Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
It's Homestead Survival Week - and what a wild week on the homestead! Between storm damage, fallen trees, garden prep, firewood emergencies, and major progress on our DIY home renovation, it’s been full-on here in the New Zealand countryside. In this episode, we tackle self-sufficiency projects, spring garden planting, chainsaw work, storm cleanup, and big upgrades inside the house — all while preparing for baby #2.
If you love homesteading, gardening, rural life, DIY projects, renovation content, and self-sufficient living, this episode is for you. Life out here isn’t always easy, but it’s real, rewarding, and worth sharing. 🌱🔥
🌿 SHOP MY NEW “Stay Curious & Keep Growing” T-Shirts & Crewnecks
alexanderayling.com/store/merch
🌍 SHOP TRAVEL ITINERARIES (NZ, Italy, Iceland, Thailand, Costa Rica + more)
alexanderayling.com/custom-travel-itineraries
🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE HOMESTEAD + TRAVEL CONTENT
bit.ly/ClickToSubscribeToAlex
📬 JOIN THE NEWSLETTER
alexanderayling.com/newsletter
Thank you for watching and supporting this homestead journey.
Stay Curious & Keep Growing. 🌿✨
#homestead #diy #renovation #garden
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00:00 Wild Homestead Intro & This Week’s Projects
00:30 Free Mulch Run to the Neighbor’s Farm
01:08 Loading Mulch for No-Dig Garden Paths & Fruit Trees
02:39 Building a No-Dig Garden With Cardboard, Mulch & Potatoes
04:47 Rainy Morning Chores & Bottle-Feeding the Lamb
06:19 Feeding Chickens & Figuring Out a Duck Housing Solution
07:28 Predator Problems: Mustelids, Traps & Protecting Poultry
09:26 Checking on Our Broody Hen Charlotte & Her Wild Nest
11:26 Safe Controlled Burn: Fire Management & Land Clean-Up
14:25 Pond Maintenance, Muck Raking & Keeping Water for the Sheep
16:37 Planting Dwarf Green Beans & Gardening for Longevity
18:02 Using Sheep Wool in the Seed Hot Box & Planning a Pumpkin Patch
19:25 DIY Repair: Fixing My Archery Target for Backyard Practice
21:10 Dad DIY: Fixing My Daughter’s Favorite Toy With Expanding Glue
23:28 Temporary Duck Housing & Protecting Tender Tomato Starts
25:57 Weed Whacking, Line Trimming & Big Landscaping Plans
26:55 Stay Curious & Keep Growing: New Homestead Merch & How to Support
+ SUBSCRIBE HERE| bit.ly/ClickToSubscribeToAlex
+ INSTAGRAM | instagram.com/alexander.ayling
+ Shop My Travel Itineraries: alexanderayling.com/store/travel-itinerary
+ Book a Call For Custom Travel Planning: alexanderayling.as.me/schedule.php
+ Book a Call For 1 on 1 Business & Creative Consultation: alexanderayling.as.me/schedule.php
+ Check My Website: alexanderayling.com
+ Keep in Touch - Sign Up For My Newsletter: alexanderayling.com/newsletter
BECOME A CHANNEL MEMBER FOR EXTRA CONTENT:
youtube.com/channel/UC_uIW_MvxONcZsAkaMq1ujA/join
THE MUSIC IN MY VIDEOS: audiio.com/partner?oid=1&affid=1462
+ Book CHEAP AIRFARE here: bit.ly/CHEAPFLIGHTSNOW
+ How I ALWAYS get AIRPORT LOUNGE ACCESS: https://prioritypass.tp.st/SC4RogHi
+ Best HOTEL Deals: https://agoda.tp.st/8cX0epof
+ Affordable Rental Cars Here: https://discovercars.tp.st/teBb8YQ9
+ Hire A MotorBike: https://bikesbooking.tp.st/MknuYg8
+ Cheap Quality Hostels: https://hostelworld.tp.st/n3Iyjdr3
+ Book Your Travel Experiences here: https://viator.tp.st/OLzT6k8V
+ SIM CARDs FOR TRAVEL: https://airalo.tp.st/5pkpPYWS
+ The BEST Travel INSURANCE: https://visitorscoverage.tp.st/YWHfLkCj
+ Be a BALLER Book a YACHT: https://searadar.tp.st/1mdM3cxZ
+ ALL MY FAVORITE PRODUCTS & BOOKS: amazon.com/shop/alexthevagabond
I'm Alex, I'm a travel filmmaker, photographer, TV host, and the founder of @Vagabrothers. On this channel, I'll share my journey of moving to New Zealand and renovating a Homestead as well as travel guides, motivational and inspirational videos from lessons I've learned during my life, and cooking recipes of international cuisine using organic vegetables grown in my home garden. Hopefully, my videos will help you learn new skills, find happiness, inspire exploration, and grow your creativity. Stay tuned friends!
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+ INSTAGRAM | instagram.com/alexander.ayling
+ TIKTOK | tiktok.com/alexanderayling
+ PODCAST | podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soul-sugar/id1451726179
+ GET $10 FREE BITCOIN: coinbase.com/join/ayling_8
+ GET $55 Dollars FREE For Your Next AIRBNB!
airbnb.com/c/alexa7733?currency=USD
---
ALL MY GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS ➡️ amazon.com/shop/alexthevagabond?listId=2M2T781485I7J
It's Homestead Survival Week - and what a wild week on the homestead! Between storm damage, fallen trees, garden prep, firewood emergencies, and major progress on our DIY home renovation, it’s been full-on here in the New Zealand countryside. In this episode, we tackle self-sufficiency projects, spring garden planting, chainsaw work, storm cleanup, and big upgrades inside the house — all while preparing for baby #2.
If you love homesteading, gardening, rural life, DIY projects, renovation content, and self-sufficient living, this episode is for you. Life out here isn’t always easy, but it’s real, rewarding, and worth sharing. 🌱🔥
🌿 SHOP MY NEW “Stay Curious & Keep Growing” T-Shirts & Crewnecks
alexanderayling.com/store/merch
🌍 SHOP TRAVEL ITINERARIES (NZ, Italy, Iceland, Thailand, Costa Rica + more)
alexanderayling.com/custom-travel-itineraries
🔔 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE HOMESTEAD + TRAVEL CONTENT
bit.ly/ClickToSubscribeToAlex
📬 JOIN THE NEWSLETTER
alexanderayling.com/newsletter
Thank you for watching and supporting this homestead journey.
Stay Curious & Keep Growing. 🌿✨
#homestead #diy #renovation #garden
╔═╦╗╔╦╗╔═╦═╦╦╦╦╗╔═╗
║╚╣║║║╚╣╚╣╔╣╔╣║╚╣═╣
╠╗║╚╝║║╠╗║╚╣║║║║║═╣
╚═╩══╩═╩═╩═╩╝╚╩═╩═╝
00:00 Wild Homestead Intro & This Week’s Projects
00:30 Free Mulch Run to the Neighbor’s Farm
01:08 Loading Mulch for No-Dig Garden Paths & Fruit Trees
02:39 Building a No-Dig Garden With Cardboard, Mulch & Potatoes
04:47 Rainy Morning Chores & Bottle-Feeding the Lamb
06:19 Feeding Chickens & Figuring Out a Duck Housing Solution
07:28 Predator Problems: Mustelids, Traps & Protecting Poultry
09:26 Checking on Our Broody Hen Charlotte & Her Wild Nest
11:26 Safe Controlled Burn: Fire Management & Land Clean-Up
14:25 Pond Maintenance, Muck Raking & Keeping Water for the Sheep
16:37 Planting Dwarf Green Beans & Gardening for Longevity
18:02 Using Sheep Wool in the Seed Hot Box & Planning a Pumpkin Patch
19:25 DIY Repair: Fixing My Archery Target for Backyard Practice
21:10 Dad DIY: Fixing My Daughter’s Favorite Toy With Expanding Glue
23:28 Temporary Duck Housing & Protecting Tender Tomato Starts
25:57 Weed Whacking, Line Trimming & Big Landscaping Plans
26:55 Stay Curious & Keep Growing: New Homestead Merch & How to Support
+ SUBSCRIBE HERE| bit.ly/ClickToSubscribeToAlex
+ INSTAGRAM | instagram.com/alexander.ayling
+ Shop My Travel Itineraries: alexanderayling.com/store/travel-itinerary
+ Book a Call For Custom Travel Planning: alexanderayling.as.me/schedule.php
+ Book a Call For 1 on 1 Business & Creative Consultation: alexanderayling.as.me/schedule.php
+ Check My Website: alexanderayling.com
+ Keep in Touch - Sign Up For My Newsletter: alexanderayling.com/newsletter
BECOME A CHANNEL MEMBER FOR EXTRA CONTENT:
youtube.com/channel/UC_uIW_MvxONcZsAkaMq1ujA/join
THE MUSIC IN MY VIDEOS: audiio.com/partner?oid=1&affid=1462
+ Book CHEAP AIRFARE here: bit.ly/CHEAPFLIGHTSNOW
+ How I ALWAYS get AIRPORT LOUNGE ACCESS: https://prioritypass.tp.st/SC4RogHi
+ Best HOTEL Deals: https://agoda.tp.st/8cX0epof
+ Affordable Rental Cars Here: https://discovercars.tp.st/teBb8YQ9
+ Hire A MotorBike: https://bikesbooking.tp.st/MknuYg8
+ Cheap Quality Hostels: https://hostelworld.tp.st/n3Iyjdr3
+ Book Your Travel Experiences here: https://viator.tp.st/OLzT6k8V
+ SIM CARDs FOR TRAVEL: https://airalo.tp.st/5pkpPYWS
+ The BEST Travel INSURANCE: https://visitorscoverage.tp.st/YWHfLkCj
+ Be a BALLER Book a YACHT: https://searadar.tp.st/1mdM3cxZ
+ ALL MY FAVORITE PRODUCTS & BOOKS: amazon.com/shop/alexthevagabond
I'm Alex, I'm a travel filmmaker, photographer, TV host, and the founder of @Vagabrothers. On this channel, I'll share my journey of moving to New Zealand and renovating a Homestead as well as travel guides, motivational and inspirational videos from lessons I've learned during my life, and cooking recipes of international cuisine using organic vegetables grown in my home garden. Hopefully, my videos will help you learn new skills, find happiness, inspire exploration, and grow your creativity. Stay tuned friends!
---
+ INSTAGRAM | instagram.com/alexander.ayling
+ TIKTOK | tiktok.com/alexanderayling
+ PODCAST | podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soul-sugar/id1451726179
+ GET $10 FREE BITCOIN: coinbase.com/join/ayling_8
+ GET $55 Dollars FREE For Your Next AIRBNB!
airbnb.com/c/alexa7733?currency=USD
---
ALL MY GEAR RECOMMENDATIONS ➡️ amazon.com/shop/alexthevagabond?listId=2M2T781485I7J
