From my structural engineer husband… he’d dig down 9” in the bedroom and build up 9” in the remaining portion of the first floor to even out the 18” difference and minimize wall integrity issues.
Great feedback, thanks for posting. Unfortunately we don't have 9" of headroom to build up in the remaining portion, ceiling heights are already low. Any further suggestions very welcome!
Maybe get a little used quad bike that has a little trailer, for hauling the heavy soil/compost up to the growing plots. Maybe see if you can get a quad company to sponsor you 😁😁
Newsflash! Giant alien cabbages take over Ireland! Lol. What are you using for plant food? They're huge! Have you considered growing Napa cabbage? You could make kimchi. Basically Korean spicy sauerkraut. You can also get more cabbages in your garden as they don't get as big as those you just harvested. Kayvan, if you have a bucket with dry feed, shake the bucket and they'll follow you hoping for food. Jam, blackberry crumble, blackberry ice cream, blackberry syrup for pancakes, trade goods with neighbors (?).
I loved Kayvan trying to coax the ponies to come hither but alas it didn’t happen. Ye both are lots of fun and the garden is doing great with the flowers and the cabbages
Ponies are the escape artists. Had two at my pub in middlewich, kept getting out of the paddock into the beer garden, and barging into the pub, where the locals awarded them with a beer, happy days
If you just cut the tight head of the cabbage and leave the outer leaves in the ground still growing they will often produce offshoot baby cabbages later on and you can harvest them too.
My Aunt insisted that Rhubarb must be planted durng the full moon. One of my Uncles's favorite stories he told was waking up and his new bride was not in bed. He looked everywhere for her and found her in the garden, in her nightgown and planting rhubarb by the light of the full moon. She could not understand his confusion. Thanks for sharing.
I would plant cucumbers near your residence, easier to water (they take a fair bit, unless it's raining all the time). Use a combination of dirt/manure for seed bed. I planted field cucumbers this way.
I know it would be lovely to have all the floors the same level, but I think I'd go with the person who recommended a step or two, especially with the risk of destabilising the walls.
I think they are thinking of when they are old and not have the mobility for stairs...he said they are dying in this cottage, so they may even be in wheel chairs or on walkers, etc eventually....preparing for the unknown future
I finally found something Cayvan cannot do: put on a horse halter. You all can do everything except 1 thing so I feel a little better knowing how to put on a halter/lead a horse. Now I need 2 lifetimes to learn all the other stuff you can do. Very impressed & beautiful cabbage! Good job.
Hi I’ve grown sweet corn successfully in Ireland. I plant them early inside wait until the frost is gone and then put them outside. I use empty 2 litre bottles with the bottom cut off. (To protect from slugs and snails) then when they are filling the bottle I remove the cloche and let the wind do its job. I’ve grown them in the poly-tunnel but not so successfully. Also plant them in squares not rows. I’m envious of your cabbages and turnips…between myself and the slugs, I lost! 😅 You are working very hard. Great job. 👏 Keep going
Never thought I'd say, "Beautiful cabbages", but there you go! Those veggies are HUGE! It seems that no matter how good you are at fencing, if you own a farm, you will spend a bit of time wrangling whatever animal has gotten loose. I've seen it even when the fencing is electric. Do you get enough sun to run solar fencing? You always need food, it seems, to entice the wandering animals. You could sink some kind of container, and then plant the horse radish in the container. I learned this the hard way when I popped a few mint plants in the ground, back in 1974. I'll bet whoever lives there now is still mowing mint in the lawn. Smells good, though!
Ponies will spend their life attempting to break out. Ponies are also a stomach on 4 legs so as someone else suggested, a coffee can with some feed will bring them running. Add a whistle to your can shaking and you will then have trained them come when you whistle as well. You literally have to do this a couple of times and they will never forget. It just needs to be a tasty grain that they love. The only way to keep them secure and safe is an electric fence on your difficult property. They are cheap and the safest way to keep them in. And knowing how to put on a halter is a great thing for your daughter to teach you. They are adorable brats.
Three weeks ago, but digging down and reinforcing all the ground floor spaces to be the same height and capable of keeping out the moisture and holding up the house is integral to the future success in my opinion!
The grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side of the fence post. Naughty ponies. Horses make great escape artists. And I don't know what you are feeding your veg but they are massive!! Love the updates. ❤
I’m sure you already know, but just in case you don’t the Swede or turnip as it’s called needs to get a first-frost before you harvest it makes it sweeter and taste or at least that’s the way we did it in the west of Ireland when I lived there
Adulting is so much fun. Great to see your progress. The ramp won't be so much of an issue once you have the floor in. Should bring the difference down a bit between the rooms.
I so love watching this.Amazing.You work so hard.Ponies will be ponies.Well done girls,bringing the homeHillary hill.Brilliant.Wow .!Well done with your harvest.I am flabbergasted.YOU are naturals.Well doe you.👍👍👏🤗🤗🤗
Wonderful just wonderful but don’t you burn yourself out you have a long way to go you are doing grand with your veggies n eggs etc keep up the planting blessings to you all the oldies 👍👍👍🤗🤗🤗
Wow your veggies have done brilliantly. The size of those swedes😮 and cabbages. Some good soil you have. I love harvesting potatoes its the best. Its like a treasure dig. 👏👏
I know ai said you two were prettiest homesteader on UA-cam and you are, but I enjoy watching the progress you guys are making, Keep up the learning and the good work.
Those cabbages are looking delish try this recipe Link sasauge, onion, bell pepper, 1 dice apple, 2 to 3 garlic cloves minced saute in olive oil in big pot with lid then chop and add cabbage with 2 or 3 cups of chicken stock and water. Add 3 or 4 chopped potatoes and cover and simmer til potatoes and cabbage are tender. Season with salt, black pepper, Parsley, garlic powder and cajun seasoning if you have some. It's delicious and easy. ❤
Your nasturtium is doing great, I really battled to get one going for ages before I got it right. Delicious in salads and the best remedy I know of for stopping a nasty cough. 👌
I think keeping the ramp is a great idea. By the time the Reno is finished their grandchildren can run their toys down the slope, and by the time they consider themselves finished it will be ideal for wheelchair access !
I have to agree with what others have said, get yourselves a small quad bike or tractor of some sort, as for planting rhubarb by the full moon, I don't like rhubard, that garden looks fantastic, nothing like growing your own veg, best regards from a Kiwi living in Australia, Les
I can’t remember if anyone has said, but using horse manure as an enrichment is not like cow manure. Horses don’t fully digest seeds they ingest, so their poo is like a great weed booster unless your composting process is set to kill these seeds. I learned this the hard way when sodding my lawn. Cows are ruminants, and the extra step of chewing their cud and multiple stomachs kills most seeds.
You’ve probably already decided but if it was me, I’d just change the ramp to a step up into the bedroom. Nothing wrong with that and it will save a ton of work. I’m really impressed with your first year’s harvest, much better than mine. 👍
You're fortunate to have harvested that much blackberries. Here in US the popularity grew a lot especially over thse past 5 years. Amazon is selling a 6oz freeze-dried organic ones for a whopping $38 bucvks. Yiikes! You had me laughing so hard about the ponies looking at you in disdain! You both got your hands full. Very exciting to see your many projects coming to fruition.
@@ede-jomadden8182 Stone shouldn't matter. If you bring the top stair out 10 inches from the bedroom door, and go down to each step from there, I don't think there will be much to dig out unless the ramp is very uneven. A little stone sounds much more appealing than 18 inches of dirt by wheelbarrow load and a chance of compromising the underpinnings of the room. ??
Hi there, TJ here from South Africa, newly subscribed to your channel, been watching your vlogs for quite awhile now. Love you guys, your patience, perseverance & most of all, your positivity, makes it a joy to watch you create your dream & bring it to life...
you don't need a bucket a carrot or apple works fine. while horses are chewing you quietly slip the halter on. pls look into suitable fencing for horses safety though
Also Hide the halter and lead rope behind your back, horses are smart. The lead goes over their neck first then the pre buckled muzzle goes on next and then quietly the neck strap
Look into winter sowing for next years growing season. Amazing, easy way to start seeds. i.e. starting your seeds in plastic soda bottles or large water bottles which act as mini greenhouses. No grow lights or greenhouses needed.
Wow,by the looks of your vegetables, you could be in Canaan land! I would take the advice if your Irish friend who said to let the turnips have a frost. I had a bad experience with turnips that a neighbor brought me one time. It resulted in a bad stomach ache! He should have fed them to the pigs! A couple steps to your bedroom could add interest if you do something to give it character.
Looking great isn't it! Someone suggested dig down a little and raise the rest a little to make up the difference. Think we are going to end up with a very gentle slope. 6" over 1 meter or so.
Someone suggested dig down a little and raise the rest a little to make up the difference. Think we are going to end up with a very gentle slope. 6" over 1 meter or so.
Collect horses and chook manure, fill your bags up that you are lugging up there, by spring you will be amazed at how it breaks down, plus bags are easier to move. Rhubarb is a gross feeder and loves lots of manure.
How l look forward to your weekly videos. They are so interesting & it's a treat to follow your journey. I love the bursts of humour at the end and wondering what you might do next as a family. Wishing you all the best in my favourite part of the world....💚💚
Hello you cheeky ponies 😂 So what about instead of digging out the entire master bedroom floor you just made a step up at the entrance to the room instead of the ramp? I realize you love adding to your list of side projects but that sure seems like an easier solution than all that extra time and work. You should be so proud of how well your garden is producing for the first time ever planting one. It really is so satisfying to grow and harvest your own veggies, those were marvelous looking cabbages! Now I am suddenly craving a pillowcase full of blackberries ❤
Yeah a step up is certainly the fallback plan. Just trying to avoid it ideally. The garden has been a massive unexpected but very welcome surprise. Everyone should aspire to a pillow case of blackberries at some point!
You guys are great! Always make me laugh, but the 'final resting place' comment was the best so far. Love watching the progress, sending love and luck!
Instead of digging down 18 inches, can you dig down 9 inches and raise up the other area by 9 inches using what you dug up? Then, can you raise or lower the ceiling height to accommodate the change in floor height?
Auction houses esp in Northern ireland would sort ye out with a cheap quad itd make such a difference for your hilly little homestead & your poor backs
Quick and dirty way to check the levels, set your laser on the inside height, 1005, and go outside get the dot on 1005 and you can see exactly the height above ground you are, a tape will give you the approximate or drop the stick down and calculate the difference. Should be close to the tape reading.
I'd go for a ramp (definitely not steps) as you have the length for a gentle incline. The most important factor is to make sure damp isn't coming up. BTW, nothing says West Cork more than growing spuds, carrots, cabbage, turnips and swede !
Given that you’re already down to the soil I think it’s worth levelling the floor. Even if you have to do some work outside as well it will be worth it to avoid steps or a ramp for the rest of your lives.
You need a machete for cutting and a giant slide to slide supply’s down the hill. I wonder if that’s even possible or some kind of pulley system. Really tough carrying everything down, maybe a tunnel, there’s got to be a way to make it easier. Thanks for the lovely video, take care.
Those cabbages lok fab and great idea for storing things! I love fiddling with cars also, thinking about getting a new additional car project as my discovery doesnt need anything due to the low mileage! Tis boring! Not sure if ill get another motorbike again, roads not great round here! Had similar issues in our place when we thought about the floor heights. My logic was other people had things put that way for a reason long ago so I didn't want to mess around with it too much. + Local builders told us the only sure fire way to cause issues with these old houses is to mess with them too much. i put in steps from our bedroom going down to the house. Defo agree a short ramp aint best but my second choice was making the ramp a lot longer so you wouldnt notice but we did have a hall to cover it. Those horses do seem like they need to be shown whos boss 😂
It's a Land Rover, there will be plenty of projects, don't you worry about that man! Just a matter of time. Absolutely fantastic motor, good tow car, comfy, amazing space inside, up there with the best off-road. Reliability however... I met a guy at an Apple harvest festival this weekend just gone, was parked up in an e30 325i touring. Got chatting, had done a DIY 24v conversion on his old beast and fitted a hydraulic handbrake. Absolute legend. Chatting some more, turns out he has 8 cars, including an e30 m3. My kind of hero that is. Yeah the roads down this way need a specific kind of bike. A sports bike with road tyres is a little out of its depth around here. The floor height is really annoying me. Don't have time to luxuriate solving these kinds of problems. The ponies have me wrapped round their hooves already 😂
@@offgridirishhomestead I have had lots of landrovers and yeah many probs but I imported this as it was the most reliable made. Love BMWs especially the classics, but my heart is with alfaromeos (and moto guzzi). Will see how long I hold off. I'd say he had some garage! I'm hoping to have a 3 car garage eventually! Where you gonna put yours? Regarding the floor height. Embrace the house for what it is, warts, quirks and all, sure if you you wanted everything flat you woulda bought a brand new house! 😉
The important thing with your horses is that you didnt go chasing them about the hill, stirring them up. Food treats are the answer I think. Get them used to coming up to you when they see you for some little titbit and a chat. soon they will view you as a friend rather than something to be wary of.
Leave the ramp. Adds character. Although the appendages are quite unique. I’ve been wondering three appendages seems like you either grew an extra one or you’re missing one.😊enjoying your video
I would get some good advice before digging down 18 inches. It might be worth sacrificing underfloor heating in that room so you don’t need to dig down that much.. maybe consider pivoting and make that space the kitchen and put your bedroom temporarily in The other end and ultimately make your eventual new build a bedroom?
Considering the size of your produce I am going to make a bet that you have a glorious amount of nitrogen in that soil. I am so envious because my greenery this year was pitiful at best.
I think you should just put a step up into your bedroom, it seems like a lot of work to me, and you have enough to do! BlackBerry crumbles all the way with all those blackberries. Really enjoy your lighthearted approach to everything you do 😊x
@@James-rn6lo they were discussing digging it out to match the lounge. They would have needed to excavate more than 18 inches. I have a strong suspicion that would have dropped the bedroom floor below the foundation and then they would have had to pour a new foundation. Doable, but work intensive and expensive. Having two or three stair treads between the lounge and the bedroom shouldn't inconvenience them too much, even as they age.
ponies are designed to test you! I asked last week about powering your house and would really love to know how you are getting power. We get ours mostly from solar and have a generator for heavy usage items such as power tools.
Hello, sorry missed your comment. We have mains supply at the moment, until we can invest in our solar setup. We plan to do a 16kw solar array, backed by 48v 26kwh LiFePo storage.
Suggestion for lugging the soil bags down: why don’t you guys look for a used 4 wheeler atv bike. We have one and use it around our property for hauling things. You can get a hitch and add wagon too.
Your cabbages are gorgeous! GROWING THINGS NEVER GETS OLD!!!
From my structural engineer husband… he’d dig down 9” in the bedroom and build up 9” in the remaining portion of the first floor to even out the 18” difference and minimize wall integrity issues.
Great feedback, thanks for posting. Unfortunately we don't have 9" of headroom to build up in the remaining portion, ceiling heights are already low. Any further suggestions very welcome!
@@offgridirishhomestead maybe dig down 8 inches you have and put 1 step up to the room. I have an addition on my house that is 1 step down
Maybe get a little used quad bike that has a little trailer, for hauling the heavy soil/compost up to the growing plots. Maybe see if you can get a quad company to sponsor you 😁😁
Or a pulley and bucket system to get stuff to top?
I'm sitting thinking exactly the same thing - quad bikes are an excellent small farm tool.
I agree if you have the funds
Unfortunately quad bikes can be very unstable. We get fatalities here in NZ.
Wow! Good sized cabbages!
Put some sweet feed in a bucket. Shake the bucket, they will learn about the treats. Bucket training works.
Agreed or call a daughter 😂👍
This will work with Kayvan as well when you want to bring him in before dark !
@@marcdimond240😂❤️
I love all the perennials you're planting at the farthest points. Well thought through.
Newsflash! Giant alien cabbages take over Ireland! Lol. What are you using for plant food? They're huge!
Have you considered growing Napa cabbage? You could make kimchi. Basically Korean spicy sauerkraut. You can also get more cabbages in your garden as they don't get as big as those you just harvested.
Kayvan, if you have a bucket with dry feed, shake the bucket and they'll follow you hoping for food.
Jam, blackberry crumble, blackberry ice cream, blackberry syrup for pancakes, trade goods with neighbors (?).
I loved Kayvan trying to coax the ponies to come hither but alas it didn’t happen. Ye both are lots of fun and the garden is doing great with the flowers and the cabbages
Ponies are the escape artists. Had two at my pub in middlewich, kept getting out of the paddock into the beer garden, and barging into the pub, where the locals awarded them with a beer, happy days
Sounds like a good pub❤
They are beautiful cabbages!
Think you need some large saddle bags for the Houdini twins they can do some carrying for you! 😄
Good idea- for the younger horse.
If you just cut the tight head of the cabbage and leave the outer leaves in the ground still growing they will often produce offshoot baby cabbages later on and you can harvest them too.
My Aunt insisted that Rhubarb must be planted durng the full moon. One of my Uncles's favorite stories he told was waking up and his new bride was not in bed. He looked everywhere for her and found her in the garden, in her nightgown and planting rhubarb by the light of the full moon. She could not understand his confusion. Thanks for sharing.
Our final resting place 😂 spoken like a true Irishman!
Well. At least you have a teenager who can roll her eyes at your incompetence 😊 Your garden is super lovely.
I would plant cucumbers near your residence, easier to water (they take a fair bit, unless it's raining all the time). Use a combination of dirt/manure for seed bed. I planted field cucumbers this way.
I know it would be lovely to have all the floors the same level, but I think I'd go with the person who recommended a step or two, especially with the risk of destabilising the walls.
I think they are thinking of when they are old and not have the mobility for stairs...he said they are dying in this cottage, so they may even be in wheel chairs or on walkers, etc eventually....preparing for the unknown future
I finally found something Cayvan cannot do: put on a horse halter. You all can do everything except 1 thing so I feel a little better knowing how to put on a halter/lead a horse. Now I need 2 lifetimes to learn all the other stuff you can do. Very impressed & beautiful cabbage! Good job.
You harvested the cabbage correct. Your vegetables garden is beautiful, you guys are doing a great job
Hi I’ve grown sweet corn successfully in Ireland. I plant them early inside wait until the frost is gone and then put them outside. I use empty 2 litre bottles with the bottom cut off. (To protect from slugs and snails) then when they are filling the bottle I remove the cloche and let the wind do its job. I’ve grown them in the poly-tunnel but not so successfully.
Also plant them in squares not rows. I’m envious of your cabbages and turnips…between myself and the slugs, I lost! 😅
You are working very hard. Great job. 👏 Keep going
Interesting, thanks for the description of your corn approach. Appreciate you following along
An alternative to freezing the eggs : look up Water Glassing. Hydrated lime +water submerge fresh eggs ( in shell). Homesteaders do this frequently.
Hello, we had come across water glassing, but never tried it before - we do intend to experiment with it at some point for sure. Thank you
I personally would have gone to, two 9 inch steps, rather than the big dig inside and out 😢
😊💯
Never thought I'd say, "Beautiful cabbages", but there you go! Those veggies are HUGE!
It seems that no matter how good you are at fencing, if you own a farm, you will spend a bit of time wrangling whatever animal has gotten loose. I've seen it even when the fencing is electric. Do you get enough sun to run solar fencing? You always need food, it seems, to entice the wandering animals.
You could sink some kind of container, and then plant the horse radish in the container. I learned this the hard way when I popped a few mint plants in the ground, back in 1974. I'll bet whoever lives there now is still mowing mint in the lawn. Smells good, though!
It's a swede or rutabaga.
@@alidabotes6264 I should have recognized the rutabaga, but I have no personal experience with them Never heard them called swede!
English
Turnip
Ponies will spend their life attempting to break out. Ponies are also a stomach on 4 legs so as someone else suggested, a coffee can with some feed will bring them running. Add a whistle to your can shaking and you will then have trained them come when you whistle as well. You literally have to do this a couple of times and they will never forget. It just needs to be a tasty grain that they love. The only way to keep them secure and safe is an electric fence on your difficult property. They are cheap and the safest way to keep them in. And knowing how to put on a halter is a great thing for your daughter to teach you. They are adorable brats.
Hehe - "adorable brats", perfect!
Three weeks ago, but digging down and reinforcing all the ground floor spaces to be the same height and capable of keeping out the moisture and holding up the house is integral to the future success in my opinion!
The grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side of the fence post. Naughty ponies. Horses make great escape artists. And I don't know what you are feeding your veg but they are massive!! Love the updates. ❤
I’m sure you already know, but just in case you don’t the Swede or turnip as it’s called needs to get a first-frost before you harvest it makes it sweeter and taste or at least that’s the way we did it in the west of Ireland when I lived there
Great shout out for Roscommon that’s where I came from
Yes, theyll need a first frost - to store for winter too.
Adulting is so much fun. Great to see your progress. The ramp won't be so much of an issue once you have the floor in. Should bring the difference down a bit between the rooms.
My chickens love turnip and Swede tops 😊.
Have tried to feed them greens from the garden, they are very fussy!
@@offgridirishhomestead at least they won't destroy your greens if they escape.
I so love watching this.Amazing.You work so hard.Ponies will be ponies.Well done girls,bringing the homeHillary hill.Brilliant.Wow .!Well done with your harvest.I am flabbergasted.YOU are naturals.Well doe you.👍👍👏🤗🤗🤗
Thanks a mil!
Wonderful just wonderful but don’t you burn yourself out you have a long way to go you are doing grand with your veggies n eggs etc keep up the planting blessings to you all the oldies 👍👍👍🤗🤗🤗
Thank you
Blackberry Crisp! Yum!
Well you are growing some amazing vegetables. Wow one carrot could feed all of you. Good job!
Thank you
Wow your veggies have done brilliantly. The size of those swedes😮 and cabbages. Some good soil you have. I love harvesting potatoes its the best. Its like a treasure dig. 👏👏
I know ai said you two were prettiest homesteader on UA-cam and you are, but I enjoy watching the progress you guys are making,
Keep up the learning and the good work.
So wonderful watching your dreams coming into reality, little by little. Thank you for sharing your journey from a Texas lady.❤
Thanks for following along
Nasturtium leaves are high in vitamin C and delicious in salads. Fabulous job ❤
Thanks a mil
I would suggest digging down the ramp and adding stairs to the higher bedroom. Good luck whatever you decide
You really need to have a small tractor to transport things up and down and a lot more... it Will safe Your back...
The said they don't have the funds as all their money goes to construction materials...unless you're going to buy it for them? lol
Those veg were HUGE. Good on ye , great success in your first year. Ye were so proud.😊❤
Those cabbages are looking delish try this recipe
Link sasauge, onion, bell pepper, 1 dice apple, 2 to 3 garlic cloves minced saute in olive oil in big pot with lid then chop and add cabbage with 2 or 3 cups of chicken stock and water. Add 3 or 4 chopped potatoes and cover and simmer til potatoes and cabbage are tender. Season with salt, black pepper, Parsley, garlic powder and cajun seasoning if you have some. It's delicious and easy. ❤
Great recipe - thank you
Your nasturtium is doing great, I really battled to get one going for ages before I got it right. Delicious in salads and the best remedy I know of for stopping a nasty cough. 👌
You could also use a water height level (water in a plastic tube-long length, very accurate)
Nice!
why not replace the ramp with a couple of steps?
He said they don't want either one.
I think keeping the ramp is a great idea. By the time the Reno is finished their grandchildren can run their toys down the slope, and by the time they consider themselves finished it will be ideal for wheelchair access !
What a marvellous garden. Those cabbages look so nice. Yes sauerkraut.
I have to agree with what others have said, get yourselves a small quad bike or tractor of some sort, as for planting rhubarb by the full moon, I don't like rhubard, that garden looks fantastic, nothing like growing your own veg, best regards from a Kiwi living in Australia, Les
I can’t remember if anyone has said, but using horse manure as an enrichment is not like cow manure. Horses don’t fully digest seeds they ingest, so their poo is like a great weed booster unless your composting process is set to kill these seeds. I learned this the hard way when sodding my lawn. Cows are ruminants, and the extra step of chewing their cud and multiple stomachs kills most seeds.
Thanks for the info
You’ve probably already decided but if it was me, I’d just change the ramp to a step up into the bedroom. Nothing wrong with that and it will save a ton of work. I’m really impressed with your first year’s harvest, much better than mine. 👍
You're fortunate to have harvested that much blackberries. Here in US the popularity grew a lot especially over thse past 5 years. Amazon is selling a 6oz freeze-dried organic ones for a whopping $38 bucvks. Yiikes! You had me laughing so hard about the ponies looking at you in disdain! You both got your hands full. Very exciting to see your many projects coming to fruition.
please just put a lovely set of three stairs into the bedroom. Too many downsides to digging it out.
You may be on to something.
I was thinking that as well. Who knows why the original builder did what he did? Could be a lot of stone under there.
@@ede-jomadden8182 Stone shouldn't matter. If you bring the top stair out 10 inches from the bedroom door, and go down to each step from there, I don't think there will be much to dig out unless the ramp is very uneven. A little stone sounds much more appealing than 18 inches of dirt by wheelbarrow load and a chance of compromising the underpinnings of the room. ??
Use the horses to haul the soil either in panniers or dragging a pallet
Make them earn their way !
Hi there, TJ here from South Africa, newly subscribed to your channel, been watching your vlogs for quite awhile now. Love you guys, your patience, perseverance & most of all, your positivity, makes it a joy to watch you create your dream & bring it to life...
Hi TJ, thanks for follow along
you don't need a bucket a carrot or apple works fine. while horses are chewing you quietly slip the halter on. pls look into suitable fencing for horses safety though
Also Hide the halter and lead rope behind your back, horses are smart. The lead goes over their neck first then the pre buckled muzzle goes on next and then quietly the neck strap
We had a home on varying levels, my hubby just built a few steps. Looked fab! Veg patch is coming along a treat. Nice one.
Look into winter sowing for next years growing season. Amazing, easy way to start seeds. i.e. starting your seeds in plastic soda bottles or large water bottles which act as mini greenhouses. No grow lights or greenhouses needed.
Wow,by the looks of your vegetables, you could be in Canaan land! I would take the advice if your Irish friend who said to let the turnips have a frost. I had a bad experience with turnips that a neighbor brought me one time. It resulted in a bad stomach ache! He should have fed them to the pigs! A couple steps to your bedroom could add interest if you do something to give it character.
Looking great isn't it!
Someone suggested dig down a little and raise the rest a little to make up the difference. Think we are going to end up with a very gentle slope. 6" over 1 meter or so.
When You Cut A Cabbage Head Off You Can Cut A Cross In The Stalk ( That's Still Growing) You Will Get A Flush Of Cabbage Leaves Growing For Free !
Wow the size of the veggies ❣️
Blown us away!
I agree with those that say add steps.
Someone suggested dig down a little and raise the rest a little to make up the difference. Think we are going to end up with a very gentle slope. 6" over 1 meter or so.
Kayvan! Assimilation complete when you asked "where's my shtick"?
Congrats By, 100% Irish
Collect horses and chook manure, fill your bags up that you are lugging up there, by spring you will be amazed at how it breaks down, plus bags are easier to move. Rhubarb is a gross feeder and loves lots of manure.
Always enjoy seeing your videos pop up! looking forward to next week.
How l look forward to your weekly videos. They are so interesting & it's a treat to follow your journey. I love the bursts of humour at the end and wondering what you might do next as a family. Wishing you all the best in my favourite part of the world....💚💚
Them red flowers nazurnum are doing great this year because the cabbage white butterfly was unable to fly with bad weather...Patrick in Meath
Hi Patrick, Interesting, good to know why thank you.
Hello you cheeky ponies 😂 So what about instead of digging out the entire master bedroom floor you just made a step up at the entrance to the room instead of the ramp? I realize you love adding to your list of side projects but that sure seems like an easier solution than all that extra time and work. You should be so proud of how well your garden is producing for the first time ever planting one. It really is so satisfying to grow and harvest your own veggies, those were marvelous looking cabbages! Now I am suddenly craving a pillowcase full of blackberries ❤
Yeah a step up is certainly the fallback plan. Just trying to avoid it ideally. The garden has been a massive unexpected but very welcome surprise. Everyone should aspire to a pillow case of blackberries at some point!
Those are some massive veggies!!
Right!
Beautiful vegetables!
You guys are great! Always make me laugh, but the 'final resting place' comment was the best so far. Love watching the progress, sending love and luck!
Jams and preserves! Yum! BTW Nasturtium leaves make excellent pesto.
Instead of digging down 18 inches, can you dig down 9 inches and raise up the other area by 9 inches using what you dug up? Then, can you raise or lower the ceiling height to accommodate the change in floor height?
Auction houses esp in Northern ireland would sort ye out with a cheap quad itd make such a difference for your hilly little homestead & your poor backs
My horse radish stays in a 2x6 foot square.. i dry the leaves for spice.. i just mow the strays off .. 😊😊
Quick and dirty way to check the levels, set your laser on the inside height, 1005, and go outside get the dot on 1005 and you can see exactly the height above ground you are, a tape will give you the approximate or drop the stick down and calculate the difference. Should be close to the tape reading.
Yeah that approach would definitely help with gauging if you are below or above where you started for sure., Thanks for following along
if you are worried about water ingress under the slab, a french drain around the inside of the walls will allow you to channel it away somewhere.
Great video guys. Enjoyed watching. 👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks a mil!
You should ask Kayvan to purchase a sharp hawk bill knife to allow you to cut cabbage and other vegetables out of the garden.
Also, the greens on the root bulb can be chopped up boiled for about 3 or 4 hours with some salted pork fat for an awesome meal with cornbread.
Great suggestion, added to the shopping list - thanks!
I absolutely love your zoo/circus!!!! ❤
Definitely more of a circus!
And the good attitude.
I'd go for a ramp (definitely not steps) as you have the length for a gentle incline. The most important factor is to make sure damp isn't coming up. BTW, nothing says West Cork more than growing spuds, carrots, cabbage, turnips and swede !
Fantastic right! Looking forward to getting more sexy stuff like fruits, nuts and berries going.
@@offgridirishhomestead Double line the poly tunnel then 😉😂
I bet the veg tastes great, but the swede could have grown longer but the carrots 🥕 look magnificent 👌. Great job guys
The swede could have definitely been left for longer. We were too excited to taste it! Thanks a mil
@@offgridirishhomestead haha i though that, 😂😂
Given that you’re already down to the soil I think it’s worth levelling the floor. Even if you have to do some work outside as well it will be worth it to avoid steps or a ramp for the rest of your lives.
Moving right along.
Smile, the weather's only gonna get worse
Indeed!
Dont forget youve already removed the lower floor,so if that was 200mm out say,you only have to think about 240mm of maybe extra to the main floor
The chickens will love the extra cabbage leaves.
The hens are really fussy when it comes to veggies! I have tried feeding them all sorts of lovely greens, they never seem bothered.
Great Doing VGood
You are doing a great job ❤❤
Thank you!
You need a machete for cutting and a giant slide to slide supply’s down the hill. I wonder if that’s even possible or some kind of pulley system. Really tough carrying everything down, maybe a tunnel, there’s got to be a way to make it easier. Thanks for the lovely video, take care.
pick up a Hori Hori knife for your harvesting, will make life easier. :)
Awesome cabbages ! 😊👍
Woot!
If you have money to burn on underpinning sure did out bedroom floor, otherwise use the change in elevation to add character, eg cute wee stair
That a good idea 😂I
Those cabbages lok fab and great idea for storing things! I love fiddling with cars also, thinking about getting a new additional car project as my discovery doesnt need anything due to the low mileage! Tis boring! Not sure if ill get another motorbike again, roads not great round here!
Had similar issues in our place when we thought about the floor heights. My logic was other people had things put that way for a reason long ago so I didn't want to mess around with it too much. + Local builders told us the only sure fire way to cause issues with these old houses is to mess with them too much. i put in steps from our bedroom going down to the house. Defo agree a short ramp aint best but my second choice was making the ramp a lot longer so you wouldnt notice but we did have a hall to cover it. Those horses do seem like they need to be shown whos boss 😂
It's a Land Rover, there will be plenty of projects, don't you worry about that man! Just a matter of time. Absolutely fantastic motor, good tow car, comfy, amazing space inside, up there with the best off-road. Reliability however...
I met a guy at an Apple harvest festival this weekend just gone, was parked up in an e30 325i touring. Got chatting, had done a DIY 24v conversion on his old beast and fitted a hydraulic handbrake. Absolute legend. Chatting some more, turns out he has 8 cars, including an e30 m3. My kind of hero that is.
Yeah the roads down this way need a specific kind of bike. A sports bike with road tyres is a little out of its depth around here.
The floor height is really annoying me. Don't have time to luxuriate solving these kinds of problems.
The ponies have me wrapped round their hooves already 😂
@@offgridirishhomestead I have had lots of landrovers and yeah many probs but I imported this as it was the most reliable made. Love BMWs especially the classics, but my heart is with alfaromeos (and moto guzzi). Will see how long I hold off. I'd say he had some garage! I'm hoping to have a 3 car garage eventually! Where you gonna put yours?
Regarding the floor height. Embrace the house for what it is, warts, quirks and all, sure if you you wanted everything flat you woulda bought a brand new house! 😉
The important thing with your horses is that you didnt go chasing them about the hill, stirring them up. Food treats are the answer I think. Get them used to coming up to you when they see you for some little titbit and a chat. soon they will view you as a friend rather than something to be wary of.
Yep for sure, trust takes time like any relationship. Love them already tho :)
Leave the ramp. Adds character. Although the appendages are quite unique. I’ve been wondering three appendages seems like you either grew an extra one or you’re missing one.😊enjoying your video
I would get some good advice before digging down 18 inches. It might be worth sacrificing underfloor heating in that room so you don’t need to dig down that much.. maybe consider pivoting and make that space the kitchen and put your bedroom temporarily in The other end and ultimately make your eventual new build a bedroom?
Considering the size of your produce I am going to make a bet that you have a glorious amount of nitrogen in that soil. I am so envious because my greenery this year was pitiful at best.
I think you should just put a step up into your bedroom, it seems like a lot of work to me, and you have enough to do!
BlackBerry crumbles all the way with all those blackberries. Really enjoy your lighthearted approach to everything you do 😊x
‘Resting place’. Brilliant! 😂
Maybe " Forever Home" would sound better. Final resting place sounds like your coffins are near by!
If you drop the bedroom floor to the same level as the lounge floor, you will compromise your walls. Just put a couple steps in between.
Yeah, I think you are right.
How can you drop the bedroom floor??????
@@James-rn6lo they were discussing digging it out to match the lounge. They would have needed to excavate more than 18 inches. I have a strong suspicion that would have dropped the bedroom floor below the foundation and then they would have had to pour a new foundation. Doable, but work intensive and expensive. Having two or three stair treads between the lounge and the bedroom shouldn't inconvenience them too much, even as they age.
ponies are designed to test you! I asked last week about powering your house and would really love to know how you are getting power. We get ours mostly from solar and have a generator for heavy usage items such as power tools.
Hello, sorry missed your comment. We have mains supply at the moment, until we can invest in our solar setup. We plan to do a 16kw solar array, backed by 48v 26kwh LiFePo storage.
Suggestion for lugging the soil bags down: why don’t you guys look for a used 4 wheeler atv bike. We have one and use it around our property for hauling things. You can get a hitch and add wagon too.
Yeah we can't wait to get some mechanical assistance for sure. Just need to prioritise the funds at the moment.