The REALITY of Maintaining a LARGE Food Garden

In this video, I share with you the reality of maintaining a large food garden and how many hours of work per week it takes to grow food and keep this type of homesteading lifestyle.
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Plant Doctor Fertiliser: Go to www.plantdoctor.com.au/ and use SSME10 = 10% off products (not shipping).
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Vegepod: vegepod.com.au/ Use code: SSM5 on checkout to get 5% off your purchase. Available in the UK, US, Canada, NZ, AUS, UAE, Germany, and Singapore.
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Aussie-made Forged garden tools: Go to gardentoolsaustralia.com.au/ and use code SSM10 for a 10% discount at checkout.
Harvest Right freeze dryer website: affiliates.harvestright.com/1...
For Australian freeze dryer purchase info, use the link above and contact Harvest Right directly.
Rolling Sifter: rollingsifter.ecwid.com/
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Self Sufficient Me is based on our small 3-acre property/homestead in SE Queensland, Australia, about 45kms north of Brisbane - the climate is subtropical (similar to Florida). I started Self Sufficient Me in 2011 as a blog website project where I document and write about backyard food growing, self-sufficiency, and urban farming in general. I love sharing my foodie and DIY adventures online, so come along with me and let's get into it! Cheers, Mark :)
*Disclaimer: Some links to products in this description and comments sections are affiliated, meaning I receive a small commission if you follow these links and then purchase an item. I will always declare in a video if the video is sponsored, and since starting my channel in 2011, I am yet to do a sponsored video.
#Gardening #homesteading #food

[@Selfsufficientme]

G'day Everyone, I hope you are all well - it won't stop raining here! You might have seen my appearance on ABC Gardening Australia @gardeningAustralia tonight if you are here in Oz; otherwise, I'm sure they will upload it to their KZbin channel soon. I thought GA did a great job editing the video and I was surprised at how young they made me look hahaha... Anyway, I hope you are all "getting into it" because that is the best way to de-stress and grow delicious healthy food! Cheers :)

[@dorgan881]

I always think I've made too much work for myself and should cut back but just can't do it. Seems gardening is in my blood and without it I feel something is missing. There are lots of perennial veggies and fruit trees that can provide lots without constant work. Having raised beds has really helped with back pain.

[@timbo1515]

Great feature tonight in GA! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nn2vXptsjKZnmdksi=ZFjfwKSS_-HPisT5

[@HGCUPCAKES]

Yep, the Gardening Australia episode showing you was uploaded before this one was lol. Let us know how your subs numbers go lol.

[@gaiagirlgoesglobal]

So thrilled to see your interview on GA. It was great. I knew you were a fellow veteran but never knew your story. Thank you for sharing. Keep being amazing. You're wonderfully inspiring

[@jsuewrs135]

Nice one mate! 👍

[@7t2z28]

I'm always amazed how little the garden will grow week to week, and then after I leave for 3 days, the whole thing explodes into a pagan paradise.

[@BritInvLvr]

😂

[@rosesmith6208]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@bradleyparker9233]

Yeah he's not real ​@@shawnbutchko456

[@Sharkdog11b]

Three months of growth in three days when you’re gone every time

[@sarathompson6628]

Thank you for this; Pagan Paradise is what my garden will aspire to be from now on!

[@epicgardening]

Appreciate this video Mark! Always love when you keep it real. - Kevin

[@jessicapacella2937]

Hi Kevin

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thanks Kevin! Hopefully, I'll get a chance to clean up our patch soon... It's still raining 😁

[@rj_levels3753]

@@Selfsufficientmemy two favorite gardening KZbinrs, y’all are awesome. ❤️love you guys❤️

[@janetbransdon3742]

I am 70 years young and I am an avid gardener. I have a double block at the rear of the house, plus side gardens and frontage. My soloution for me is I now only plant perenials, self seeding plants and fruit and nut trees. Many ground covers such as pig face, camomlie, mint, lemon balm etc. Many veges come in a perennial variety like kale, onions and cherry tomatoes etc. The outcome is I have a very pleasing cottage style edible garden with minimum work. Hardly any lawn to mow. I spend as little as 20 minutes a day to maintain this style of gardening. I hope this comment can help die hard gardeners ( like me lol) or people that are busy and want to garden. 🌻

[@doloresreynolds8145]

I am moving toward this as well, gradually shrinking most grassy areas with perennials and bushy fruits.

[@mariapetek3010]

Yes Jane, big help. Me too early 60s & ridding myself of mowing one plant at a time on suburban quarter acre. Not wasting soil on grass when it can feed me fresh through fruit & veg year round

[@chantaltulliez8066]

I have a permaculture garden and I don't have grass but wood chips...and gradually I am growing only what survives the best in this climate (same as Mark) I live a couple of hours north of his town. I have mostly perennial in summer and plants annuals in our winter. This year 2024 our summer has been horrendous with lots of rain and shocking very high humidity...I have a video on KZbin with Morag Gamble {a year old food forest}.

[@realstatistician]

Hi! Same. After killing an annual garden a couple of times I have now opted for perennial/reseeding plants only. My plants are still young, but I look forward to being able to find snacks and food outside all summer. And recently I’ve been adding more roots for the winter season (it gets down to 0’F where I am).

[@stevendownes7508]

Which onion varieties are perennial? Ive found clumps of leeks and garlic to act perennial

[@lorenstribling6096]

I have noticed recently that several off grid KZbinrs are giving up and complaining that they were lied to. It seems they expected everything to be perfect with almost no work involved. AND they would make a fortune from KZbin. Reality is anything worth having you must work for. The world is not perfect for anyone. But you can always make it better.

[@THEspindoctor84]

who are they? I'd be interested to see their process

[@frog9304]

Who?

[@dianadeejarvis7074]

I saw one such video, but they said at the end they had basically lied to themselves. They had a romantic image in their heads and didn't think about how much work would be involved.

[@frog9304]

@@dianadeejarvis7074 Who? I wanna see

[@dianadeejarvis7074]

​@@frog9304Sorry, I don't remember because I never followed them. Their farewell video popped up in my recommendations. Why don't you just search for "lied to about off grid" or a similar phrase?

[@strangeadv4977]

Mark showing the good and bad has always given the reality of "Getting into it 👍" and knowing how we can be more self-sufficient in all stages of life...Man's a serious legend 👏

[@stephaniestreet5281]

Here in North Carolina, I call late summer “ugly garden time”. I’m glad to know the concept is universal!

[@sarathompson6628]

Florida here, same! July and August are too brutal to be outside keeping things pretty!

[@KingEst87]

I’m in Raleigh and those 97 degree days it’s rough !!!!

[@lisawalsh1941]

It’s miserable in Minnesota at this time of year as well. I’ve been in Canada this time of the year too and the insects are just as terrible.

[@jondspen]

West Tn - we got the Mississippi on the left, and the Tennessee River on the right. Near 100 temp and humidity is always fun.

[@paulabrown5685]

Mark….I am almost 73. I do more now to be self-sustaining than I use to do when I worked. It gives you a new respect for those who came before us and had to raise their own food to survive. It wasn’t a hobby for them. Don’t move as fast as I use to….a whole lot more aches and pains BUT…..so rewarding. I pray the Lord will allow me to continue because I really enjoy this hard work😁

[@catey62]

May God bless with being able to care for your garden for many years to come.

[@Maria-ql3fc]

@@catey62Amen

[@uzoodiari3018]

God bless you

[@richardmcdonald7565]

Suggest yoga and stretching... You'll feel lots less stiff 🙂

[@willgeorge5644]

Me too! in fact, I work harder now on my 10 acre block than I ever have. I am 72.

[@allendiaz9031]

At nearly 79 and still gardening I'm proud to say no meds and still surfing. I attribute a lot of it to my garden and the wonderful produce it provides. Also, just being out in the fresh air, sun and helping others to create a personal garden.

[@renel7303]

You are so fortunate for your good health. I have genetic issues, autoimmune stuff, including inflammatory arthritis . It impacts what I can do. Still love the garden.

[@donnavorce8856]

Nice to know it can be done. An older person told me years ago that staying out of the doctor's office was her secret to long life. Home doctoring, healthy lifestyle, and enjoyable activities. Genetics helps too. But lifestyle choices are way over half the input at least for me. (I'm 67)

[@lisasunray6449]

​@@donnavorce8856 Absolutely, stay of med's and Rockefeller health care. I love Barbara O'Neill (natural remedies) videos on KZbin. Pharmakeia from the Greek and related to sorcery.

[@Braisin-Raisin]

This is one of the best garden videos ever,. When you see almost all garden videos, you wonder if they never have creepy-crawleys ruining their produce, blight never destroys their tomatoes and potatoes, and everything is perfect, while I struggle with caterpillars eating my cabbages, earth flees chomping holes into the lettuce and spinach, voles eating the roots (I emptied my 10 raised beds, put vole wire beneath and filled them again - bloody lot of work!), snails eating the everything. They never have anything, I have the lot throughout the year. I only garden organically and it is huge amount of work. I am 80 but still do everything on my own - and still absolutely love it, especially when I eat my wonderful veggies.No chickens, though, I could not handle any more.

[@rosesmith6208]

i have a friend who about your age who still works in her yard/garden 5 hours at a shot most days.

[@Papawcanner]

I’m 77 and have gardened all my life. Still learning .

[@grovermartin6874]

​@@PapawcannerIsn't it exciting? Never boring, always rewarding, even while we are muttering under our breath about the pests, the varmints, the diappointments, the weather. It's like being a kid, building a tree house, exploring, building sandcastles, hiding, all of it.

[@trevorstewart8]

Thank you Braisin- Riasin for your encouraging words. I am 76 years old living in temperate Auckland New Zealand, I had a stroke 18 months ago and during recovery I was laid low by a Council weed spaying event which I had developed a sensitivity to. I've only just now found that out and had the poison treated and getting my strength back so your words have inspired me to get out there and get on with it. I've been an enthusiastic gardener for all my adult life, but health issues certainly drag you down, so your encouragement has been very welcome. Our summers can be quite oppressive similar to Mark's with temperatures in the 35'sC/95F and can be very humid OR arid as Auckland is straddled by 2 harbours keeping the place humid in summer. 4 seasons in 1 day is common.

[@grovermartin6874]

@@trevorstewart8 Best of luck to you in your continuing recovery! It's been 3 years for me, but now I can get to the bathroom without planning ahead for hours, and don't need to use a cane any longer, so progress has been slow, but coming along. Keep your eyes on your goal, be cussedly determined! Your love of gardening is contagious, and we love it!🥳

[@tloof2370]

Good reminder for those of us who have trouble with depression, getting busy outside is one of the best things we can do.

[@nancygrogan6082]

Yes, I agree. The sunshine, sweat, hands in the dirt all make me feel much happier. Plus, the fresh food taste so much better.

[@stereomike75]

@@nancygrogan6082 The 'hands in the dirt' thing is actually really important, there's a bacteria in soil that helps boost serotonin levels.

[@tloof2370]

@@stereomike75 good to know that. I was thinking about using gloves, now I know better.

[@zachcarney3910]

@@stereomike75 Lol I'll admit I might not know something but really? Hard to believe. I've always figured exposure keeps the immune system on it's toes though.

[@gryphon0468]

@@tloof2370no, you absolutely should use gloves. You don’t want cut and infected hands. Which is much more likely than “serotonin boosting bacteria”.

[@LaraFabans]

I was listening to an audiobook that mentioned that people over a certain age should have a little extra. When we get sick, we'll thrive better than those who have low body fat because when you can't eat, we'll have that little extra to keep us alive. Hooray for growing and eating.

[@paullane1950]

Great excuse to enlighten others with. Now where are those chocolate cookies?

[@Blynn-md4dx]

Agree agree Mark! Excellent exercise carrying buckets of compost, trash, weeks, feed, etc. My husband asks,"Why don't you use the 4wheeler?" It helps me stay trim and stronger than many my age. Yes, it is work, but it is MY kind of work!

[@lauren4622]

I tell my husband the same thing! Currently shoveling from a giant woodchip pile on one side of the house and bringing it over wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow to the garden for my paths and mulching. I love the work!

[@junesaunders6725]

Congrats on your appearance on Gardening Australia tonight 🎉

[@Selfsufficientme]

Thank You, June! Cheers :)

[@HGCUPCAKES]

@@Selfsufficientmeyou did extremely well on Gardening Australia. I was a little disappointed they didn’t use the footage of you cutting the pumpkin out of the mark made trellis 😂 Congratulations Mark!

[@Boomer848848]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nn2vXptsjKZnmdk&ab_channel=GardeningAustralia

[@theytwatcher950]

@@Selfsufficientme Enjoyed the episode mate. You got me inspired into gardening

[@HexedArcher]

Honestly, he has 10x times their reach, good on him for helping out Gardening Australia to get more views.

[@rachalnocchi5600]

Growing a garden is a true LABOR of love. If you are not willing to put in the blood, sweat and tears, you can't expect to enjoy the joy and real satisfaction of being able to garden.

[@88COR88]

You are the only gardener I watch and I think it's because you are honest and realistic. Thank you for showing both sides of the activity.

[@francenebrantley5472]

You didn’t even mention how much work it is to harvest the garden… lots of time is spent canning and freezing!❤

[@tloof2370]

😂😂😂if your kids leave you enough to preserve 😂😂😂. I had to limit my kids to 1 ear of corn in the garden a day. They always said cooking it ruined it so they would get home from school and pick peas, green beans, corn, carrots, melons, whatever was ripe to eat and have themselves a feast. I got enough to get through the year most years, but some years I had to restrict how much of what they could eat in a day to have at least something to preserve 😂😂😂

[@joannc147]

@@tloof2370 ah….I think that’s quite a wonderful “problem” you have there! Fresh healthy food for the kids 👍🏻

[@r.j.fisher9958]

​@@tloof2370 Bet you've got yourself some healthy kids! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@francenebrantley5472]

@@tloof2370 wow! That’s interesting

[@veganconservative1109]

They are right though. I always hated vegetables until I found out you could eat some of them raw. OMG. Raw spinach (cooked variety, once a bane of my childhood) is a favorite now. @@tloof2370

[@revk8611]

Thank you for your message. I am a retired woman with 1.5 acres in Canada, with a short growing season. I have been caring for a husband with cancer for 3 years. My garden, as much as it has been neglected in that time, is my mental and physical saviour. When he is good, a lot gets done but when he is not, it just doesn’t. That is life.

[@GardenofEdens]

the shorter the growing season the more you will enjoy it , best wishes from germany.

[@bethb8276]

Prayers for you both! 🙏 As the caregiver, it's important for you to take care of yourself as well. Sometimes getting out in the garden is a wonderful emotional, mental, and physical break.

[@revk8611]

@@GardenofEdensThank you, wise words!❤

[@revk8611]

@@bethb8276Thank you Beth❤

[@jonison6847]

Bless you. And happy gardening. Best wishes from the UK!

[@dblosch81]

Been following you for years... We're in southern California with a wonderful climate. Our garden is roughly 2,000 square feet, with 35 fruit trees on just over an acre. This is my absolute favorite video ever! There is so much work involved in growing food that people don't see. Love it, and appreciate you!

[@breezybird403]

Here in Orange County, it has been learning one lesson after another. Slugs, grubs, powdery mildew and rats try to rule my garden. Fortunately the grocery store backs up my gardening failures!

[@wvhaugen]

In my opinion, this is the best video you have ever done Mark. I used to be a market gardener and now I still keep my hand in at 74. Last year my garden was 80% of an acre, with 25% more of an acre in orchard. I put in 683 hours and grew 2524 pounds of food or 1100 kilos. I left a tremendous amount of food in the ground, including sunchokes, potatoes and other root crops. I didn't even harvest my wheat, rye, amaranth and buckwheat, knocking them down for mulch instead. I call this The Accordion; which means being able to expand production and even tillable acreage if hungry people come down the road. I have been doing this for years and it is mentioned in my second book (Hints for Managing Collapse, 2014:Ch. 40) As we get older, we develop more efficient ways to weed, manage, harvest, etc. What is needed is to pass on these techniques to the young gardeners and farmers who still have a lot of energy. Then they can double, triple or even quadruple their production. We will need all hands on deck soon enough.

[@schwinglo]

Agreed. One of the very best.

[@sal-1337]

based

[@st2778]

Mark, as a fitness instructor, I can tell you that you're doing great!!! Gardening like you do IS hard work , and the plus is healthy eating. Can't get any better than that!

[@davidmallia628]

Better work out in your garden than at the gym, which is also time consuming.

[@lesterroberts4787]

It's called , Farm Fit.

[@fancypnatz]

Horse flies follow a set of logic that you can use to your advantage: - they are attracted to blue and dark colors - they have a tendency to fly/crawl upward You can thereby cover a piece of cardboard in blue painter's tape and ziptie it to the back of a hat. You would wrap the cardboard in cellophane and then any type of goop that remains sticky (hardware stores usually have this). The first season I started wearing these, I ended up collapsing horsefly breeding cycle around my property now I barely see 10 a season wind up on my hat. This was on a property where you could never escape them.

[@davinasquirrel7672]

Would that also work as a static trap somewhere, or several places? I do not really have an issue with them where I am (actually just regular flies and skeeters)

[@taratee3822]

I was camping a couple of years ago when the march flies were horrific (am also in Australia) and someone suggested hanging up a net bag with a bit of minced beef in a tree nearby, which apparently attracts the magpies who then go for the march flies. I didn't try it myself, but I've since heard the same advice heaps of times.

[@fancypnatz]

@@davinasquirrel7672 i bet covering a blue or black ball in sticky coating and hanging it to sway in the sun and breeze would work. I've made a few of the stationary traps that rely on their tendency to crawl upward where you have a clear container at the top and they dry out in the sun. Plenty of tutorials on how to make those on youtube. The hats were a lot more satisfying though.

[@grovermartin6874]

@fancypnatz That is some handy information! I may need that one day, and can also pass it on! Thank you!

[@thisarfingai]

Just as healthy plants are a side effect of healthy soil, healthy humans are a side effect of an active lifestyle. And Gardening is the answer to it all! Thank you Mark - you are the man.

[@SCy21]

Love the authenticity Mark. Glad you are feeling better.

[@walterashley149]

Love this! As a 47 year old man in a wheelchair, who's been mentally designing various gardens to put in the front and the back yard to help out not only myself, but various family and friends. Love this video! Thank you!!!

[@gryphon0468]

You on the Gold Coast? I could give you a hand building raised beds.

[@Mntdewmania1]

I know you aren't enjoying this video in the sense that we are, but really Really did enjoy watching this! I think ppl get the wrong idea about homesteading and growing your own food because ppl who show off their gardens/farms only show all the perfect days and perfect crops in content. Ppl need to know the reality. So thanks for staying honest and true!!

[@jondspen]

I enjoyed it even more. Would personally like to know about how others deal with issues. West Tn USA isn't Australia, but one summer drought, one summer flooding - same root rot, fungus, insect types of issues. There's always a better mouse trap being created to solve problems.

[@thatguychris5654]

Great video! Couple points: - Perhaps replace the Asian gourds with Loofah. Edible when young, sponges when old. - Get Guinea Fowl to roam the property. They won't dig things up like chickens, but will absolutely decimate the grasshoppers etc. - Get free wood chips from arborists and lay them around the containers. This will reduce pathway weeds while helping hold some excess rain water. Dig up once every 5 years for extra soil that is rich. - Dig some swales, ponds, ditches etc to direct, slow or hold rainwater during your torrential downpours. During the dry season, you can use solar to pump stored water to where you need it. - Have you tried different fly traps made from old plastic containers? - Join or start a local gardener's club. If one person is sick, the group comes together to help maintain their garden. If done right and with enough people, you may average 30 minutes a week of donating your time, but you have an awesome insurance policy should you get sick yourself. Your videos are always full of helpful info, but also your awesome personality shines thru. I believe this is your formula for KZbin, and life, success!

[@erroneous6947]

Good advice.

[@georgetuider654]

Greetings from North Florida! As a life long gardener and former soldier, I have to say this video wonderfully spoke to a lot of subjects that are part of the joy (and frustrations) of gardening. You really hit this one out of the park. Your Self Suffishing Me channel is a real winner too. You are a very humble guy. Keep up the great work!

[@jasonellis7856]

I have been living with multiple aquired injuries from a work place accident, and because of you and the motto of just doing something to be self sufficient we have created a small but effective and efficient way to grow some of our own food. It may not be a lot but it's done in a way i can spend small blocks of time and still enjoy the reward for effort and have fresh seasonal produce. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@amandar7719]

All those weeds and grass cuttings make bumper compost yields! Rotting veggies and waterlogged split fruits make excellent worm beds and worm tea. Chickens love to play on tree trunk playgrounds. Persistent torrential rain flushes accumulated salts through raised beds. Hash tag Always look on the bright side of life 😃👍🏻

[@Mrs.TJTaylor]

Growing food is functional exercise with an extra reward.

[@dmitryioffik2039]

I am agree with every word. I had a family trip for a week and then COVID for another week, now it looks like I am two months behind in my garden and orchard...

[@MickyBellRoberts]

It takes a lot of dedication and hard work to maintain a large food garden. You have worked hard for years my friend.

[@dougs_urbanfarm]

Its just a matter of priorities, we have 250 fruit trees and grow our veges. Both work full time, lots of night time gardening instead of waching tv and wouldnt have it any other way.

[@fionaimison2042]

Yes, gardening at night, esp in summer, is great!

[@Arrynek01]

250 fruit trees? :O

[@dougs_urbanfarm]

@Arrynek01 yeah it is a problem, one that I don't plan on getting help for!

[@Arrynek01]

@@dougs_urbanfarm How big is your, if you can still call it that, garden?

[@dougs_urbanfarm]

@@Arrynek01 I have a 1/2 acre jungle

[@Nightowl-72]

The reality is that sometimes gardening is bloody hard work! But the rewards for all aspects of our health are worth it ❤️ Thanks for your honesty, that’s why we are here.

[@jacquelinefilby1842]

And my mental health is so much better during the veggie growing season.

[@monicam.8006]

Whenever someone asks me how much time I spend in my garden, I answer, "About an hour a day." It's an average. Some days, I don't need to spend more than 10 minutes. Other days, like today and probably tomorrow, 2 hours- at least. During our rainy season, there are some weeks when I can't get to it for a good week. Congrats on your appearance in Gardening Australia.

[@michellecolledge2355]

Garden exercise is extremely satisfying. It's a two for one deal; garden success and physical health. Thank you, Mark ❣️

[@Detroit-gx5nd]

As someone who has been homesteading for a while, i couldn’t help but laugh and nod at all the same things we’ve experienced (tree falling on fence, weeds overgrown, bugs irritating, too hot/humid…. Couple of other things you missed such as water lines springing leaks, well pump not working, power equipment/machines breaking, animals escaping or getting eaten by wild animals etc etc

[@jeffreybrown8261]

Can’t begin to tell you how much the wife and I enjoy your show. I am a bit of a gardener here in Albuquerque New Mexico. My greenhouse, at 24’ by 18’ , my outdoor raised boxes and fruit trees keep me ever so busy year in and out. I’ve picked up a lot of good tips from your programming and I thank you.

[@broshmosh]

The energy and time investment of this style of homegrowing is precisely the reason I've had to scale back multiple times. I simply can't work a full time job and maintain a garden at the same time. These days it's potaoes and things that mostly grow themselves. Only got the energy for 10 grow bags and a 2m by 1m raised bed. Previously tried to hold down an allotment and it's just too much. As the main earner of the household it isn't viable to quit my job.

[@SuperWhatapain]

Truth!

[@veganchiefwarrior6444]

Yea ive been at it for about 10 years and have barely harvested anything thanks to the wild life, I don't even work and only have a yard but just maintaing the yard alone is more than I can be bothered with, it's been a big waste of life tbh lol

[@aussiebushhomestead3223]

Hi Mark. Great to see you on GA tonight. I was blown away with your army experience. I hope more of our service men and women will find their way into the garden for healing and health. Congrats on all your success.

[@ml.5377]

Awesome, real life video. I always say the garden is my gym, my store, my doctor and my therapist. It drives me crazy sometimes but then I harvest something or gather eggs and feel awesome. Out house is on a slope on the Andes mountains and it is hard work, but very rewarding. My husband just bought for me the perfect Valentine's day gift... a Honda 450 brush cutter. Talk about exercise,!

[@jondspen]

Great video. Odd how my grand and great grand parents ate butter, bacon, cooked with lard, fried and salted everything (I'm from the rural south USA) - and live to almost 100. Almost like all that fresh garden food with real meat and outdoor exercise made a difference. I still remember my first strawberry from their garden.

[@paullane1950]

My grandfather was a bricklayer in the UK. He regularly cycled 30 miles each way on a single geared bike to do a days physical work. He would have the diet you have mentioned above and also grew 100% of the family fruit and vegetables. They were indeed cut from a different cloth.

[@Aleera616]

The last part of the video is so true! I am currently battling a medical condition that needs a lot of surgeries and recovery time. And I felt so anxious about not being able to do sports. But my doctor told me that the most important thing is to show your body that you still need it. And that can be done in various ways. When I am fit enough inbetween surgeries, I work in my parents garden or go for small hikes. It makes my healing times faster and takes my mind off scary thoughts. I hope I will be able to work again someday because I really want my own garden

[@MAGPIECAM]

Greetings from South Eastern Melbourne Mate!! Please forgive the length of this post, context is needed. Just watched your latest vid and also looked up the Gardening Australia clip. Bloody brilliant! Your comment near the end about the mental AND physical aspects of gardening really resonated with me!! I am a cancer survivor (diagnosed in February 2006, given 2 weeks to live) with a whole host of permanent side effects of the chemo. Such as hands that shake constantly, an ABI, major lack of balance, exceedingly week left leg and arm (courtesy of being in a coma for 2 weeks. Chemo overdose, don't ask, LONG STORY!!) I was in a wheelchair for nearly 3 years from that, told I would never walk again or use my left arm either. Gained A LOT of weight from lack of exercise, (At my heaviest I was nearly 140kgs! NOT GOOD!) fluid retention and bad eating. I am now MUCH fitter than I was. It was gardening that really got me to where I'm at now. I only have a small suburban backyard but I have used your knowledge and guidance to make the most of what I can grow. Mostly in containers. Thanks for that by the way!! Got a compost tumbler on your recommendation too. I used to have (and still do sometimes to be honest) flashbacks to my time in hospital and the pain I endured from my treatment. And you're right about the cathartic effect that gardening has on ones mood. I get 'twitchy' I guess you could say if I can't get out into my garden at some point everyday. Even just walking around (albeit I fall over pretty constantly) pulling the odd weed here or there, picking whatever is ready, etc. Sorry for the monologue but I had to explain why what you've done for me is so profound. I now 'Live' for my garden I guess you could say. It's become my therapy. I have to send you my warmest thanks and an even bigger hug for all that you and your channel have given me over the years! May you continue to inspire millions more!

[@sharpland]

Mark, we've been watching you for years. Your enthusiasm is always a welcome watch in a world full of lousy news. That said, this honesty is something all of us gardeners and homesteaders can relate to. Wishing you and all of us some relief from the weather and pests this growing season.

[@emmajilrowanna6772]

Greetings from PNG 🇵🇬! I found your channel a couple of years ago, while looking for tropical gardening videos. There are so many channels from gardeners in 4 season regions but hardly any from the tropics/ this side of the globe. I've been a subscriber ever since. So thankful for this honest look at some of the hurdles of gardening. Humidity & heat are a big challenge here too, particularly during this 2023/2024 El Nino. We try to be in the garden around 5am & "knock off" about 0830am/ 9ish to avoid the worst of it. Congrats on the Gardening Australia feature & keep up the great work! 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@iw1166]

Not going to throw my dad under the bus but definitely wish you were my uncle. Keep up the hard work. Makes life that much sweeter.

[@ZacksZachZakXah]

Man, Mark thank you for being so transparent. Our garden is only 440 sqft, but it takes a lot of work for two of us. It's great to see the challenges you face because it's allows us to commiserate a little bit. Keep going. We love you and everything you put out. 2024 has only just begun! - Allison and Zach From Florida!

[@TainuiaKid1973]

Mark, two years ago my family and I moved to the suburb you live in, and this summer is our first time vege gardening in Australia. Well, the rain downpours wrecked the tomatoes, the fruit flies wrecked my chillis, ants and aphids destroyed flowers on plants, and the extreme heat took out most of the rest of the garden. We had some cucumbers and a wee bit of lettuce in the early summer, the only plants that did fine were the sweet corn. Hearing your words gave me reassurance that it's not always like this, and this has been an extreme summer. Next summer will be cherry tomatoes (fruit fly resistant), sweet corn, kumara (sweet potato) but mostly preparing the garden beds for March to October when the climate is more suited to vegetable gardening. Love your videos, so helpful to someone like me who is new to this climate and wanting to scale up my vege garden and grow vegetables for my family year round.

[@zeviono4562]

There are light mesh bags available in a lot of different sizes that can keep pests off your plants and individual fruits. I get my small ones from the vege dept in the supermarket for free, or buy them in bulk. They're a big help.

[@TainuiaKid1973]

@@zeviono4562 thanks. I bought some mesh bags in the end off ebay.

[@heidicole2296]

Thank you for the honesty. I spend so much time in the garden and am always wondering what I'm doing wrong that makes it take so much longer than influencers say it takes! This as I'm watching from my sick bed after surgery and beating myself up for not working on my garden. So, again ty for the honesty Mark! Keep doing what upu are doing!

[@bron0726]

Mark, I think you are in amazing shape! I'm sure many people aspire to look as good as you do.

[@carriesunshine]

Can't tell you how much I appreciate this video... My feelings of being a failure in my garden has been neutralized!!😁 thank you!

[@thegardenslayer1120]

Mark, this video spoke to my soul! I'm about 30 minutes south of you - 7 months pregnant and in the middle of house renovations - my garden is a jungle, and the mosquito's are relentless. I've given up the fight until we hit some cool weather! Thanks for realistic video!

[@aliceleishman5596]

Hand to God, at minute 12, I stopped the video and went out and picked up some palm tree debris from minor storms that had been piling in the back garden. Your video was very motivating, sir! 😊😊😊. I could watch the rest of it guilt free! (Central coastal Florida)

[@reneeclark9903]

I love your channel, how you don't candy coat gardening and having animals is an inspiration. Most people on utube only show you a rosy side and it makes ordinary people feel like failures.

[@ollieh8010]

Thank you Mark! I really appreciate this video. I'm 70 now and have noticed how my pace is slowing. I have a big garden with several raised beds. This video was a booster shot for me. You hit the nail on the head, if you don't use it you lose it. 👍

[@christineewing3492]

I belong to a small community garden in Melbourne, and that suits me fine. Even so, it's lots of work, and I can't even imagine having a garden the size of yours.

[@GardeningwithDave]

I saw you being featured on Australia tonight ❤. Mark your garden looks incredible as usual. Love from California.

[@RoyHolder]

Would love to see a time lapse of you and your sons restore your garden to it's greatness! Always happy to see you Mark, Cheers! 👍

[@sueyoung2115]

I think that's a great idea for a future video!

[@maryp2747]

I try and keep a large garden nice but in reality, I have some physical challenges and I have a full-time job. When I post pictures I only show the nice bits of the garden. They don't see the 6-foot-tall prickly weeds along the fence line that I couldn't get to maintain. But every year I say to myself "This is the year I will have an awesome garden" and get back to it.

[@oS-FrAcTuReD76]

Honestly appreciate the raw reality of this.

[@marilynturcotte5304]

You nailed the benefits of gardening; they are both physical and mental. There is just something about "playing in the dirt." But I hate playing in the snow here in Canada, just itching to get back into the soil.

[@Glisern]

I wish you would do larger unedited videos. A stand with a camera filming you work, and a mic for when you talk. Showing you doing whatever, showing off what you harvest, showing you battle the weeds etc.

[@gpipkins85]

Let's get into it! Good morning from Tampa, Florida US!

[@I.M.creations]

Totally appreciate the honesty and showing the less appealing side of gardening, thank you 🙏 Yes it is hard work 🥵😫, but also so beneficial 🙂 for many different reasons. A gardener by heart doesn't mind and there is so much joy to be found with gardening 👍

[@acflory.writer]

Thank you. The reasons you've given for doing the hard yards is precisely why I'm still out there. And one of the great joys of my life is that my son has now caught the gardening bug as well. We're not self-sufficient, not by a long, long way, but we know the joy of eating food that is grown without nasty chemicals, picked when it's ripe, and eaten when it could not be any fresher. That is priceless. Cheers from Melbourne.

[@nadajaklic3069]

I greatly appreciate your candid reveal of realistic gardening. Now I don't feel so alone, lol! Please keep up your good work and I'll keep up watching it.

[@stkildaboy74]

I''ve been a fan of your channel for years and i was overjoyed to see you on Gardening Australia. It was great to hear your backstory and motivations for this channel. Keep up the good work

[@levenscott645]

Love your honesty, mate. No BS -- a rare KZbin quality. Your remarks on the physical and mental benefits of gardening are right on the mark, Mark.

[@angelawillis145]

It’s a lot of work for sure. And weather can really play havoc with garden plans. If you really want to eat what you grow you really have to be dedicated to weeding and watering, and covering with shade cloth or frost cloth and even after all that, still having crop failures. It’s a lifestyle that is not for everybody. But seeing pantries and freezers fill up from your efforts is a feeling that can’t be put into words.

[@badajoma]

As a nth Brissy Gardner I too have struggled with insect pressure & weeds. Comforting to know I'm not alone. Your advice & videos keep me motivated. Thank you😊👌

[@harrypapas1465]

Οne of your best videos, Mark.. I just came in from my own garden.. Last season was awful, so much heat, that even the peppers and eggplants, did not flower in July and August. The secret is that in order to grow food is not to give up in hard seasons.. You have to replant and retry.. And another tip: plan for more plants. If you plant for 10 tomatoes and you loose 50% of them, you shall still be able to have enough for the family. If you plant 5, not so..

[@sandrabentley8111]

Unfortunately with climate change, they'll all be hard seasons.

[@chaseyporter1405]

I turned to my husband this morning and said “you know who we haven’t watched anything from in awhile?” He said “our friend” “Mark! From self sufficient me!” So now we are watching your videos, catching up on all the work you’ve been doing!

[@VGV0]

Its refreshing to see a video about the realities of gardening. Thanks for reminding us 😊

[@jasenanderson8534]

Good to know. Great segment on Gardening Australia tonight btw. Loved it.

[@XxBloggs]

I find having a large food garden involves lots of abundance but also a lot of preserving. Passata, Preserved tomato’s, blanched and vacuum packed zuchinnis, jams and pickles.

[@Kernowking101]

It's a lot of work but it's meaningful work. Such purpose is a blessing

[@daddycoolcrypto2718]

I like to incorporate both hiking and gardening. I've planted a few fruit trees along the paths where I walk. Some have died, some are still going. I figured free fruit for everyone, for life if we're lucky, and a little TLC.

[@rebeccawaddell5114]

Summer in QLD is definitely disheartening in the garden. Definitely getting hammered with every insect possible and the weeds are winning while the heat and humidity is too high to keep on top of them. It's always comforting to know that even a full time gardener like yourself finds the weeds taking over at times. Love that you always keep it realistic 👍 So looking forward to autumn!

[@TonysSunnyGarden]

Thank You so much for sharing this side of gardening! I really like your honesty and the way you talk and bring us all of these informations! Have a beautiful Day Mark and everyone who reads this! ☀

[@teresasuderman2199]

I always feel so much healthier in garden season from all of the fresh air and sunshine and work.

[@vandthebees9249]

I have been out of my garden for a while due to travel and weather. Got back out there for a few hours last weekend. Did the equivalent of about 600 squats and felt like I wanted to cry for three days because I was so sore, gardening is really good exercise!

[@iwanttodoeverything5059]

you are just a bloody legend matey!!! go gardening

[@supersteele2434]

Love your videos. I have learned so much from you. Thank you sir

[@GM-rg8sk]

I really appreciate you taking the time to explain the reality of how hard it can really be to garden on a larger scale!

[@NoneYaBiz5]

Nice seeing someone show the real side of gardening, not just the glory when it happens. The older I get, the more enjoyment I get from it.

[@larrylongprong5219]

Thought the gardening Australia segment could have been longer.

[@HGCUPCAKES]

Let the ABC know, they are the ones that decide the length. Mark would of said more than you saw, but they wouldn’t of used it all. Hopefully people will come and look at this channel.

[@OutsiderLabs]

Being self-sufficient is literally a full-time job. People forget there's a reason most of our ancestors stopped doing it in favour of getting jobs and letting others do the farming.

[@snowstrobe]

Our ancestors stopped doing it because the land was enclosed by wealthy lords.

[@truthbetold2012]

So they laft a 10 hr per week job at home doing something enjoyable and rewarding for a 40+ hrs per week job most likely that don't enjoy and thats better?...its like independent women who now have to do not only the chores but work 40hrs a week!...it doesn't make sense.

[@truthbetold2012]

@@snowstrobe Yep it goes a little bit deeper as to why we lost our 'self sufficiency'.

[@katies-kitchen]

Love ya work Mark! Love you and your pudge! 😂 Big strong cuddly bear! Thanks for showing us your overgrown messy garden, I'm sure you'll have it back in tip top shape in no time! Free exercise with benefits, I love that proud, accomplished feeling you get when you get your garden back in shape after a time away. Go Mark!!! You da best! 💚

[@patriciafisher1170]

Congratulations on your appearance on Gardening Australia last night. Love the way you have always been very real in your garden. Thanks for all you do

[@debbiefodor7088]

I am glad you made this video. It is important for people like me to see that life happens to everyone and, with the best intentions, sometimes our gardens need to take a backseat or circumstances get in the way of our garden maintenance and our gardens get out of control. It's okay - we can get the garden neat and tidy again when life settles down. It's good for me to see that even experienced gardeners like you have difficult times when the garden gets untidy and grown. Thanks for sharing.

[@annettevanderklippe1653]

Whenever I plan to exercise more I end up disappointed with myself since I quit so quickly, it's just so boring. At least with gardening I have something to think about while exercising. I appreciate your insight in this video since I'm in that starry eyed time of year here in Ontario, Canada - late winter. I keep thinking, this year will be different, this year will be better. I have to be careful not to take on too much, nor expect too much!

[@tassiegirl50]

You do a great job Mark! Love watching your vids & how real you are with all the blood,sweat & bites 😊 that go into keeping a garden! 😂 We live in Tassie & think we have it a little easier than the jungles of Qld!! Love your organised kitchen & cooking segment too.. Keep up the good work👍🏻

[@timosaurus3011]

Just when I thought I couldn't possibly like you any more, I see you have a poodle haha love it. Best dog around.

[@brettbrignac7591]

Yes, I was wondering why I hadn't seen you for a while. We all look forward to your videos of your OASIS all of us dream to own. I have you in my prayers for a 100% recovery. You are a Great Motivational Speaker, Hint, Hint. Health willing, we all want you to be in Great Health working your BEAUTIFUL GARDEN. Take care of yourself. So long, Sire. 😊😊💗💗

[@davidsumsion6715]

Thanks for this one Mark. I've just been cured of any dreams of moving to the country for more land. I have 6 x 3m L and 800mm W & H. Harvested 12kg of cherry tomatoes , 17kg of pumpkin, 3kg of beans This week

[@stevesmith3556]

Make no mistake. Taking care of a small garden, if you're diligent, is great exercise. If you love what you do, you don't even notice that you're getting a workout.😊 Another good one, Mark! Cheers!

[@oneirosailing5572]

Don’t give up! Think your self lucky! It never rains here! You are a very positive chap and you give me insensitive and make me smile! Love from Greece