I'm just now getting to your older videos and I have to say the energy you have for it is inspiring and reminds me of the energy I have for it. It's remarkable to finally find that thing I'm energetic about but more importantly your videos and book have given me direction to channel that energy where as before I was like a squirrel chasing shinny plants.
Starting from the beginning on your videos. Been thru a bunch randomly but great to see you from the beginning! I'm in Colorado and hope to make this a real business in time.
+Ryan Drake It's just a simple hand torch with a small tin can clipped onto the end. Any basic tiger torch will do the same thing. There's nothing really special with mine.
can you give the model, and name of the rototiller you showing and the name of the implements, I'm a new farmer, well I'm getting my information because I'll pretty soon a farmer thaks
Thanks so much for all this info! What type of tarp do you use to to cover your rows prior to planting? I am assuming it is not the typical landscape fabric that you can buy at the hardware stores.
I get all my micro green seed from Mumms Sprouting Seeds. The trays I use for micros are called 1" deep germinating trays. You can find them online, and I think Johnny's sell them now.
I heard on podcast (Permaculture voices) you were using the Tilther on established beds more these days - is the Tilther powerful enough to be used for cleaning beds with Mizuna / greens residue rather than just used for seedbed prep? Or do you still use the rototiller for cleaning existing beds? Understand that the filter isn't for fresh or new ground
BCS is more common in Western N. America in my experience. Better parts availability, wide range of OEM implements, truely universal Honda power source, online support materials, and more expansive service network. So it's just like choosing any other peice of equipment (Deere vs. Case, Stihl vs. Honda) where you typically buy what is popular in your area buy because you know you can get parts and service in a pinch. There's no use in getting a great deal on a top of the line Grillo if you have to ship it 300 miles for service and wait 3 weeks for a part. I'm not badmouthing Grillo, I've never used one... Just giving it as an comparison for example
My husband and I are wanting to start farming. The only know how we have is on how to care for hourses and roses. So as you can see, we are city people wanting to quit city life to farm. We are not sure what to do, where to go, permits, seeds, land...etc. We really are just starting and afraid but brave enough to try this. We know we want to make cheese and olive trees, but you were saying get the crops that are most needed. We want to do this to build a new way of lives for ourself and our community. We need money as a tool but getting wealthy does not seem to be a huge goal. We dont even have anything or know how. We are living on food stamps and my husbands employment income. As you can see, we need to start somewhere. What is your advice?
You don't need money to at least get some of your own food. My mother and I used to forage for things like wild mustard and fennel. We have also just planted wherever we could -- under street trees, in empty lots. Seeds can be collected from anywhere -- other people's plants, walk around your neighborhood, take a cutting when gardeners are trimming things. I now use my sprout water to water my other plants. I have former yogurt containers as seed sprouting "pots", etc. There is lots of free stuff and re-useable, repurposeable stuff if you use your eyes and look around.
Great videos, and book. Do you use the six or 4 row seeders ? I am considering it as part of a move to 30" beds as used by yourself and JM, however on the Johnnys site there seem to be quite few posts saying that the 6 row seeder is difficult to use at best, and many would not recommend ! I wasn't sure if these was therefore a good seeder to base plans for salads which is my main business. Currently I do it all by hand and whilst a bit less efficient I can see and control what I am doing. Thankyou again
+StaarveyFarm I used to have the 4-point, but sold it. The jang is my fav now. I like it because I don't have to be so perfect with bed prep, like you do with the 4 or 6 point.
Great video.... What model of BCS are you using and what's the make/model of your lil'truck? Where did you find it? Thanks so much for sharing your work/insight, with those of us just starting out!
Hey Curtis, just picked up myself a Earthway seeder and I've got a quick question for you if you don't mind. I'm wondering if you just settled with the in row seed spacing that the plates gave you or did you modify any to increase density? Or maybe went over the same row more than once? Some of the spacing for the plates seems too far apart for intensive spacing. Thanks so much for all your videos, they are much appreciated!! Jamie
+Jamie O'Keeffe I barely use it anymore, but I do remember going over rows twice with some crops to get a higher density. It was only with specialty crops. For most greens, radishes, spinach, and turnips I was able to just do a single row, but up to nine per bed depending on the crop.
How much time do you put in? I have to work 40 hours a week to keep a pathetic cash flow, and it is only me, and I am 61 years old. Do you have help? You keep saying "we." I also have no capital. Just my land. I have a certifiable organic space with amazing soil that could produce kicking herbs and veggies. This soil is pristine and deeply rich, but only about 100 sq.ft. I could also place chickens and goats on my land, I have about 3/4 acre, but that would require capital for fencing and containment to protect from preditors... I am in Zone 7a and 7b. Do you ever let your land rest? Sounds like you do not. So you said you are always amending. How do you figure in those costs? Marketing: I am not in an high-density urban space. There is a close-in 3-city potential with some high-end restaurants in a 50-mile diameter, more potential with a 100 mile diameter, some of which feature farm-to-table. There is also the potential for private chefs. Storage: Chefs like fresh. That is my biggest concern. I can produce my own graphics, I am an experienced commercial artist. I am thinking about my advertising and promotion. Probably need to learn something about social media. How do you set up your harvesting? Do you have employees? Any advice?
I'm just now getting to your older videos and I have to say the energy you have for it is inspiring and reminds me of the energy I have for it. It's remarkable to finally find that thing I'm energetic about but more importantly your videos and book have given me direction to channel that energy where as before I was like a squirrel chasing shinny plants.
This was the first video of yours I ever watched. We are about to start our farm using your book and advice. Thanks for the inspiration Curtis!
Nice to see such an old video of yours :)
Starting from the beginning on your videos. Been thru a bunch randomly but great to see you from the beginning! I'm in Colorado and hope to make this a real business in time.
I love a closer look at the small sub soiler thingy. I can't remember what video you showed it in.
Right tools for the job does make it so much easier! I would love the jang seeder. A couple more seasons and I will be able to afford one!
Cheers Curtis! Awesome video mate!
Awesome video Curtis. Thanks very much for sharing.
Thank you Curtis.
Such great info, thanks a million Curtis.
is there a reason the wheel assemblies are mounted on the wrong sides?
Hey thank you, that was very helpful. Me and my friend are trying out the Spin model in Central Ontario. Make more videos!
Hi...I would like to more on farming tools and usages
Great videos mate!
Can you do a video on your burner? Looks homemade and looks awesome!
+Ryan Drake It's just a simple hand torch with a small tin can clipped onto the end. Any basic tiger torch will do the same thing. There's nothing really special with mine.
~240 miles at ~10 gallons
400 km on 30 l of gas is 248.548 miles on 7.925 gallons witch is 31.36 miles per gallon.
Great videos! Thanks for the info. Good luck to you.
can you give the model, and name of the rototiller you showing and the name of the implements, I'm a new farmer, well I'm getting my information because I'll pretty soon a farmer thaks
Thanks so much for all this info! What type of tarp do you use to to cover your rows prior to planting? I am assuming it is not the typical landscape fabric that you can buy at the hardware stores.
+Tom O'Hern For smothering, they're just thick tarps from the hardware store. But, if you have access to silage tarps, just use that.
Great, thanks a lot!
Can you tell us where you get your seed from, and containers for microgreens?
I get all my micro green seed from Mumms Sprouting Seeds. The trays I use for micros are called 1" deep germinating trays. You can find them online, and I think Johnny's sell them now.
Thanks!
I heard on podcast (Permaculture voices) you were using the Tilther on established beds more these days - is the Tilther powerful enough to be used for cleaning beds with Mizuna / greens residue rather than just used for seedbed prep? Or do you still use the rototiller for cleaning existing beds? Understand that the filter isn't for fresh or new ground
May I ask why a bcs tractor? Would any walk behind tractor with a till attachment work?
BCS is more common in Western N. America in my experience. Better parts availability, wide range of OEM implements, truely universal Honda power source, online support materials, and more expansive service network.
So it's just like choosing any other peice of equipment (Deere vs. Case, Stihl vs. Honda) where you typically buy what is popular in your area buy because you know you can get parts and service in a pinch.
There's no use in getting a great deal on a top of the line Grillo if you have to ship it 300 miles for service and wait 3 weeks for a part.
I'm not badmouthing Grillo, I've never used one... Just giving it as an comparison for example
Where did you find the used cooler and where do you keep it?
+Crusty Tackleford I keep it in the carport. I bought it from a used supplier in town.
Ah thanks a bunch!
My husband and I are wanting to start farming. The only know how we have is on how to care for hourses and roses. So as you can see, we are city people wanting to quit city life to farm. We are not sure what to do, where to go, permits, seeds, land...etc. We really are just starting and afraid but brave enough to try this. We know we want to make cheese and olive trees, but you were saying get the crops that are most needed. We want to do this to build a new way of lives for ourself and our community. We need money as a tool but getting wealthy does not seem to be a huge goal. We dont even have anything or know how. We are living on food stamps and my husbands employment income. As you can see, we need to start somewhere. What is your advice?
Sorry, I forgot to tell you that we live in Spokane, Washington.
You don't need money to at least get some of your own food. My mother and I used to forage for things like wild mustard and fennel. We have also just planted wherever we could -- under street trees, in empty lots. Seeds can be collected from anywhere -- other people's plants, walk around your neighborhood, take a cutting when gardeners are trimming things. I now use my sprout water to water my other plants. I have former yogurt containers as seed sprouting "pots", etc. There is lots of free stuff and re-useable, repurposeable stuff if you use your eyes and look around.
Where are you located?
Great videos, and book. Do you use the six or 4 row seeders ? I am considering it as part of a move to 30" beds as used by yourself and JM, however on the Johnnys site there seem to be quite few posts saying that the 6 row seeder is difficult to use at best, and many would not recommend ! I wasn't sure if these was therefore a good seeder to base plans for salads which is my main business. Currently I do it all by hand and whilst a bit less efficient I can see and control what I am doing. Thankyou again
+StaarveyFarm I used to have the 4-point, but sold it. The jang is my fav now. I like it because I don't have to be so perfect with bed prep, like you do with the 4 or 6 point.
Great video.... What model of BCS are you using and what's the make/model of your lil'truck? Where did you find it? Thanks so much for sharing your work/insight, with those of us just starting out!
It's a 735 BCS. Older model. 10 HP. The truck is a Dhaihatsu Hijet Combo, 1990, 660 cc engine.
Is a "no-till" approach not possible in your model?
+ReyReyloads Anything is possible my friend. All of our bed prep is done with no-till methods now.
+Urban Farmer Curtis Stone Awesome. Im buying your book today. Being a self-sufficient micro farmer is one of my dreams. Wish me luck!
Thank you ! Inspiring :)
what Zone are you in?
+reklawj9 6b
Hey Curtis, just picked up myself a Earthway seeder and I've got a quick question for you if you don't mind. I'm wondering if you just settled with the in row seed spacing that the plates gave you or did you modify any to increase density? Or maybe went over the same row more than once? Some of the spacing for the plates seems too far apart for intensive spacing. Thanks so much for all your videos, they are much appreciated!!
Jamie
+Jamie O'Keeffe I barely use it anymore, but I do remember going over rows twice with some crops to get a higher density. It was only with specialty crops. For most greens, radishes, spinach, and turnips I was able to just do a single row, but up to nine per bed depending on the crop.
+Urban Farmer Curtis Stone Thanks! I'll reference your book for the rest!
Hi Curtis. Do you think a 5-7 horsepower BCS will work?
Also. Do I have to use a rotary plow to break new ground, or can I just take it easy with the rototiller attachment and do a few passes?
I just started here :-)!
See you in 2022 when im dont watching you videos xD
metric system
How much time do you put in? I have to work 40 hours a week to keep a pathetic cash flow, and it is only me, and I am 61 years old.
Do you have help? You keep saying "we."
I also have no capital. Just my land. I have a certifiable organic space with amazing soil that could produce kicking herbs and veggies. This soil is pristine and deeply rich, but only about 100 sq.ft. I could also place chickens and goats on my land, I have about 3/4 acre, but that would require capital for fencing and containment to protect from preditors... I am in Zone 7a and 7b. Do you ever let your land rest? Sounds like you do not. So you said you are always amending. How do you figure in those costs?
Marketing: I am not in an high-density urban space. There is a close-in 3-city potential with some high-end restaurants in a 50-mile diameter, more potential with a 100 mile diameter, some of which feature farm-to-table. There is also the potential for private chefs.
Storage: Chefs like fresh. That is my biggest concern.
I can produce my own graphics, I am an experienced commercial artist. I am thinking about my advertising and promotion. Probably need to learn something about social media.
How do you set up your harvesting? Do you have employees?
Any advice?
+Anna Lyon That's a lot of questions there. A little too many than I have time for at the moment. My book answers all of them. Best of luck.
How's it going for you Anna?