You Are Not Failing | Content Creators Aren't Showing You The REAL Truth

I get tired of seeing everything picture perfect on social media. That is not reality, this is reality.
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[@Michelle.Robinette]

Amen! I needed this video right now and thank you. As a viewer, What inspired me to move more rural and start a garden and try to start home steading were the videos from like you and roots and refuge where I could connect with the average person and how see examples and gardens that weren't perfect, so thank you for bringing this back. This is what's some of us need to get our drive back too, not the pretty pictures. Love ya'll ❤

[@georgesmith1938]

If we aren’t making mistakes we aren’t learning

[@DistrustUS]

100% facts! Thanks for being real. My garden was horrible this year. I’ve had to tell myself it’s not just me.

[@thegardentillerboy1244]

Our garden was horrible too!

[@TheRoadprincess]

It’s not just any of us. Things happen in the natural world, and the “weather control” elements that they shoot into the air are affecting plant growth, the new type of chlorine in a lot of water supplies affects plant growth. Hang in there!

[@ReeceS6419]

I couldn't believe how horrible our garden was this year! I'm glad I'm not the only one. I won't have any green beans to can this year and cucumbers never even got started. So sad after all my work and expense. 😓😢

[@nvater1]

I’d rather see what’s going wrong so I can learn too

[@blondiegt72024]

Me too! 😊 Glad he's keeping it real!

[@herbertjanzen3707]

Our large garden is full of canola weeds and thistles. The “perfect “ neighbour hates it and threatens to report us. But as we just moved in we cannot tackle everything at once.

[@michellebogle5428]

My neighbors DID report me. I got a code enforcement offiharassing. Very harrassing.

[@jessicaschade2964]

We love seeing the REAL homesteading life, keep it coming!

[@momlifeonpurpose]

We started our homestead in 2020 when we moved to a couple acres. Every year I call it an "experiment," because it is and that perspective keeps me out of perfectionism. This is the first year I didn't do a spring garden, and I was tempted to feel guilty until I realized hey, I can plant for fall too. So that's what I did. There is the temptation to compare even to our own harvests from previous years and it sucks. This past year we added chickens, we lost my dad and my husband's dad. It's just been a really challenging season. I am a content creator myself and I hesitate to show the real. Thanks for the inspiration to keep going, one day at a time, with grace, and to be real. I believe people need to see the real. God bless.

[@halfcenturyfarm607]

This might just be my favorite Stivers video EVER. Thank you SO much.

[@rebelchildshomestead]

I support you! Sometimes we just need the right inspiration, I'm so happy you found yours! ❤

[@blackbearhomestead]

Agree 🎉❤

[@TheRoadprincess]

I agree!

[@vmr1027]

Seeing your garden like that makes me feel so much better to know I’m not alone because mine looks the same right now!

[@sunshine6729]

Thank You for this video! I am in a season where everything I put my hand to falls apart or fails! I’m trying my best but I’m just tired of trying. I know better days are coming and I’m not giving up just catching my breath. Thank You for keeping it real and letting me know I am not the only one.

[@marieboisselle8684]

When you said your dog was going thru a fugly period, I fell out!😂 I love how real y'all are! Thank you for sharing your life with us! ❤

[@thehumblehomestead734]

Thank you for this!!! I pride myself on the transparency of my channel (as poorly ran as it is 🤪) I just posted a video the other day about the hot mess of my garden (and entire life really) ……I felt like I was whining, because I felt defeated and alone. I need more real people in my life!!!💛🌱

[@lorikrafft8197]

I so appreciate hearing you talk about the real things. Things are never perfect. For me this year my garden didn’t do well. I lost all my tomato plants from Wilt. The vine boar is eating all my squash. It’s a struggle, makes me wanna give up gardening. I still have my chickens they’re doing good, but it’s not always Rosie

[@ahtemmathehun3506]

Tornadoes, hail, straight winds, watering system failures, predator attacks, low protein feed, hard ground, soft ground and wonky weather have made this a rough year. That's not including the house we live, that's just the outside stuff. This has been a year of lessons. Learning that the best compost in the world can't compensate for horrible raised bed mix. Learning that an excellent coop can't withstand a tornado throwing another coop on top of it. Or that despite your best efforts, raccoons will find a way. Hang in there yall, we're all in this together! God bless!

[@mrs.hiddenheightsfarm9119]

I completely agree with showing the reality, the good, the bad and the ugly.

[@wandarios]

I got a chuckle when you said “What’s wrong with that goat?” 🤷🏽‍♀️ I don’t know, it just hit me funny. Keep on keeping on! BLESSINGS!!!

[@amberkuehn9115]

I've failed at everything I've touched this year. 😪 lost half my baby chickens to coccidiosis and my garden flooded this spring not just once. Made it hard to get in the garden. I'm still at it! Yes I have a junk pile or two. 😂 love the content ❤

[@lydiamitchell6814]

My garden was a fail for several reasons this year! I have a garden every year… but not this year. Next year will be a fresh start! 😊

[@judithwentz6715]

I'm having the same problem with lack of desire for the garden. I am 70 and take care of my great granddaughter every day which took a lot of time away from the garden.. I wouldn't change her for the world. I have chickens to care for. I know how you are feeling. God bless you.

[@destinyandpurpose]

I get that way every year around the end of July. It gets hot, weeds take over, have to water every day, and trying to get all of the produce put up and canned takes it out of me. I watched a video from Jess the other day that helped me, she said sometimes you just have to let the low end drag, meaning she prioritizes the top few and the rest are at the low end and will just have to drag. I loved that!

[@Aprilx2]

Love the kitty posse 😂

[@DenisdJones-nk9qm]

Life hit us. Garden full of weeds, no rain, bugs and still getting some food.

[@simplyrobyn3887]

These real/raw videos you're doing are SO GOOD! LOVE THEM, Zach! Thank you!

[@TracyC88]

Very honest, uplifting, and encouraging message that many need to hear. Thank you!

[@annacummings6566]

I love seeing the "imperfections". Once a KZbinr gets too fancy and perfect, I can no longer relate to them and I lose interest. Love you guys ❤

[@Candylandavenue1]

Zach, thank you for making this video. My garden is nothing but weeds this year & I have felt awful & ashamed of it. My dad passed away 2 months ago & before he died, he was very sick & I took care of him until his last breath. This has been such a terrible year & I’ve lost my passion as well. Hoping for a better garden season next year.

[@karenbarrows6127]

My mother died when your dad died . Same circumstances. I kept say8bg tomorrow I'll feel like it, tomorrow I'll feel like it. Well I never did. I've felt guilt since and don't know where to restart

[@MessinAround415]

Sorry for your loss

[@lastchancehomestead5116]

Sorry for both your loss, give your self the grace to heal and grieve the garden will be there when your ready. I'm sure it will seem like a mountian to climb but just take it one minute at a time and remember to breathe.

[@lastchancehomestead5116]

​@karenbarrows6127 maybe a fall garden and just do a small space. That you can maintain easily and slowly put the rest to bed for next spring as you get the energy. Maybe that will satisfy your gardening heart on a scale you can handle but also give yourself the grace that if you can't today the garden will always be there tomorrow and if mother nature takes it over so be it it isn't a failure just time you needed to heal.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Many people show the real deal. We do. I can't hate on those that want to just show the fun things because to be honest, jerks come out of the woodwork to point out what you did wrong. It's a lot sometimes. Each person has to be responsible for themselves when it comes to researching how these things are done. We can't blame other people for our lack of due dilligence. Get a mentor. Don't rely on social media to be your mentor. And if you have to, those that show the good and the bad are out here.

[@valentinaleissler4212]

My garden has SUCKED this year! I have 4 tomato plants ( live by myself). I think I have 2-3 tomatoes on each plant if lucky! My lettuce were totally devastated, herbs doing ok. I will fill in my pantry gaps with farmstand produce or canned goods…. Belly up this season! Blessings to you all🌺

[@miscellaneousme]

So glad to see the comments. My garden also had a TON of fails this year. Things we’ve done just fine in years past have been awful this year.

[@shellyholdren6120]

Totally!!! We moved, rather abruptly, and my 8 year garden sold in 5 days...the new owners are reaping the rewards, and I am happy they love it, but I moved to deer land, its been over 100 nearly two months, had to re home my chickens and my garden is now a straggly tomato in a pot, a stringy cucumber in a green stalk and I am just trying to keep some potted flowers alive! But, my pantry is full as evidenced by the insane packing of canned jars and God is good! Thanks for being real!

[@thegardentillerboy1244]

Thank you for sharing the truth...this truth actually encourages others like myself. There's a large difference between truth and failure! Much love from The Garden Tiller Boy's mom 🥰

[@unleashnow226]

My garden sucks this year & that is okay. I had surgery and what I got planted isn’t doing great. With the way the world is, I WANTED a huge garden haul this year, but nope. 🤷‍♀️ I’m glad You got Dolly fixed up, as ANIMAL HOSPITAL manager, WE SAW MAGGOT CITIES in dog’s behind, tailed sheep behinds, so many place & it is disgusting, but some people don’t even notice long hair mat’s up back there to where they CAN go! Keep rockin’ Life isn’t perfect all the time❤️

[@rainerounduphomestead8942]

Definitely in the same boat! Last year’s garden was the biggest and best we’ve ever had! This year, our big garden was flooded twice 😳 and now it’s dealing with heat stress 😢 So, at this point, we are just preparing for next year. We’re going to put raised beds in the big garden so we don’t have to deal with flooding next year 🤷‍♀️

[@lonettaolson321]

I think you and Jen are doing amazing things. I love watching you both.

[@kelleymccoy7456]

I've watched for many years you guys have always shown the good the bad and the ugly. That is one of the reasons I have continued to watch that and Jens smile and giggles

[@sandydaniels2668]

My 30 x 45 garden area is loaded with invasive species that I can’t get rid of. I have about 20 plants in a small area of it because I can’t deal with it anymore. My garden isn’t containers so I’m over it.

[@TheGlutenFreeHomesteader]

I REALLY appreciate videos like this. My tomato plants are tiny and my peppers are barely producing. I keep looking at the stuff all around my house and become overwhelmed. Especially watching some youtube channels. Just as you said, they only show the pretty side. The side where everything is perfect. It can be extremely discouraging. Thank you for being real!!! It not only helped this homesteader, but I'm sure many others. Great video!!!!

[@MarshaShelley-t3n]

My garden this year is not doing good. Tomato and pepper plants struggling big time. Getting no size to carrots or beets. Squash that survived the bugs, are doing well.

[@deecooper1567]

Yes, it’s been a hard year yet one foot in front of the other just to keep going. With TBI 🧠 things become overwhelming quickly & I just want to give up. But I just plug along in low gear. ⭐️💫👵🏻👩‍🌾❣️

[@freerangegardening]

I am sooo glad you did this video. Because I have hit that point that I’m questioning my passion for gardening. Now I won’t be so ashamed to show the reality of my garden too. Thank you for being real and honest. It is truly appreciated. Stay rooted!!

[@scapingreality]

Feeling the garden struggle too

[@jessicaethridge3095]

I’m so glad to hear someone else say this. I felt so bad for our garden being 👎🏻 this year. We have just not had the drive to do it with everything going on in the world these days, and haven’t had the time having to work like crazy just to survive 😢

[@CindyOrangeNeely]

LOL...Love the junk pile!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for this video...I sure do appreciate you showing your garden and letting us see that it's not perfect. I don't watch KZbinrs who only show their perfect gardens just for the exact reason you stated...feeling like a failure. We need to see how real it is when plants die or seedlings don't come up so that we know what to expect. Life is not perfect!

[@sylviaking314]

Good evening, I have had great garden seasons and terrible garden seasons. It just happens, weather, soil. Gosh I think it's fine to admit we have those times!!

[@staceywishart9971]

This is 100% real! Last year the property next to us was clearcut running field rats over on our property and they consumed everything I grew last year. It was a nightmare. I threw in the towel. It’s been a much better year this year.

[@kathsch8966]

Thank you for this video. My life is real and its a mess most times. I let my garden go, got a spurt of energy and planted a few things which I can't find now due to the weeds from the last few weeks of rain. I'm dealing with a dog with a torn cruciate & meniscus, one senior dog with incontinence issues and 3 other wild ones. I have many of those days of no motovation. I watch KZbinrs with perfect gardens and perfect lives and its depressing. They make you think you should be perfect all the time which I know is not attainable or real. Your video just gave me permission to be happy being me in my messy life. Thank you!

[@johnreginahenderson7032]

Thank you Zack! Needed this today!😊Regina

[@homeschool2homestead305]

Thank you for showing me your weeds in your garden... Last year I had a baby during summer and skipped my garden season. I was so excited to get back to 100% in my gardens. Well, now I have a 1yr old and have a garden full of weeds. Thank you for making this video and allow me to relate.

[@maryproudamerican]

2 months of drought (may-june) made garden goals decrease.

[@America-zh6rv]

- the grounds need rest too - good for you all - rest and reset - love y’all just the same - lol-keep on doing you.

[@desertrestnv]

Thank you for the encouragement. Today I was hit with a very discouraging situation in my journey to off-grid living, AGAIN!! At first my thoughts went directly to, Forget This whole thing. Just sell it all and figure something else out. Because I am retired I can't do that and live decent with the income I have in California. I have to move out of the state. sheesh I feel like such a failure but truly it is not my fault. It is circumstances and all within God's plan. Something else to deal with but now I know I just have to run with it and watch God work it all out. Thanks for the opportunity to rant. Love y'all ❤❤

[@lattelolly6925]

You are absolutely right on Zack! Thanks for sharing.

[@laurahamm468]

I’m so happy you made this! I miss your videos about how to fix things, I’ve had a huge problem with herbs this year because of the rain, black dots all over my oregano and striped bugs on my lemon balm and cat nip. I searched for answers and no one answered me. It’s so frustrating so I googled.

[@laraeljohnson8518]

Thank you so much for the real truth in homesteading and life. Thank you for making great videos and your honest conversations. Take care.

[@wandarios]

Y’all are doing great. Being transparent is being real and honest. Everything is going to be alright. This is just another rung on the ladder. Keep climbing. BLESSINGS!!!

[@deniseoski6188]

Thank you for your comments and honesty. This is the first time I have ever commented to any creators page. Thank you for being honest and real. God Bless.

[@toniaagneessens224]

Very grateful for showing the real deal, your only human too. Some days you’ll feel not motivated as much but you still love what your doing. Appreciate you for this video. ❤😊 keep up the great work

[@lindalagarce8996]

True, true! What I would suggest is when you have an issue, like the goats, come up take videos and do a walk through as you address the issue and then once the conclusion is done, then post it. I think that would be most helpful. I don’t raise other animals, but have in the past. My husband passed away this summer so my garden has suffered as I focus has had to go toward a rental property to fix for income. I appreciate y’all and your candidness and honesty. Hugs and love from Texas!

[@Spool-Stead]

I love the train of cats behind you 😂 I appreciate you showing the bad side of homesteading.

[@gailwarfield9491]

Thank you for being honest! ❤

[@markohlmann2375]

I lost my garden drive this year as well your not alone.I just didn’t have it in me .

[@reneesmith9910]

Great video, thanks for sharing real life! You guys are one of my favorite homesteading channels, you're both funny, real, and you all enjoy life! "To everything there is a season"

[@glennarussell4682]

It's Ok. Seasons come and seasons go. The sun comes out each morning, bringing new and fresh beginnings along with it. God bless you and yours. Thumbs up and love from, S. California.

[@sherrygibson9544]

I LOVED this video, and needed it. Love you guys and thank you.

[@erinmorgan8546]

We still rent. Are currently trying to buy a home while the rates have dropped some for right now. I have 7 raised beds and three greenstalk planters. Started with 18 tomato plants. 6 of them have given me about 25 tomatoes so far. The rest don’t even have flowers on them. Everything has pretty much died. My greenstalks were beautiful but of course- my neighbor has a pool they left outside- empty. Wind caught it and knocked over all three of my beautiful full greenstalks. Picked them up and pretty much all of it has started to wither. I was soooooo defeated and pissed off about it. I haven’t watered in 3 days. The tomato plants are the only things I paid for this year and everything else was direct sowed. Just….annoying. God bless y’all. Stay safe and aware out there ❤

[@georgiakristine4224]

You guys are the real deal !! I feel you !! I had to take a step back too . My Dad entered hospice care and it has been 5 months of alot of ups and downs. I did get tomatoes ,a few cukes,some carrots and am so thankfulfor my small harvest. I just told myself let it rest and let it go. I'm too trying to figure things out. Take care Stivers you got this !

[@sharonmaresh]

Thank you for this message. It seems you picked a good year to step back from the garden. So many people I know say their gardens are weird this year and mine is no different, weird. I appreciate your honesty and transparency! 😊

[@Bindy36]

Love your flower garden. Yea I agree. Just do your own thing that makes you happy.

[@varseyhumphrey9748]

Such a true video!!! Several times I have thought of posting a video and then decide I don’t have the energy for this current worlds negativity!

[@desireegreer1987]

Thank you so much for this. Really needed to hear it. 💚

[@TheWoodlandGardener]

💯 This year the garden has done so poorly that I'm considering taking next year off (with a few small exceptions). Just to rest and work on improving the infrastructure and soil. Thank you for sharing your garden as it is, gives me a bit of reassurance that "it's not just me". And yes to the junk pile! 😂Hope you and Jenn are having a great week!

[@dawnjanes8171]

Love that you are So Real, Many other content creators only show and tell the Good, You, Just Real, Thank you

[@HeatherBanta]

I needed this today I appreciate your channel so much! Thank you!

[@tedhartley5766]

Thanks for showing your garden, lost my mom last October and tried to do it. I did get a harvest of peas! But everything got in late. In May I was dealing with pink eye in both eyes for 2weeks. I call my garden, Grace Garden. That is what I need to give myself. Diane Hartley

[@GenAcres]

Yep, got myself a pretty impressive junk pile, too!

[@maryippolito3627]

Thank you for being honest. Your right seeing all the good doesn’t help those that aren’t. ❤

[@thesongbirdhomestead4107]

My perfect, beautiful, tall corn is now laying down due to the last storm and high winds.. grrrrf

[@lainek9878]

I have had a horrible year! Garden, goats, baby birds. Good to know it's not just me!

[@Gigi-ty2jy]

Been subbed a long time. Not sure I have ever commented. You guys are so awesome and I want to thank you for doing this video. We are all learning together...succeeding together and failing together. We're at a critical point and people need to be encouraged to grow and /or raise some food. We should be lifting one another. We are in a bad season here. It's been a rough year (house fire). This was incredibly encouraging. God bless your family and homestead.

[@debrasfrugallife3703]

I live in nc . All around me is big farmers . They all complained about how their crops are looking bad . So i know its not me when it comes to my garden. This year all my plants are stunted in growth.

[@theresa6640]

1000% got several junk piles this year because we revamped and pulled down all kinds of things. I'll get through them one by one. And not a single garden but I have the biggest pumpkin plants ever with pumpkins that are going to be huge. Hopefully by spring I'll have things back to cleaned up and set for spring next year. But my chickens are producing, like crazy. LOL I'm so glad to see the regular videos are back. Worth a good listen! Thank you for sharing!😊

[@melissaaltizer8610]

Thank you for being real! Its hard to find that now days.

[@lauramcdaniel2253]

We all need to take a day/year off sometime.

[@deltorres2100]

You’re taking a Break from the Garden 🌱🌱I’m only 4 years deep ..but I understand.. I’m in Texas and I will tell you things have changed for me. I will do a spring garden, but I will skip pretty much all of this July. I have succession plan but I won’t actually take a break and then in August I will get rid of plants that are just not thriving , clean out the beds. I’m in the beds and I’ll start some cabbage and some garlic, but I’m not gonna do too much. I did awesome and it’s already starting to get winding down starting to get more disease on the plants. You have been for way longer than me so I understand that if you want to take a break or like he said you just wasn’t feeling it but that’s OK cause you never know it might come back next spring or fall. Who knows it’s all good. It’s your garden ,your land 🌱🌱

[@JenniferAllmendingerNDhouse]

Oh, we've got the junk pile. I also didn't feel like gardening this year. I did get some onions and garlic, but most were volunteer from last year. Just didn't feel it, but that's fine, our pantry is full. thank you for staying real.

[@1MzSyd1]

This year was awesome. But I had 2yrs back to back that was like this. One I failed the other discouraged, however this year has been a blessing. It will get better. Stay blessed 🙌 ty we all needed the reminder. ❤

[@tess5564]

Thank you for this ❤️

[@ladywolverine1828]

Thank you for being honest. This is why I follow your channel. Sending love and light 🫶

[@deeengstrom2055]

What a great video! We've been homesteaders since 1990. Some years are great, others aren't. I'm now 77 and have no animals and a much smaller garden than we used to. Even with my smaller garden this year I let it go to weeds. Why? I got it all planted and then had almost a month of muscle spasms in my right shoulder. By the it was over my garden was overgrown. I hate it but have I've just let it go and am gathering what actually grows in the weeds. Next year? Who knows! It's life on the homestead. I will stock my pantry with a trip to Aldi in the fall and see what next year brings.

[@annreese5100]

Appreciate the honesty. We’ve had mixed results this year, but we are learning.

[@SarahsAtticOfTreasures]

Awesome topic

[@greatdiscoveries2014]

My garden looks the same way too many family problems this spring so garden is a jungle

[@maureenda9niels325]

Thanks for always keeping it real!

[@beccasue2067]

Thank you for being you! ❤

[@donnahummel5765]

Amen. I was the same way about gardening. Didn't really try very hard. THANK You. God Bless 🙏.

[@mikelikesmee]

Keep on gardening on! ❤

[@nm5943]

Thanks for being real, i agree this is an awesome video. I applaud you for continued content and showing your real life. Life's hard, and we all struggle. I love seeing your life and love your products.

[@PrayereeFarm]

Amazing video...true and honest...we're right there with ya...KEEP SOLDIERING ON ❤❤

[@milliesilva603]

Thank you for your video. You made me feel better. Cause my garden isn't doing good.

[@jenmag0313]

Thanks Zack! Great video!!

[@destinyandpurpose]

My junk pile will be 1 year old in November. It is a bunch of totes filled with assorted garden stuff, pop up greenhouses, etc. covered with a big tarp sitting on my driveway right outside the basement door. I managed to plant out all of my raised beds without needing too much from under the tarp, lol. Garden looks like a jungle but I am harvesting some stuff. Nothing picture perfect here, or anywhere else. I do get why some choose not to show everything, there are lots of mouthy people who like to hide behind a keyboard and just be downright mean. Thank for always keeping it real Stivers fam!

[@GoFishOffice]

So so true ❤. Thank you for speaking it.

[@joyceswansey8116]

It is okay to pull back on anything you do. Some years you don’t need as big as a garden as you have in the pass. We learn from everything that happens in our live.❤