Upgrade Your Worthless Landscaping! REPLACE IT With Something BETTER!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If you enjoyed this video, please *LIKE* and share it to help increase its reach! Thanks for watching 😊TIMESTAMPS here: 0:00 Why You Should Upgrade Your Landscaping! 2:15 My Replacement Tree And Where To Buy Trees 4:25 How To Prepare A Tree For Planting 5:05 How To Dig Up And Remove Trees 8:02 How To Plant A New Tree 11:14 Fruit Tree Progress After 7 Months 13:38 More Small Space Fruit Tree Ideas 15:49 Adventures With Dale

[@Maggdusa]

My favorite video of yours is an older video you did on food security. Awesome message!

[@markeastep7172]

You are ABSOLUTELY correct. I wish more Americans would adapt this type of mentality.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I think it's just lack of knowledge. People are so disconnected from food these days, it just isn't on their mind. When you bring it up to people, you can see a glimmer in their eyes. Even people that don't garden like the idea of a fruit tree. They've just never considered it. I hope videos like these spread awareness and make a difference. If this results in 1 person planting something in their yard, it was worth it.

[@nancycongiusti7526]

@TheMillennialGardener It's worth it!! You have inspired me, and I'm sure many others!! Thank you!

[@tyleranderson4852]

Most people just don’t want the “garden” look in their yard. We have been trained by media and general landscapers over decades to only want the most basic things in the yard no matter how much more we may want useful and meaningful plants . You are doing a great service by bringing this up and showing how easy it can be to just make the switch.

[@actorkaiserjohnson]

The fun thing is, if you stick with fruiting trees and shrubs, rather than a vegetable garden, you can provide food for yourself and still maintain a landscaped look!

[@Avo7bProject]

Blueberries blend in nicely as an ornamental in the front yard for people in HOAs. The leaves turn bright orange and red in the autumn.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Blueberry bushes are one of my favorite "secret" HOA-friendly shrubs. No one will ever know 😃

[@baddogcustoms7496]

Get some PawPaw trees at least one 🫶🏽

[@naitud]

I bought a house last year. The backyard was nice with various shrubs. I removed them all one by one haha. Make way for more useful trees!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You can have just as beautiful shrubs and trees that produce food! I find fruit trees to be the most beautiful. They're in full bloom in spring, have almost tropical canopies in summer, and in the fall, the hanging fruit is so eye-catching.

[@lorikeetsarefun]

❤ im gradually converting my garden to almost fully edible, as time, finances and arthritis allow.😅 There are two large trees that the council will not let me remove, so i have to work around that limitation. I have nasturtiums running wild, the bees love them, they start flowering much earlier than everything else, so a great food source for them. Your channel is a great inspiration! Keep up the excellent work.👍

[@biscuit7910]

Nasturtium help to get rid of some vegetable pests. I used marigolds in my tomatoes, eggplant, Kale, green beans, Zucchini, & yellow squash. Flowers did a really good job on everything but the zuchs & squash. Squash borers got them. Any ideas for the borers next year? ❤2all

[@amarilysflores8602]

Maybe you can "prune" the trees... my house previous owner had the canopy raised (lower branches removed at about a height of 15-20 feet) in order to have enough light for his lawn

[@debiashton9871]

Raintree Nursery is the best ‼️

[@Thingys-Jill]

I was taught many decades ago that once you dig the hole, you put fertilizer at the bottom, cover it with some soil, and water the hole. Then you plant the tree at the correct height and do exactly as you explained. The reason for some fertilizer at the bottom is so the tree roots go downward for nutrition, growing a very stable tree. I would add that people need to know to remove any tags around the branches or trunks of the tree so that it doesn't grow around the tag. You can put the tag on the stake instead. I landscaped my front with perennials (I grew) plus some shrubs for winter interest and a chaste tree (the magnificent pine was kept). The back yard hosts my chicken coop, chicken run, tunnel and free range area, raised beds and in ground beds. I have a Comice pear, Red Fuji and Pink Lady apples (harvested 2 apples for the 1st time!), a Hardired nectarine, Rainier cherry (I have to replace my Utah Giant cherry), an All-in-One almond, and a pomegranate. I plan to also add an apricot. It's not difficult - you just have to want to do it! I have a small suburban lot.

[@Antarctica2025]

Absolutely right!!!! Also consider valuable plants for pollinators!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Everything you plant should benefit something or someone. If you don't want the food, make sure it feeds the birds or bees.

[@BoneFrossil]

Just a tip, I bought a shovel that has sort of like sawblades in the sides that I bought to remove a rosebush from a families yard and it worked wonders for roots.

[@juneramirez8580]

My neighbor called code compliance saying I had dead plants growing through my fence even though the outside of the fence is also mine. The plants are native and were dormant for the hot summer. Code agreed and I just decided to water them and have them grow bigger. Poor guy has to see them everytime he drives by!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I get the same sentiment from northerners that don't understand that southern lawns are dormant and brown November - April. They think the lawn is dead 😂

[@melanieverheijen1886]

I have 400 square meters and in next years coming i will not buy any fruit anymore in the stores because i have to much to eat. This week 4 new big tree's are coming, putting them as a fence in the garden. Will be so cool👌🏼✌🏼

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

I agree. Especially when the grocery store sells garlic with growth inhibitors, apples coated in wax, etc. That said, I can’t imagine a garden without some of my hardy palms, and water lilies in my pond!😊 Going to check out rain tree!

[@dao8805]

Thank you for the encouragement to plant edibles instead of ornamentals. It just makes sense and I am working on it in stages. Also it is great to know of a supplier that ships quality plants, so I will be sure to check out Raintree when I am ready to plant more. And, finally, It's always great to see Dale living his best life :)

[@lindag9975]

Thanks! My backyard is about 1/3 the size of yours. But I have filled it with fruit trees, raised beds, and pots.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

When I added up all the space I was growing in, it worked out to be 0.04 acres. You really don't need much. It's all about strategy.

[@Alpha-wr5ft]

I agree 💯 percent. You can surround your home with edibles instead of non-edibles like most people have in and around their houses today. If more people would do what you are doing, we would never have a food shortage or famine.

[@gcc2313]

I don't think its that simple. While i do encourage it. I understand its not for everyone. Some areas disease/pest pressure is crazy. And many people prefer grocery store comfort or simple dont care about gardening or food gardening. Furthermore its a good amount of people who dont have garden. Ornamental plants can be very handoff something many fruit trees are not. Food shortages and famine are not causes by lack of garden fruit trees.

[@Alpha-wr5ft]

@ I respect your opinion ; however, it is far more beneficial when one is self reliant, and do not need to count on the supermarket to get their food. It’s even beneficial to have edibles, whether it be fruit trees, herbs, or root vegetable; all of these are self-reliant crops if grown by a homeowner or a Community . Finally, as for disease ; you just have to learn basic science about your soil and trust me , it’s not difficult to learn; it’s as simple as putting the seeds in the ground , water them, and feed them with fertilizer. You never know that one day your supermarkets might shut down just like the Internet could shut down and all those people who count on the Internet to do their every day business would be in a heap of trouble. Just saying, but I digress.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It certainly helps a lot. Blueberry bushes make such great landscaping. They're just as beautiful as any other ornamental bush, and they have beautiful flowers. I don't know why anyone would plant some pointless shrub when they can plant a blueberry bush instead.

[@maudleijs4716]

​@@TheMillennialGardenermy parents have quickly growing ground covering plants that grow like weeds! I have sown and grown alpine strawberries as a ground cover instead! Seeds are WAY cheaper than buying full ornamental plants from the garden store, and they look great. The possibility they might be edible after a good care is just bonus!

[@gcc2313]

@@Alpha-wr5ft Again you over simplify way too much. You do not have the same experience as everyone else. So no things are not "as simple as". I'd suggest you come to and try in some of our climates. And do exactly what you described here and we'll see how it results.... I can already tell you it won't work. I've tried plenty of times over the years. If the grocery store closes stocking up on food in advance is a much better FIRST option for practically everyone. Majority of people do not have the amount of land,time, money for growing enough calories. Again situations are different. (Grocery) stores exist for a reason! There's too much money going around to shut things down long term. The main reason those things could happen is a natural disaster. And that's something that would ruin your garden anyways. Ask people that have gone through bad storms. So again it's not for everyone. Even though I also recommend people to try it. We need to be realistic is what we recommend. If we actually want to help people. People like us are willing to go a little further. But many people do not. We won't survive months on some apples only. At the very least we need grain& beans as staples for reducing hunger/ famine.

[@robinwhitsell1995]

You are my brother by another mother! 15 years ago, I challenged the landscape architect associated with our home renovation to plant only useful vegetation: pollinators, fruit trees/fruit-bearing shrubs, or other vegetable/fruit beds. Then, I discovered your channel and have been growing only useful plants. There are so many “landscaping plants” that neither contribute to the ecosystem nor to the nourishment of my family. I don’t give them any of the valuable real estate in my yard.

[@9bgardner]

Best advice ever... I have ripped out 99.9% of "pretty" plants and replaced everything with fruiting trees, raised beds, and chickens... best decision ever!!! I grow 90% of my fruits and veggies!!! My issues I live in CA, there are SOOOO many plants I want that wont ship to CA!!! Frustrating!!!!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Outstanding! I would say most fruit trees are much prettier. They always have incredible flowers.

[@joyfulparadise]

I had the same problem. I tried to order the owari mandarin after MG raved about his but the nursury he highly recommended was prohibited from shipping to CA. Arrrrrgh.

[@ravelanone9462]

I live in New Mexico, and the previous owners of my house bought many of their plants and fruit trees from a nursery called Monrovia in California. You might look there. The plants are strong and thriving after many years. 🌳

[@TDAEON]

​​@joyfulparadise Four Winds Growers is a CA citrus grower that carries the mandarin tree you want. Don't think the big box stores carry their stuff. I've seen their citrus trees in Costco and some good local nurseries in my area of CA. Or order direct from them.

[@joyfulparadise]

I didnt see the owari satsuma in Monrovia nursery but I did see it in Four Winds nursery. Thank u so much for the recommendation. I think I will get the owari satsuma there at Four Winds. Esp since MG raved and raved about it.

[@lorikrafft8197]

This is the perfect KZbin video. I recently just pulled out five useless shrubs and it felt so good. It was a lot of work, but now I have room to plant something worthwhile and productive.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Out with the old, in with the new and better!

[@nocobirds]

I’ve purchased many fruit trees from Raintree Nursery in the last 15 years. They are a wonderful company!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks for the review!

[@hdwoodshop]

I’ve always had that idea about growing edible plants or fruit trees. But always thought the idea was out of norm. Thanks for promoting my point of view.

[@sueprimm8435]

Love your videos and I look forward to seeing Dale.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! Dale and I appreciate it!

[@maskew43]

I like your thinking.

[@rookiegardeningjournal]

Gardening is like life- sometimes messy, sometimes hard, but always full of possibilities.

[@KK-FL]

Just make sure before you dig anything up that it doesn't happen to be a native or host plant for pollinators! You are the reason I delved into bareroot trees. Going to check out Raintree now because I am addicted to buying fruit trees! I blame you!

[@Tim.Stotelmeyer]

Raintree Nursery is a 2 1/2 hour scenic drive through the country side for me.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I bet it's beautiful!

[@Kamila_q]

Great video! Thanks for sharing. One day when we are ready to buy fruit trees I will come back here to find good varieties recommendations.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks!

[@kfx216]

I've been collecting plants to use to landscape my teeny .2 acre yard (apples, Catawba grapes, blueberries, blackberries, elderberry, strawberries) and now need to plant them. I love your espalier idea and interspersing with strawberries! Questions: 1) it looks like your fruit area by a fence isn't all that sunny. True? I have the same issue. 2) Would love some ideas re: ways to trellis blackberries and grapes. Maybe a future video? 3) your recos for Meyer Lemon and 2 lime plants - containers to avoid freezing temps or can they be planted? Your videos are so helpful - I'm also in NC Zone 8. Thanks!

[@heahterranier6926]

Before I moved out to our 5 acres, I was in a 1/4 suburbs plot and got into gardening because we’d poured a concrete barrier around the inside of our backyard fence that made a 6-inch gap that I thought would make a perfect little garden bed. Most of the backyard was a giant pool, concrete surround, storage shed, drain field for French drains, but I started with flowers from Home Depot and ended up with tomatoes and watermelons grown from seeds trussed up over the fence! You can really do amazing stuff with a tiny space.

[@CurtisBrandt]

Nice presentation as always! We love Raintree!!!

[@KR-os6nn]

This is the video I’ve been looking for.

[@TheRooflesstoofless]

Raintree is great; so is OGW. It so happened that OGW had the cherry trees I was looking for so I went with them. All bare root; planted last fall Man o man did they grow. Upon planting I pruned them to between 2-3 feet. They’re now 8 feet tall 🤯

[@NPC2_4_U]

My house is on a 50' x 100' lot with a tidal pond behind it. We grow enough on the side and front side of the house to last the year. All kinds of fruits and veggies and our backyard is 'landscaped' with fruit trees and other edibles. Citrus,,, avacados. All knds of stuff. Coastal zone 9.

[@ToddSmithPartners]

I’m in Conyers Ga, 25 miles east of Atlanta, so we pretty much have a similar climate. Thanks for this wonderful and informative information. We do have shrubs all around our home. And thanks for spelling out what’s on each side of the house. Got done serious planning to do.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It's a blank canvas for you to paint - choose whatever you prefer. Hopefully, I gave you some decent ideas to get the gears turning.

[@ToddSmithPartners]

@ yes you did indeed. This is going to be a fun project. Forgot to mention that we’re 100% Vegan. Keep you posted

[@segapena5033]

I like my ornamental landscaping for the shade, color and appeal. I don't need a backyard orchard or "fruit forest" when I know I can't eat all the fruit anyways. I have my three avocado trees, a star fruit, dwarf peach, two dwarf apple trees, dwarf palmer mango, an autaulfo mango tree, satsuma dwarf mandarin, raspberry bushes, generic seed grown mandarin and ice cream bamana. Thars all more than enough fruit for us. I'm also in the nothern California central valley. With our summers I want as many large shade trees as possible.

[@LadyLiberty_SJ]

Thank you! This is something I have been wanting to do but was unsure of myself.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Do it! The only way to fail is to give up. As long as you never give up, you never fail. You can do it!

[@dropattieramsammy1462]

Very good advice your place looks beautiful God bless you all always 😋 ❤️ 🙏

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you, I appreciate it!

[@karenthornton5477]

you are SO RIGHT

[@paulbritt5443]

I also live in the southeast of North Carolina and I’m currently working on buying and planting a good variety of fruit trees, fruit bushes and a couple grape vines. I only have 0.59 acres so while I won’t have a huge variety I will still have a decent variety

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That's plenty of space to have a big variety. I'm on a little more than a quarter acre. You can do a ton on over half. Get yourself dwarf varieties, and you can plant a lot more.

[@paulbritt5443]

@@TheMillennialGardener can you recommend some good dwarf varieties?

[@LilGreenEyes1979]

The difficult part for me is that most of my backyard is shaded for about 80% of the year. The south side of our property is up against a green space. The GA pines back there shade much of my yard. The whole back has full sun during July and August

[@baneverything5580]

My nephew has a gigantic yard. He hates fruit trees because they "attract bugs." Bees are "bugs" to him. He says he`s "too busy" (gaming) to plant a garden. So I grew some of his favorite, bell peppers, but he threw them away after he found out I never sprayed them for bugs because "bugs might be on them."

[@gothic_oma]

🤦‍♀️

[@marybethwhalen70]

What a shame people are groomed into thinking their favorite vegetables grow in the produce dept of the local grocery store😢.

[@SupremegreenlawncareLLC]

@@marybethwhalen70Exactly! Everyone, should grow some kind of food!

[@CampingforCool41]

This is the result of raising kids with no connection to the outdoors.

[@robertfischer5893]

Get him a big box of frozen chicken tenders instead

[@myhomeandgardenchanneldwel7777]

It is my first time on your channel and I have just subscribed. Thank you so much for sharing. Keep up the good work. All the best on this journey😊🙏

[@susanh824]

Dale is a great supervisor!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

We call him Snoopervisor.

[@breeze0300]

You ARE so correct. I hate boxwoods. 😝

[@shelpen]

I vouch for the Raintree Nursery! I bought the “combo” apple trees from them - excellent specimens! Highly recommended!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

They're good folks.

[@smiley2477]

Love this I can’t stand boring bushes.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

They're just so pointless. Fruiting bushes are usually just as ornamental, and they may fruit!

[@JohnWood-tk1ge]

I spent today building a raised bed for strawberries in the spring. Rough cut lumber with uprights of 2x4x4 that I will be attaching fence to keep the dear out. I put down some cardboard and covered it with wood chips until my compost pile finishes working off then that will fill the bed.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Growth is good!

[@JuniperLynn789]

You are getting a lot of subscribers!! Congrats!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you!

[@scottroberts5492]

Love your fruit tree(s) set up. This is something I really need to do here, just not sure where to start or what to grow that the family would enjoy..lol

[@emkn1479]

We have to restrict edibles to a protected, fenced area because of the intense pressure from deer and other animals. Wish I could do this, but we can’t afford a deer fence around the whole property 😢 We also deal with so many fungal and insect issues on fruit trees…and we are limited by our growing zone. Thankfully though, we do have a lot of space to work with and are adding things as we can.

[@brandywineblue]

We're in the same boat...plus squirrels and 2 legged pests....😢

[@realMysta]

I started 3 years ago with a mindset of, I’m planting things and they must meet 2 of 3 requirements. Pretty, edible, and attracts good insects/hummingbirds.

[@gloriaincalifornia1911]

Great idea!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Exactly! Not everything needs to be edible for humans. Supporting pollinators and birds is also important. Everything should be beneficial to someone or something while providing nice curb appeal. There are so many options.

[@vincenthickey8622]

Great idea!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you!

[@doowopshopgal]

I have many shrubs that grew like tall trees, they were put there as privacy shrubs , and there is no way in the world that we could dig up those roots. I am so bummed that I cannot do anything with that space. Yes I cut many of the trees down, but the big stems remain in the ground and you can actually see them. They are so large.

[@janettenash2640]

Excellent information

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you!

[@andielliott7721]

Thankfully I have plenty of room for my gardens and ALL my varieties of fig trees..which grows frequently. :)

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Land is good. Make the most of your space 😃

[@gaylefynaut562]

I would love a yard of crops. I live in the foothills where it gets a little tiny bit of snow sometimes in spring and very hot summers 100-110. The deer, rabbits and gophers are another crop buster. If you have any suggestions I’m all ears.

[@sumdude4281]

I do strawberries under our espalier fruit trees as well. Great ground cover that provides food. Beware they will spread.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Strawberries are pretty easy to control. They do spread, but you can direct the runners or just chop them if you don't need them all. They move at such a slow pace, it's no big deal. Since they don't seed the ground, I don't find them very invasive. In fact, my problem with strawberries is they don't spread fast enough 😂

[@Xarcell]

Hi, from NC. Look into Goumi Berry and Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry. They grow well in our area and produce food. Easily pass HOA standards.

[@susanbristol18]

I absolutely agree with you.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

😃

[@Denise_B17]

Great video. Thank you for sharing this. I wanted to grow some fruit trees. So this video is perfect.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@budbaker-gl2cm]

If your house was built before the 90s, before you plant an edible plant, you may want to make sure the soil around your foundation doesn't contain Chlordane. It was used in the past to prevent termites by putting it in the soil around the foundation.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If there is landscaping growing in the soil and doing well, then the soil can't be toxic enough to seriously impact a plant's growth. If something has to grow in the space, it may as well feed someone, be it you, bees, birds or other native beneficials.

[@russbowman6801]

Yes, camellia sinensis, green tea bush, is doable in zone 8, and so is pineapple guava, both attractive and useful bushes. I just ordered two pomegranate trees, an attractive and productive multi stem tree. Why not adapt to edible landscaping, it only makes sense.

[@ImagineMySurprise510]

I have thought for many years that it's not a good idea to plant things under the eaves because the rain doesn't fall on them and you have to make special provisions to keep them watered. Plant them a few feet out from the eaves so they get some rain. This also allows access to the plants from all sides, and also reduces creepy crawlies from stepping over from the plant onto the wall of the house and finding their way inside. Another thing I've felt is a bad idea is planting around the perimeter of the yard. As the plants expand through growth you can't get around all sides of them, and they can push against the fence and reduce the lifespan of it, making an expensive replacement happen years sooner than necessary. Instead plant a few feet in from the fence so there is enough clearance.

[@Sim_JFD]

Some non-edibles are important, as they grow fast and produce branches for woodchips to mulch our edibles. :)

[@Benny_B0O0]

I’m recovering from surgery and I had to take a break from college. But it was a blessing in disguise. I asked myself why am I working? It’s so I can get money for food, water, clothing, and a house. But all of these needs are abundant and free in nature. Sadly my mother actively destroys my garden and blueberry bushes I planted, because she thinks it makes the backyard “ugly”. The older generations are truly brainwashed and pushing each generation to be more and more reliant on a slave system of exploitation.

[@dianesmith9380]

You are correct

[@ZaraThustra-w2n]

Bro is now a revolutionary. Keep it up!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I try to lead revolutions that increase lifespans, though 😃

[@kaiesping2326]

@@TheMillennialGardenercan you make a video about how pretty fruit trees are? I’m trying to convince my wife to let me plant more dwarf fruit trees lol

[@ZaraThustra-w2n]

@@kaiesping2326 Show her the apples that you can train. I forget the fancy word for it, starts with an E. That will win over any wife.

[@iska1978]

totally agreed.. in my neighborhood everyone planting useless bushes with excuse like natural looks, natives tree etc.. the truth is those useless bushes and tree are more expensive, have zero ROI and no benefit to them except for it's low maintenance.. I just put 20 feijoa around my property as bordering shrub, figs by window for shade in summer and peach and apple as edible center ornamental.. thanks to you for all the advice over the past few years 😉

[@andrewlalis]

Native plants are actually very good even if they don't directly produce food. They attract tons of native pollinators, and everything along the food chain thereafter. It helps keep pests and soil health in check.

[@maccharmaarspray]

@@andrewlalis I'm glad someone pointed this out. Do NOT rip out all native plants. Always grow a mix of edible and native plants to ensure ecological balance and maintain the health of local ecosystems.

[@cherylhowker1792]

I have recently brought 5 new dwarfs rootstock trees…. They known as patio trees here in the uk. I’m hoping to put them in the front garden that atm is just grass. I plan on strumming it then putting cardboard and wood chips around it. I just hope I can get help. Coz where I wanna do it I physically can’t. So I need to direct someone else to do it. Got 2 apple a plum a pear and a cherry. All fruit producing trees. Just have to keep them alive. Lol

[@smilie422]

I live on a 0.12 acre suburban plot, with a relatively large front lawn (haven’t converted that to a garden yet). I have a plum, lemon, lime, 3 persimmon, a pomegranate and a fig tree 🤣. If u have some dirt, u can have fruit trees.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Exactly! If you plant edible bushes around your house, you can have even more!

[@at1the1beginning]

"Useful" is subjective. Not everyone has the will to be bothered by harvesting on top of general maintenance. I'm a gardener myself, but I mostly grow ornamentals and I'm very specific in that regard. Having fruiting trees and shrubs all over my landscape would ruin the carefully crafted aesthetics for me; I find that very important. I'll grow my edibles in the back and out of sight. Besides, looking at your garden specifically, apart from all cropping that (begrudgingly) feeds an array of 'pests', your garden is not biodiverse and serves litle purpose to the natural environment. You have alot of lawn and 0 flowers as far as I can tell. That in and of itself could be considered useless aswell by others' standards. But you do you ;)

[@rayachan1794]

Thank you for this

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome!

[@JD-zb4ve]

I'm jealous, living in Southern Ontario Canada!

[@janetbolton4820]

I feel your pain! For close to 40 years I lived in South Lake Tahoe, California. My tomatoes had to be picked green, many plants were stunted due to cold nights in summer. I moved to Southern California a couple years ago. I can finally grow my food.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Why? You can do so much with your climate. You can landscape around your entire house with blueberry and honeyberry bushes. They’ll look great. Then, outfit the yard with dwarf peaches, apples, pears, persimmons, pawpaws, figs, apricots, cherries…there are so many possibilities! Create your own picture. Your yard is a blank canvas limited only by your imagination.

[@westsidegreg555]

Southern Ontario here too , while we can't plant bananas and all the good tropical fruits We got alot of options still, learned alot from this channel and will be planting figs,peaches,apples,blueberries and much more after the winter passes 👍🏻😁🌱

[@mamamuzic]

I wonder what are some important things to look for when buying a fruit tree for a small city yard? Besides it being rated for your zone, and being a small variety?

[@westsidegreg555]

@@mamamuzic I wouldn't worry too much , just start planting 😂😂 most people at the nursery are knowledgeable and can tell you more if needed . 👍🏻🌱

[@superdave336]

Great video Anthony. I went and checked out the Raintree website. Love the T-shirt but I didn't see it online. I might have messed up since I planted a fig next to my house. I've seen others do it and hope it doesn't mess up my foundation. I might have to reconsider and dig it back up.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

They're under COLLECTIONS > MERCH on their website: raintreenursery.com/collections/merch I see they have it on a sweatshirt. Maybe they're out of t-shirts for the summer or something. They're in Washington State, so it looks like most of the items are winter oriented right now. They sent me this back in the spring. A fig near the house is a bit risky. I would advise you to keep it under control with annual pruning. Try to keep it no taller than 6 feet during the growing season, and in the winter, cut it back to 24-30 inches or so. If you let the tree grow large, it'll keep growing more and more roots to compensate for its size. If you dramatically control its size, it may keep the roots in check. Trees grow roots commensurate with the growth the roots have to support, so if you let the tree get really large, they'll need really large roots. You *may* be able to dwarf the roots somewhat by keeping the tree dwarf-sized.

[@superdave336]

Thanks for the advice. I will try keeping it there and pruning it. I sorta need to anyway because it’s in front of our kitchen window and I don’t want the view blocked. I seen the sweatshirt but prefer the t-shirt. Maybe they will get more in. Thanks Anthony

[@badhalf]

1000% agree!!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you!

[@honeybadgers1996]

Did the builder give you already landscaped backyard? I’ve seen only the front where the HOA maintains. Thanks to you, I talked to Stan from McKenzie Farm regarding pineapple guava and pow pow trees getting shipped however the weather in northern AZ gets down to 20° sometimes lower so he suggested me to call him back in spring. I’m so excited about them. I may even pick up a persimmon tree. He’s very pleasant to talk to. Thank you very much again for your suggestion. Mr. Dale gets so excited about his walks just like my pups😊

[@TheMillennialGardener]

When I had my house built, I specifically told them NO LANDSCAPING. I wanted the beds edged and left blank so I could install what I wanted. I can tell you 20 degrees is nothing for a pineapple guava. Stan got down to 8 degrees during the great 2018 freeze event, and his pineapple guava didn't even notice. It didn't so much as drop a leaf. Stan is a great guy. He's a true southern gentleman.

[@cltinturkey]

Great video, thanks! I've dug out two boxwoods and five azaleas and planted native (non-edible) flowering plants and shrubs. I'd love to remove more but am concerned about materials and chemicals they used to seal and waterproof the foundation in 1952. Neighbors have cautioned against planting edibles within about three feet of the house. Do you have suggestions or ideas on how I could test the soil for these heavy chemicals? A regular soil test doesn't cover those. I'd greatly appreciate any and all ideas. I am game to continue digging out useless azaleas and put those areas to more productive planting. I love fruit, avocados, nuts, and lemons. Thanks!

[@AutonomousCreative]

Ok so I’m wondering about your peach espalier. My understanding is that peaches fruit only on 2nd year wood, thus the only way to train them to a flat structure is fan training, where you essentially replace the entire structure except a low y every year. Also that stone fruit should only be pruned in summer. My (Raintree) Redhaven peach is growing well but maintaining a fan is a LOT of work. Peaches are super abundant growers! If you have info about peaches as espaliers, I’d love to see it.

[@nitababcock3977]

I almost spit my coffee out when u said it's CRAP. Oh my gosh 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Tell me I'm wrong 🤔

[@nitababcock3977]

@TheMillennialGardener u r not wrong. It's wasted spaced. But ur facial expressions when u said it, we're priceless lol

[@starkiller99]

I like the take you had here in this video. However I would say that I also enjoy flowering plants that don't fruit because I can't protect them. After the battle I had with birds/squirrels over my figs, I can't imagine ever getting any produce from anything I can't protect with a large fence. Deer, rabbits, squirrels, they would all gobble up the free fruit I'd provide. I've noticed that you have a nice fence around your property, but I think without some sort of deterrent, I'm not sure one would actually get any fruit for themselves. Even with your fence you had issues with possums and raccoons, but without it? Oof. I actually had to buy some metal spikes to attach to my fence to keep the squirrels from climbing my trellis to get over the fence.

[@MidEastAmerican]

You're AWESOME!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I appreciate it! Thanks for watching!

[@lorenstribling6096]

Dale knows he is a good looking young man.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

He is incredibly handsome 🐶

[@mariacarter938]

That is what I want to do. We pulled out our bushes. I think I want blueberries, but I have never been successful with blueberries.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I have a very detailed video here that should help you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6fZi62pfd90ba8si=6bWxLFuvTcUghcC9

[@nancycongiusti7526]

I have grand ideas for my property. I just have to take it ine step at a time. $$ ❤

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Just do it slowly. I’ve done mine over 6 years. It makes it exciting and affordable.

[@Chris-op7yt]

agreed. there is an ever worse kind of landscaping, growing huge hedges that are meant to be for privacy. they dont work and create a myriad of problems. in my opinion the best way is to have lots of trees, fruit or otherwise, throughout the yard, which creates the eye distraction from most angles to draw gaze away from neighbouring buildings etc.

[@Lego70001]

HOA. Three words that put restrictions about what can be planted. In ours, no food sources allowed in front.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I strongly doubt your HOA will notice blueberry bushes. That would be pretty hard to notice. Especially on the sides of the house and behind the AC condenser.

[@jamesbenson1809]

Here in Oklahoma, the builders surround your house with in-ground pesticide to kill termites. It lasts 10 years. Doesn't that get taken up by any plantings against your house?

[@at1the1beginning]

PESTicide, not HERBicide. If in doubt, google it.

[@ritalr15]

The wasps love my asparagus plants

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I don't know why, but all bees seem to love the asparagus "ferns" when they grow. That area is always highly active.

[@carolinawren00]

love this...fake out the HOA's in the front yard, but do what you want in the back.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That is exactly what my plan was. Blueberries and pineapple guavas are *shrubs.* Bananas, citrus and figs are ornamental. What's behind my fence is none of their business 😃

[@AnitaKandabarow]

Gosh, I need you to come to my house. I need your help with strategic planning and garden. Right up the road from you in Holly Ridge!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Your climate is the same as mine. Just copy off me if you like what I'm growing. Please, steal my ideas. I want you to. Get yourself some dwarf citrus from Stan McKenzie at McKenzie Farms in Scranton, SC. Get yourself blueberries, pineapple guava and Chilean guava as shrubs. Reserve the south wall for some dwarf citrus, since that is your "warm wall" of the house that can protect them.

[@AnitaKandabarow]

@ I have lime, kumquat, lemon and a couple bushes of blueberries. Only kumquat produced this year and of course blueberries. I ate 2 strawberries today as they are still blooming and producing. I need to get some frost cloth and make some hoops to extend the season. Thanks for your info.

[@ABugInAHug]

I have been in the process of ripping out useless shrubs and replacing with natives and edibles. Years ago, my neighbors planted an enormous invasive bush honeysuckle (UGH!) and burning bush hedge just on their side of the property line. The bushes are well established and expanding several feet into my yard, and effectively take up the whole southern edge of my yard AND casts a huge shadow during the day (it is easily 10-15ft tall in some places). I can't plant anywhere near the hedge because anything I put down will just die from being fully shaded/root competition. Any advise on what to do??? :( If it weren't for the hedge I would have so much more space and sunlight. I get so sad looking at this hedge every day and knowing that it prevents me from utilizing the best space in my yard for growing.

[@sallyd1275]

I ripped all 9 roses bushes and many ornaments plant and set up 5 raise bed and plants fruits trees.i have no non edible trees in my yards except flowers for pollinators.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That's really great! I'm OK with roses, though, because pollinators love them, they smell great, and they add great curb appeal for front yards. Knockout roses make great understory and companion plantings here if you don't mind the thorns.

[@sallyd1275]

@ true but the way they were planted originally took up all the space. I am not a fan of rose although I am a woman. 🫣 no worries about pollinators. I have flowers year around in my yard. We have a lot of hummingbirds year round too.

[@Lola-nj5tc]

What is a good … relatively cold hardy …avocado I could plant in Atlanta?

[@francus7227]

Six months ago, I bought 0.75 acres. I started lining the border with 400 Korean banyan trees for privacy. Then I started filling in the middle. I planted 15 various citrus trees, 8 avocados (3 types), I have 20 fig cutting rooting (10 from an unknown tree near a sidewalk and 10 Celest), one lambutan, one litchi, 50 bananas (4 varieties), 8 mangos (3 varieties), 3 jackfruit..... But after watching this, the lightbulb went off. I am going to let the border banyans grow because they grow quickly. As they mature, I am going to steadily replace them with more fruit trees, especially in places where privacy won't be compromised. Dale has many good ideas. Thanks Dale. I tapped the thumbs up button to feed the algorithm monsters.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm glad I could give you some good ideas! There are so many ways where we can pack a lot of food into small spaces. A little planning goes a long way.

[@juneramirez8580]

Congrats on your land purchase and your food forest! You are doing a good job countering the damage the uneducated are doing!

[@francus7227]

@@TheMillennialGardener Thanks

[@francus7227]

@@juneramirez8580 Thanks

[@heidibrown2357]

Your voice sounds like Flik from Disney's "A Bug's Life"

[@MatthewsFabrication]

I've ripped out 20 plus bushes so far since 2018... I just ripped out a giant 10' plus bush... Apparently there was a Massive Any Colony. I used ant spray. Then a week later ants in my garage. Then ants in my upstairs bathroom. Now, Ants in my kitchen. I'd recommend if you see any ants to use Ant bait first then rip out any bushes.

[@cbak1819]

Blueberries would work! Great idea.. except the deer? Hmmm. How about raspberries? My shrubs do bring protection to my home.. living in the North.

[@wendyplatts7986]

Can that bona za peach be grown in a large container like 25gallon.? I have a shelter . Zone 7b. Thanks for all you do for our gardening community. Love dale. I have titan black great dane and malley mixed black and white. They eat garden veggies. The snake beans are a favorite😊

[@cbak1819]

Question? What is the difference between a side dressing and a top?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It's really the same thing.

[@marym4186]

Love your videos. Do you recommend a particular nursery for dwarf trees, for more of PNW area, but zone 6-7? Shipping Statewide is not a problem though unless you think it is. Thank you