THE START OF CLEARING OUR 8 ACRES OF ABANDONED RAINFOREST PROPERTY

[@MadMarv.]

Are you surprised at how many views your getting homesteading the jungle? We're enjoying it a lot. Thanks for bringing us along on the journey.

[@SailingGoodBadandUgly]

We've always been surprised about the views, we're fortunate

[@TheFoodBoat]

Really really enjoying this!

[@gyropilot1]

Almeida tree eat them red

[@gyropilot1]

That shrimp we called it guavara

[@gyropilot1]

Build a tree house

[@engineeringconsulting5534]

Matt, Get you a used 55 gallon drum; and burn your wood waste in it. After burning take the ache and layer them over your garden patch. Then work it in with a rack. This will add potassium to your soil; an ingredient in fertilizer. Also, you have chickens; scrape up the chicken crap and add it to the soil in the same manner as the ash. This will add nitrogen another component of fertilizer. You have all that you need to fertilize your garden patch. The way my mother taught me to plant is as follows. Always, add three seeds to each hole: one for the earth, one to harvest, and one for the LORD. The best on y'all's new venture. Cheers and Blue Skies. Faithfully, James

[@engineeringconsulting5534]

OK. Early morning spelling isn't great, evidently...ha... That was supposed to be ash not ache, but maybe you can spread out the ache as well...ha...

[@mikemoxley9477]

@@engineeringconsulting5534 be nice

[@kevio6868]

awesome!

[@danielarmstrong1380]

Better yet - google biochar

[@missdorado21]

You guys need to bump this channel up to two videos a week for now. This is way more interesting than sailing. Good job!

[@grumpyjohntxredneckrc6346]

I Most Definitely Agree!!! 👍👍😁😎

[@missdorado21]

Don’t watch!

[@wing-it7596]

@@My_Fair_Lady Their is a lot of sailing channels you can move to.

[@glow1815]

Totally agreed. I came across their videos on their transitioning to homesteading two weeks ago. No idea with their sailing adventure videos lol. I'm sticking with this.

[@SailingGoodBadandUgly]

We tried doing five vids a month for all of 2022 and it almost killed us😂😅 we do everything in house so once a week is our max. It means alot to us that u like them

[@CharleyGeorge]

Goats eat anything and you can rent them out to clear out properties like yours. We had a really famous case of renting goats here. There was this very historic cemetery that got over ran by poison ivy and other really hard to get rid of pesky plant. They didn't want to go through and rip out all the old rose bushes or trees and such. So they rented goats and they ate their way into clearing everything they wanted gone. It worked like a charm and the goats got to eat tons oh stuff.

[@elmarco777]

As someone who has built a house in a jungle you need to get loads of gravel on your road as soon as possible. you will need to be putting it down a few time over the next few years. other wise when it rains you won't be able to do any work. it will be to muddy. I have the same red soil and as someone from Canada, it will be slippery than ice. Also if the road is a hill you need to crown the road so that the rain water doesn't run down the road but off to the side. this will stop large ruts from forming.

[@nunya___]

Yes and start with large stone. Mix in smaller.

[@elmarco777]

I'm not sure what country they are in but here in Costa Rica there is not the rock like we can get in north america. they mine the rocks out of the rivers. We have to take care of the road ourselves. we didn't use big rock but it is important direct the water to stop erosion. we lined the road with cement half pipes. that makes all the difference.

[@nunya___]

@@elmarco777 Historically, many costal towns in the US used oyster, clam shells and sand.

[@dennispatrick4999]

Your Backhoe Operator is a Legend.

[@Steve-ec6ed]

You should plant some of that devil's lettuce in the garden for when pops comes to visit😉🤙

[@SailingGoodBadandUgly]

Lol I have already told him to keep it on the other side of the river 😂😅

[@313barrygmail]

I’ll send seeds ???

[@gregdyer7227]

It's looking good. Getting a tractor with a bucket and bushhog is a must. A small 4x4 tractor would be all you need. Without the tractor you will spend all your time trying to keep the area from growing up.

[@marciahutchinson9444]

You need to collect the guavas and make some jelly, you can Google to find out how to do it. You also need to cut the dry leaves from the banana trees. Whenever the banana is full you need to cut the entire tree down, don't cut off the fruit and leave the tree standing. The almond can be eaten when they are ripe, they will turn yellow or redistributed when ripe.

[@joellynparks7805]

Definitely my new favorite Sunday YT channel

[@SailingGoodBadandUgly]

Thank you!!

[@a.s.clifton544]

Clearing limits are the most important task to keep all you can and see what you want to see. If the “pasture” drains well and doesn’t stay under water for weeks at a time, plant a clover. Just about any clover will spread fast, choke out weeds, and work to keep erosion to a minimum. The homestead is looking good. Bamboo, bamboo, bamboo.

[@dannyparrish724]

Put a tractor/backhoe on your wish list. As your farm grows you will realize how practical and useful the equipment will be. Only have five acres in central New York but I use it daily for one chore or another. 👍

[@SailingGoodBadandUgly]

They're so expensive!! Ima jus get a mule

[@kevio6868]

Are you in Parish NY?

[@geraldmiller6679]

First he needs a professional to do most of the clearing. Tractors are really useful but also expensive. I also use mine daily, but he is not ready for one!

[@dannyparrish724]

@@kevio6868 Actually was born there. Live in Lysander for the past 30 yrs.

[@dannyparrish724]

@@geraldmiller6679 Totally agree. He has youth & health going for him now. Age tends to create the need for machinery. lol

[@47714]

Your KZbin channel went from good to GREAT! Congratulations!!

[@Chris-zo5ze]

@15:45 It would be cool to get an aerial shot like this, but outline your property border to give us an idea of what's yours.

[@sailingwanderlust22]

We always put a string down the middle of where we plant the seeds tied to a piece of rebar or stick on both ends. This year I also labeled what was planted at end of row with the seed packet.

[@wallywombat164]

I turned on my Tablet this morning and the first pop up was you pair. As a result, it's gonna be a great day. Property is starting to look like a plantation. ❤❤❤❤

[@nickmail7604]

"The jungle will heal itself", you will soon be finding out just how quickly that happens! As long as you live there your primary task (once your house and infrastructure are completed) will be trying to stop the jungle from claiming your land back.

[@BOAExplore]

I hired a forestry mulcher to clear 3 acres in the center of my 7 acres... Only took one day. Love what yall are doing with your land. Can't wait to see the house build. I'm planning to use 40 ft shipping containers x3.

[@tomclause9555]

When you guys stopped sailing, i thought i would lose interest. I now enjoy your vids even more much to my surprise. Your doing what I wish I could. Keep on keeping on!!

[@auroraRealms]

We rented a garden. And we put a bunch of compost and dirt in the garden bed. And then I covered it with a bunch of mulch. For a while after that I though "what did I do, I killed everything and nothing is growing". Then, at some point the plants started pushing through the mulch. A few weeks later that garden was growing non stop. Pretty much a harvest every few days. I think it was mostly mint. It was growing strong until the City came and took the garden back, and put a big cement train station in its place. Leave it to city planners to cement and pave over everything. One of the other gardeners (with two bright green thumbs) told me the wisest think I heard about gardening. "It is a process.There is a process of the plants breaking down into nutrients, and there is a proccess of the plants growing. The garden is always in various stages between those two."

[@goofsaddggkle7351]

The thing that gives me hope you may survive this new chapter of your life is your ability to get along and learn from the locals. Will be interesting to see the learning process along the way.

[@donnawarmouth9329]

Matt you need a EMU or Ostrich for sure I love seeing how excited you two get over your new way of life!!!

[@Tattoo2021]

Your wife’s choice of music truly makes the videos seem so warm and heartfelt. All part of the little things that make a great KZbinr stand out , great drone shots, great commentary , fab music in background and high quality resolution. All of this with your two personalities draw the viewer in. An interesting adventure your life has taken you on Kudos from canada

[@stevestanford6386]

Soil conservation will pay big rewards going forward. Nothing worse than clearing out a section and have it wash away. A rolling chicken coop will make life easier in the the long run for you and the chickens.

[@BarryBrowning]

Hey Matt and Kristen 👋. Your little piece of heaven on earth is really shaping up. Quite a bit done since last week. Thanks for sharing. Y'all take care, be safe. See ya next week.

[@stuartofJax]

Absolutely the right move in hiring someone with the equipment to do that clearing. Not that Larry Laminate couldn’t do it but your time is better utilized with planning the layout. You can’t plan when your stuck in the weeds.

[@UserConn]

This is awesome! My family is moving to a New 20 acre Farm in November. I plan on documenting our experience.

[@SailingGoodBadandUgly]

Whew! 20 acres is massive

[@CemeteryShop-yg6gi]

What a great new adventure you’re having! It’s very heart warming to see so many little critters becoming a part of your new homestead. I was glad to see the backhoe guy was doing a great job, and listening to you as he went along. I’ve learned the most important person on a backhoe crew is the guy on the ground. Congratulations on making a smooth transition from full time sailing to homesteading! It would seem that your success with KZbin videos was always more about who you are, not just about sailing. Happy Sunday Matt and Kristen!

[@hatterassportmechanic5621]

Good morning g b u family,it’s great to see these two people every week,be careful and have fun with this,great job kids.

[@CLCIII]

Starting your garden in starter pots makes everything easier, especially with the small scale that you are doing it on. That way you KNOW what you are planting. Than plant them when 3-5 inches tall chicken wire cage around to protect them from animals wanting to eat them. Hope this helps. As Always, May God Bless you and yours! 😇

[@lancehites6697]

Great entertainment for me! Being a retired farmer, you are doing just fine. I observe what comes up in the row as it grows. Out side the row would be something else. Won’t be long and you will know. Love your videos!

[@claybornlewis276]

Now that you have opened it up you can see The true beauty of that pc of land you have it's absolutely Breathtaking

[@5ringsaudits]

Kristan, I don’t know if it’s because you’re not living in a washing machine anymore but this was by far your best editing in YEARS! Pat yourself on the back, I know how much time it takes to do this and you got skills woman…congrats on the new property. You have your own lil slice of paradise there AND still have the boat.

[@randalltheuekauf6043]

❤ You guys excited to see whrts next God bless you both, prayers for wisdom for success 🌈🙏😍🇦🇺🇺🇸

[@cristinavesbach9612]

That is amazing about the chix! I can't believe how many hatched. I said eat those eggs when she first started laying for you. I stand corrected.

[@ralphjelomono9068]

Good move having some one who knows the terrain come and clear it for you. Clearing land with a backhoe is tricky and that fellow did a nice job. Working soft, muddy land is a challenge. Congrats on new chicks and I love kittens. Glad princess bear is doing well. Remember Matt, having grazing animals means lots of fencing so think hard on that one. They can be a real pain.

[@loisphillips5826]

Great video. Beautiful property you have. Enjoying watching you clear the land. Such cute little peeps, Thanks for sharing,

[@kevinbechard8425]

The two of you have been my favorite sailing channel since I started watching them. Now with your new project, I am more looking forward to your future videos and watching less of the other sailing channels because they are getting too repetitive. I hope you can share plans for your house on an upcoming episode. All the best from Ontario Canada!

[@jasongrinnell1986]

I looked up land in Puerto Rico just to see if it’s expensive. I see it is pretty affordable but deciding on what is good land in a good area would be tough. I like the way y’all are going about clearing your land. Y’all are going to have a awesome farm. A tractor is going to be a must.

[@ericstefko4852]

you guys are great people for taking care of those kittens, your kindness is one of the reason I watch your channel

[@thomasthornton5737]

😃👍👍👍❤ Congrats for the new baby chicks. Thanks for another great video. 200K subscribers very soon! Bye from Seattle, WA.

[@stevemazz3121]

Chicks, I believe those are puffs or poofs… from Tacoma, WA here

[@joedavies372]

Thanks! Good luck. Living GBU!!

[@dcmflydude6320]

We have 6 acres and one of the best tools we bought was an ATV with the little dump bed on back.

[@jastark22181]

No way! Those were Bristle nose Plecos in the stream! I breed them here in Michigan. I didn't realize they were in such fast moving water.... I guess I could give them more flow in their tanks

[@frankveronese1290]

Love the way you think about the environment and living things before clearing. Great job!

[@zzzxxzzz3248]

Those cats when they get bigger , will love snacking on the baby chickens !

[@Mr-MH227]

Always followed the sailing videos and now even more excited to watch the land version 👍🏻

[@SailingGoodBadandUgly]

Thank you! Glad u like it

[@dorcasquinones8384]

Thanks for showing us what you are doing. We’ve been watching you for the last 3 years. Thank you for sharing with us what you do. Wish we were young again to do what you are doing. We admire you energy and what you are doing getting a property in P. R. and clearing out your property and all your future plans. Wish we were your age and do what you are doing. We are 70 years old. You make us feel young again. Love that you are getting married doing things right before God. Hopefully soon you’ll start s family specially now that you have land to settle into. We are Puertoricans living in texas for the last 47 years. Something we wonder if Matt has Puertorican ancestry. He looks and acts a little Puertorican to us. Love you guys. We feel like you are a little bit our relatives, friends, we are living your dreams through your videos. Thank you for sharing your lives with us. Hugs to you both from Uriel and Dorcas.

[@rbnhood39]

The video just started and I’m in at 168 already. Green Acres is the place to be.

[@ragnorremix8426]

This jungle content is fascinating, even better than the sailing imo

[@hywaywolf]

I love how you are progressing. I come from a background of highway construction which involves a lot of government regulation so its was an odd feeling to see all that land disturbance without any erosion control measures up ahead of time. I liked seeing that he was using the debris from the field to build brush berms. I hope you get out there in the next storm to see what it looks like in a downpour.

[@B.E.Long.63]

You two hit it out of the park changing things up. Farming Good, Bad, and ugly, building the jungle up. Thanks for sharing your journey my fri ends. God Speed.

[@bretc970]

Good luck with the almonds. Damn birds know EXACTLY when to strip your tree bare!!!!

[@georgevangordon9728]

It’s very uncommon that all eggs hatch. 90% hatch rate is pretty good if the eggs don’t hatch after 23 days they aren’t going to

[@gflores7018]

Congrats on the little peeps It looks good on the land Thank you for the video

[@DiZZoLabs]

The episode I’ve been waiting for!! Happy to see some equipment there. I was worried for you Matt. 💪🏻

[@cwwiss1]

I did wander about the mosquito's . Great news to hear the bats are eating them all . I'm really excited to see where you take us with this guys. Good Luck.

[@snorton6005]

You have a jungle of "seed bank" in that soil. Look up solarizing the garden plot with black plastic. Then replant once you have the ground prepared. Mulch heavily

[@phileisermann1257]

I was unsure at first if I’d like the transition from sailing to this homesteading. But after watching the last few episodes, I realized I do like this new material

[@mikemoxley9477]

Great work clearing the land, a must to be able to make better plans for your future. 😊

[@drawartgallery]

🥰

[@enhunter82]

Those chick's are too darn cute!! Cannot wait to watch them grow!

[@DonFarmer-hq5sw]

I’m so much happier to watch the videos now that you are on the land. 😊.

[@sswood3891]

Gotta love the birds chirping sounds like paradise

[@80884bpresley]

Awesome video guys!!! Looking great!! Congrats on all the babies!!!!

[@brianwright874]

That is a giant Crawfish claw. Jamaica has them too with the freshwater shrimp. Your property is unreal! Love it.

[@kevinclasher3160]

3:00 what i would of done is sow the seeds in pots to a certain size before planting them in the field.

[@SailingGoodBadandUgly]

That's what I'm gonna have to do

[@carlcantrell4781]

Be careful because some times big flat areas are flood plains that get really wet when it rains, especially at the bottoms of hills. You could end up losing everything you put there. get the goats and use them to clear the grass and weeds. They do a great job.

[@joncarter3817]

What a great piece of property. Really happy for you (a bit jealous). Thanks for taking us along.

[@grumpyjohntxredneckrc6346]

I Agree TOTALLY! And I'm Way Over Just Jealous, To The Point Of Lookin To Buy A Piece Down There For Myself To Be Their Neighbor!!! 😜😜🤣🤣😁😎

[@joncarter3817]

Good for you - I would be considering also but I'm 77 which is old for a project like this. 70 maybe in a stretch. After all it is the journey not the destination!@@grumpyjohntxredneckrc6346

[@morgenmuffel5747]

Do you guys know where you’re thinking about placing the house. Was wondering if on an elevated section overlooking a stretch of the river below with the beautiful large bamboo cluster behind the river might be an option? That way you will get to enjoy the visual interest of the river along with the sound of running water while being elevated enough to avoid flooding. You’ll also have the visual interest of the bamboo and the sounds of wind rustling the leaves. Looking down onto the ricer might also afford the opportunity to watch local wildlife drinking in the morning/ evenings from a porch. You could even rig up a zip line from the garden on the ridge down to the river :)

[@Bertus_Nel]

Looking forward to the next Video. Happy to follow this journey with you. One day, I want to follow the same and looking at how you guys go about it is just awesome. Thank you for sharing this journey with everyone.

[@mysuperchargedv8]

Matt i really was looking forward to you operating the big dog machine

[@bucknaykid5821]

Congrats guys! Things are looking great! Keep in mind you can always put some round tanks by the creek and start breeding and selling those prawn!!!!!

[@johngab4983]

I think the backhoe guy knows what he’s doing Keep up the good work

[@Philc231]

Remember if you clear most of everything,it’s going to grow back very fast. Careful of exotic biting bugs . Snakes etc . I do miss your sailing adventures .

[@brucewitcpalek5120]

At first I wasn’t sure if watching you change from sailing to homesteading was going to be as exciting. Well my curiosity has been answered 🤔🤔. It’s actually more exciting watching the two of you homesteaders than even sailing was !!! The two of you are incredible ❤❤❤ love love love your KZbin channel!!! 🥇✌🏼😎🫡

[@j1407bmoon]

For experienced vegetable growers it's not too hard to recognize vegetable sprouts from the weeds. My mom could tell what plant it is even if the sprout is about a couple days old. Then I started to observe and notice recognizable features.

[@royphelps6377]

Good decision on hiring a clearing machine. Don't forget to get a good plat of your property, preferably with a topo so you can make a good decision on home placement. Nothing like spending a little for professional expertise. It'll prevent regrets later. Y'all are so kind...loving animals.

[@lisa.fernandez]

Loved Fern Gully! You guys a perfect forest keepers💚💚💚

[@TeamDiscus]

You guys should make a big compost. Collect the grasses and other vegetation debris and make a big pile, let nature do it's thing and in a few months you have great soil for the garden!

[@qflower4982]

So cool that you are being aware and concern about your impact on the land.

[@SailingGoodBadandUgly]

It was crazy, we left the majority untouched but still it's amazing to see what an immediate impact u can have

[@sharonroconnellandcritters]

Love seeing the kitties! Thank you for rescuing them!!!

[@johngafford1302]

Wow! Look how your channel has grown! Love watching your “jungle adventure” journey. 👏👏👍

[@stevebuchanan4829]

In the garden area, I would go for raised beds about 3 - 3.5 high, and 3 feet wide or so, that way you can easily weed and do some raised bed, combo square foot gardening, which would be a much more efficient means of raising your vegetables with drainage and not compacting your soil continually, rather than mimicking large scale farming with your current furrows. In that climate, starting over won’t hurt as you have a year round growing season.

[@go2joe]

Hey guys, been watching you for years and look forward to Sunday mornings when your new vids come out to see what you've been up to. Not trying to be bossy but be careful on how much land you clear down to dirt all at once as it will become a giant mud hole if not careful. Just a suggestion but the grassy areas could be brush hogged with a tractor and rotary mower which would knock the big stuff down but keep the roots and grass to hold the soil together. Be safe, love you guys!

[@geraldmiller6679]

You make a good point at the right time.

[@richardcooper4206]

I miss the boating content but all the best wishes to you both.

[@Luckylefty118]

Hey ! as a boricua I wish everything work out on the island. and you too could relax and enjoy your land after you get it well you want it to be .. keep strong bro . Let go 200k subscribe is near .

[@SBoots29]

Very exciting and your homestead is moving along.I admire your attention to keeping it as natural as possible. All the best. This is good for the soul for both of your and your little zoo.

[@wallyklw5]

He is a skilled machine operator

[@neutonrenda2303]

Great that you keeping loads of natural vegetation, it wouldn't be the same without it, clear what you need to farm. The forest is what makes it such a paradise.👍❤

[@battlebornpyro8567]

I’m so glad I found your channel in the beginning of this new journey you guys are on! The progress you guys are making is awesome! The land is so beautiful out there! Love the creek/waterfall!

[@gypsylizzy8893]

Congratulations guys - What a great way to start your homestead with the birth of the peeps. Great job

[@linbooma1]

I am so excited for you guys!

[@SilentPrepperFL]

My family owns a property that looks very similar to yours... Located in Maricao.... the same surrounded by a river and a creek. Those shrimp like things we called them "chagaras" and they are tasty! I get so nostalgic when I see some of your videos... Thank you for posting...

[@keithbrandon8540]

You have accomplished alot already. Great job, a beautiful area of land. Am sure you will get pleanty of advice re plants etc as people are willing to help as we all want the best for you. Mainly keeping safe and well. Enjoying seeing your progress and loving this new venture.👍

[@KevCampbell]

This is exciting - I didn’t think you had any flat land apart from the patch by the road, whereas you actually have lots of usable land. Very encouraging for you.

[@sofalvr]

If you get goats, they will clear the land very quickly. You would have to section off the goat pasture with a fence and rotate their grazing area. Also, free-range chickens eat tons on insects and vegetation. That's how Disney keeps the mosquitoes in check without pesticides.

[@jpennturner]

Goats only eat what they want not what you want, they need shelter and feed, hay, feet trimming, worming, minerals, and protection from vermin, please make sure about proper care, yes half starved goats will clear some brush but be ready for them to escape and eat your garden.

[@sofalvr]

@jpennturner I have a piece of property in upstate New York. I allow my neighbor to let his goats graze on my property and I'm here to tell you there's not much a goat won't eat. Obviously you have to care for them but much of that work you can learn yourself. We also offset much of the other costs by selling goat milk and baby goats. Matt wants to be a homesteader and he seems like the kind of guy that would embrace the process and goats and cows are great farm animals to start with.

[@benkanobe7500]

Great to see you guys found a local Pro. So much better than trying yourself. It all looks great!!!

[@mrbill8542]

Your property is beautiful--so many great spots for the house-hard to pick just 1 !!

[@alejandrovanags4948]

Matt, check out ICF (insulated concrete forms) as an option to build your house. It is DIY friendly and you end up with a concrete structure which is good for hurricane prone areas. We built a pool house in our property here in Houston using ICF blocks, it was labor intensive but very doable as a DIY.

[@castinn]

The thing that concerns me is that red dirt when it rains. Once it is scraped raw, there are no rootlets to hold it in place when the rains come, especially gully-washer type rains like in a hurricane. Also, red soil is high in alumina, low in about everything else, and is highly weathered meaning it is soggy, wet, clay.