We Put This Project Off for 4 YEARS & Completed it in 3 DAYS I Fencing our Fruit Trees

Check out Bogs Footwear here 👉 bit.ly/theseasonalhomestead
👉 Use my limited time promo code BECKY20 for an Additional 20% Off Sale Items only. Code is valid for USA & Canada until Sunday December 24th 2023.
This week, we took a good look at the orchard and noticed several big problems. What started out as simple maintenance escalated into a big project including fencing the entire orchard!
Canning and Preserving Supplies:
Freeze Dryer: affiliates.harvestright.com/1...
Dehydrator: amzn.to/3nV8JbW
Pressure Canner: amzn.to/42Hk0Lw
Waterbath Canner: amzn.to/3VYZgwD
Sauce Maker: amzn.to/43EFycq
Bulk Foods:
Where I buy all bulk organic grains and more- www.azurestandard.com/?a_aid=...
Garden Supplies/Tools:
Silage Tarps, Row Covers, Shade Cloth www.farmersfriend.com/?rid=tsh
Soil Knife- amzn.to/3pmm4L4
Japanese Weeding Sickle- amzn.to/3Jy47jl
Favorite Large Tools- www.theseasonalhomestead.com/...
Soil Blocker 2 inch- amzn.to/3Icy5ZX
Soil Blocker 4 inch- amzn.to/3VRvFp3
Soil Testing- rxsoil.com/nutrients?source=s...
Use code SEASONALHOMESTEAD for 10% off your order!
Garden Infrastructure:
Caterpillar Tunnel & High Tunnel www.farmersfriend.com/c/the-s...
Garden Attire:
My Favorite Garden Overalls- shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=206046...
Floppy Garden Hat- amzn.to/3I1iHPI
Favorite Knee Pads- amzn.to/3LUDKVh
Garden Boots: click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/...
Shop My Favorite Things: www.theseasonalhomestead.com/...
Garden Planning & Preserving Journal:
Seedtime garden planner: seedtime.us/jkmel4ukl4tonac09...
My sisters garden planner (also great for a preserving journal! ) -printable pdf version: tidd.ly/3xcIoqM
Used this for Harvest notes My sisters garden planner -book version (also great for a preserving journal!: amzn.to/3XeEvw4 … new version for 2024 should be coming out soon. Stay tuned for that.
My Garden Plan & Layout 2023- www.theseasonalhomestead.com/...
Most links are affiliate links. Please know I will only recommend items I LOVE and use myself, at no extra cost to you, and it helps support the channel! You guys are the best! -Becky
#bogsfootwear #weekinthelife

[@wendyhall8834]

You all work so hard, but it's awesome to do it as a family! Kids are learning great skills!

[@DuckDuckGooseandChickens]

Pruning more in the winter when the tree is dormant will lead to a lot more growth in the spring and summer. This is a great time to do this!

[@VanillaAttila]

Later winter is better.

[@tamararobinson2069]

I saw Mellisa K Norris - Modern Homesteading - mark what branches need pruned with marking tape in the winter when you can see. Then after the new growth in spring happens and tree is leafed out - she prunes. Eliminated almost all the Water shoot branches from growing. I’m excited to try it this year.

[@ElectricNoosphere]

it's so beautiful to think that the trees will grown and give you so much abundance, and it will be so much work to harvest and preserve, but at the same time your children are growing and will help more and learn such beautiful skills... it's such a beautiful example that many can learn from 🙏🏼

[@savy6623]

I love the team work! Your videos are always educational and relaxing at the same time. Thank you for making them!

[@cbass2755]

They are fun to watch! 😊

[@kassandrapage4379]

You guys are my favorite homesteader. Thank you for showing us how to fence. It's surely is hard work. I appreciate farmers more than ever. Mya Yah bless your entire family.

[@alexandralaske9415]

how to make the holes with an auger on the tractor. It's great how your kids help out, your older one is a real man

[@noelhoffman2184]

I was today years old when I found out it’s “brush hog” and not “bush hog” lol We deer fenced our orchard on all sides, except the entrance gate and deer made their way in, so when you do deer fence your orchard, put that tall Jurassic park gate on it.

[@IfYouGiveAGirlAnAcre]

Same 😂 I wonder if it’s a just regional thing. I’ve always called it “bush hogging” too!

[@BaptistJoshua]

All I hear is "bush hog" around here.

[@Nins-niche67]

Both are correct. Bush or brush

[@frantracey8737]

Ive hward ducks in a permaculture orchard. They dont scratch the ground & eat the fallen fruit that helps with fruit fly, as well as other insects. I know that Muscovy are actually a goose so woll graze on the grass too. Just something to think about.

[@patriciahogg5763]

Impressive family work ethic!! Well done! Looks great!

[@jeanenetomecek]

I absolutely love all of your videos!! We had a baby around the same time as y’all, and I’m always so amazed by how much you guys accomplish! We did our first “full-sized” garden last spring (harvesting when baby was born!)… and tried to can/ put away as much as possible. Definitely a major challenge, but your channel seriously encouraged me to buckle down! You’re definitely a huge inspiration!

[@LittleKi1]

Probably the biggest thing you can do for those young trees is to make sure they have water at the height of the growing season. We have a cheap Ryobi water pump and a water tank that I take around to the trees once a week. Otherwise, unless you get really consistent summer rains, the grass is going to keep taking up most of the water in the soil. Anything super stunted or stalled is probably worth just replacing with a vigorous whip. That and flower-prune anything young and let them put all their carbohydrates into root and shoot production. Envious of your fence!

[@crazycdn8327]

you guys are definitely not afraid of hard work, nice job.

[@BlushingRoseDiaries]

Having the kids go out at night to grab veggies for dinner is so relatable 😂

[@6abriela170]

Merry Christmas to you all, May God bless you and your family ♥

[@benjohnson9011]

Another great video. When I need to line up a drill pattern, like you guys were doing on the corner posts, I use small (1/8th x 18") inch long bits as a pilot hole. The bits aren't that expensive and you'd be surprised how much you'll use them for projects. Pulling T posts out of sod can create a new language! Just hang a chain off your loader and use a couple half hitches. Or make a elongated plate (1/4" thick for strength) and cut an oval shape inside it. Hang it off your loader and secured to the chain. You can just drive along pulling posts without getting off the tractor. The 'puller' will swing around as you drive and stop. The oval can be quite bigger than the T post but still hook on the nubbies. Just lower it down over the T post. Like threading a needle. The plate will catch somewhere on the post as you raise the loader. Two peolpe can pull alot of T posts this way and fast. Throw the T posts in the bucket as you go if need be. A bush hog and hidden T posts in the grass can alter the universe! 🙂

[@susanfreeman6350]

One more thing off your list! Riggs looks exactly like Cam! Wishing your amazing family a blessed Christmas.

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Thank you! Merry Christmas!

[@joannak4640]

I am so happy for you that you were able to get to that 👍 Now to run water down to that area. I watch a channel called Country View Acres and he trenched water lines a quarter mile all over his land from the original well at the front of their property all the way to where they built their cabin a quarter mile away. It IS possible. And then along the way you can "T" the lines off and run spigots to your animal areas. Love you guys!!!

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Running water lines all the way down the property definitely is on our to-do list this year!! I'll have to look up that channel! Thanks Joanna!

[@joannak4640]

@@TheSeasonalHomestead the video he did it in is from a long time ago...like 4-5 years. I'm sure you can find it, though 👍

[@Nins-niche67]

My aunt had a triangular spot near her road and was fencing she planted a triangle grape harbor it is so cute looking.

[@shelleythomas1811]

I ❤ the kids work ethic!!!! BRAVO 🙌🏽 parents 🎉

[@arikay8841]

i would add more trees in the empty corner... keeping inline with the layout you already have.

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Yes, definitely!! I can never have enough fruit trees :)

[@angelajason-ik4vd]

That’s exactly what I was thinking. Gives you room to either have different fruit or more of the same.

[@CCRanch]

My first time visiting your channel and just subscribed. Fyi, the easiest way to learn to back a trailer is place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and move it in the direction you want the trailer to go....

[@IfYouGiveAGirlAnAcre]

It looks so beautiful at the end!! I’ve added another project to my to do list for winter now 😂 And I just love the idea of using “retired” chickens in the orchard!

[@StefanSobkowiak]

A little bit of branch training ( bending them below horizontal- except pears which should be horizontal) will setup your trees for life to be low maintenance. The trees are at the right stage. Check out my pruning playlist.

[@nancynottage7255]

I love how you show all the details of what is involved to make a fence. I will now appreciate all the fences I see and how much work is involved. Looks great!

[@PlowAndPantryHomestead]

Smart tip using the yellow lids for visibility!

[@bryansteen2219]

You guys are an awesome family. It's nice to watch your progress.

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Thank you Bryan!!

[@kendoty5583]

Loved this so much and it’s awesome how your children help you. You are blessed.

[@jkoperski9925]

Loving your channel and growth so much. Thanks for keeping the channel and sharing. It's a huge Inspiration and we love your down-to-earth way of being. Thank you. Health and blessings to the whole family and merry Christmas. From Germany

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Thank you! Merry Christmas!

[@ceepark114]

You could use an auger attachment for the tractor to dig all those holes.

[@vanessabourne3960]

Hi Becky, I’m so excited to see your new videos every time! You are doing so great with a small baby to care on the side. And so much as well I’m just so much looking forward to see one day the fruit trees grow up and chickens running under.

[@nancyseery2213]

WIOW, young lady, I am impressed with all of your skills!! I have tried several time to back up our truck and trailer and you are doing such a great job. Keep up your skills and practice when ever you can. You totally amaze me with what you can get done in a day. GOD bless y'all and keep growing.

[@samanthafitch952]

I just love watching your videos! The way you all work together is just incredible, what amazing parenting you do! Your kids are very lucky to have yall!! Riggs is adorable! As are all your children 🥰 your family is the definition of a hard working American family 🙏🏻🇺🇸merry Christmas 🙏🏻🎄☃️

[@craftyShirleyG]

Nice job by the whole family! 😊

[@florencejessup2432]

It's smart of you to be wary when you learn to work with tractor implements. It means you will be safer with them.

[@homesteadincrazy7773]

One thing I heard you say on here was about putting the mulch a foot away from the base of the tree because of moisture issues...it also helps with rodent issues. Rodents like to make homes in the mulch over the winter and they will eat the bark off the tree. If they take it off all the way around the tree, the tree will not survive. So now you have two good reasons not to put the mulch up too close. Love your channel. Be safe.

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Thanks for sharing that!

[@homesteadincrazy7773]

@@TheSeasonalHomestead Glad to when I can. You guys are great.

[@rachelgalus]

Great work!

[@cherylpresleigh6403]

Becky, you seemed really happy and inspired in this video! Congrats on getting the orchard fenced. I love seeing the family out there together. Nice work!

[@bethanynelson3959]

I am always so impressed with the skills you are willing to learn, Becky.

[@wrenwest4887]

Still has to be the loveliest farm wife ever with the most gracious and teachable approach and most adorable kids. More power in Him, Merry Christmas and looking for a prosperous new year.

[@pauleengould998]

What an amazing accomplishment and what an amazing family all working together. You are an inspiration to us all 😊

[@dreamyacrewoods]

I always love your videos! I’m so glad you shared putting this fence up. We’re contemplating how we want to fence the rest of our yard to keep the deer out and found the corners so interesting. Can’t wait to see how the orchard does this year for you!

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Thank you for watching! I hope this gets you excited for your projects too 😁.

[@Jonafets]

Awesome! Big fans from South Africa. Wish we could say that our homesteads are as safe as yours. You are lucky to be able to life so carefree without having to worry about security issues. This side we have to focus a lot on security for our selfs and even then sometimes the bas guys ge though. You guys are an inspiration! 👍🏻 Congrats on getting the fence done!

[@karenzorn773]

Great job family, Happy Holidays.

[@JeanneKinland]

That was fun!

[@Selahhavenhomestead]

Dude! Get a post hole digger for your 3point hitch. An hour and you’re done and save your back and hands

[@toddoden8124]

hmmm when ever i did fencing of trees and crops, if they were square and i wanted fence 10 feet away i would just measure out 10 feet from last tree or plant at a 90* on all sides, it was always perfect if original field was square, or if not square the fence was still 10ft all the way around, also water wells and mulch is totally worth the time, i make the water wells WAY bigger than my neighbors, oh the hole drill attachment is GREAT if you have a larger property that needs fencing, also 2 6ft gates are less weight on the posts.

[@navigatingtime2222]

Good to finally see Cruz helping. I always see the little kids helping with physical work in your videos without the oldest boy.

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

We’ll make sure Cruz sees your comment too! 😁 We can always use some more teenage muscles around here 💪🏼👨🏽‍🌾

[@albertnett7864]

Impressive.

[@workinonit9562]

Lovely family working together, fence looks great, congrats!

[@sgrvtl7183]

Makes me happy to see all this good nurturing to the orchard. I hope you see a big difference next spring/summer💚❤️

[@Cindyscrossstitch]

Your family is a team. Hard work pays off. Merry Christmas 🎄🎅🤶

[@paulawhite2882]

Watching this reminds me of my husband. We DIY it together. He's the brain and the gold and I am the bronze. We are a good team, just like you all😊+

[@tamararobinson2069]

Looks Marvelous!!! Love the idea of retired chickens in there🤗 fabulous way to live out their life and be so useful!! Your soup looks Delish!!😋

[@BaptistJoshua]

Keep chickens in your orchard. They are natural insect killers, and they'll fertilize the trees. Or use ash water sprayed on the trees.

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

That's the plan!

[@BaptistJoshua]

@@TheSeasonalHomestead Good!

[@parva777]

Watching you channel and creations make me happy ! Thank you beautiful family, big hug to all from France 🤗

[@helenmcclellan452]

Glad to see a fence put up, but it the fencing tall enough to keep deer out? You mentioned that you'll be putting chickens in there to free-range. Will the chickens have a coop? Will hawks or other large builds get to them as the peck in an open area?

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Fence is 5 ft tall. It's the same height as our garden and we haven't had a deer problem in there. At our previous property the fence was 8 ft tall and it was overkill. I guess the deer here have plenty to eat because technically they could jump over that height but I've never seen them do it or even attempt. The chickens will have a coop for sure. We do have hawks and owls. The hawks could be a problem. I may get a guard goose or something like that to help.

[@charlesburkhart800]

Wow, that is a monster job! Well done!

[@languagelynnie]

I love how your whole family works together.

[@nancyrasmussen2016]

I've seen other homesteaders with a router like tool and it brings up the dirt and makes a hole really fast. I think it's called a router. I've seen they hook it to a drill too to run it. Looking good. Nancy from nebraska

[@janeskusal5368]

I would make the fence irregular and think about what you might add in there at a later date.

[@janeskusal5368]

I should have added, but it is your property. Do what you want.

[@gloriadavidson8599]

Love watching your videos ❤ It's all about family working together and enjoying a beautiful lifestyle 👏👏👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 As always a pleasure to watch ☺️☺️ Love from the UK x

[@user-xq9xf6hz6b]

beautiful family congratulescions kiss da rome italy,,

[@janeskusal5368]

Looks great!

[@tedduke1699]

Wow! Your family does it together.

[@bonniearmbruster8401]

Great job with the whole family helping!

[@debeforesara]

So aspirational! ❤

[@danielb1877]

Kindly, were you wearing hearing protection? I have the exact same tractor (3025e) and it is loud--especially when running the PTO. You may want to consider some hearing protection, if you were not wearing it.

[@sagelee181]

Love your videos, fence looks great! You mentioned it briefly but would some day love to hear more about your sourdough routine. How often to you make it? How do you maintain your starter? What do you make with your discard?

[@lemonadewithniecey]

I counted 23 fruit trees. Are you planning on keeping it as is or filling in those gaps where it looks like their probably were trees that didn't survive. I assume the space for one or two trees will be taken up by the chicken coop do you have water out there to water the chickens regularly.and how many is a "set" of chickens part of heard set and thought two like a salt and pepper shaker set but context it seems like 20-40 chickens. So nice you finally finished your fruit trees.

[@ElectricNoosphere]

your bread looks so beautiful! your artistic talent translates 🥖

[@sacredmommyhood]

Wow! Looks great!! For the life of me, I cannot back up our trailer. No matter what I do, it goes in its own direction. lol But my husband can back that sucker through our garden gate with ease. I need more practice! 😅

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Haha, yeah! It's so much harder than it looks!

[@wendieo5146]

Hold the BOTTOM of your steering wheel with one hand, turn around to look as you drive backward. That’s the trick.

[@katarzynapawicka-jozwiak8043]

Greetings from Poland! ❤

[@madisoncluff1724]

Would you show the book you used to make the soup from ? Thanks

[@maryricketts8526]

Wow/ impressive!!!!

[@rebeccagraf2962]

I bet that feels SO good to have that done!

[@gregjoseph4569]

Awesome job! Fencing is tough work. Is there a reason you guys decided not to follow the road afterall? Cheers

[@sauromstark5517]

Good job!!!! Hi from Colombia 🤠🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴🇨🇴

[@sjmom5119]

next time use gps to measure more accurately and you can put your berries in the fenced in area too on trellis or with wire and metal fencing posts

[@marthabartel604]

Wack the pole on the right with thee tractor buck. Trees are still small until two inch barks.

[@happycamper4329]

Well done with the reversing of the trailer Becky. I'm still having to try 5-6 times just to hook the trailer up.... and don't even ask what my reversing with the trailer is like... even Mr Magoo would be shocked!

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Haha!

[@Simplyfarmhouse7]

Love your channel ~ your living the dream!

[@SeekOutTheAdventure]

Cam! Put on your Bogs.

[@TexasTime827]

How did I not know you had cows and pigs?? I’ve been watching since you announced you were pregnant and don’t remember seeing them. I guess you mainly do content on gardening but would love to see more.

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

That is good feedback to have. Cam maintains the cows and pigs. We have a couple videos about them a long time ago but haven't done much else since then. We will share more in the future.

[@6abriela170]

I love this Family ♥

[@mrPhotographer76]

How big is your fenced in are for how many trees? how far do you space your trees out?

[@cw3365]

Y'all need to get an auger to drill

[@JL-iq7yy]

I love your videos and how you set it up. Showing the work and explaining things at the same time. I prefer this than KZbinrs that just take forever to explain things.

[@kimwood6632]

Nice! And love Boggs!

[@paulawhite2882]

I like that idea of using retired chickens for another area+

[@colleenshannon3314]

Those pork chops look amazing! Can you share the recipe? 🤤

[@sjmom5119]

have you thought about mulching then entire orchard? also see if you can get some small bags for the bayleaves so you dont have to pick them out individually when canning

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Yes- I think if we get chickens in there they’ll start spreading the mulch and then we’ll have to keep adding. So the mulch may spread naturally through the whole area😊

[@Simplyfarmhouse7]

Do you have the recipe for cajun cow pea soup? THANKS

[@lisapop5219]

Manual post hole digging is probably my husband's least favorite outdoor job.

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Haha, I can understand why. It's especially rough when the soil is rocky.

[@meme7591]

So with that fence so that it doesn't put weight pressure on that pole would you guys think about putting a real so you can wheel it opening and closing

[@maryegerton6848]

I planted a small orchard three years ago and I am pretty sure I should be pruning it soon. I’m really scared, lol. I get so much conflicting info on when to do this. Some say spring, some say fall and some people say winter. Do you know anything about this? I’m in zone five, and it’s quite cold now. I was thinking about pruning them in March. I’m just praying that I don’t kill these trees 😖 Your orchard looks really good. It’s nice and big. That tractor is bomb. Mine is like a baby tractor lol

[@katehache]

Winter!! When it’s dormant. For me, in Colorado zone 5, I usually prune mine in mid January. You want to do it before they bud. If you do a lot of maintenance pruning during the growing season you’re going to get a lot of water sprouts. Definitely prune this year. Train them while they are young so you don’t have to make a bunch of corrections later when the branches are thicker. Pruning trees, especially fruit trees, is soooo nerve-racking at first, but just go for it. See if you can find some articles on your extensions office website. You may be able to find course material for your local Master Gardner program. Rules of thumb: -Sanitize your shears before starting and between each tree. I use rubbing alcohol. -You want to open up the center of the tree to let light in, so cut everything that’s growing TOWARD the center. You want outward growth. -If you have multiple branches growing in the same direction right on top of each other, pick one and lose the other. -You don’t want crossing branches.

[@maryegerton6848]

@@katehache omg!!! Thank you so much! I really appreciate this! I’m in Ontario so it stays cold and snowy until April.

[@auntiepam5649]

I love my Boggs boots.

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Yes 🙌 They are the best!

[@libertybellemedia7165]

YOULL GET TO THE CHICKEN PROJECT!! WE KMOW YOULL DO IT!!!

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Thank you for the encouragement! 💚

[@bobberglund7387]

Do you have water for the orchard?

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Not yet…we are working on running water down there. Hopefully by springtime we will have that all done 🙏🏼🤞🏼

[@JuliaLisArt]

Are the posts you use for fencing cedar, or pressure treated?

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

Pressure treated

[@rollercity]

Cool! Have you considered talking to an agronomist to do a soil audit? Do you use EM-1 and other microbes?

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

I love that idea. The orchard was neglected to the point that I hadn’t even soil tested 😬 I plan to soil test this week so that’s a start. In the vegetable garden I use a soil prebiotic that has worked really well. I never used it on the orchard because it was such a pain the access the trees but always intended to use it. Have you had success with EM-1? I’ve never tried it.

[@rollercity]

Awesome. That may be true but you're only one person lol. Cool, the same beneficials or bokashi may already be in your prebiotic. I've mostly used it with living soil systems (30+ gallon pots and other containers) and had solid results. I recommend trying a small amount of the name brand (so it's good quality/active) and if you like the results then you can get mother culture kits and make a 5 gallon bucket worth lol. If you want to make it from scratch you can learn/experiment with KNF, JADAM, etc down the road too. @@TheSeasonalHomestead

[@TheSeasonalHomestead]

@@rollercity Thank you!

[@rollercity]

You're welcome! @@TheSeasonalHomestead