooded property and I was pulling out the milkweed then I learned about the Monarch Butterfly needing this badly. Since then I'm letting them grow wild.

[@dlspiritdancer9548]

Milkweed is medicinal. The milk is used like asa. You can boil down to make a rub etc. A very good plant.

[@mgsfeu1]

...there are many ways to leave a footprint in the world. Your choice is among the best

[@axlent123]

Hey, loved this video! Loved hearing about your interest in biodiversity… I’m a suburban homeowner. Lots of lawns.. ya know… Bought the house I grew up in from my parents. Cut down a few old trees, planted a garden. Made a hugelculture raised flower bed out of some of those logs… covering over some of the old lawn. Threw down a bunch of wood chips in the backyard. I kept some lawn for future grandkids and backyard picnics, but I like my garden and my wildflower patch and my lavender and cacti and banana trees and palm tree and roses and clematis and honeysuckle and trumpet vines and… wait, I need to do a written inventory of all plants…I’m starting to think that I’m turning into a gardener… (even got my first mason bee nest this year).. Anyways, I love these plant and animal videos as much as your build videos... keep up the good work, my friend!

[@shannonc4939]

One person can/really does make a difference in nature.

[@maryblaylock6545]

If we each try to improve and nurture our little corner of the world eventually those corners are going to start meeting and animals will have their natural trails again. And I think we all, animals and people, will be a lot healthier and happier

[@HD-fc4ds]

nope

[@murrayandru7527]

Well done Mr. James your doing It ALL..... Very well !!! Appreciate you , Thank you for Sharing ! Take Care of You and Family . Kudos !

[@meen-r.d.7500]

I can't recognize what kind of birds are singing making the background music for this beautiful video, but I love their magnificent symphony. Thanks Shawn for giving me the opportunity to enjoy nature even though it's through my tv and cellphone.

[@cynthiaredenius8507]

Thank you for helping the butterflies and bees! When I was growing up I would see butterflies everywhere now I see none! I'm going to get some milk weed and put it in my garden!

[@peggydwyer1932]

swallowtails butterflies eat dill, carrot tops and parsley. Plant some of that for them as well! I think even Queen Anne's lace would do, and it's a wild native.

[@janetnewbill291]

I live in Tennessee in the country the deer are abundant this year they are every where day and night.. I went to a store came back through and a baby fawn was running so cute.

[@joangibson859]

Nice glimpse of pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata). The milkweed color makes me think it is the swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). Keep in mind that the climate is still rebounding from the last glaciation.

[@ruthscott5166]

Great Plans Shawn. I love that you are planting for bees and butterflies as well as your management plans for the forest! You are making a wonderful contribution to saving our world.

[@Lurchtacular]

That milkweed is a great medicinal crop too. If memory serves it can be used for pain. (Not poisonous like the old wives tales)

[@marianfrances4959]

Then again, the old wives were/are the herbalists.

[@maryblaylock6545]

Milkweed DOES have toxins however they can be removed. The flower buds can be picked and plunged into boiling water cooked for about five minutes then drained out and put in ice cubes and water until chilled then repeat the whole process two more times with clean water. After the last chill down I made a tempura batter, dipped in the clusters and quick fried them. Delicious! Reminds me of broccoli! My kids loved that treat. We were ridiculously poverty stricken at the time. Cat tail shoots peeled and blanched we ate with home made Catalena dressing.

[@tagladyify]

Lots of medicinal herbs are toxic of not used properly. Elderberry is also toxic if not exposed to heat and or fermentation process before being consumed. The pharmaceutical industry was key in the removal of much of that knowledge and in still suppressing it today. Their massive profits come from isolating, concentrating and mimicking natural compounds found in plants so that they can patent them and make a lot of money. It’s important to get this knowledge back, as many are doing and equally important to be cautious until we do with the amazing plants in our environment. Some have retained significant knowledge and others relearned it, but most of us are in the infant stages of herbal knowledge that our grandparents and great grandparents had as common knowledge.

[@joedipietro8134]

umm milkweed is poisonous, dont use it for meds.

[@Lurchtacular]

@@joedipietro8134 if you do proper prep work, it's not

[@sandratweedale2579]

Fascinating Shawn. Like a science class for those of us that snoozed during those classes 😜. More mature now. and appreciate what that level of consciousness means. And you are much more fun to pay attention to and of course we love your cute assistant called Cali. Enjoy your time alone in your beautiful surroundings. No doubt there’ll be some lovely drone footage

[@martyevans8162]

Shawn, you never miss a beat in planning ahead....on anything....so no surprise to the rest of us that you are already looking at reforesting your property for “ 85 years “ from now....and for helping the continuation of species of little critters 😊 so nice. We need more wonderful, thoughtful people like you !!! Enjoy your fishing trip.

[@paulevans4469]

I agree with the other comments. I enjoy this new homestead and watching your plans become a reality. I do wonder about your preparation for winter. Not only the new cabin but dry fire wood.

[@willbritton133]

I’m a biologist and a birder. I love hearing about your wildlife and especially the birds! I would love to hear more about your birdwatching!

[@screamindemon811]

Well you picked a pretty nice spot for the new homestead by the looks of it while it was a shame to see the old homestead and cabin go, it's like a do over and your can make the little improvements you couldn't do at the old place at the new place. Your off to a great start so far, Ilike what you have done, some very clever ideas have popped up in the videos and you look to have picked an area that has an abundance of not only nice scenery but what nature has to offer in plants and fauna and then you have the variety of wildlife in your area. There are alot of people that would have got a dozer in and just started clearing land, I think we all admire how careful you have thought to take what you need to build and make a homestead but to also help the land continue to thrive and grow All worth watching and I am enjoying every minute of it all

[@margreetanceaux3906]

The Netherlands is famous for greenhouse horticulture, where nowadays bumblebees are used for pollination - you can even buy a colony.

[@almathees3839]

You are a good steward of ur land! I enjoy watching u build your life in the wild! Best to you!❤️🌻

[@metalmartha2571]

Yes! I wish everyone in my neighbourhood would plant a damn tree! Walled in my garden/ backyard space with trees almost tall enough to block out the battle of the lawns… You’re living the dream! Jealous in Saskatchewan🤘🏻 so I guess I’ll have to vicariously live through your channel LOL

[@Hangs4Fun]

Maybe you've inspired a new subdivision contest, lets call it "Habitat of the Month" instead of "Yard of the Month" :-) This could be a grass roots effort, literally, lol

[@newlycreated1864]

My neighbors randomly started a yard of the month award. I'm sure it's because I couldn't care less. I've thought about sticking a sign on my lawn that says "natural area. No mowing. Except when I give a crap." Now I'm thinking I should award myself with the "habitat of the month" award. I can paint on a stake and stick it into the ground too 😂😂😂

[@susanpremo8068]

So you do answer some folks. Huh. Hope all is well in Ontario.

[@dragonslayer7587]

I'm thrilled to see someone care about NOT only themselves, but the nature around you.... I'm doing the same in the Mountains of North Carolina. I want my foot print to be small... Yet, I've got to sustain myself and family. You have taught me a lot, and for that, I'm grateful!

[@noel111]

Hai shawn,Thank you for being in touch,I am a naturalist at heart,so log cabins,tree houses,and the lot are my thing...I discovered these channels by chance and now I am hooked🤗 its my getaway from the global crisis that we are still in...Anyway look forward to seeing more of your videos...Stay Safe...n

[@shaunarae00]

Awwww I love watching birds too! It always brings me up when I am feeling down!

[@suezaple4950]

thanks for explaining Biodiversity , i planted many types of tree's in my yard as well, to attract the various , i also put in a large pond and pond plants, flowers to attract butterflies and birds ... You have a beautiful property which is getting better each time I view your video's I have also started growing vegetables , I do have to learn in how to prune the various ones such as tomatoes and bell peppers for two. been trying to find the info on KZbin . Thanks for an informative video Shawn enjoyed this .

[@pamelafeather6405]

a very wise horticulture teacher once told me "You can do a lot in 10 years", and I have proven that indeed, more than once. I wish the best of life and luck with your growing project and land management.

[@jeanadamsick9854]

Thanks Shawn, for taking a conscious, active view & action, for care of nature around you as well a the land. Do take care. Fl., USA

[@Thrash230723]

Ever since the fall, we’re all trying to get back to the garden.

[@jeanettec6212]

I love your layout of your property. It has the backyard feel. Im sure the forest loves you. I wonder if you will ever harvest honey. I hope Emily is doing good, I miss her uploads. Your garden is amazing and I bet it feels so achieving to walk in there and harvest in such a beautiful layout. Does it stay cooler then outdoors? Anyway have a great week Shawn, always.

[@aryanahartwell3801]

Shawn said that honey bees are not natural to that environment so I doubt he’ll harvest honey.

[@jeanettec6212]

@@aryanahartwell3801 ok thank you. I must of missed that.

[@TheBushcraftontario]

I enjoy just listening to you Shawn, I wish I had more friends that I can have these talks with. You fill in a very important part of my life.

[@CC-xk6cp]

Hi again SHAWN Thx for your update and explanation of your plans. As always everything you do is carefully thought through and it's wonderful to hear all of the excitement you have for your tasks at hand. Will be so fun to tag along with you as you've been working toward your goals for some time now. I've enjoyed every moment for these years and look so forward to continuing. A big adventure for sure... You and Cali stay safe!

[@tamaragonzalez2227]

Bumble bees are wonderful and they do kill wasps. If one does not bother them they do not bother you. My Mother raised on a farm was delighted when a Bumble bee nest set up where I was raised.

[@WallyHunter1875]

Love my own land… the nature, home grown food, hunting, fishing etc. also love climate control, dehumidifiers, and all the creature comforts of my over insulated home with a buffer surrounding it for bugs and critters. To each their own! Love your videos!

[@joedipietro8134]

ive planted lots of milkweed, golden rod, blazing star, ll different species of native flowers on my property, along with red orser dogwood, sumac, service berry and elderberry trees. and im still not finished re wilding my property.

[@Christodophilus]

I'm not surprised the berries escaped frost damage. They're normally protected by the edges of the forest canopy. The bigger the forest, the more protection. Any charcoals you make, spread in the sand where you grow stuff too. They retain nutrients and moisture, for longer than sand. Anyway, I wish you well on the Eden project.

[@bendelliott]

You rock Shawn. Really enjoy seeing and hearing about everything you're doing!

[@rebeccalay119]

Been gardening for about 2 decades and at first I had few pollinators. Now the hives and butterflies just seem to know that my garden comes out every year.

[@ekaos5099]

I've been sub'd since you were laying up your roof on the old place. All I can say is: Keep on with your dream, and keep close to your family, as those two ideals are all we have in life.

[@melodytenisch6232]

Looking forward to see what you're doing. Wonderful journey! Many thanks for sharing it.👵😊🌻❤🐕 Have fun fishing!👍

[@danielluma2948]

I planted a blackberry plant that has no thorns witch is good and this year it has grown into a big bush and is producing lot's of blackberries we will have lot's of jam this year. They are red and big can't wait until they are black.

[@Legendary-lp5dg]

Good morning Shawn, have a wonderful and blessed day. Stay safe.

[@gusviera3905]

Thanks, Shawn and I hope you had a great day fishing. Cheers.

[@timkeagy4094]

I live in Southern California and as I type, the bees and hummingbirds feed on my plants in the backyard. We have a diverse backyard also with fruit trees and tropical plant’s throughout. We have a massive Hibiscus and loads of bees now and will last into the fall as an example. As far as large wildlife we have Coyotes, Mule Deer in abundance and Mountain Lion. A town east of me actually got the ok from the state to build a wildlife corridor that will cross over the 101 freeway as the deer and lion travel to other wilderness areas I live. I constantly see Deer now where a few years ago, it was sparse and I’ve seen a couple lion too in the far distance. The Bear are in the big mountains to the north.

[@cynthiaredenius8507]

Catch a big fish! Wish I was there to go fishing too!

[@ccb5105]

We bought a new construction on what was essentially a scorched Earth Method of clearing land (1 acre plots). I do focus on the best grass war, but within the first year we’ve planted 160+ trees and a small fruit farm. Both can be done IMO.

[@andrewBwinter]

Interesting to hear about hazelnuts in your forest. Ferrero actually engaged my alma mater, University of Guelph, to develop a hazelnut tree for Canada so they didn't have to rely on Turkey and the middle east for supply.

[@marianfrances4959]

LOL!

[@Schnickelfritz]

Hello from your neighbor in the U.P.! I enjoy and am learning from your new site information, as I am similarly restoring a native meadow on my acreage from the invasive buckthorn, honeysuckle and barberry that overtook it. I am finally winning the battle and enjoy the huge wildflower meadow it has become, complete with milkweed, mullein, thistle, more butterflies than I could ever count, and so on! I’m even starting to see a few fireflies and bumblebees lately. So, kudos to you and thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@genefoust5569]

A joy to video can't wait for a longer video thanks👋🐕

[@JuanjoMaglione]

Although I still can't understand your speech, Shawn, because KZbin still doesn't enable translated subtitles, my experience is having planted about 100 trees on my little 12m x 36m property, my little artificial forest. The distance between trees is about 2 m on average. They are still young, they are 2.5 m tall and their trunk does not reach 5 cm, but a micro ecosystem of birds and insects of the most varied has already been generated. It is an amazing thing.

[@bryan17293]

The grass thing really bugs me, I like wild flowers. I'm in that scalped lawn venue in town. At 71 my gutters get plants growing, can't keep up with the Jones and don't try. I have wild life I enjoy sharing with them. They bring me flowers and I feed them all I can. With trash containers full on trash day mine is always mostly empty. People are very wasteful these days. I try to keep the front yard trimmed but the backyard is all critter play ground. Many birds squirrel and a few feral cats I feed. They are too fat to hunt. Many trees still in area and many nests on down spouts off gutters every year. I for one could easily adapt to country living. I have and loved everyday. At my age I'm just enjoying nature more and more. Cities suck.

[@zekemedia1310]

Agree with your post, I live in the woods and having the best time of my life. I am a little older than you, 74. My neighbours are bears, coyotes and other wildlife, best neighbours ever

[@maryblaylock6545]

At 71 I live a little too close to the cities. However I decided on my little place to have gardens both flowers and veggies and then what my neighbors call my weeds. For the birds and butterflies I grow milkweed and thistle and some curly dock. Before the plague hit I was a volunteer gardener. Blessings on you and your family and friends and any livestock and wildlife you might have wandering around the house and yard .

[@DragonflyenAmber]

It irritates me to no end how much folks like to try to control everyone else's yard and dictate what you can and can't plant or how your yard is 'supposed' to look. My dad told me about the victory garden they had in their yard, back and front in Scarborough when he was young. If I can't have a homestead like Shawn's then that is the kind of home I want. To heck with the neighbours LOL

[@karenminckler4198]

@@DragonflyenAmber that’s okay but I have my mothers house in the city and they got after me for the way it looked. My son had to trim and cut it. If not I would be fined.

[@gregsanderson2470]

When we bought our house 3 1/2 years ago it was standard issue grass. Now 6 kinds of berries, figs, 4 types of friut trees. Trellises over the driveway and ramp with grapes, kiwi, tomatoes and beans. Nine foot tall roses , we harvest the pedals, and hips. Several kinds of mint. We mow the left over grass for pathways, through the pollenator garden. Oh the mint smells great when mowed. The concrete drive is being lined with raised beds for annual vegs. If I can you can too.

[@sharleenparrino2297]

Greetings from Portland Oregon Shawn! Another awesome informative video! Any poison oak or ivy on your property! Glad no ticks there!👍 You rock! I’m a sub lifer! Blessings to you and yours! ✝️🌹😎🏕☕️

[@ShawnJames1]

Nope :)

[@daneshepherd5534]

can you give us an overhead picture of new homstead so we can conceptualize the layout of home, kitchen outhouse and indoor garden. Thanks. Love the beauty, it's health saving to watch.

[@darlenekozlovskis6907]

Here in Massachusetts, we encourage the wildlife at my home, birds, etc.i don't have a green thumb for vegies. Wish I did

[@JJ-fm3hr]

I am the same with veggies . . i plant flowers and shrubs for the pollinators . . . my HOA neighbors are not pleased with my "shaggy" yard but the bees, wasps and butterflies and the like are thrilled

[@jackiecosta7620]

just try it … wear gloves and start a small section of a few veggies you enjoy eating… you might surprise yourself !

[@bobobrien8968]

Thanks for another visit with nature. My daughter in law started collecting butterfly eggs, watching them hatch into caterpillars , then become cocoons then open into beautiful monarchs. She has them in a special screened box with milkweed. The process is amazing to watch. Of course she will be letting them have their freedom.

[@maryreynolds5310]

I think it’s fantastic what plans you have for your property, and for the future. Thank you! Totally enjoyed the conversation today, and of course I always enjoy listening. I though have been curious about the stuff you spoke about …good to know, and wow, a few things I didn’t know and wish it were the same here in my neck of the woods. You have a great rest of the week! Hello to your beautiful family 🌞 Peace and love always ✌🏻

[@lynnbarnes1184]

Besides when you let milkweed grow when they bloom the smell is amazing

[@marianfrances4959]

LOL on losing the lawn war! What a great talk, today. Thanks, Shawn! Keep on shining bright. 🐾🪶🐞🐝🦋🐻🌲🇨🇦

[@phrayzar]

Great perspective. Many think of wild spaces as game and visible animals. Real it starts at the microscopic levels and extends out through the whole biodiversity of the ecosystem.

[@profilmmaker]

I'm with many others, that my heart broke for you having to leave your last cabin property, but I am super grateful for the new location and the information you are sharing. This is exactly what I'm looking to do with my future property and I have a feeling many many people all over the world are wanting to do the same. I often wonder if you know the impact you have on people who didn't grow up in a forest or homestead. Without folks like you to teach us and show us we would be truly hindered in more ways than we can count. So thank you and very much excited about the same things you express excitement for in this video. Im looking forward to seeing your home flourish.

[@safaaalhabashy9484]

I like your persistence and dependence on yourself and watching your videos, we enjoyed a lot Best greetings from Egypt⚘

[@BCGandyman]

I look forward every day to your videos Mr. James, Thank You, from a fellow Canadian outdoor enthusiast

[@patrich9225]

I love your new place, and all of the things you are doing their. If I was younger this is exactly what I would do. If more people had this attitude the world would be a better place. Love your videos.

[@paulward4717]

Always interested in the off-grid lifestyle you have. Totally living vicariously through you.

[@lidiak.9421]

Bless you for caring about creatures..great or small..and of course the trees...nature...good heart you have!

[@Thegoldenbliss]

Oh! We are interested! Thanks for all the ways we can improve even a backyard.

[@peterxtrahan]

Please show a drone shot or sketch of overhead schematic of the homestead.