Quick update: Soil Blocking, Wooden Trays, and Winter sowing! Back To Reality 2021-03-25 | Just a really quick update about some of the new seed starting options we're trying this, and it's all because of you guys! So thanks (as always) for the tips, advice, feedback, and support!
Why QUACKGRASS is such a huge pain in the… garden. Back To Reality 2023-06-09 | And here’s another perfect example of why rhizomatous grass, like the quackgrass we’ve been battling for the past few years, is such a huge pain in the garden. This is a rhizome, one those tough underground stems that quackgrass uses to start new daughter plants where you least expect them. You see, each rhizome has the potential to sprout new leaves every couple of inches along its length. But you may be thinking, it’s just a little underground stem, how bad could this really get? Well, here I am carefully digging up an infestation that came in from just outside our fence. And all of this came from one single rhizome over the course of just a week or so. It breached our defenses, silently crept along under our mulch, and then by the time we noticed it, it was already too late. Plus rhizomes are also storage organs. And so, if I were to accidentally miss even a tiny piece, it would have all the energy it needs to get the whole process started all over again. But this time, from inside the fence.
Why Quack Grass is Such a HUGE Problem in the Garden Back To Reality 2023-05-15 | Here’s a perfect example of why rhizomatous grass, like the quackgrass we’ve been battling for the past few years, is such a worthy contender in the garden. This is a piece of rhizome, those tough underground stems that grass plants use to propagate new daughter plants where you least expect them. Now this one was accidentally left on the surface after pulling it last fall. It dried out in the sun, then froze solid all winter, thawed out and froze again, over and over until spring finally arrived. And then it just woke up, and used its stored nutrients to begin sprouting new leaves all over again. So if this piece was able to survive under the worst of conditions, you can imagine how easy it is for it to thrive when we inevitably miss a piece in the nutrient rich soil. Nature may not always be on our side, but my goodness, it sure deserves our respect.
Is Kale an Annual or a Perennial? Back To Reality 2023-05-09 | Does kale come back every year? Let's find out!
Grow Garlic to SAVE TIME in the spring Back To Reality 2023-05-01 | When you grow your own food, spring time is a busy time. It feels like everything has to happen all at once. So anything that can spread out some of those garden chores, is a welcome opportunity. And garlic is a perfect example. Because rather than planting it right now along with everything else. Instead, we plant it in the fall when most of the other chores are already done, Being exposed to the cold all winter helps the garlic plants grow larger bulbs, but there’s another benefit to fall planting. Because it also provides an exciting dose of inspiration when all of those sprouts finally emerge just when we begin sowing our seeds. It’s a great reminder that nature is full of cycles, and as gardeners, sometimes we just need to relax a bit and enjoy the ride.
Free Food, Every Year, With No Work? Try Asparagus! Back To Reality 2023-04-27 | (Asparagus update - Season 5) At this time of year, we’re usually pretty focused on seeds, and seedlings. But not everything in our garden needs that kind of attention. For example, like clockwork, every spring, without any prompting from us, our asparagus begins breaking through the soil and sending up its delicious spears. Now these ones aren’t ready for harvest yet. We’ll have to wait a few more days. But it’s still pretty exciting to see them doing so well. Especially considering that since initially planting them 4 years ago, we’ve not done anything to help them out. But then again, I guess that shouldn’t really be a surprise. Because out in the woods, there’s wild asparagus plants that do the same thing. And we didn’t even have to plant them. Just nature being self sufficient, right on time, and keeping us fed along the way.
Winter Sowing Update | AFTER ONE MONTH Back To Reality 2023-04-21 | After trying 3 different types of Winter Sowing over the past month, we've finally got some early results to share with you!
Why is maple syrup so sweet? Back To Reality 2023-04-07 | Most people know that maple syrup is made by boiling down the sap collected from maple trees. But have you ever wondered why it’s so sweet?Previous videos about maple syrup production:How to Make Maple Syrup (and the science of maple sap)youtube.com/watch?v=jZj_4-iqwlIDoes Collecting Maple Sap Hurt the Tree?youtube.com/watch?v=Y58FLAqstHs
Sowing Seeds Directly into the Garden... IN WINTER Back To Reality 2023-04-02 | As part of our seed-starting comparison, in this video we tried starting our seeds directly in the garden, both under plastic domes, and under snow.Table of contents:Recap (Sowing in Containers) - 0:00Direct Sowing under Plastic Domes - 1:17Direct Sowing under SNOW - 2:22What about mulch? - 4:30Other Youtubers on Direct Winter Sowing:MIgardener - youtube.com/watch?v=OcAo00APnR0Tamra Dickinson - youtube.com/watch?v=g5WfIHta7ssThat 1870's Homestead - youtube.com/watch?v=lWJthq9UJa0JuicingGardener (Sheryl Mann) - youtube.com/watch?v=Pp5VCWD_uukOFF GRID with DOUG & STACY - youtube.com/watch?v=FhS4A3Gp5x8
Winter Sowing: A CHEAP and EASY way to start seeds... OUTSIDE! Back To Reality 2023-03-24 | We typically start our vegetable seedlings in our unfinished basement, but what if you can’t afford grow lights, and none of your windows have enough sunlight? Or what if you don’t have that kind of space? Or don’t have the time to make paper pots? Maybe you always forget to water them, or find the hardening-off process stressful. Well if any of those situations sound familiar, then alternatively, you could just go ahead and start some of them outside, even in the snow.Table of Contents:Intro - 0:00What is Winter Sowing? - 1:17How to Winter Sow - 2:17Benefits - 5:29When to Winter Sow - 6:06Other Youtubers on Winter Sowing:Please check them out, and tell them we sent you :)Growit Buildit: youtube.com/watch?v=SKXY6dl-5TkLittle Garden on the Prairies: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBLzuoZhsRBVSq8rpq34vVZwk4vMP4DDFEsther's Gardening Adventures: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLguaVQqEAnIUkHd85gtfgoj4CX9JAILY0
What are Snow fleas? Back To Reality 2023-03-06 | If you take a walk in the woods on a warm winter day, you might notice some tiny black specs all over the snow. But what are they? Well, upon closer inspection, if they seem to be bouncing around all over the place, then chances are, you’ve just found some snow fleas.Full-length video: youtube.com/watch?v=8BOIpiua_z4
Rabbits pee is BLUE in winter? Back To Reality 2023-02-27 | #shorts #nature #science #winter When you live in the country, like we do, yellow snow in winter is a pretty common sight. But did you know that some rabbits pee is blue?
Windchill and Plants: Responding to YOUR comments and questions Back To Reality 2023-02-12 | Responding to your questions and comments about our previous video - all about if/how the windchill affects outdoor garden plants.Previous video (watch this first): youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ25mr9zlNoTable of Contents:0:00 - Introduction1:44 - Windchill = Cooling Speed1:51 - From boiling to room temperature 2:07 - From room to outside temperature 2:56 - Adding wind3:22 - The confusing thing4:43 - Plants6:07 - Micro-climates7:00 - Frost7:22 - Other variables7:42 - Bottom line
Does the Windchill Factor affect Outdoor Garden Plants? Back To Reality 2023-02-03 | Have you ever wondered if/how the Windchill Factor effects your outdoor garden plants? Let's find out!Windchill Calculators:Canada: weather.gc.ca/windchill/wind_chill_e.htmlUSA: weather.gov/safety/cold-wind-chill-chart
Is Crop Rotation Necessary in a Ruth Stout Garden? Back To Reality 2022-10-18 | What is crop rotation, why is it typically recommended, and is it necessary in a Ruth Stout garden? Let's find out!OTHER YOUTUBERS ON CROP ROTATION:Charles Dowding: youtube.com/watch?v=WXQNnJOBQJcGardener Scott: youtube.com/watch?v=fjCCGen5NF0MIGardener: youtube.com/watch?v=ki2Xc8s44sIHuw Richards: youtube.com/watch?v=dSd-G_o3NGISimplify Gardening: youtube.com/watch?v=iS0ELo626fEScott Head: youtube.com/watch?v=jYNLi6ZBQaQABOUT THE RUTH STOUT METHOD:The Ruth Stout Methodyoutube.com/watch?v=bfi-n0Oq38EWhere We Get FREE Garden Mulchyoutube.com/watch?v=ww34XwhdeZ4Ruth Stout's Worst Enemy (rhizomatous grass in a deep mulch garden)youtube.com/watch?v=FwUw_Bq2p1YFAQ - Deep Mulch Vegetable Gardening (Ruth Stout Method)youtube.com/watch?v=mJ8ueya4HtI337 lbs of Potatoes! NO digging, NO watering, and VERY LITTLE work!youtube.com/watch?v=GlratwBT5OINo-Dig Garlic: Planting, Harvesting, and Drying (Using the Ruth Stout Method)youtube.com/watch?v=uhpvMg5d1OM
Protecting potatoes from mice and voles Back To Reality 2022-08-16 | Despite several years of success with our Ruth Stout style potato beds (growing potatoes directly under hay mulch), during the past two years, we've been invaded by hungry voles. So this year, we decided to try a simple method of deterring them them, with companion planting.RELATED VIDEOSThe Ruth Stout Methodyoutube.com/watch?v=bfi-n0Oq38E337 lbs of Potatoes! NO digging, NO watering, and VERY LITTLE work!youtube.com/watch?v=GlratwBT5OIRuth Stout's Worst Enemy (rhizomatous grass in a deep mulch garden)youtube.com/watch?v=FwUw_Bq2p1YWhere We Get FREE Garden Mulchyoutube.com/watch?v=ww34XwhdeZ4FAQ - Deep Mulch Vegetable Gardening (Ruth Stout Method)youtube.com/watch?v=mJ8ueya4HtIPlanting into a Ruth Stout Garden (Quick Overview)youtube.com/watch?v=d0Gbi2O3xdcNo-Dig Garlic: Planting, Harvesting, and Drying (Using the Ruth Stout Method)youtube.com/watch?v=uhpvMg5d1OM
Smothering Rhizomatous Grass with a Tarp (results after A FULL YEAR) Back To Reality 2022-07-01 | This video is an update on our quackgrass situation. As many of you know, we've been dealing with this rhizomatous grass in our garden for several years at this point. So last year we decided to cover some of our growing area with silage tarps. Now, after a full year, let's see if it worked.RELATED VIDEOSRuth Stout's Worst Enemy (rhizomatous grass in a deep mulch garden)youtube.com/watch?v=FwUw_Bq2p1YThe Ruth Stout Methodyoutube.com/watch?v=bfi-n0Oq38EWhere We Get FREE Garden Mulchyoutube.com/watch?v=ww34XwhdeZ4FAQ - Deep Mulch Vegetable Gardening (Ruth Stout Method)youtube.com/watch?v=mJ8ueya4HtIPlanting into a Ruth Stout Garden (Quick Overview)youtube.com/watch?v=d0Gbi2O3xdc337 lbs of Potatoes! NO digging, NO watering, and VERY LITTLE work!youtube.com/watch?v=GlratwBT5OINo-Dig Garlic: Planting, Harvesting, and Drying (Using the Ruth Stout Method)youtube.com/watch?v=uhpvMg5d1OMGarden Fence (Part 1): Garden Layout and Installing Natural Fence Posts without Cementyoutube.com/watch?v=iYZUV5K6XnkGarden Fence (Part 2): Keeping out small digging animals AND rhizomatous grassyoutube.com/watch?v=iYZUV5K6XnkGarden Fence (Part 3): Keeping out Deer and other large animalsyoutube.com/watch?v=0FGInl2JFRMGarden Fence (Part 3.1): Testing New Fasteners to Replace Staplesyoutube.com/watch?v=4L-UWLcpAJc
Garden Fence (Part 3.1): Testing New Fasteners to Replace Staples Back To Reality 2022-05-30 | Unfortunately, the T50 staples we used to fasten our fencing onto our posts have just not held up as well as we'd hoped they would. So in this video, we'll0 test and rank the best replacements.Table of Contents:0:00 - Introduction1:20 - The problem with T50 staples4:35 - Alternatives to T50 staples7:11 - Testing alternative fasteners10:27 - Ranking the new fasteners15:57 - Conclusion18:23 - Bonus informationRelated videos:Garden Fence (Part 1): Garden Layout and Installing Natural Fence Posts without Cementyoutube.com/watch?v=iYZUV5K6XnkGarden Fence (Part 2): Keeping out small digging animals AND rhizomatous grassyoutube.com/watch?v=iYZUV5K6XnkGarden Fence (Part 3): Keeping out Deer and other large animalsyoutube.com/watch?v=0FGInl2JFRM
Easy Companion-Planted Asparagus and Strawberries (Spring of Season 4) Back To Reality 2022-05-03 | Just a quick spring update about our asparagus and strawberries that we companion-planted in a single Ruth Stout style (hay only) garden bed. We originally planted the asparagus and strawberry crowns in 2019, but replaced the strawberries with transplants in 2020. Previous videos:Companion Planting Asparagus and Strawberries (No-till, Ruth Stout)youtube.com/watch?v=bc92S7UQD5k"No-till" Asparagus and Strawberry Update (end of second season)youtube.com/watch?v=ABCvRYUAObk
Planting into a Ruth Stout Garden (Quick Overview) Back To Reality 2022-03-28 | Now that spring has officially sprung, we’ve once again begun hearing from a number of you, and many are asking the same question: How do we actually plant into a Ruth Stout garden? And more specifically, how do we direct sow our seeds, how do we transplant our seedlings, and how do we plant clones, like potatoes and garlic? RELATED VIDEOSThe Ruth Stout Methodyoutube.com/watch?v=bfi-n0Oq38EWhere We Get FREE Garden Mulchyoutube.com/watch?v=ww34XwhdeZ4Ruth Stout's Worst Enemy (rhizomatous grass in a deep mulch garden)youtube.com/watch?v=FwUw_Bq2p1YFAQ - Deep Mulch Vegetable Gardening (Ruth Stout Method)youtube.com/watch?v=mJ8ueya4HtI337 lbs of Potatoes! NO digging, NO watering, and VERY LITTLE work!youtube.com/watch?v=GlratwBT5OINo-Dig Garlic: Planting, Harvesting, and Drying (Using the Ruth Stout Method)youtube.com/watch?v=uhpvMg5d1OM
Why is Rabbit Pee BLUE in the Winter? Back To Reality 2022-03-08 | QUICK CORRECTION: The leaves shown at 5:29 are actually an example of rhamnus frangula, (another type of buckthorn which IS native to North America) rather than rhamnus cathartica. Sorry for the mistake.Table of Contents:0:00 - Main video9:33 - Postscript10:37 - Quick updateEarlier this winter, I was out for a walk in our forest when I stumbled upon some blue patches in the snow. In this video, we find out what they were and why they were there.For more information about Fred and Aleta:http://www.doingnaturalhistory.comaletakarstad.com
Garden Fence (Part 3): Keeping out Deer and other large animals Back To Reality 2021-12-31 | In part 3 of our garden fence series we'll cover our attempt at keeping the deer and other large animals out of our garden.Table of Contents:0:00 - Introduction0:41 - Recap and Overview2:05 - Dealing with deer3:58 - Chicken wire6:08 - I'd rather have no fence6:38 - Fence height7:24 - Installing the fencing10:32 - The resultsRelated videos:Garden Fence (Part 1): Garden Layout and Installing Natural Fence Posts without Cementyoutube.com/watch?v=iYZUV5K6XnkGarden Fence (Part 2): Keeping out small digging animals AND rhizomatous grassyoutube.com/watch?v=iYZUV5K6Xnk"Gordon" the Groundhog is a new MOM?!youtube.com/watch?v=Y_3I-oHWKdoRuth Stout's Worst Enemy (rhizomatous grass in a deep mulch garden)youtube.com/watch?v=FwUw_Bq2p1Y
How to Braid Garlic (hardneck or softneck) Back To Reality 2021-10-20 | How to braid hardneck or softneck garlic (and the difference between the two).Table of Contents:0:00 - Introduction1:02 - What you'll need1:20 - Curing garlic1:45 - Cleaning the garlic2:16 - Leaves are protective layers3:19 - Hardneck vs Softneck4:37 - Preparing hardneck5:21 - Standard braid (3 string)6:38 - "French braid" (10+ strings)8:06 - Braiding garlic10:04 - Final resultsRelated videos:Full Garlic Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR0R_IpM9Urbq9mj7U00B4bABdaDydbE_Full Homesteading Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR0R_IpM9UrbO45K27D0ngY5UbLLpDsdf
How Groundhogs Hibernate | Plus: BABY Groundhogs! Back To Reality 2021-07-28 | Our resident groundhog (who we've affectionately named "Gordon") turned out to be a female AND NOW a mom. So in this video, let's explore groundhog lifecycles, hibernation, and plenty of adorable pups learning how to make their own way in the world.
Garden Fence (Part 2): Keeping out small digging animals AND rhizomatous grass Back To Reality 2021-05-19 | In part 2 of our garden fence series will cover our attempt at keeping the smaller digging animals out of our garden. And we’ll throw in some personalized protection against pesky plants as well.Table of Contents:0:00 - Introduction1:45 - Why do we need a fence?3:00 - The plan for this video series3:45 - Keeping out small digging animals7:52 - Keeping out rhizomatous grass (quackgrass / couch)9:10 - Constructing the fence15:06 - The resultsRelated videos:Garden Fence (Part 1): Garden Layout and Installing Natural Fence Posts without Cementyoutube.com/watch?v=_3BYNTmaHfgGarden Fence (Part 3): Keeping out Deer and other large animalsyoutube.com/watch?v=0FGInl2JFRMSquare Paper Seedling Pots - Quick, Easy, and Biodegradableyoutube.com/watch?v=XjIuho-nsT8Ruth Stout's Worst Enemy (rhizomatous grass in a deep mulch garden)youtube.com/watch?v=FwUw_Bq2p1Y
Square Paper Seedling Pots - Quick, Easy, and Biodegradable Back To Reality 2021-03-02 | In a previous video, we quickly showed off our square DIY Paper Seedling Pots, and a number of you asked for a tutorial. So today, we're going to do just that! :)
Grass Herbal Tea Update: We Tried Roasting the Rhizomes! Back To Reality 2021-01-28 | In our previous video, we explored the claimed edibility of quackgrass, and then made some rhizome herbal tea. But this time around, thanks to your questions and suggestions in the comments, we'd like to make a couple quick clarifications and then roast our left over rhizomes to see if it improves the flavour!Previous video (Can you eat grass?):youtube.com/watch?v=2y7QD6cbAwcPoop emoji source: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Poop_Emoji_Icon.png
Can you eat grass? Back To Reality 2020-12-31 | Earlier this year, we posted a video all about the worst weed we’ve encountered in our deep mulch garden: Quackgrass (AKA couch grass, twitch grass, witch grass, devil's grass, etc.)In this video, we decided to test out it's claimed edibility, and made some quackgrass rhizome tea.Original Quackgrass video: youtube.com/watch?v=FwUw_Bq2p1Y&t=443s
The best way to NOT plant a Fruit Tree Back To Reality 2020-11-13 | This video is not about planting fruit trees. Because, truth be told, we’ve never actually planted a fruit tree before. And so, we don’t yet have any tips, because we don’t yet have any experience. Which is why instead, this video, is about something we do know. Something, as it turns out, we’re very good at. This video is about the best way we’ve discovered to NOT plant a fruit tree.So, if the fear of doing something wrong ever gets in your way of doing it at all... then this video is for you.
No-till Asparagus and Strawberry Update (end of second season) Back To Reality 2020-10-31 | Last spring we planted some asparagus and strawberries in a new Ruth Stout bed. And since then, we’ve posted a few mini updates, tacked on to the end of other videos. But, since a number of you have asked for it, we figured it was about time we posted a quick standalone video as well.So, this update will be fairly short, because there’s still not a whole lot to say. And what we do have to say, we’ve mostly already mentioned. So think of this as more of a compilation of those previous updates, all pulled together into one concise video.Our original video (Companion Planting Asparagus and Strawberries):youtube.com/watch?v=bc92S7UQD5kCharles Dowding's NO-DIG asparagus:youtube.com/watch?v=FM_SJJ95k8g
Ruth Stouts Worst Enemy (rhizomatous grass in a deep mulch garden) Back To Reality 2020-10-08 | We've talked a lot about the benefits of the Ruth Stout method on this channel. But just because it does most things really well, doesn’t mean it does everything perfectly. And while it can sometimes seem like a magic bullet, as it turns out, it’s not completely without it’s flaws. So in this video, I want to talk about Ruth Stout's worst enemy, and how we intend to deal with it: Quackgrass (AKA: witch grass, couch grass, scutch grass, devil's grass, bermuda grass, etc.)OMAFRA: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/quackgrass.htm
Recovering from a June frost (Mid-Summer Garden Update 2020) Back To Reality 2020-08-03 | TRANSCRIPT:http://backtoreality.org/2020/08/03/coming-back-from-frost-kills-mid-summer-garden-update-2020In our previous video, I mentioned that earlier this spring we lost over half of them to an unexpected June frost. But after a few weeks, many of them looked as though they might actually make it. So we decided to leave them be, and see how they’d turn out.Well, now a few more weeks later, we thought it might be fun to give you another really quick update, because things are finally starting to look like a garden again. So in this video, let’s take a quick look at the plants that were fighting for their lives a few weeks ago, and see where they’re at today.---Previous videoyoutube.com/watch?v=NHDA6uFZNWk---Results from our first-year Back to Eden garden: Corn, Beans, and Squash (Three Sisters Method)youtube.com/watch?v=yIqOQ-Mt9tI---Help support our channel: patreon.com/backtoreality
Dealing With Disappointment (and an early-summer garden update) Back To Reality 2020-07-10 | TRANSCRIPT: http://backtoreality.org/2020/07/10/dealing-with-disappointment-and-an-early-summer-garden-updateDespite our best intentions, sometimes things just don't go the way we had hoped. That was the case in our garden this spring, in a big way. So in this video, I want to discuss how we dealt with that set back. But to be clear, I don’t mean how we solved the problem, or how we salvaged what was left of our crop. Though I will mention those briefly at the end. But instead, I want to talk for a moment about how we dealt with the disappointment and frustration. And most importantly, how we carried on in spite of it.---Protecting a Turtle Nest Until the Eggs Hatch (the video about "Sandy")youtube.com/watch?v=E8Uz9oGrrlQ---Consider supporting our channel on Patreon, to help us create more videos. patreon.com/backtoreality
FAQ - Deep Mulch Vegetable Gardening (Ruth Stout Method) Back To Reality 2020-06-22 | TRANSCRIPT: http://backtoreality.org/2020/06/22/faq-deep-mulch-vegetable-gardening-ruth-stout-methodIn this video I’d like to answer some of your most frequently asked questions about the Ruth Stout method, and about growing no-dig vegetables under mulch.Questions:1. (1:00) Where are you located?2. (1:34) When you say “hay”, do you actually mean “straw”?3. (4:02) What do you mean by “spoiled hay”?4. (5:29) Does deep mulch eliminate ALL weeding?5. (6:40) What about weed seeds that come IN the hay?6. (7:41) How much water?7. (8:18) What about “unwanted visitors”?8. (9:19) Are the potatoes less nutritious or less flavourful?9. (10:05) Can you grow other vegetables like this?10. (11:27) Make sure your natural mulch is ACTUALLY naturalPrevious videos:Plant Hardiness Zone, Rainfall, and Other Important Informationyoutube.com/watch?v=BrAJbE0ZTA8Where We Get FREE Garden Mulchyoutube.com/watch?v=ww34XwhdeZ4Our Deep-Mulch Vegetable Garden After TWO MONTHS of Complete Neglectyoutube.com/watch?v=sT1TJwbxr6ECompanion Planting Asparagus and Strawberries (No-till, Ruth Stout)youtube.com/watch?v=bc92S7UQD5k Spring Prep in our "No-Work" Garden, and an EASIER way to Spread Mulchyoutube.com/watch?v=rkJtNJqKM34Preparing our Hugelkultur Garden for Winter: Chop and Dropyoutube.com/watch?v=3VIpTac1NiAThe Ruth Stout Method of Permacultureyoutube.com/watch?v=bfi-n0Oq38E337 lbs of Potatoes! NO digging, NO watering, and VERY LITTLE work!youtube.com/watch?v=GlratwBT5OIPlanting Potatoes in a Ruth Stout Permaculture Garden (QUICK and EASY)youtube.com/watch?v=Dexx9kKVWeoResults from our NO DIG and NO WATER potato experiment (Ruth Stout Method)youtube.com/watch?v=Kf0Q2YlQOUUCompanion Planting Carrots, Radishes and Onions in a Ruth Stout (HAY-ONLY) Gardenyoutube.com/watch?v=cMkn5b0jHhEResults and Lessons Learned from our Carrot, Onion, and Radish Experimentyoutube.com/watch?v=wO2tNfgW8UgWinter Ruth Stout Permaculture Update and HAY vs STRAWyoutube.com/watch?v=J-A1gNNjen0
Mid-Spring Garden Update (May 2020) Back To Reality 2020-05-23 | TRANSCRIPT: http://backtoreality.org/2020/05/23/mid-spring-garden-update-may-2020According to the calendar, we’re now over half way through spring, and so a number of you have been asking for a garden update. But unfortunately, because we’re located in Ontario, Canada, there’s just hasn’t been much going on, yet. You see, this is still pretty early for us, and we won’t even begin planting out for another few days or so. However, despite that, we do still have a number of things to mention: Expanded germination stations, more seedlings, new grow lights, homemade paper pots, lots of wildlife , trees are budding, garden is ready to plant, and the ssparagus from last year is looking great!
Does Collecting Maple Sap Hurt the Tree? Back To Reality 2020-04-17 | A few years ago, we posted a video about our first attempt at making maple syrup, and ever since then, we've received a number of questions about the process. But one question stuck with me ever since. So in this video, we figured it was about time we got to the bottom of it. Does collecting maple sap hurt the tree? Previous video: youtube.com/watch?v=jZj_4-iqwlI
The Spectrum of Sustainability (Comparing Tomatoes to Tomatoes) Back To Reality 2020-02-20 | Three years ago we decided to rename this channel, and declared that we were now on a mission to explore a more sustainable future, get back to basics and back to nature. Or as we like to put it, back to reality.And over the past few years, that’s mostly entailed learning to grow and store our own food. But, we also know that there are many other aspects to sustainable living besides just the products that end up on our plates, and so we figured it was about time we started looking into those as well.So in this video, we cover what we're calling the "Spectrum of Sustainability". A concept that allows us to become more sustainable, even when perfection isn't possible. Tree of life (2:18) image source: David M. Hillis, Derrick Zwickl, and Robin Gutell, University of Texas.---Consider supporting our channel on Patreon, to help us create more frequent videos. patreon.com/backtoreality
Storing Potatoes All Winter (Final Results: Mini Root Cellar Experiment) Back To Reality 2020-01-14 | At the end of last year, we showed you how we built our mini root cellar using an old broken chest freezer. The whole thing was meant to be an experiment, based on the principles of an actual full sized root cellar, and our hope was that we could use it to store a good portion of our potato harvest all winter. But did it work? Well, in this video, we'll finally show you the end results. PART 1 of 3: Experiment: Mini "Root Cellar" from broken freezer (for storing potatoes)youtube.com/watch?v=evM7taps76sPart 2 of 3: Update: Mini Root Cellar Experiment (after 3 months of potato storage)youtube.com/watch?v=zrlLpaZER7IConsider supporting our channel on Patreon, to help us create more frequent videos. patreon.com/backtorealityRelated Videos:The Ruth Stout Method of Permacultureyoutube.com/watch?v=bfi-n0Oq38EPlanting Potatoes in a Ruth Stout Permaculture Garden (QUICK and EASY)youtube.com/watch?v=Dexx9kKVWeoDid You Know That Potato Plants Have Fruit?!youtube.com/watch?v=k00q6bhIwfgResults from our NO DIG and NO WATER potato experiment (Ruth Stout Method)youtube.com/watch?v=Kf0Q2YlQOUUCompanion Planting Carrots, Radishes and Onions in a Ruth Stout (HAY-ONLY) Gardenyoutube.com/watch?v=cMkn5b0jHhEResults and Lessons Learned from our Carrot, Onion, and Radish Experimentyoutube.com/watch?v=wO2tNfgW8UgPlant Hardiness Zone, Rainfall, and Other Important Informationyoutube.com/watch?v=BrAJbE0ZTA8Winter Ruth Stout Permaculture Update and HAY vs STRAWyoutube.com/watch?v=J-A1gNNjen0
Mulch vs Compost - An Accidental Experiment Back To Reality 2019-11-26 | Over the past few years, we've been producing a lot of garlic and experimenting with a number of natural growing techniques. As a result, we ended up accidentally comparing 4 slightly different growing conditions, all at the same time: 1. Fresh hay mulch covering natural topsoil2. Old spoiled hay mulch covering natural topsoil3. Fresh hay mulch covering composted-amended topsoil4. Old spoiled hay mulch covering composted-amended topsoilIn this video, we discuss the surprising results. ---Consider supporting our channel on Patreon, to help us create more frequent videos. patreon.com/backtoreality
Protecting a Turtle Nest Until the Eggs Hatch Back To Reality 2019-10-18 | Consider supporting our channel on Patreon, to help us create more videos. patreon.com/backtoreality---Earlier this year, we spotted a female Blanding's Turtle, laying eggs in the sandy soil behind our house. Given how many hungry raccoons we have in the area, we decided to do our best to protect the nest until the end of summer, when they would hopefully hatch. So in this video, we look at the full cycle from eggs to hatchlings, and even a bit about turtle motherhood.Organizations that track the status of wild turtles, here in Ontario, Canada:Ontario Turtle Atlasontarionature.org/programs/citizen-science/reptile-amphibian-atlasinaturalist.org/projects/herps-of-ontarioOntario Turtle Tallyhttp://www.torontozoo.com/adoptapond/turtletally
Garden Fence (Part 1): Garden Layout and Installing Natural Fence Posts without Cement Back To Reality 2019-09-20 | Consider supporting our channel on Patreon, to help us create more frequent videos. patreon.com/backtoreality---Over the past few years, we've gotten fairly good a growing our own food. However, we haven't always gotten a chance to eat it... before the critters did. So, at this point we figured it was finally time to finish our garden fence! In this video, we'll cover the thought process that went into our initial plans, and also show you how we installed our fence posts without any cement / concrete. Then in the coming weeks, we'll hopefully be able to show you how we eventually wrap the fence, build a gate, etc. With any luck, we'll be fully set up in time for spring.---Where We Get FREE Garden Mulchyoutube.com/watch?v=ww34XwhdeZ4 Our Deep-Mulch Vegetable Garden After TWO MONTHS of Complete Neglectyoutube.com/watch?v=sT1TJwbxr6ECompanion Planting Asparagus and Strawberries (No-till, Ruth Stout)youtube.com/watch?v=bc92S7UQD5k Spring Prep in our "No-Work" Garden, and an EASIER way to Spread Mulchyoutube.com/watch?v=rkJtNJqKM34Preparing our Hugelkultur Garden for Winter: Chop and Dropyoutube.com/watch?v=3VIpTac1NiAThe Ruth Stout Method of Permacultureyoutube.com/watch?v=bfi-n0Oq38E337 lbs of Potatoes! NO digging, NO watering, and VERY LITTLE work!youtube.com/watch?v=GlratwBT5OIPlanting Potatoes in a Ruth Stout Permaculture Garden (QUICK and EASY)youtube.com/watch?v=Dexx9kKVWeoResults from our NO DIG and NO WATER potato experiment (Ruth Stout Method)youtube.com/watch?v=Kf0Q2YlQOUUCompanion Planting Carrots, Radishes and Onions in a Ruth Stout (HAY-ONLY) Gardenyoutube.com/watch?v=cMkn5b0jHhEResults and Lessons Learned from our Carrot, Onion, and Radish Experimentyoutube.com/watch?v=wO2tNfgW8UgPlant Hardiness Zone, Rainfall, and Other Important Informationyoutube.com/watch?v=BrAJbE0ZTA8Winter Ruth Stout Permaculture Update and HAY vs STRAWyoutube.com/watch?v=J-A1gNNjen0
My New Favourite Garden Tool Back To Reality 2019-08-28 | Consider supporting our channel on Patreon, to help us create more frequent videos. patreon.com/backtoreality---A short video about how I discovered my new favourite garden tool. It's not what you would expect, but I'd recommend it for all gardeners (or at least those who are married, and want to stay that way). ;)---Where We Get FREE Garden Mulchyoutube.com/watch?v=ww34XwhdeZ4 Our Deep-Mulch Vegetable Garden After TWO MONTHS of Complete Neglectyoutube.com/watch?v=sT1TJwbxr6ECompanion Planting Asparagus and Strawberries (No-till, Ruth Stout)youtube.com/watch?v=bc92S7UQD5k Spring Prep in our "No-Work" Garden, and an EASIER way to Spread Mulchyoutube.com/watch?v=rkJtNJqKM34Preparing our Hugelkultur Garden for Winter: Chop and Dropyoutube.com/watch?v=3VIpTac1NiAThe Ruth Stout Method of Permacultureyoutube.com/watch?v=bfi-n0Oq38E337 lbs of Potatoes! NO digging, NO watering, and VERY LITTLE work!youtube.com/watch?v=GlratwBT5OIPlanting Potatoes in a Ruth Stout Permaculture Garden (QUICK and EASY)youtube.com/watch?v=Dexx9kKVWeoResults from our NO DIG and NO WATER potato experiment (Ruth Stout Method)youtube.com/watch?v=Kf0Q2YlQOUUCompanion Planting Carrots, Radishes and Onions in a Ruth Stout (HAY-ONLY) Gardenyoutube.com/watch?v=cMkn5b0jHhEResults and Lessons Learned from our Carrot, Onion, and Radish Experimentyoutube.com/watch?v=wO2tNfgW8UgPlant Hardiness Zone, Rainfall, and Other Important Informationyoutube.com/watch?v=BrAJbE0ZTA8Winter Ruth Stout Permaculture Update and HAY vs STRAWyoutube.com/watch?v=J-A1gNNjen0
Where We Get FREE Garden Mulch Back To Reality 2019-08-19 | Consider supporting our channel on Patreon, to help us create more frequent videos. patreon.com/backtoreality---Over the past few years, we've been covering our entire growing area with thick layers of organic plant-based mulch. And so far, we've not yet had to pay for any of it. So, since we receive a lot of questions about how / where we get our mulch for free, we decided to do our best to answer that question in this video. Probably the most popular example of a free wood chip service, is: getchipdrop.com We've not used them ourselves, but I *hear* that they're a good option. ---Our Deep-Mulch Vegetable Garden After TWO MONTHS of Complete Neglectyoutube.com/watch?v=sT1TJwbxr6ECompanion Planting Asparagus and Strawberries (No-till, Ruth Stout)youtube.com/watch?v=bc92S7UQD5k Spring Prep in our "No-Work" Garden, and an EASIER way to Spread Mulchyoutube.com/watch?v=rkJtNJqKM34Preparing our Hugelkultur Garden for Winter: Chop and Dropyoutube.com/watch?v=3VIpTac1NiAThe Ruth Stout Method of Permacultureyoutube.com/watch?v=bfi-n0Oq38E337 lbs of Potatoes! NO digging, NO watering, and VERY LITTLE work!youtube.com/watch?v=GlratwBT5OIPlanting Potatoes in a Ruth Stout Permaculture Garden (QUICK and EASY)youtube.com/watch?v=Dexx9kKVWeoResults from our NO DIG and NO WATER potato experiment (Ruth Stout Method)youtube.com/watch?v=Kf0Q2YlQOUUCompanion Planting Carrots, Radishes and Onions in a Ruth Stout (HAY-ONLY) Gardenyoutube.com/watch?v=cMkn5b0jHhEResults and Lessons Learned from our Carrot, Onion, and Radish Experimentyoutube.com/watch?v=wO2tNfgW8UgPlant Hardiness Zone, Rainfall, and Other Important Informationyoutube.com/watch?v=BrAJbE0ZTA8Winter Ruth Stout Permaculture Update and HAY vs STRAWyoutube.com/watch?v=J-A1gNNjen0
Simple Garlic Scape and Basil Pesto (vegan) Back To Reality 2019-08-09 | Consider supporting our channel on Patreon, to help us create more frequent videos. patreon.com/backtoreality---As you may recall from our previous video about our neglected garden, I mentioned that our garlic scapes were past their prime, and likely far too woody to eat. Well, as a result of that statement, a number of you have suggested that all was not lost, and encouraged us to still try them in a pesto. So in this video, we’ll show you how we make a simple pesto using fresh-picked basil and garlic scapes.---Our Deep-Mulch Vegetable Garden After TWO MONTHS of Complete Neglectyoutube.com/watch?v=sT1TJwbxr6ECompanion Planting Asparagus and Strawberries (No-till, Ruth Stout)youtube.com/watch?v=bc92S7UQD5k Spring Prep in our "No-Work" Garden, and an EASIER way to Spread Mulchyoutube.com/watch?v=rkJtNJqKM34Preparing our Hugelkultur Garden for Winter: Chop and Dropyoutube.com/watch?v=3VIpTac1NiAThe Ruth Stout Method of Permacultureyoutube.com/watch?v=bfi-n0Oq38E337 lbs of Potatoes! NO digging, NO watering, and VERY LITTLE work!youtube.com/watch?v=GlratwBT5OIPlanting Potatoes in a Ruth Stout Permaculture Garden (QUICK and EASY)youtube.com/watch?v=Dexx9kKVWeoResults from our NO DIG and NO WATER potato experiment (Ruth Stout Method)youtube.com/watch?v=Kf0Q2YlQOUUCompanion Planting Carrots, Radishes and Onions in a Ruth Stout (HAY-ONLY) Gardenyoutube.com/watch?v=cMkn5b0jHhEResults and Lessons Learned from our Carrot, Onion, and Radish Experimentyoutube.com/watch?v=wO2tNfgW8UgPlant Hardiness Zone, Rainfall, and Other Important Informationyoutube.com/watch?v=BrAJbE0ZTA8Winter Ruth Stout Permaculture Update and HAY vs STRAWyoutube.com/watch?v=J-A1gNNjen0
Our Deep-Mulch Vegetable Garden After TWO MONTHS of Complete Neglect Back To Reality 2019-07-31 | Consider supporting our channel on Patreon, to help us create more frequent videos. patreon.com/backtoreality---Paula and I were tied up for much of June and July, meaning that we were often away from home and entirely away from our garden. So in this video, we'd like to quickly show you how our deep mulch garden managed its self during half a summer of complete and utter neglect. No watering or weeding, no pruning or thinning, and no staking or stringing. Just a garden left entirely up to nature, for two whole months. ---Companion Planting Asparagus and Strawberries (No-till, Ruth Stout)youtube.com/watch?v=bc92S7UQD5k Spring Prep in our "No-Work" Garden, and an EASIER way to Spread Mulchyoutube.com/watch?v=rkJtNJqKM34Preparing our Hugelkultur Garden for Winter: Chop and Dropyoutube.com/watch?v=3VIpTac1NiAThe Ruth Stout Method of Permacultureyoutube.com/watch?v=bfi-n0Oq38E337 lbs of Potatoes! NO digging, NO watering, and VERY LITTLE work!youtube.com/watch?v=GlratwBT5OIPlanting Potatoes in a Ruth Stout Permaculture Garden (QUICK and EASY)youtube.com/watch?v=Dexx9kKVWeoResults from our NO DIG and NO WATER potato experiment (Ruth Stout Method)youtube.com/watch?v=Kf0Q2YlQOUUCompanion Planting Carrots, Radishes and Onions in a Ruth Stout (HAY-ONLY) Gardenyoutube.com/watch?v=cMkn5b0jHhEResults and Lessons Learned from our Carrot, Onion, and Radish Experimentyoutube.com/watch?v=wO2tNfgW8UgPlant Hardiness Zone, Rainfall, and Other Important Informationyoutube.com/watch?v=BrAJbE0ZTA8Winter Ruth Stout Permaculture Update and HAY vs STRAWyoutube.com/watch?v=J-A1gNNjen0
Companion Planting Asparagus and Strawberries (No-till, Ruth Stout) Back To Reality 2019-07-25 | Consider supporting our channel on Patreon, to help us create more frequent videos. patreon.com/backtoreality---After nearly four years of gardening, we've finally decided to plant some asparagus and strawberries! But as usual, we've also decided to skip the fertilizer, compost, and manure. We also decided to flip the sod, rather than using a tiller. ---Spring Prep in our "No-Work" Garden, and an EASIER way to Spread Mulchyoutube.com/watch?v=rkJtNJqKM34Preparing our Hugelkultur Garden for Winter: Chop and Dropyoutube.com/watch?v=3VIpTac1NiAThe Ruth Stout Method of Permacultureyoutube.com/watch?v=bfi-n0Oq38E337 lbs of Potatoes! NO digging, NO watering, and VERY LITTLE work!youtube.com/watch?v=GlratwBT5OIPlanting Potatoes in a Ruth Stout Permaculture Garden (QUICK and EASY)youtube.com/watch?v=Dexx9kKVWeoResults from our NO DIG and NO WATER potato experiment (Ruth Stout Method)youtube.com/watch?v=Kf0Q2YlQOUUCompanion Planting Carrots, Radishes and Onions in a Ruth Stout (HAY-ONLY) Gardenyoutube.com/watch?v=cMkn5b0jHhEResults and Lessons Learned from our Carrot, Onion, and Radish Experimentyoutube.com/watch?v=wO2tNfgW8UgPlant Hardiness Zone, Rainfall, and Other Important Informationyoutube.com/watch?v=BrAJbE0ZTA8Winter Ruth Stout Permaculture Update and HAY vs STRAWyoutube.com/watch?v=J-A1gNNjen0
Spring Prep in our No-Work Garden, and an EASIER way to Spread Mulch Back To Reality 2019-04-23 | NEW! Consider supporting our channel on Patreon, to help us create more frequent videos. patreon.com/backtoreality---It's finally starting to look and feel like Spring, so we headed outside to check out how our garden fared through the long frozen winter. Then we chopped and dropped last year's plants and laid out some mulch. Or in other words, EVERYTHING we do to to clean up after our final harvest in Fall and prepare for our first planting in Spring. ---Preparing our Hugelkultur Garden for Winter: Chop and Dropyoutube.com/watch?v=3VIpTac1NiAThe Ruth Stout Method of Permacultureyoutube.com/watch?v=bfi-n0Oq38E337 lbs of Potatoes! NO digging, NO watering, and VERY LITTLE work!youtube.com/watch?v=GlratwBT5OIPlanting Potatoes in a Ruth Stout Permaculture Garden (QUICK and EASY)youtube.com/watch?v=Dexx9kKVWeoResults from our NO DIG and NO WATER potato experiment (Ruth Stout Method)youtube.com/watch?v=Kf0Q2YlQOUUCompanion Planting Carrots, Radishes and Onions in a Ruth Stout (HAY-ONLY) Gardenyoutube.com/watch?v=cMkn5b0jHhEResults and Lessons Learned from our Carrot, Onion, and Radish Experimentyoutube.com/watch?v=wO2tNfgW8UgPlant Hardiness Zone, Rainfall, and Other Important Informationyoutube.com/watch?v=BrAJbE0ZTA8Winter Ruth Stout Permaculture Update and HAY vs STRAWyoutube.com/watch?v=J-A1gNNjen0
How to Peel Garlic in Seconds with a Drill! (DIY garlic peeling machine) Back To Reality 2019-03-26 | NEW! Consider supporting our channel on Patreon, to help us create more frequent videos. patreon.com/backtorealityBy now it should come as no surprise that WE LOVE GARLIC. It’s easy to grow, it’s easy to prepare, and it’s easy to preserve. But if only there was an easier way to peel it... Well, now there is! In this video, I show you how to build a drill-powered machine to peel the garlic for you.Along the way, we also explore some basic physics, leverage, linkages, and a slider crank mechanism.Related videos:How to Make Garlic Powder (from fresh garlic)youtube.com/watch?v=ttv28ExfXA8How to Make EASY Garlic Salt (using fresh garlic)youtube.com/watch?v=SkZwbEvbhrwPlanting 1500 Garlic Cloves in our new Flipped-Sod Raised Bedsyoutube.com/watch?v=1s1FI3PFydoPlant Hardiness Zones, Annual Rainfall, and Other Important Informationyoutube.com/watch?v=BrAJbE0ZTA8Instant Raised Garden Beds by Flipping Sod: Expanding our Garlic Patchyoutube.com/watch?v=tay9Mi7XM4UNo Dig Garlic: Planting, Harvesting, and Drying Garlic Using the Ruth Stout Methodyoutube.com/watch?v=uhpvMg5d1OMSpring Garden Update: Hugelkultur, Ruth Stout, and Garlic Sprouts!youtube.com/watch?v=1t1FCsF-iAIGGC - 71 - Planting Garlic in a Modified Ruth Stout Permaculture Gardenyoutube.com/watch?v=s1TXfeq9wdc
Update: Mini Root Cellar Experiment (after 3 months of potato storage) Back To Reality 2019-02-20 | NEW! Consider supporting our channel on Patreon, to help us create more frequent videos. patreon.com/backtorealitySo back in November, we showed you how we built our mini root cellar using an old broken chest freezer. The whole thing was meant to be an experiment, based on the principles of an actual full sized root cellar, and our hope was that we could use it to store a good portion of our potato harvest all winter. Well, it’s been a few months, and a number of you have been asking how it’s going, so today, I’d like to give you a really quick update.Related Videos:Experiment: Mini "Root Cellar" from broken freezer (for storing potatoes)youtube.com/watch?v=evM7taps76sThe Ruth Stout Method of Permacultureyoutube.com/watch?v=bfi-n0Oq38EPlanting Potatoes in a Ruth Stout Permaculture Garden (QUICK and EASY)youtube.com/watch?v=Dexx9kKVWeoDid You Know That Potato Plants Have Fruit?!youtube.com/watch?v=k00q6bhIwfgResults from our NO DIG and NO WATER potato experiment (Ruth Stout Method)youtube.com/watch?v=Kf0Q2YlQOUUCompanion Planting Carrots, Radishes and Onions in a Ruth Stout (HAY-ONLY) Gardenyoutube.com/watch?v=cMkn5b0jHhEResults and Lessons Learned from our Carrot, Onion, and Radish Experimentyoutube.com/watch?v=wO2tNfgW8UgPlant Hardiness Zone, Rainfall, and Other Important Informationyoutube.com/watch?v=BrAJbE0ZTA8Winter Ruth Stout Permaculture Update and HAY vs STRAWyoutube.com/watch?v=J-A1gNNjen0
How to Make Garlic Powder (from fresh garlic) Back To Reality 2019-02-04 | NEW! Consider supporting our channel on Patreon, to help us create more frequent videos. patreon.com/backtorealityAfter a couple years of planting, growing, harvesting, and curing garlic on this channel, last time we finally showed you one of the ways we actually USE garlic, in the form of garlic salt. But a few of you had concerns about the type of salt that we recommended. So, whether for reasons of taste, health, environment, or just plain old curiosity, either way, we’ve got you covered. Because in this video, we’re going to cut out the salt completely, and show you how we make garlic powder. Related videos:How to Make EASY Garlic Salt (using fresh garlic)youtube.com/watch?v=SkZwbEvbhrwPlanting 1500 Garlic Cloves in our new Flipped-Sod Raised Bedsyoutube.com/watch?v=1s1FI3PFydoPlant Hardiness Zones, Annual Rainfall, and Other Important Informationyoutube.com/watch?v=BrAJbE0ZTA8Instant Raised Garden Beds by Flipping Sod: Expanding our Garlic Patchyoutube.com/watch?v=tay9Mi7XM4UNo Dig Garlic: Planting, Harvesting, and Drying Garlic Using the Ruth Stout Methodyoutube.com/watch?v=uhpvMg5d1OMSpring Garden Update: Hugelkultur, Ruth Stout, and Garlic Sprouts!youtube.com/watch?v=1t1FCsF-iAIGGC - 71 - Planting Garlic in a Modified Ruth Stout Permaculture Gardenyoutube.com/watch?v=s1TXfeq9wdcGGC - 70 - The Ruth Stout Method of Permacultureyoutube.com/watch?v=bfi-n0Oq38E
