Transforming This Land into a Home Orchard (Part 1)

We bring you along for this exciting project where we prepare a patch of unused land on our property that will be home to fruit trees. We tackle the fencing in this episode and get the future orchard ready to complete our Alaskan Homestead.
Thank you for watching and supporting our channel!
-Eric & Arielle Illia
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So Others May Live - Johannes Bornlof
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[@zapan101313]

If you'd have told me a year ago that one of my favorite youtube channels was a couple living off the land in Alaska, I would have laughed at you. Yet here I am at 1am watching you guys making an orchard.

[@angelareyes1253]

Same!

[@gigigio2496]

Me too! I can’t wait to watch my daily fix!

[@ruthscott5166]

Add me to that list! I am backtracking on the earlier videos - great hardworking couple.

[@bobross5580]

Agrred!

[@lesliebostian]

Me too.

[@yukonjack8103]

Arielle's sense of humor comes through when you leave the camera rolling and we can hear your conversation. Love it!

[@katiedavis7344]

I love it. And Eric seems like he’s so over it 😂😂

[@ericl1166]

@@katiedavis7344 Lol, I thought the same thing.

[@joesamsally]

@10:23 I like the excited battle cry ariel makes, even more so because the rooster is all like 'Oh we shouting now! Can Do!'

[@paulvalley5604]

Only a true gardener exclaims "Hey this is good stuff!" when shoveling dirt/manure. Love it!

[@skylerbrodin5176]

I like the fact he's an electrician and still feels happy digging on his days off.. I'm one and coming home to dig would be like PTSD

[@smallspaceswithGloria]

lol

[@khalidqanah2844]

Before I saw your videos, I thought Alaska is covered in Ice all year round, it's truly amazing how this northern state is very well developed & very fertile land. It's populations in 2022 are 710,231

[@baskervillebee6097]

I can hear the Ol' Timers drive by saying, "Those kids know what they're doing, and surely work hard."

[@bigunone]

Old guys are saying "Them kids ain't to smart, their working to hard!" Believe me old guys know how to work smarter, we get kids to do the work, by telling them how up lifting working hard is

[@petesantana7302]

Looking fantastic and Arielle appears having fun with this hard work 😓 just in time !!!! Raining crazy

[@Loesters]

I never thought it would be so satisfying to watch other people build their paradise. Last night I watched your move to Alaska video again and the first start on this property and in de the cabin. You came a long way, just look at the place now, more beautiful every day. Waking up there every morning must be so joyfull to do. I wish you all the best!

[@Niccampbell629]

Y’all make me laugh! Love the “Alaskan bicep workout” and “the bucket show”. 😂 Can’t wait to see how it turns out! You have such a great channel! Thank you!

[@katherinewillie9776]

Be very proud of yourselves!!!! I've lived off grid in Trapper Creek Alaska for 18 years now!!!! I've been watching your videos since you started! You've even given me tips!!!!!❤✌🏻💋🥀

[@Loesters]

Wauw. Off grid for 18 years. That is so wonderfull! How does it feel like, living this life? Are you as happy and excited like you where 18 years ago? By the time I can do this, I wil be in my late 40ties, nearly 50 years old. I regret the fact that I didnt recognize in myself the longing to make a homestead in nature somewhere. I didnt even thought about it until 3 years ago but since then Im constantly thinking about it. Weird isnt it, that some know where to go and others spend a lifetime finding out where they belong. Well. I hope you are blessed with a lovely time on your property. I wish the best for you!

[@jalenejohnson8484]

MLH… every single word you wrote applies to me as well! Don’t give in to the temptation that it’s too late. We have to keep reaching for the things that breathe life into our souls…. Otherwise I figure I’m just waiting around to die and…. What kind of life is that?! I will keep reaching and these two make it seem possible!

[@orlanluna1492]

That's gonna be a great looking flower and herb garden Ariel.

[@Miguel195211]

Excellent aerial shot, a lot of work going on.

[@ciaobella8963]

You both work so very hard. It's impressive. I'm 72 now and healthy but it's good you do this heavy work while you're young. It's a stark reality for me how I just don't have the strength and energy I used to have. I was always active, strong and able to do so much. If we push pur bodies when we're older, it just causes injury. A hard truth for me. So keep on doing what you're doing. I really enjoy watching your progress and the unfolding of your vision for the property and dreams for your lives. God bless.

[@lindafransson4086]

Gotta love the rake battlecry, and the rooster responding to it :D

[@randypalmatier5495]

Ambition, energy, and perseverance!

[@ericshoemake6090]

What a magical place so beautiful!!!

[@jalenejohnson8484]

I can’t express enough how much fun I have watching you guys. Circumstances have me locked into a learning phase. As I watch lots of different videos I start getting ideas for when I have my own land. So much excitement happens when you guys start doing something i was just day dreaming about and then I get to see it play out in front of me in a really practical way. And I really appreciate you sharing your failures as well as successes! It also keeps me full of hope that my fantasies can one day be a reality. 💜🙏 thank you from the sincerest places of my heart!

[@tactfulhbean8773]

Awesome couple;e made for each other and brilliant videos...keep it rolling folks for your beautiful homestead all from your own sweat and hard work.

[@tinabhore1374]

I wait every week for your video .you guys are awesome , gal you are so strong .. Lots of love ,god bless you

[@mrrs8118]

I am amazed that you can do all of that by yourself. 😊

[@metalmartha2571]

You 2 are doing it right! Thank you for the opening visual on your land… Sometimes with videos it’s hard to situate where exactly things are… I can just imagine how beautiful that’s gonna look in 10 years time. How exciting. keep up the awesome videos Ariel, your pipes are getting bigger girl🤘🏻great job you 2!

[@coloradopackratprepper]

Got that done just in time to get watered down good!!!!!💞💞💞💞😸😸 i like the thunder dance n singin!!!! Gettin some rain right now myself!!!!

[@carmineiadeluca935]

I've been watching you for sometime & must say your homestead has come along way. My patients love watching your videos..it calms them through their dialysis treatments. Thanks & God Bless ❤🇺🇸

[@AfterTheRains]

Great job guys. I loved the aerial shots too since I now have a better sense of your home and garden layout.

[@sarah33774]

I love to watch your winter videos especially as a Floridian that has never lived where it snowed. But your summer and spring videos are awesome. I enjoy watching the way you work together. It reminds me so much of my husband and I. You too dont just do your projects because you have to, you really seem to enjoy what you are doing and it shows. Thank you for sharing your life with us 😀🐓🐝🌲🌲🌱

[@jjj32801]

I will give you this, your land is the most rugged of any Homesteader on KZbin!

[@pnwRC.]

That orchard will be beautiful when it's completed!

[@bybiddie]

Your garden looks amazing! Lots of hard work but the payoff will be worth it.

[@lenellamaxwell6934]

I love your energy and hard work. It almost always pays off for you except for a hiccup every now and then, but then you always turn it around. Thanks for sharing.

[@straubdavid9]

They say there is only 24 hours in a day, but somehow you two manage to squeeze about 6 more hours out of the stingy day. Lovin the new orchard .... take care you two. I think I saw some moose in the background freaking out ..... oooooh noooooo!

[@RonRay]

I don't think anyone else on KZbin represents a truer picture of *_HEALTHY LIFE_* than you two.

[@e3jackson698]

You giving us education and showing your simple living alaskan world. You guys are awesome and a Lovely couple.take care always.

[@kingrafa3938]

That's what you call "a hard work and dedication". Bravo!

[@jerryvaughn5190]

When I said before that Eric had the best work ethic iv ever seen, Arielle is number 2. Cute outfit today also.

[@PeterPan-bv9tu]

Watch u since u start moving to alaska but today i stumble over this clip(ofcourse i seen it before).. omg, just love this intro, piano and wonderful views(big pile of firewood) :) your tree plant is great and its gonna be great in the future!

[@lindaarnold3091]

My husband and I just watched this episode. You guys must really sleep good at night with all that digging and planting! 😊

[@stephaniewilson3955]

That rain storm was just what you needed to finish preparing the planting holes for your trees,

[@metamud8686]

I love how you "treeinforced" that backend of the orchard.

[@SteveOutside]

I enjoy all your videos, but this one had a real nice feel to it. It's good seeing you two work together. really enjoyed this one! looking forward to part two.

[@claireleboucher4597]

I am amazed at the amount of work you do. Well done!!

[@debbieellis5074]

Love watching you two work together. Loved the film from above that showed the house, etc. Just keep laughing. Only you know how hard the work is, and it amazes all of us. Especially when you can't for whatever reason just run down to the lumber yard and buy the boards you need. So glad y'all have a chain saw and Ariel likes to peel the bark off :) You're making use of what you have and it's wonderful to see. Proud of you.

[@guywpacot754]

You guys are so resourceful and great engineers and problem solvers. Well done on your journey to self reliance!

[@olberarosa2346]

I JUST LOVE WATCHING MY FAVORITE COUPLE YOU BOTH ARE SUCH HARD WORKING COUPLE AND I JUST LOVE SEEING THE LOVE YOU HAVE FOR EACH OTHER STAY SAFE OUTTHERE AND BLESSED

[@darrell3368]

Hard work but it’s will be worth it in the long run thanks for sharing and God Bless y’all

[@normisgarden8353]

Your property is looking beautiful all that hard work is paying off. By next winter is going to be so nice there. Love how your building your homestead. I didnt know you can do so much there.😊

[@ignaciaforteza7731]

Arielle you know so much it’s a real pleasure to follow you through and learn. One more thing, your rooster 🐓

[@ignaciaforteza7731]

Sorry, wanted to add I love your roosters crow. You two are so occupied I am sure you are unaware how happy they are in their chicken coop… by the way, it’s magnificent.

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

Another amazing video, who woulda thought watching folks dig holes would be entertaining? More Power to you both!!

[@mihaileonte3599]

That place is a Paradise! I envy you in a good way. One man one woman and a lot of hard work.

[@EllieChristine744]

You really seem to get your garden up and running so fine! Thank you very much for showing the video where you told about the way you planted potatoes with straw and hay. We have done the same now, here in the south west of Sweden, and they are growing so fine! One thing I always think about is when I see someone using the chainsaw, though, I always wish they would wear protection, especially for the legs... I suppose there is some distance to the nearest hospital.... please be careful, stay safe. Greetings from a nurse in Sweden, whose husband always wear protection when using the chainsaw :-)

[@Gunrunner4532]

Y’all have a great life. Thank you for sharing it with us

[@kellybryson7754]

You guys work hard! I don't know that my own kids would have that drive in them. I hope they would when the circumstances require it. You two are impressive. Be very proud of yourselves. And, I can't believe how far along the garden is. Looking great.

[@ancimargarita2763]

once again, when you say WORK, you mean it! boy did you do it well, hard and so organized! loved this video, you are funny in a relax an unexpected way, you are light and interesting. Like your ideas, the way you try, open to good and to failure, because what really matters is to DO IT. I admire you more and more

[@czh2432]

Always makes my day when I get the notification from you two!

[@catchmeifyouvan7754]

I love how much happier Eric looks now he's outside and building. You Both looked so serious over winter I was worried!

[@terrykunst3883]

It’s so awesome that you two are such great friends! It really is a pleasure to see a young couple be able to talk with each other and work together And enjoy each other’s company! Can’t wait for the garden tour, the quick glimpse we saw looks incredible!

[@myowntwohands-wildbydesign1970]

I really enjoyed the sound track you used in this video - it went so well with the visuals. Also appreciate how you both work together so well, and laugh, together. Great work all around!

[@mrmiked48]

You are living the dream with lots of hard work, planning, and assistance from neighbors. Keep up the hope and good wishes for a great lifetime of enjoyment and togetherness. Mike from Michigan

[@redrunner3536]

You guys never cease to AMAZE me!

[@jaxsun72]

Phew after watching you do all that hard work I need a beer and a nap.

[@kathyr.6623]

"A ton of work" accomplished! I'm sure you're both rightly proud of all you have accomplished on your homestead. It looks awesome!

[@ryantobey6476]

Thats really awsome guys you two make a great team really appreciate the great and informative vidoes

[@madzabinga8382]

You two work so hard! That orchard looks great! What a nice space! Can't wait to see what you do in there! Your personalities really show when the cameras are rolling. You are both so serious when you are talking to the camera. I love seeing your dorky sides!

[@baciclan2021]

It’s a joy to watch you two! I love how you two work together and are considerate to each other! You make this hard very hard work look easy. I hope we’ll get to see your amazing orchard as it matures! Blessings!

[@jakobivarssonchannel]

Wonderful video - its great to see how well you guys are working and having fun together!

[@PaulaJoDavis]

You two are amazing! Continue, joyfully, on your journey! You are adding beauty to beauty. Shalom and Blessings from Missouri!

[@joewallsmonsterhunte]

Gosh ,you guys are really moving forward with your plans .Can not get any better than that! Cool!

[@THardy.]

GREAT job . . . continuing to turn your property into a fully functioning homestead farm. Beautiful work in the orchard. Hope you two are VERY proud of your labors!

[@billierenshaw3302]

My favorite couple …..love your videos ….and all that you do …have fun 🥰❤️

[@kathyhester3066]

Thank goodness. Closed shoes.

[@penguinoni8941]

You've saved me from having to post that 😃

[@mmonr]

I am the age of your grandparents and when I watch you two work so hard together I just want to take your faces in my hands, give you a kiss and say, “Well done!” God bless your future as you bring this bare land to the home of your dreams. Thanks for sharing. -Marsha from Texas

[@KellysKitchenGarden]

I love watching you guys getting stuck into a project. I'm really looking forward to seeing your flower bed and orchard develop, I think the plants will love that hügelkultur bed. The way you research and prepare is awesome. 21:40 😂 Take care and stay safe 😊🌱

[@guloguloguy]

WOW!!! YOU'RE "LIVING THE DREAM!!!"... GREAT VIDEO!!! THANKS FOR SHARING AND INSPIRING PEOPLE!!!

[@emilydanziger]

The calmness of these videos is exactly what I need before going to bed! (calm for the most part, except for Arielle shovelling in sandals!!)

[@HowHingPau]

I had watched another channel that gave a good suggestion when planning out an orchard: take the mature heights of the trees and the direction of the sun into consideration. With this, you should plant the shortest trees (like dwarf/semi-dwarf varieties) on the south end of the orchard and the tallest at the north end. This way, you can even plant your trees closer together than normally recommended in your small orchard and the taller trees won't inadvertently shade out the smaller trees.

[@toothaching]

Your intros are always so gorgeous. Your orchard will be amazing in the years to come. Thank you for sharing ^_^

[@pamelam1500]

I could watch all day. So creative and hard working. Love love your channel.

[@g.s.7022]

Your channel is great. Since I stumbled across your first video, I have loved that special kind of humor that you both show, especially when you work together to move forward and make your dream come true. It is crazy how fast and hard you both tackle as a close team and so often enjoy yourself and explain a lot. I can't wait to see your next video👍☘️💫💐

[@JamesJones-pt9cz]

The Orchard is a Great investment to your homestead, u will get to utilize it forever when done. I really enjoyed the drone footage of your property when video first started. Enjoy your channel, love watching u two making your dreams turn into reality, wishing u both the best.

[@mikestewart6517]

On some other program I saw someone put in large-log fence posts unsupported by concrete and he charred the downward end of the logs over a fire to inhibit insect infestations below ground. About a yard of the end of each log. I really love your program. All the best, Mike

[@Tyler-nt9gy]

Awesome video! Cant wait for part 2!

[@7ceasers]

I'm amazed at how hard you two work . We do enjoy following your progress.

[@johnmccormick175]

Hard work but what a transformation and what a healthy lifestyle you lead,you two are awesome!...thanks for sharing.

[@andreeadumitru4764]

I can only imagine how much the bees are going to love this place in spring!

[@lawrenceblue8207]

I like your setup, how everything has its place when you showed it with your drone flying over your property.

[@mustardseedfarms800]

An easy way I have learned to stretch woven wire is to put two 2x4’s together (Make sure they are longer than the fence is tall) and drill 1/2” holes about every foot. Use carriage bolts and sandwich the wire between the two boards vertically. Use a strap on the top and bottom of the boards to pull tight with a “come-along?” or winch

[@pmur079]

Always amazed at your endless energy together. Looks fantastic!

[@ladyofthemasque]

Definitely don't hesitate to dehydrate all those delicious-looking greens, store them in sterilized jars, and use them as nutrition-rich flavoring for soups, stews, casseroles & more come wintertime! (I'm getting low on my own greens powder!)

[@honeybadgers1996]

An orchard. What a great idea. You guys did a great job building your fencing. Looks great👍 I can't wait to see all the trees and flowers. I've always wanted to plant apple trees on my property. You two got me going now😊

[@andrewrichardson3942]

That is one, hard working lady, nice job guys!

[@poliander]

"It's 10 pm at the moment" - Sun above like it's noon :). Love Alaska :)

[@ytb346]

This is too cool. At first, I wondered : What exactly are these two doing ? But, I have really become addicted to watching this. Seems to stir up some sort of : I want to do that - thingy inside me.

[@sohailakhtar5474]

Keep planting tree and smiling,amazing couple with a golden energy. Stay bless with happiness. Best wishes from Pakistan….

[@jasonskerbitz298]

LOL!.... Love watchin' y'all work out your Alaskan dream. Your positive attitude and sense(s) of humor is contagious. ;-) Thought Eric was singing "Lightning on the Tundra" for a second there.... LOL. Looks like y'all got ol' Bo plumb tuckered out in the process.... heehee. ;-)

[@dawndawn6946]

Wow! Great work! Love seeing you two.

[@ericroadking7564]

You guys are killing it!! Bet you sleep good after all that hard work!! Your homestead is looking great nice work all around!! Love the drone footage also ! Thanks for sharing!! Be Blessed!!

[@NorthshorePreparedness]

This orchard will be a great addition to your homestead! Nice work guys! Oh....nice work with the draw knife too! Thanks for sharing.

[@kathrynhelm4176]

You both are amazing to watch! Love, love, love your channel. ❤️

[@tpat12345]

Get Beau a half tab of Meloxacam. I've got five dogs, two my first granddaughter's and three mine. Have rescued Pits for a long, long time now. Get some OshKosh Overalls, or Carharts and you won't lose a pencil, they have special pockets. My Grandpa wore them.

[@lostinloveagain]

Amazing lovely couple. I could seriously feel your happiness doing everything on your own. I don't wanna stop watching your videos since i encounter your channel.

[@CoreenMazzocchi]

So calming to watch you two. Your bees will love the new flower and orchard space!