Top 4 Vegetables That You Should ALWAYS Grow In A Garden (Preparing For Worldwide Food Shortage)

[@BIRDLEGS828]

I just have to say how much I respect your principles and hard work. I’m 87 yrs young living in a senior apartment complex and I so enjoy your wide open spaces and your farm and your animals. We are allotted an 8 x 8 raised bed each to use so I have cabbage, carrots, broccoli, celery, kale, and jalapeño’s growing but would love to try potatoes. The Lord has blessed me with good health and I will keep gardening until I hear that trumpet call!

[@lindamannix1247]

Yes Margaret I'm waiting to hear that trumpet call along with you !! So glad we know Him. We want to be so full of Christ that it a mosquito bites us he'll fly away singing " there's power in the blood ."

[@jjsanti3529]

Ms. Margaret Chapman, I have seen gardeners grow potatoes in the compost bags. That would give you the ability to grow many, without using your precious 8x8 bed.

[@deannaperata5640]

@@lindamannix1247 I have seen that 'saying' on a shirt...love it!!!

[@Itried20takennames]

Definitely try the potatoes! I put off trying to grow them for a while, then found that they are pretty quick and easy, and have a really satisfying harvest….plus most people like potatoes.

[@romanschapter6559]

Amen!

[@donna1018]

Agree 100%! Grow enough food for your family but also think about an elderly neighbor that may not be able to garden as much, grow to share with them! ❤️

[@TheMacs1]

Exactly!

[@TWBlack]

Thank you for thinking of the elderly, one of which, I am. It's extremely hard for me to garden but I do. We've put in raised beds and I have tons of containers. My husband is a bit younger than I but is a trucker so not here much. It amazes me that my neighbors ALL have property like us 1-2 acres or more that we're ALL wasting by mowing every week. And most are in better shape and much younger than I but the only other one that has a garden is by himself and in bad shape too. It's just maddening that no one else is growing food!! We have started planting fruit trees, so if I can't garden that land by golly I'll "orchard it"! And not one offer of help from anyone. This past Saturday I bought a coop...chickens are next as soon as we figure a fencing/pen option in our high predator area!! Sorry didn't mean to ramble, but again, thank you for thinking of folks that can't do!!

[@donna1018]

@@TWBlack hopefully your neighbors will see the light and start growing food! I hope you continue to garden and are healthy and happy, keep doing what your doing and stay well!

[@TWBlack]

@@tinagale7840 In my opinion that's God's hand at work right there!! We remember how Jesus fed the masses with 5 fish 😉🙏❤️🙏. Hoping for your continued blessing!!

[@maryjane-vx4dd]

I was slightly reprimanded yesterday by my neighbor for gardening. His brother utilized his garden for the last 3 years but is now working 2 jobs. He also threw out all his wife's canning supplies. I don't know what happened. He used to keep an absolutely beautiful garden

[@HomsteadingThePioneerWay]

Try growing corn the Native American way called 3 sisters, when the corn is about a foot tall and a pole bean and squash around it the corn becomes a trellis for the bean and the squash or pumpkin covers the area to keep moisture in and the 3 support one another replacing all the things one takes out another adds it back

[@TheMacs1]

We have heard of that but never tried it

[@lhea57]

Tried it but the beans took down the corn stalks.😢

[@LadyTSurvival]

That's what I'm doing. I'm kinda late planting...but, it is what it is. I will still get a harvest.

[@conniedavidson1807]

Trying this 1st time this year. I'm adding Amaranth to this for grain. If the beans start pulling over the corn, I'll add a trellis. The corn is suppose to be about a foot tall before planting the beans,

[@paulettelamontagne7153]

@@conniedavidson1807 I'm in Northwest Florida I'm going to try that my pole beans are growing higher than my trellises I put up

[@grammajo1889]

My parents lived through the Great Depression with no starvation because they lived on a farm and had a great variety of animals and vegetables and fruit trees and bushes. They grew bags and bags of potatoes, corn and green beans to bottle, banana squash, carrots and pinto beans.Those were staples for survival. Tomatoes and onions and many were important too. We never went hungry and I never knew we were poor.

[@TheMacs1]

Praise the Lord for farms! Praying we don't see another Great Depression but things don't look good.

[@patiencefullerton6250]

Sounds like you had abundance through love, not "things" bought with money. That is the opposite of poor 💌

[@3-6-9-6-3]

Exactly right. I asked my Gram about it and she said the same. "That only affected city folks." "We always worked the land and nothing changed for us."

[@ashton1952]

Lovely story ❤️ gives us hope

[@rebeccabrinkmann5715]

Unfortunately most of us don't have farms today or even much of a yard.

[@cherrydowns7745]

I am elderly and my garden has shrunk to my ability to handle it. Your video has helped me so much in deciding what to grow in my limited space and energy. I'm growing most of what you talked about except herbs and corn. I eat kale, eggs and a meat almost every morning for breakfast! My goal is to create an herb garden, I love herbs and some of them help me control my blood pressure! Thank You, good job young man!

[@TheMacs1]

Yay!! Good luck Mrs cherry! Herbs are a blast! We love kale too!

[@shelahogletree7711]

Cherry Downs Which herbs help control blood pressure?

[@pstill9618]

Most herbs are happy growing in containers. Makes growing them easier.

[@karenreaves3650]

Herbs are a big favorite of mine and grow well on shaded balconies, grow very well in containers and have many health benefits. I can grow small potato varieties. Love beet greens and small beets and carrots, set up trellises with good pots. Bush and determinant varieties of tomatoes green beans cucumbers, peas in January. I am starting a cheap easy hydroponic system inside for greens year round, in Florida.

[@karenreaves3650]

@@shelahogletree7711 Everything is on the internet, including what grows best in your climate. #1 Turmeric, garlic ginger cayenne pepper great for blood pressure and circulation. Cilantro removes heavy metals from your body.

[@debbiejackson5148]

No one realizes how much work farming is until they try and grow their own food. So thank you for all the amazing tips!

[@TheMacs1]

Thank you Mrs debbie! It’s a challenge and some successes and tons of failures!

[@TraftonCrandall]

This is why I'm so glad that we have the Web. We can facilitate learning and share ideas, tips, tactics, strategies, and just overall positive encouragement to each other as we all reconnect to the Land and Work Together to Restore the Earth. #WeCanDoIt #ThankYouFarmers #TheGreatRestoration #HomeSteading #KeepAmericaBeautiful

[@gbennett58]

It's really hard for non-farmers to understand that we are busy all the time. They keep wanting us to go somewhere with them and have to explain over and over that we have chores to do. The animals can't just be put on hold, etc. But they never really understand.

[@User5260jo]

I grew up in the farm my siblings and I were helping at the age of six. I still enjoy planting in my senior years...tomatoes, greens, herbs, different kinds of peppers, okra, celery, eggplant, beans, sweet potatoes, kale, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, fruit trees. Small garden but I plant in pots, too. Not hard when you enjoy doing it.

[@jacquelynyoung221]

You are right, but it is more healthier to go vegan. Also think of longevity, as opposed to eating fleshly foods: Diabetes, high cholesterol, cancer and so on.

[@karenmcbride1264]

My great grandma at 104 yo still kept a huge garden she produced her own compost and used bone meal and blood meal. Everything she planted was prolific and delicious! What a sweetheart!

[@IyseHexxo-br8uo]

Tell me you learned a lot of things from your grandma. I would love to learn!

[@agapefield]

We grow Okra & because my Momma was cajun we not only had it fried but also cooked it in Gumbo, made stewed okra, tomatoes & onions with or without sausage. She pickled okra with & without peppers. We always had an abundance of everything we grew. Enough to eat fresh, can, freeze & even share with the widows in our neighborhood.

[@rocio2917]

Excellent, informative video. 3:06 Potatoes 7:43 Peas and beans 12:07 corn and greens 17:23 herbs

[@TheMacs1]

Thanks for watching!

[@tiggykatz8707]

Thanks, I live in a corn and berry valley. I opted for potatoes, beans, greens and herbs and the latter really are powerhouses of nutrition. I dehydrated org peas:). So happy I made so e good choices.

[@jeanfaircloth7935]

Add tomatoes to that list plus onions. U can have a great meal with all of those veggies so great.

[@LC-iv8lf]

Thank you for breaking this down for us!

[@terencehealy9225]

My husband does grow and have a modest garden, he also has 4 road island red chickens as well here in Hawaii. We have had good success & share with neighbors.. Although, I will be relocating to Long Island NY, & I want to start planting boxes and more, your videos are very helpful, Look foward to more informative videos. Thank you....🙏

[@sandrajohnson9926]

I just learned today dandelion greens are richer in vitamins & minerals than kale or spinach. All parts are edible.

[@TheMacs1]

Yes! People don’t realize “weeds” that we want to weed eat or spray are usually very beneficial to us

[@bettycarrington6082]

We have a field of dandelions!!! we let them grow for our bees! Dandelions, make wonderful bee honey. They can also be used to make bread, fritters, cakes, and in salads of all kinds. Their roots (to the tap root) dried, and grounded make a very pleasing "coffee" like drink.

[@rjvanloon4769]

@@bettycarrington6082 And jam!

[@Counterpoint1951]

There's a market near me that sells prepared dandelion greens in their deli section. They're delicious, so now we get them whenever we stop by.

[@6648rome]

As akid, we used to have to dig them out. We ate them like spinach

[@northeasttexasgardener]

As a gardener who tries to stay organic as much as possible, the phrase "clean manure" is fully understandable to me.

[@TheMacs1]

Lol yes!!! That’s what I am talking about!

[@annmoses654]

Yes.. we use 'clean manure' from our animals as well.. it's a good description :)

[@dl7596]

@@annmoses654 061022. The Macs & Ann Moses ," we use 'clean manure' from our animals as well" .

[@coencoen572]

The animals ate bills spray.. Nothing is clean..... Sorry to wake u up

[@coencoen572]

@@troyyarbrough chemical trails. Aluminum

[@startrekgal]

Here in the Southern Appalachians, the old timers and mountain people including my family and our neighbors always planted their green beans with the corn. The beans provides nitrogen to the corn and the corn stalks provide a platform for the beans to climb. We always had delicious corn and beans that way. My brother and I grew up on our parents organic garden although they did use a little chemical fertilizer at planting…. Take it from an old retired medical doctor with degrees in biology, minors in chemistry and physics…a nitrogen molecule is a nitrogen molecule whether it comes from a cow’s butt or a bag. But like you I like the way God does things better than man. 😀 Mom canned and froze what we grew and we ate it all year long. We drank fresh grass fed cow’s milk from the neighbors. Fresh daily straight from the pasture. A gallon a day for a whole 50 cents. My brother and I were without a doubt the strongest kids in our elementary school when we played one on one tug of war. No one could beat us! Maybe the fact we were direct descendants of Daniel Boone’s oldest brother helped too, but I personally think Mom and Dad’s no compromise love with equal amounts of disciple, faith in God and that great food was the answer to our amazing strength. 😄 Thanks for your video!

[@TheMacs1]

Wow! Love this! 50 cents!! Talk about inflation 🥴 thanks for sharing! We read every word!

[@3-6-9-6-3]

Your story mirrors my own. Working the land and raising chickens made me stronger than the rest in my class. As a child I hated the work knowing the kids in town were out playing and riding bikes while I picked tomatoes and beans until my back was blistered every weekend from midsummer to frost. Now my brother and I keep the tradition and appreciate what the work is for far more than my younger version. The sad part is the next generation doesn't pitch in. When they ask we are more than happy to give if they want to pick.😁

[@alllifematters]

A problem with a "nitrogen molecule is a nitrogen molecule" is that chemical fertilizers flow into the ground water and rivers easier than natural fertilizers which tend to breakdown naturally in the soil... One reason for toxic algae in the rivers is due to processed fertilizers and pesticides in our rivers and now in the ocean

[@janahicks1477]

I grew up that way also. Oh how id love to go back in time.

[@shannonfbc1]

@@3-6-9-6-3 lol I also had the same and spent years as a young adult hating even the sight of green beans why oh why did we have so many of them lol now in hindsight those were the best times and I miss it

[@CaponeCabin]

It is so exciting and wonderful to see young people learning to live a older ways lifestyle 🥰

[@TheMacs1]

We wouldn’t have it any other way!

[@belemsantillan826]

@@TheMacs1 thanks to you and your generation, we can learn from you.

[@afriendtoo6971]

It is good to focus on perennials also. Sorrel, Welsh onions, lovage, berries, asparagus, rhubarb etc. etc. etc. It is sure nice seeing that stuff come up early in the spring without any work.

[@matthewmoore7097]

Well our government is pushing us to the verge of no return so....why not.

[@3-6-9-6-3]

I wish my brother and I could get the next generations more involved. They love the look, they love the flavor, and hate the work.

[@ofcrodsplugs]

We have 15 acres in North Central Florida. I've be preparing a food Forrest for several years. We grow citrus, pomegranates, Loquats, black Mulberries, cucumbers, herbs and spices. We loved your video. We're both older adults, just turned 70 but very active. There are medicinal plants and trees as well. Loufa is a great crop that can be eaten or let grow to its full length and used for bathing or scrubbing pots & pans in the kitchen. Grew them last year with great success. Thanks for the great info. God Bless

[@TheMacs1]

Thanks for watching mr Bert! Perfect place for a food forest!

[@ofcrodsplugs]

It's so wholesome to see that we can be resourceful and efficient to grow our food. Survival is largely predicated on food. Thanks again... God Bless you ALL

[@jillfield3102]

Your so lucky

[@raysumpter7706]

We live in Hampton florida

[@ridgerunner106]

Dont plant gourds near watermelons.

[@goofyroofy]

sweet potatoes cause you get both a tuber crop and you can eat the greens as well, plus makes a good ground cover.

[@TheMacs1]

Yes!

[@MsFlipper1969]

I didn't know you could eat the vines too! I've tried to start off slips this year but the tuber just sat there in the water tray for 3 weeks and didn't sprout anything! It didn't rot either which was worrying! (I'm in UK)

[@mrf5347]

@@MsFlipper1969 Sterilized or GMO, either way people can't Grow anything

[@NapoleonGARDENINGTV]

I haven't tried to eat the greens of the potatoes.

[@GeckoHiker]

@@NapoleonGARDENINGTV Don't eat regular potato greens. Only sweet potato greens are edible.

[@JJ-gd7gf]

Seems like tomatoes, onions, peppers and garlic is included in so many recipes that I would think they should be a consideration for any garden. Great work on your videos!

[@TheMacs1]

Thank you for watching!!

[@aphillips5376]

I agree. I am a first time gardener this year and I plan to grow more of the ones you mentioned above just because of that reason. Also, garlic was so easy to grow...practically hands off.

[@billweirdo9657]

3 sisters. Maze grown on an mound, plant beans to climb the corn stalks, plan squash around to provide pest protection and shade soil. Also good to plant an fish heada under each maze plant. This combination of plants will keep your soil extremely productive

[@TheMacs1]

Yes we are doing a three sister patch now!

[@billweirdo9657]

@@TheMacs1 wonderful thing about this technique is it provides all needed nutrients for human diet and highly preserve able foods. On top of that it's so easy even those without green thumbs can manage it. A great skill to learn with food prices on the rise.

[@jimmiegrann5822]

I read that putting coffee grounds on the fish (which nourishes the corn) and deters animals from digging up plant to get to fish (even sardines work it said)!🤷‍♀️

[@billweirdo9657]

@@jimmiegrann5822 coffee grounds have lot of nitrogen so that would be a good addition. But I don't recommend sardines of canned because of the salt content. If fresh fish then yes it's fine.

[@Valorius]

I just sold everything I own, bought a big rural homestead and moved my family here in December because it is obvious what's coming. We got 2100 sq feet of fenced in crop and garden beds going now. Hoping it's enough to weather the storm that is coming. Thanks for the video and information.

[@TheMacs1]

Way to rock it! Like you names says! It’s freedom!

[@Valorius]

@@TheMacs1 We're way out in Rural Kentucky (we have a small channel if you'd like to check our place out, it's tiny compared to yours!) When I was meeting locals here for the first time they all looked at me like I was nuts and asked me what made me pick middle of nowhere Kentucky to live. I gave them all the same one word answer. Freedom. It's funny, they tell me we're the first "foreigners" they've had in the county as far back as they can remember. Hehehe. Great people though. Super helpful. Subscribed to your channel, thanks again for the awesome information.

[@amymyers7713]

Excellent. Good for you. Stay safe and healthy.

[@heatherfosth]

Great video! I appreciate your emphasis on self-sustaining growing methods. In my faith tradition (I am a Christian), there is a calling and a responsibility to care for those beyond my own immediate family. Given that, my focus has been on teaching and cultivating community gardens as well as my own. My grandmother kept several acres with the women's group at her church (I'm originally from Georgia), and they gave away the surplus. Self-sustaining food production is a lost skill. Thank you for bringing some of that wisdom back into the world! May God bless you, your family, and your beautiful land!

[@TheMacs1]

Thanks so much! God bless!

[@shelley2553]

The best kind of people in this world, The Macs! Christ centered, educating us to do better..love ya all..I know this is a old video but gonna watch it..always learn something..

[@kenbellchambers4577]

Sir Albert Howard reported a hundred yeas ago that composted manure is four times more valuable than uncomposted manure. Also, composting rabbit manure and chicken bedding ensures that you are staying safe by not permitting any pathogenic bacteria or fungus to escape. Your property is absolutely wonderful. You are undoubtedly a genius of the highest order and I congratulate you for sharing your talents with us. Sincerest peace and blessings to you and your family. Sending you golden light now.

[@TheMacs1]

Thanks mr Ken! The more we look at history the more we can actually learn!

[@agapefield]

My Daddy grew the three sisters method. He grew corn with beans growing up the stalks to add nitrogen back and squash or pumpkins to be shaded by the other two.

[@monicamaus5990]

Just suggesting. We make our own fish emulsion fertilizer. Works great on corn 🌽

[@jeremyhenderson163]

North Alabama here, lol I don't know if I should admit that so publicly. I know it falls into herb, but mint. I grow peppermint in my small 100 gallon koi pond and spearmint in a planter I made from half of an IBC tote. The peppermint adds enough shade for my koi and preventing evaporation (and actual cool) and peppermint oil from the 2 (per variety) harvests per season. They can also be used to weed out weed growth because it grows like crazy. We are planning on moving onto our family property (basically neglected for a decade) to begin our self-sufficient life soon, and plan on taking this cash crop (for us) with us.

[@TheMacs1]

That's really cool!

[@jeremyhenderson163]

@@TheMacs1 I meant to mention that I REALLY like what ya'll have going on. I have been using chicken manure for my back yard garden for a few years now, LMAO I didn't realize how much a chicken pooped until I raised my 7 hen/3 rooster flock. I learned how to clone from cuttings (here on youtube) and have been focusing on fruit (thornless blackberries, blueberries, peach trees, apple trees, etc.) baring plants in order to have a small orchard ready when we move to our property.

[@TheMacs1]

@@jeremyhenderson163 that is really amazing! You're doing a great job. Cutting and seed saving can save major $$$ - and composting poop can also save major $$. Keep up the great work!

[@jeremyhenderson163]

@@TheMacs1 :) Thank you, you do the same.

[@bonnieboyle2030]

I’m new to your channel. But very impressed. I’m 71. I love the fact that you use and reuse everything to grow healthy food and in process do not deplete the earth. I admire that fact. Keep up the wonderful work. Blessings to you and your family. 🐰🐝🐞✌️

[@TheMacs1]

Thanks so much Mrs Bonnie! You rock!

[@joanjohnson2026]

Such wisdom! Excellent ideas! May God be glorified as His people press in to Him. 🙏

[@TheMacs1]

Thanks so much Mrs Joan!!

[@deborah6347]

I grew up in the county with my parents growing everything you've mentioned and more..radishes,strawberries, carrots, pumpkin,had a cherry tree too...I didn't realize it until I was older how we'd grow potatoes one year and in the same place corn the next. Unfortunately my father never understood the greens thing so we never did greens for the nitrates. But I sure did haul a $#it load... literally..of rabbit manure...we had a rabbit Barn too..he used that to nourish the soil...we were eating organic before organic was a thing. I miss those days!!!!

[@TheMacs1]

Yes indeed! Rabbits are huge providers for sure. Thanks so much!!!

[@deborah6347]

@@TheMacs1 No problem.. I wish I could live on a farm again. Any room at the Inn? Lol

[@janetholley1004]

aged cow, chicken&duck, rabbit fertilizer is great food for plants. As a child i hated creaming corn on the board with the slicer, but you can' beat garden vegetables during the winter, or a grandmother that made plum&fig preserves & slow fried rabbit covered in gravy with home made biscuits. Purple hull peas&cornbread with hot tomato relish. I could go on&on, I miss them too!

[@rebeccaharp3254]

I love your farm. I agree on all your crops. (I'm 69) I have a small garden outside my apt. Do you forage as well. I'm learning what's edible. Clover, Purslane, Dandelion, berries, spruce tips and more. Love, Rebecca (tTt)

[@catfunksfabulousfinds]

Home grown potatoes have so much flavor compared to store bought potatoes. If you grow your own onions too, fried potatoes & onion has a whole new wonderful flavor!

[@TheMacs1]

Oh yes! Home grown anything has so much more flavors! Fully agree!

[@violetopal6264]

😍 Sounds wonderful 😊

[@KristiContemplates]

You can also run them through the juicer to separate the potato meal and potato starch, with the potato juice liquid going back into the soils.

[@jkjk5724]

@@KristiContemplates Potatoes skins, once upon a time, were made into a tea to give to "invalids" and the frail. I think it was the potassium.

[@melodyclark4347]

My favorite meal is fried potatoes and onion. The red onion is a milder sweeter taste. You can also add any herbs or mix you like.

[@sandyfreyman3501]

Ok so I've been growing 12 years now and I feel the best to grow is pumpkins. I don't have to weed them and it's a big vegetable that can make pies, cakes, and as a stew. They store in the house until the next season anywhere on tables etc. . I do herbs as well like lemon grass it combines with ginger for a healthy tea. Also tomatoes I grow white yellow, red , and Cherokee purple and San marzano basically. That gives me sauces through the year to freeze for pizza, soups and spaghetti. Beans are freezable greens as well and also I dry apples from my trees. So fruit trees are easy no weeding as well. My beans are bush beans so they are easy too. And fast growers such as contenders.

[@granmabern5283]

We still have squash from last year now. I poke it with a knife then bang on it and it cracks open in half because the shell gets hard over time in the house but the inside is fine. The orange coloured squash lasted longer than the green ones like acorn, I had to throw a couple of green squash out ( pepper squash and acorn) after six months in a box in the spare room.

[@TheMacs1]

Awesome job! Keep up the great work!

[@bettycarrington6082]

Pumpkins, and winter squash, are wonderful keepers! I enjoy having them fresh all the way to late winter or early spring. Living in Alaska, with the long days in the summer, is perfect to have them at the right stage in early fall.

[@jkjk5724]

I collect others' pumpkins after Halloween or Thanksgiving. I just love the seeds. I haven't started canning yet & all that pumpkin & pumpkin butter took up way too much freezer space, so I started dehydrating & grinding it to a powder. I add it to so much of my cooking, boosting nutrition. Of course I offer whatever finished product back to the original donor. I make mushroom powder, too.

[@jennyhutto7120]

Thank you for the great advice.i grow a garden every year.i live in town but we have chickens and a big garden.i am teaching my grand children to garden and raise chickens.we get lots and lots of eggs.we share everything we have with the elderly and our neighbor's. God put me here to help others.Praise God he is soooo good

[@TheMacs1]

God is surely good and worthy of it all! Keep on rocking it

[@beverlyt.5526]

I'm a gardener and grew up with parents who ALWAYS had a HUGE garden, we ate from it year round. I try and try every year BUT the wild animals end up eating everything on me. I've tried marigolds, red pepper flakes and a few other things so I just gave up. I have 7 acres right next to beautiful water and I take care of it all alone plus the house. I also have my 84 and 94 year old parents with me who have Alzheimer's and Dementia. This Video makes me crave having a huge garden again. I thank you for the smiles and the memories and I know I'll think of this Video when I'm in the produce section of my grocery store. Your herbs are AMAZING!!!! Tomatoes flare up my arthritis, Love them but try staying away from them. What A Gorgeous Farm Y'all Have 💕!!!! I just Subscribed and feel Thankful Your Site popped up for me! Western Upstate New York Nurse here 💕 Stay Healthy Everyone 💕

[@TheMacs1]

I'm really sorry to hear that. If you decide to plant. Maybe try planting a few things you like. Keep them close to your house .. maybe try hot fence or traps for small animals. .. or buckets or container planing on your back or front porch! There are many ways to garden without getting overwhelmed and still provide at least some of the things you like to eat 💕

[@diminudivadollhaus2097]

I have the same problem with animals eating all my vegetables. I used to be able to grow a garden and harvest until more and more people moved around me and began mowing large lawns. Now the animals come and eat all my fruits and vegetables and corn. They really love green bean plants!

[@jjsanti3529]

That was my dilemma last year! The animals ate everything. Hopefully this year will be better with the organic and natural measures I have taken.

[@charliecrash3450]

Being on a Keto diet for awhile, I started substituting starchy potatoes with Turnips. These root vegetables are great in stews but they're a bit pricey per pound comparing to potatoes, so I started growing them in my garden, along with carrots and onions as well...looking forward to harvesting!

[@TheMacs1]

Yes! Understandable

[@DB-xo6xh]

Good thinking!!!

[@hp-cs7mx]

Fresh turnips and Swedes are delicious. So different from store-bought which are old by the time they are available.

[@shannonfbc1]

Oignons are an amazing one to grow and provide an abundance carrots I've never had great luck with but we did grow them successfully when I was a kid and like all root veg they keep very well through the winter

[@lunagray-wolf2404]

Great for you! Just a FYI, potatoes are a root food food like turnips and carrots. Potatoes are a good source of vitamins and eaten proper amounts are beneficial. But I love both! Turnip greens are delicious as well

[@patriciatinkey2677]

I cannot be without onions, scallions, leeks, garlic...all the alliums! Tomatoes too, I pick & eat the tiny varieties right off the vine every day. Never running low on vitamin C. 🙂🌻

[@TheMacs1]

We love both of those too! Great option!!

[@jackiegreen3444]

I have to have onions and garlic. Use them in every meal.

[@crankiemanx8423]

Your garden beds look great.when you grow smaller variety of vegetables it's also helpful to rotate your crops to avoid pest infestation & depletion of soil nutrients.its actually beans/legumes that return the nitrogen to the soil,once you have harvested a bean plant & it's time to pull it up you will see the small white grainy ball type things attached to the roots they are actually the nitrogen.you then chop up the plants & dig them into the soil before planting either corn or leafy greens which are also heavy feeders.my grandfather used to do this without even having the need to constantly add animal manure for nitrogen.look up rotation gardening "crop rotation" for more info.very helpful.

[@TheMacs1]

Thanks so much for sharing!

[@dianacurry6248]

Thank you for explaining that the small white things are nitrogen! Im 72, have had a few gardens in my life, this is the 1st time I have EVER hear ANYONE , say this.

[@crankiemanx8423]

@@dianacurry6248 it was about 15 yrs ago I read this in a gardening magazine here in Australia.💗🌿🌻

[@mikerobertabellinger1527]

Crop rotation is so important!

[@jimmiegrann5822]

I left roots of beans in ground & cut plant off at ground level so as not to disturb the life below! Roots biodegrade & ke soil from compacting.

[@judystaab7126]

I. Like these kind of progrms, like this kind to get way from politics. We need a break from all that, for a while. This is imformational, thank you!❤❤😅😅😊

[@jamisongbj]

Root veggies like turnips and radishes along with winter squash type fruits that have long shelf life and are versatile in the kitchen. One acorn, butternut, or delicata squash can give you hundreds of seeds for the next year and most will keep for months. Even pumpkins

[@TheMacs1]

Thanks so much! I think you are correct! I would love to see more people grow those type of food and veges!

[@michaelm5601]

Mac, you are doing a great job with your farm. The neatness, organization and cleanliness shows what a hard working provider you are. Nice Small the perfect amount of land, you’re making good use of your land. Kudos Mac.

[@user-dm1tv6nl2e]

Butternut and acorn squash keep all winter in the right conditions. Onions are full of nutrients, almost no animals eat them, and makes everything taste good Sunflowers provide oil (if you're industrious) and animal feed (can even leave them on the flower head)

[@TheMacs1]

Yes all of those are amazing crops and great points!!!

[@cherylbishop7657]

We're in zone " 3 ,4 ,& 5,all in the same day, high desert. Oregon. I'm still trying to just get something to grow. GOD BLESS

[@carolynmccall7592]

You have a great outlook and organization skill on your homestead. On the nitrogen issue : think past monoculture. If you interplanted your peas and beans at the base of the corn plants , that would give the corn a constant source of nitrogen. Also give the beans a natural trellis to grow on. Carry on!

[@patriciatinkey2677]

He's doing great! The intercrop thing works best in smaller patches Terrific for home & suburban gardens where space is limited.

[@тито-к9в]

yes, Indigenous peoples of this continent discovered early on the power that these plant alliances can have. I believe it was one of the various Maya peoples who first perfected growing mother maiz, beans, and squash together in symbiosis and to the delight of all. genius!!!

[@ajeano2794]

gooseberries

[@AChorister1]

@@тито-к9в Known as the "Three Sisters!"

[@trevor5290]

Quinoa - loads of protein and usage from just a few plants

[@TheMacs1]

Yes! We are lookin into more grain items to grow. We appreciate your suggestions

[@Opalvet]

I’m part Cherokee and moved to the Arizona mountains desert..... 3 sisters and the okra have been productive. “Succotash” is a staple meal from our garden. My mother always planted-bush , pole, Lima, snap peas, string beans, black eye peas for “hopping John” meal... it’s a challenge growing in the desert.... however I feel that if you can grow food here, YOU CAN SURVIVE as well as thrive!🙏

[@TheMacs1]

Awesome job!!! Keep it up!!!

[@TheMacs1]

Yes every place has challenges but fully agree, people have made it everywhere before we just have to learn what to grow where and what can make us better

[@jkjk5724]

I have a question that I hope doesn't sound too silly. I absolutely love lima beans- it was a comfort food growing up. The big fat Fordhook type, not baby limas at all (wrong skin-to-"meat" ratio- lol!). I'm not crazy about dried beans, except for certain kinds in certain recipes. What I love are FROZEN lima beans. To grow the equivalent, do I just pick them at a particular stage? And how is best to keep them? Last time I tried to buy some, the big limas were more expensive per pound than a (cheap) steak, like $5.50/lb. I refused to pay that. My husband surprised me later aand splurged on some as a gift for me (he can't stand 'em).

[@johan8724]

Desert soil has a lot of minerals. When irrigated a lot can grow there

[@ou-fg4ly]

I was an old rebel at raised beds..and last year i picked one of my older beds and decided id grow some beets...those crazy things would try their best to grow out of the soil by day and then escape and run away at night..i just left that bed to weed over and let the cats take dumps in it..then this spring happened.. one morning in a hurry to go to town...i dumped some old pumpkin seed from a basket in there and coals from my bbq....now today i have aproximately 650 pumpkin vines taking off in every diection...if these methods work im certainly up to understanding new ways of doing things

[@TheMacs1]

😂😂😂 I couldn't help but fine that so funny. But claps for innovation!

[@TheMacs1]

😂😂😂 I couldn't help but fine that so funny. But claps for innovation!

[@rednecknation9018]

This is one of the best sustainable farming videos I’ve seen

[@TheMacs1]

Wow thanks so much! That means a lot!’

[@michelehough5630]

Sweet potatoes. They are versatile, can be grown in abundance, the leaves as well as the tubers can be eaten raw, steamed, freeze dried, frozen, and canned. They are more glycemically healthy for you than Irish potatoes. Plus they keep well in a root cellar, and one potato can make hundreds of new slips/plants for the next year. Thanks for your informative video.

[@TheMacs1]

Great points. We have a whole video dedicated to sweet potatoes 😃

[@mpedmar9701]

Gardening the 3 Sisters way automatically fixes the soil and makes the most of your space. Corn, beans, squash and or pumpkins. We love potatoes, sweet potatoes and cucumbers too . Thanks for sharing your gardening expertise and experience with us. Stay happy, healthy, hydrated and safe. May God continue to bless you, your family and your adventures.

[@TheMacs1]

We appreciate you watching! Great tips!

[@pegsol3834]

I've found the 3 sisters method to be over rated. The timing of the plants doesn't synchronize and beans pull down the stalks.

[@mpedmar9701]

@@pegsol3834 My Mama always planted against a fence and the beans climbed the fence. The whole idea is that they share the same soil space.

[@MushroomMagpie]

Try peas instead of beans.

[@pegsol3834]

@@mpedmar9701 ok

[@kevinlappan323]

When we had our farm I’ve never felt prouder then sitting down with me family for supper and everything on the table we grew

[@mimaroo1431]

My family moved from a central city home into a village in the middle of farm country last March. I've lived in the city all my life, but my parents always had a large vegetable garden and my parents had friends with farms, so I grew up with our diet being supplemented by the garden and our farmer friends during the winter. We have had a garden for the last two years and this was the first time I've ever done my own canning. It's a lot of work, but it's also very satisfying and we love being able to eat some of what we've grown. It's been a learning curve for sure. Thankfully there's a lot of helpful KZbin videos 😉

[@tiffanyevenson798]

Tomatos would be one for me and my family simply because we use tomatoes in a lot of ways. We love our salsa, spaggiitti sauce and diced tomatos. We would go crazy without those options lol. But everything is u mentioned was spot on.

[@TheMacs1]

Yummy! Keep up the good work

[@theresagross3523]

That’s a huge one for us as well, that and potatoes 😁

[@marilynleonard6772]

@@TheMacs1 I

[@monieperez2503]

Thank you so much. I'm from California, I learned so much from this vedio. I want to leave this California soon. I am starting to plant my own vegetables, I have them mostly in big pots. My Chile I grow in my yard they seem to do good there. I would love to maybe move to Tennessee and buy an acre and try to do a little farming well just grow some vegetables. I'm not much of a farmer I wish I was but I grew up in the city all my life. But better late then never especially, because I'm not young anymore. But with God's help and grace he will help me. Thank you again for sharing what you know about farming. God bless you and your family.

[@TheMacs1]

East TN is absolutely beautiful 💕

[@leonalarson1598]

Well, you're the first person to put it into such a simplistic grouping list. Thank you 😊

[@cyndyatwildrose5551]

Sweet potatoes. The whole plant is edible and high in nutrients.

[@TheMacs1]

Yes!

[@strawberryme08]

They’re yummy cut thin eaten raw too

[@jimmyjohnstone5878]

Depends on climate and growing season.

[@derekclawson4236]

Never watched your channel before. Glad you make a focus on doing things organic all the way through. Nice to see someone else that cares on that level.

[@TheMacs1]

Thanks so much mr Derek!

[@tthappyrock368]

I grow lots of onions and garlic. They're easy to grow, don't take up a lot of space and provide scent camouflage for greens and brassicas. For the garlic, I just take a few bulbs from the produce section of the grocery store, split them up into cloves and plant them around the other plants in spring for a late summer/early fall harvest, and/or plant in late summer for the next year's harvest. I've traditionally used soft neck varieties because they store longer, but I found an awesome hard neck variety which I'm trying this year because it develops huge cloves.

[@TheMacs1]

Great suggestion! Check out our videos we just did on 7 veges in small places or 5 perennials, they both are featured on there!

[@farmgirl151]

Thank you Mac Family for taking the time to make your updates. We appreciate your work, commitment, views and values. They match the majority of many and farmers appreciate you as well.

[@MimsysGarden]

Great video Colby! The farm looks great! Onions, garlic & peppers have to be on my survival list lol

[@TheMacs1]

Yes lol!

[@violetopal6264]

Garlic too! Lots of great health benefits 🧄

[@jobiepatrick6150]

Hey there, consider putting like a 1X8 piece of wood or a log in there cage in the winter keeps them stay warmer and a piece of ceramic floor tile in with them in the summer it keeps them cool and it lets them get off the cage floor, win win 👍🏼. Not too big you still want the precious poop to fall.

[@TheMacs1]

Thanks! We actually put ceramic tiles in there last week! That’s awesome!

[@judysherfey9444]

I lay them around and tuck choice compost under them. The beetles, worms and roly polies thrive there...my girls get treats when I move them.

[@briehoblin8478]

Totally recommend the book Resilient Gardening by Carol Deppe. She talks about creating gardens that are better for many different challenging situations. Some of the crops she recommends are potatoes, winter squash, and dried beans. But she also recommends having chickens for eggs and growing flint corn if you can for flour. Dent corn is helpful too.

[@TheMacs1]

awesome! We will check it out!

[@jimmiegrann5822]

Dent corn?

[@cheryldonahue8242]

Have not grown a garden in years . I am planting this year. Thank you for your advise on these things. I appreciate it.

[@kevinward7498]

Cucumbers are extremely productive and easy to grow with no pests, around here at least. I just started making refrigerator pickles using garlic and jalapeno pepper I grew and some other spices and things. Super easy and delicious pickles that are supposed to last around 5 to 6 months in the refrigerator. I'll be filling my refrigerators up with pickles before winter. LOL

[@TheMacs1]

Keep up the great work!

[@bullettube9863]

When I was young we lived in rural Western New York and we grew two different crops: One for storage and one for summer usage. I continued gardening right up until I retired five years ago and moved into an apartment. Squash, carrots, onions, and beets can be harvested in the fall to store and last into the following spring. We never grew potatoes because my great uncle had 40 acres of muck devoted to his cash crop of potatoes. However potatoes always popped up in the compost pile along with a pumpkin plant. Peas were planted on St Patric's day, and a month later the beans went in; green and yellow varieties. Tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, and peppers were planted on Memorial Day. Broccoli and cauliflower can be planted anytime after the last frost as they like cool weather. Carrots and beets like warm soil to germinate in. The one plant that people over-plant is summer squash and Zucchini, one plant of each can supply the whole neighborhood! For me the number one soil amendment was leaf mold, I used to "Harvest" leaves and never considered them as waste. Wood chips take nitrogen to break down so I didn't mulch with them. Ground up leaves and grass clippings always worked best! AND I never used pesticides or weed killers period!

[@TheMacs1]

Yes correct! Using natural compost methods are so amazing and truly add better than anything you can buy!

[@woodspirit98]

Finally someone who actually knows how, what and when to plant. Most of the ideas in the comments are exactly why people try and fail at gardening. Grow worms in your soil and you have perfect soil and pretty close to perfect crops. Forget about companion planting and plant exactly like this person suggests. Plus the weeding and watering.

[@KristiContemplates]

Wood chips take a lot of nitrogen to break down? So, they'd break down faster if you collect your yellow water and pour that into the chips. Might explain why my grandma still had chamber pots under the bed. Helpful for toddlers who don't want to go all the way to the loo at night. RIP Grandma

[@bullettube9863]

@@KristiContemplates The aerobic bacteria that breaks down wood cellulose require nitrogen and oxygen to function. You are better off keeping wood chips in a separate compost bin and adding grass clippings to speed up the composting process. A heavy layer of wood chips can also become a haven for mosquitoes and other insect pests such as snails

[@bullettube9863]

@@woodspirit98 Companion planting is a very real thing! Back in the 70s I was mystified why my strawberries did so poorly one year. The reason was I had decided to plant potatoes next to them. Turns out this was a big -no-no and I have since learned a few other tricks about companion planting.

[@eagleinflight777]

I love the things you suggested, but my first 3 go to plant are always tomato's, peppers and cucumbers. You can get so much from one plant, and you can do so much with them.

[@TheMacs1]

That’s true!

[@LizC718]

Those 3 are good but I have to agree potatoes and beans are more nutrient dense and fills your belly quicker. Everyone loves tomatoes cucumbers and peppers. I love them but I'm for the nutrient dense and filling food. We are facing a food shortage crisis.

[@Sunshine-pf6wv]

We do a small garden and we grow enough to help with are elderly neighbors. We threw out strawberries scraps in an ash pile for one year and now we have a 10 by 10 full of strawberries. Big and beautiful and so sweet

[@carriebeard-R.I.T.S]

Another great video! We try to put onions and garlic anywhere there's extra space. Great for seasoning, medicinal and fending off some garden raiders.

[@TheMacs1]

Exactly!!

[@colliecoform4854]

I interplant everywhere I can fit it. Stick lots in the flower garden, on the sides of trellises, in pots, anywhere I can find in the sun. My garlic gets planted in the fall and isn't ready to pull til July. I have a bed of it now but I really want the space for summer crops. I'll use for a second planting of determinate plum tomatoes.

[@georadzo787]

I agree basil is a required companion plant, especially near tomato plants to limit pest. Mint is worthwhile for animal deterance, and good mint tea.

[@TheMacs1]

Excellent comment! Both a excellent to use!

[@fayshaw1]

Consider growing duck weed to feed the chickens. It's 40% protein and loaded with vitamins and nutrients. Duckweed doubles it's size in about 2 days. It is the most profitable crop per acre, even beating out soybeans.

[@TheMacs1]

That’s amazing info! Thanks for sharing! We definitely going to look at taht!

[@nude_cat_ellie7417]

Would duckweed kill off fish in a pond? I’ve heard it can limit oxygenation.

[@judysherfey9444]

I have minnows and 🦆 weed. Both are happy;). Maybe the large fish have problems? Also I harvest the duckweed for...ducks!

[@silverpotter6325]

It can mess up wells bad its a very hard plant to control states have invasive plant lists duckweed is one

[@mariaesther2588]

22 minutes with a stranger, who blessed me with a lifetime education, for free. Thank you sir. Subscribed. Let the planting begin!

[@TheMacs1]

Wow thanks so much!

[@danastewart1799]

Yes, yes, yes! I grow potatoes every year, love watching them grow and love eating them and sharing with my elderly neighbors. Love fresh food! Great video! Thanks!

[@TheMacs1]

Thanks so much!

[@JTBear]

Beautiful use of your land, fantastic looking gardens and a great list! Thanks for posting!

[@TheMacs1]

Thanks so much!

[@Doc1855]

We live in north central WA state, so our growing season is short. This year is abnormally cooler than usual. Our Greens and wax beans are still small but doing good. We noticed red potatoes growing in our compost pile. Every year we plant Walla Walla sweet onions. Onions are sweeter if we allow them to go through the winter and harvest the next year. We average 4-5 feet of snow every winter up here in the mountains and the snow usually sticks around until late April, but this year we weren’t able to plant until the 2nd week in May. We only have 3/4 of an acre of useable garden space as the rest of our land is heavily forested. But we use every available space of land possible. We planted 6 dwarf fruit trees this year. 3 Honey Crisp Apple, 1 Donut Peach, 2 Rainer Cherry. Next year we will plant 2 Elderberry trees on the property line with our closest neighbor as they love Elderly Berry’s too.

[@TheMacs1]

Keep rocking it! You are correct when you say you grow what you can and where you are. Focusing on more cool loving crops

[@gc7068]

Yes, potatoes, beans, peas, corn, winter squash, and then fruit, veg, and herbs for vitamins and variety. I put in all sorts of fruit trees/bushes/vines and perennial veg/herbs as soon as we move to a new place. All around the fruit trees, I plant pinto beans, asparagus, herbs, and strawberries. Then, I get the other stuff in. It doesn't take much work but does take some money.

[@TheMacs1]

Great work!! Keep it up!!

[@Chellees]

Great video! I would include onions in this group. Raw, dehydrated, powdered, etc. Great veg and very versatile…..

[@TheMacs1]

Check out the two videos featuring onions in survival. We did it in the 5 perennials video and the small space growing video last week !

[@markhaseley3304]

Thanks! My wife knows a lot more than I do, but you explained things while showing your farm "organization" and that helped me a lot!

[@TheMacs1]

Thanks so much Mr mark! We appreciate that!!

[@tinadoty5406]

Yes. Everyone NEEDS to start doing their part growing something. This will be the future to sustain each other. As they are planning to starve us to death. Yes, it's an evil plan but it's definitely their plan. Trading and bartering will be a great way for us to care for our families and each other as commanded by the LORD. Thank you for sharing your knowledge 🙏

[@TheMacs1]

Thanks so much Mrs Tina! Your right! It is so important for people to start growing!!!

[@Lighthousepreserve]

Yeah before sneaky chip implanted. I won t do a flu shop or their myriad of vaccines being peddled. Shingles too, I d be wary.

[@3-6-9-6-3]

My brother and I helped our neighbors through the covid lockdown. What kills me is we were annexed by the nearest town about six years ago and we are no longer allowed to have farm animals. We used to raise 200 chickens a year.😡

[@Hankyjane]

So. Just set back and let them??? How to fight back??? If your in any of those farming industries stop obeying their dictates. Ask people for help. We are here. We just need to be told what to do and told what's happening. Veterans. We need you.

[@tinadoty5406]

@@3-6-9-6-3 I'm sorry to hear this, truly. Not sure if everyone already knows this and only a few can do it but for those who can. I was in real estate, never stopped learning. I was always taking the hard cases and blessed w the right way to look, I suppose. Sell when the market is high, like now, if you can share a home w someone else or camper for 6 months, or rent reasonably from someone you know. Then when the market crashes and it is headed that way buy, buy buy. When you sell make absolutely certain you are Not selling to a corporation connected to CCP, WEF, ie Bill Gates type organizations. Just a thought and a way to get your dream 🏡

[@DaniDaysAhead]

New here. Im Dani, Feel like there's a lot I can learn from you. Good to meet you.

[@TheMacs1]

Thanks so much Dani! Hope you enjoy!!

[@JamesCouch777]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. My parents grew up during the depression so they passed the mindset down to us that you need to stay prepared. Even though we are getting old we still try to be as prepared as possible.

[@TheMacs1]

Many don't pass that down. Be thankful! Thanks for watching!

[@barbarabrand190]

As you are raising chickens....chicken feathers are a top source of nitrogen. I put mine in the compost heap and mix it up. It will take a few months to break down, but once it does the compost is worth gold.

[@TheMacs1]

We use our feathers blood and bones from all our chickens. Perfect uses on top of eggs meats and broths

[@woodspirit98]

Chicken feathers have around 12% nitrogen but it's not readily available to plants unless it broken down or heat treated. It doesn't do much for plants though it won't hurt them. Nitrogen is a very unstable element. Meaning it's always trying to get back into it's gaseous form. It's extremely abundant in a gas form which is why our atmosphere is almost 80% nitrogen. We are basically nitrogen breathers. Too much nitrogen in plants can kill animals that eat it. In order for it to change from a gas into ammonia or other forms that plants can absorb, lightning plays a role followed by rain and snow which gets it into the soil. Some plants can fix it it from the atmosphere also but to a limited extent. If and when it gets into lakes and rivers it can be deadly to aquatic life and create serious, difficult to remedy problems. Creating dead zones and oxygenless zones. Algae and even ready algae blooms will also occur. Using commercial fertilizer that is fixed from the atmosphere is very safe when used in proper amounts. The best thing to do for your soil is to use mulches and compost. Keep your garden soils healthy with constant green and brown vegetable matter. The worms and bacteria will keep it balanced perfectly. Please look up nitrogen cycles and while your at it look up carbon cycles. Both are extremely critical for life. Carbon isn't pollution nor is nitrogen. Nature has already perfected these cycles. Carbon in the atmosphere is as critical for life as nitrogen and oxygen. Trying to remove them from the environment is foolish and folly.

[@jkjk5724]

@@woodspirit98 You said nitrogen is unavailable unless broken down or heat-treated. Do well-run compost piles get hot enough for long enough?

[@keithlucas6260]

For corn we use "horse tea" which is rich in nitrogen and can be sprayed or poured. Additionally we use the "three sisters" method of planting....corn, beans & squash.

[@TheMacs1]

Yes! We like that style and are going to do it on next stand of corn. We do rabbit tea like that too!

[@keithlucas6260]

@@TheMacs1, was talking about this last week in Tractor Supply and the young gal behind me laughed and said her grandmother makes "cow tea" in a 5 gallon bucket and without using an old pantyhose. With dried horse manure you can shovel it in and steep it in a 50 gallon barrel for a few days. The pantyhose acts like a teabag and screens out the large particles so you don't have such a mess to hose out afterwards.

[@littlehouseontheprairielak7144]

We used to have an acre garden...we sold that property, now have 14 raised beds scattered throughout our landscaping. We grow potatoes, cabbage, onions, squash, green beans, beets, carrots, tomatoes & peppers. It’s what we use & preserve! Our landscaping is mostly flowers & shrubs for the pollinators. We will grow greens this fall as the weather is cooler. Thank you for your video!

[@conniedavidson1807]

You forgot that many of our herbs are perennials. Low maintenance, and draw in pollinators. I'm trying this year to add flower edibles. Started some canna lilies for the tubers. They are a member of the banana family and you can use the leaves for wraps. I;ve been doing a lot of research on edible flowers this year.

[@TheMacs1]

Great points!! You nailed it.!

[@Erewhon2024]

You can also extract starch from the fibrous rhizomes of Cannas, though the Achira types (which have fatter rhizomes) are best.

[@farmkidstuckinthecity14]

A permaculture suggestion for feeding your corn would be growing alfalfa and beans along with your corn since those crops are nitrogen fixed meaning they naturally add nitrogen to the ground

[@TheMacs1]

We do grow beans on some but I wish we could grow alfalfa for sure!

[@donnalovintexas8760]

I heard on one of the channels that is how the Native Americans did it. They would use the corn as a trellis for the beans. Smart...back when people had to problem solve themselves instead of looking for something to buy to fix a situation. We loose more and more problem solving/common sense with each generation. We need to ask our kids and grandkids what they would do to solve different situations around the property/home. Sometimes we forget our children are not born knowing what we know..We have to teach them..Not just tell them.

[@sharoncochran8508]

I love that your farm is not only functional but its really beautiful, too! Sending love from "next door" in Alabama.

[@TheMacs1]

Thank u! We appreciate that!

[@richardhatfield915]

Thank you I agree!! I do not know why but the good LORD let me know to expand my garden HE has a Purpose.

[@TheMacs1]

Yes the Lord always knows

[@3-6-9-6-3]

I started using the 5 gallon cloth bags this year due to lack of space in my herb garden. They have been great until I build another raised bed this year.

[@TheMacs1]

Awesome! We love the grow bags

[@dawnreed5913]

I am growing sunflowers for my chickens this year and thinking of trying my had at corn also

[@TheMacs1]

Awesome job! Keep it up

[@innerlightgazette]

Can you just lay the whole head down in the run? Or do you get them out somehow first?

[@nude_cat_ellie7417]

@@innerlightgazette you can just plop the whole head in there.

[@ladyryan902]

Mr.mac I wholeheartedly agree with you..im allergic to milk.soy and everything else lol..but raw unpasteurized foot milk etc. Is fine. All of those chemicals are killing us....your videos are getting more informative thank you...i don't have enough land to graze n the soil is dead..been building it for several years soo..i plant chicken gardens peas beans lettuce bok choy tomatoes. Anything that feeds my chickens! Thx

[@TheMacs1]

You’re doing great!

[@debmunson3224]

Buy a2 milk. Doesn’t hurt.

[@rubytuby6369]

I’m in Massachusetts I bought a big bag of white potatoes at Costco last year , they sprout it on me in the spring. I took them and planted them in March . They grew beautifully and are delicious.

[@TheMacs1]

Way to go !

[@davidh8285]

Great video for a practical garden plan. Its always great to have useful, low maintenance items around, too. I have to have my pickles. Dill comes up from seeds dropped every year. I have a grape vine for the leaves to put in with the dill pickles to keep them crisp (and grapes!). Usually have a few chili peppers fresh or dehydrated to put in jars. I ferment some dill pickles in season and can dill, hot dill and sweet pickles for year-round use. I trade pickles with a friend for cabbage so I can make and can sauerkraut. Also, I keep perennial things like horseradish, rhubarb, asparagus, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, gooseberries and fruit trees around the house as edible landscape plants. And the grand kids know there is always something fun to eat in papa's yard!

[@TheMacs1]

Yes! We have a video on perennials a few days ago that is kinda a continuation! Thanks so much!

[@TimberwolfOutdoorLife]

Very good video. Thanks for including herbs in your list. Another benefit of herbs is that as one learns to introduce fresh herbs into their cooking, they can also reduce how much salt/sodium they are using. I have learned to make entire dishes with no salt and had wonderful, flavorful dishes!

[@TheMacs1]

Very great point! Balancing out our palate and changing flavor actually is a major part of eating off farm! Great comments!

[@melodyclark4347]

Even when cooking for others, I do not use salt. The flavors of blended herbs make it not necessary. A few still want salt tho. I just toss them the shaker.

[@melissam450]

You can actually make flour out of any type of squash. So they really should be on the necessary list. Freeze dried or dehydrated they can be blended to a powder and used like a flour. 👍🏽 And agree with all you said except soy. But we can agree to disagree on that one. 😁

[@TheMacs1]

Thanks for watching!

[@goupigoupi6953]

I'm growing herbs and tomatoes for fun. It costs me a lot more than just buying from the grocery store bit the taste is awesome. More important, I've never been so fit over the last 20 years, I hate the gym while I enjoy working in the garden all day.

[@TheMacs1]

Absolutely!! Working outside is so good for us! And your right the food from our homes are better than anything we buy!

[@shawnahubble1220]

Luv LUV LUV this video and your presentation of it!👍🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 I am a life long gardener even on the concrete of the city for a decade.. I have grown my own food for over 40 years & I grow tons of greens, kale, collards, chard, beans, peas, HERBS and this year I am growing potatoes.😁I also grow ton of tomatoes which I can and freeze… I am zone 5 in Michigan with a shorter growing season than you so I start my seeds early in the house and plant out mid may under cover with our last frost end of may… Little more challenging to grow here BUT SO WORTH IT!👍 Others say I grow to much..lol But I give away all the extras😊 I am so happy to see you using the black with green stitching grow bags in this video as I am using lots of them this year to grow EVERYTHING in as I have only a rocky sunny hillside that I have worked so hard over the last 3 years to make into a 3 tier garden to grow in containers of all sizes and makes and all my plants are happy and producing VERY VERY WELL👍😁🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 KEEP ON GROWING & sharing your knowledge with others brother! 👍GOD BLESS YA ALWAYS👍🙏🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻😊

[@TheMacs1]

That is so awesome! We actually just did a video on container or small space gardening! Trying to encourage folks for sure!! Keep rocking it! Thanks so so much for watching!!

[@greenapron1]

Hi there! My husband and I are in our sixties and both disabled. I have rheumatoid and osteoarthritis which makes it just about unbearable to walk. We’ve worked out a way for us to prepare and we’ve adapted pretty well, but everyday is an overcoming day no matter what. I was the gardener and the canner. Nowadays, I write out different list of what we need done to build up our food forest and he does it the best he can as he’s also disabled. I cheer him on and encourage him, thanking him and the Lord for all His blessings. We go to the Amish store about 10 miles up the road from us while driving our small hatchback car towing a 6x8 trailer. There we purchase some wood pallets for $2 bucks a piece to make our raised garden beds. It’s not the most ornamental precise arrangement, nope, it’s a mish mesh of pellet boards slapped together! But let me tell ya, it does the job and melts my heart. So what are we growing! We have asparagus and garlic that we left in raised beds over winter, which are now shooting up through all the mulch. This past Monday we sowed carrots, lettuces, baby bok choy, red cabbage, jumbo sunflower seeds and opo ( a type of Asian squash that grows on vines.) We were also fortunate to put in some ever bearing strawberries, cilantro, one Cherokee purple tomato and basil starters. I’m thinking of doing Fall beans n peas still might put a few in the end of the month. We put in onion sets snd peach trees so far this season. Waiting until next month to put in those potatoes and sweet potatoes. We’re blessed with wonderful neighbors that bless us with corn, tomatoes, squash and beets and we try to be a blessing back. Sorry folks for the rambling. God bless everyone.

[@TheMacs1]

Keep on doing amazing and it’s so great to be close to the Amish! That’s excellent! Thanks so much for watching and way to go!

[@jkjk5724]

Your "rambling" was encouragement, inspirational! Thx for taking the time to share. May the Lord keep on blessing you & your husband.

[@tinagoodman7256]

69 y/o widow in an old farmhouse needing more repairs every week. I garden using the blue salt buckets from my neighbor. Compost and a bag of potting soil whenever I can. Last year I grew lots of tomatoes, zucchini, green beans, peppers, onions and potatoes. Couple of stalks of corn - I can't eat it by itself - but I can put a little in soup. Already composting to add two more salt buckets for more potatoes and green beans. Got wood mulch to put in between. I sit in a chair and garden!

[@tinagoodman7256]

Forgot to mention the pumpkin vine from a carved one my daughter threw in the fence row. I've also had luck with growing in 5 gallon buckets and I got a green stalk thing-y for herbs. My biggest problem is watering all this since my outside spigot bit the dust.

[@r.perkins2103]

Good advice to grow the staples. Try clover as a nitrogen fixer, fodder and can cut for a high nitrogen mulch. My pigs loved it - and the bees when it was in flower. Good honey. My mother ate parsley pasties during the war, and still makes them - just parsley wrapped in pastry & baked. Very high in iron.

[@TheMacs1]

Thanks so much!

[@sandynorth5422]

Have been watching all your videos all day yesterday and it was amazing your work and wife and family. You are wise beyond your years and take such good care of your family. God is watching over you all.

[@TheMacs1]

Thank you so very much. We really do appreciate the kind words

[@aurorasanquilly8216]

Try growing your beans and peas with your corn in the three sisters method. The legumes help increase the nitrogen in the soil for the corn and will climb up the corn stalks so you can get both crops in the same space and increase your yields and efficiency.

[@TheMacs1]

Yes! We actually just did a whole new plant down that way!

[@aurorasanquilly8216]

That is so awesome! Also I feel a little silly now because I didn't look at the other comments before I commented mine and of course plenty of other people had already said the same thing. This is the first time I've seen one of your videos and I'm new to your channel so I'm excited with what you're sharing and looking forward to learning more from you that I can apply to my own little micro homestead :)

[@bonnieballew7762]

Try the three sisters. Plant corn with pole beans (which puts nitrogen back into the soil) and squash. The beans climb the corn stalks and the squash shades the roots and holds in water.

[@TheMacs1]

We have heard that before!

[@aliciareaves3193]

I planted bush beans in the middle and onions to each side of my tomato plants in raised beds. Beans for the nitrogen, onions to help fight off insects

[@bonnieballew7762]

If you want to keep aphids off of a plant, plant lavender near it.

[@racheleallison5237]

Hello, I did an experiment with potatoe skins, sprouting the little eye. I am growing plants now in my garden. I didn't need the usual hunks of seed potatoe that I thought I would need. Not sure if this was a fluke or if it is common. I did have a problem with ants...I learned to make self wicking planting bins so I have peas and beans in them. So nice not to have to water often here in Texas and make the best use of what water we have. What a wonderful way to rejuvenate everything by grazing the cows, then moving the chicken tractor over it and then planting. Brilliant. We are growing greens too. I am trying sweet potatoes this year and have read that the greens from that are great to eat too. Score!. Tysm for your wonderful advice. Prayers for a plentiful year for y'all.... p.s. Lovin' our herbs too....I even have them in my flower beds....such fun.

[@TheMacs1]

That is awesome! Keep up the amazing work!

[@normaburton161]

Give corn stalks to animals along with bean greens. Beets you can use all parts. Are good for blood pressure and blood sugar regulation. You can take corn cobs and make corn cob jelly. Make beet jelly