How I Became Self Sufficient in 3 Years (almost*)

Summary

The video script details a gardener's journey from a struggling beginner to a successful grower, providing a 10-step guide for growing one's own food. Key elements include securing space, designing the garden, understanding sunlight, and employing various gardening methods. The importance of garden security, animal integration, composting, watering systems, seed starting, and harvesting are highlighted. The video also showcases the installation of a high tunnel for year-round gardening, emphasizing the exponential growth and learning that comes with experience.

Takeaways

• 🌱 The gardener started with a challenging experience but has now achieved self-sufficiency in vegetables and some fruits for his family.
• 🏡 Space is the most significant variable in gardening, and creativity is key to utilizing it, even in urban settings.
• 🌳 The garden has been designed with a mix of inspirations, including a Japanese-inspired entrance, an orchard, and a pollinator garden.
• 🔒 A deer fence was a crucial investment for garden security, also serving as a trellis for vining plants.
• 🐔 Chickens provide both eggs and natural fertilizer through their bedding, which is composted for use in the garden.
• 🌿 Composting is essential for garden health, with the gardener using a three-bin system and incorporating food scraps and wood chips.
• 💧 Watering systems can range from passive to automated, with the gardener using a drip system and rainwater collection for efficiency.
• 🌱 Starting seeds indoors is a cost-effective way to ensure a continuous supply of seedlings for planting throughout the seasons.
• 🍎 The garden's productivity has increased exponentially over three years, leading to a significant reduction in grocery bills for produce.
• ❄️ A high tunnel is being constructed to extend the growing season, allowing for year-round cultivation of cold-tolerant crops.

Q & A

How long did it take for the gardener to transition from struggling to successfully growing vegetables?

It took exactly 3 years from the start of the garden for the gardener to be able to harvest most of the vegetables his family eats.

What was the initial challenge the gardener faced with the rooftop garden in Brooklyn?

The initial challenge was that the rooftop was covered with beer bottles and trash, and it required an investment of $1,500 to transform it into a mini garden.

What is the significance of the deer fence in the gardener's setup?

The 8 ft tall deer fence is significant as it prevents deer from jumping over and destroying the garden, and it also serves as a trellising system for vining plants.

Why did the gardener choose to create a mini orchard in the center of the garden?

The gardener chose to create a mini orchard because of his love for fruit, the high cost of fruit, and it was a dream to grow a lot of it.

How does the gardener enhance pollination in the garden?

The gardener enhances pollination by creating a winding path with a sitting area and planting more local native wild flowers to attract pollinators.

What is the role of chickens in the gardener's ecosystem?

Chickens provide natural fertilizer through their manure, which is mixed with wood shavings to create potent compost, and they also offer homegrown eggs.

Why is composting essential in the gardener's garden?

Composting is essential as it recycles organic matter into nutrient-rich soil, reduces reliance on external compost sources, and is a key component of a self-sustaining garden ecosystem.

What is the advantage of using a drip irrigation system in the garden?

A drip irrigation system is advantageous because it delivers water directly to plant roots, reducing evaporation and water waste.

Why does the gardener start seeds indoors?

Starting seeds indoors allows for control over temperature and early cultivation, ensuring a continuous supply of seedlings for planting throughout the seasons.

How does the high tunnel extend the growing season in the garden?

The high tunnel uses the sun as a heat source, retaining warmth to protect crops during cold months, allowing for year-round growth of cold-tolerant vegetables.

What is the gardener's goal regarding the harvest from his garden?

The gardener's goal is to achieve self-sufficiency in vegetables and gradually increase the percentage of homegrown fruit, aiming for 90% of his produce to be grown in his garden.