7 Tips for SELF SUFFICIENCY in a SMALL SPACE

I could not agree more with your statement about the upside down world. I've felt like I'm living in a Twilight Zone episode for years now, and it just keeps getting crazier. Your garden series is quite timely, for sure.

We live in an apartment with a 5'x10' balcony, so everything is in pots or in containers attached to the balcony rail. This year we're growing three variety of tomato, four of chilies, two of basil, four of lettuce, three of beans, two of onion, garlic, ginger root, spinach, radish, carrots, tomatillo, ground cherry, zucchini, and little watermelons...along with cilantro, cumin, oregano, thyme, tons of zinnia, iris, lavender, petunia, borage, and sweet potato. We also have a lemon tree and an avocado tree, both in containers. Interplanting and growing things upward is the way.

Thirty-three years ago I was tucking veggies amongst our ornamentals on a Marine Base where we couldn't have a garden! I also composted in "flower pots" along the back of our garage.

Just came to say THANK YOU for being Christlike in your responses to the mean people who commented on your last video on the other channel. They usually begin by,” I don’t mean to be mean” or “ I really like you but…”. No matter what they said, you were Christlike. Reminding them it’s not the gardening channel and saying no more at all. As a sold out follower of Christ, my heart was so happy when you told about getting connected to a group of followers there, becoming part of that community. Let me just say….you’re fine. I’ll tune in pretty much no matter what you’re teaching, but I especially like the gardening info and also the landscaping ideas (although I’m in Arkansas and most of those ideas would never fly here). I had somebody comment on a video on my channel,” I don’t mean to be mean but you talk to much and your videos are to long.” It was all I could do to refrain from responding ,” TOO. IT’S TOO! And just don’t watch it if it’s too long!” 🤦🏻‍♀️. People wear me out.😂. Carry on Brian and Emily! You are setting a fabulous Christlike example for Noah.

I just have to say becoming more self-sufficient has allowed me to grow as a person. I started from a place of oh my gosh I have to do this and now it's wow I get to do this! Learning how my food grows and what it looks like. Spending more time at home instead of shopping all weekend. Learning how to can which has made me feel closer to my grandma who I used to watch can everything. It has helped me get closer to my dad. We have had so many talks about anything from how he chooses his fruit trees to how my grandma used to operate at home. It really just made me feel like more of a person and less like I'm running the rat race. ❤

We are only allowed 100 sq ft of raised beds in my HOA, so I’m mixing all sorts of edibles in with ornamentals in my flower beds around my property. Ground cherries with marigolds around my peach tree, strawberry patch with flowers around my apple trees, and I’m going to try mini watermelons with zinnias on the side of the house… a raspberry spot is also in the planning stage! Trying to see how I can pull off an asparagus patch… I’m gardening defiantly dang it! 🤣

If you read the HOA doc, it usually says “No vegetable gardens” not no growing vegetables….but interplanting is ok. Most just don’t want all the lawn dug up for row veggie gardening. I’m sneaky. Though last year my scallop bush squashes were on full display at the very front and center. There were no complaints.

I only grow about 7 things cuz of picky eaters at our house. I also have learned to can & freeze everything to last the winter. our garden is tomatoes, potatoes, peas, sweet corn, green beans, strawberries & raspberries. I do grow myself some kohlrabi & beets too. we are on a corner lot in town & have 6 raised beds & an enclosure for the sweet corn & berries. For meat, we have a relationship with a local locker & have gotten 1/2 cow from same farmer each year. Plus hunting. we get eggs from a friend (trade produce). only thing we don't have contact for is dairy. I also live in SD. A bit different than the coasts

Appreciate you calling out the craziness and the need to be more self sufficient

I am right there with you. The world has gone out of control. Thus the chickens (5) I just got. Not trusting the government or the stores to provide quality food anymore.

Thank you for making this video. Just started it but had to say thank you❤ I have 4 little boys so this is very important for us.

Today here in Pa where i live i planted my potatoes onions strawberries onions garlic peas and ny dwarf blueberry bush and asparagus. We had been getting so much rain or had been too cold. My 9 year old granddon is finally taking an interest in gardening he was helping me out today. Thank you for this video.

Loved this one, Brian. Thank you. Loved your tips for "covert" veggies. Can't stand HOAs. My problem is gophers. I feel most of the state's population of the little varmints is under my feet. lol. Everything must be raised bed with hardware cloth or in containers. All barriers aside, with help from you and a local garden center, I'm pretty excited about this year. Even if I fail, I'm learning a lot so I can do better next year. (God willing!)

I was guilty of growing things that my family and I don't eat like arugula(Rocket) and lima beans. Even was considering growing things like bok Choy, egg plant and radishes, that they don't eat, because when I go to the garden centre, I get way too excited and have to remind and control myself 😅. Even when I first started gardening, I became way to obsessed with bell peppers and had way too many varieties.😄

You have so beautiful and wide space but I have small space still doing a lots of tomatoes 🍅 peppers 🌶️ every year. Thank you for sharing ❤❤

I need a raised garden on legs. I love growing zucchini, onions and tomatoes!!

Even though I have over 5 months of snow or frozen ground I really got a lot out of this video, will have to watch it again. Thank you.

I planted my potatoes, and planted my first dwarf apple tree. I have all of my raised beds and containers ready . Pretty productive weekend. Love your videos.

Really good video Something else to consider if you're not 100% self-s., have limited space, &/or are on a budget: 1. Cost of produce: Grow the more expensive stuff, buy the cheaper/bulk stuff. 2. Any money makers? Stuff you can sell to buy what you can't/don't grow can be profitable & even fun. I absolutely Need potatoes, but I'll be growing less bc they're cheap to buy & I can use the space otherwise.

I love your channel and I am so appreciative of your knowledge. Thank you. I am working to become more self sufficient and trying to teach my grandchildren how to garden.