I seriously love your enthusiastic dad/endearing old professor energy and your knowledge, I've learned so much from you and I really appreciate all of it! I want a permaculture food forest so that I can feed myself and my family better, because food prices in British Columbia are high and my dad and I are poor, so anything that helps us get ahead is wonderful.❤❤❤
I've acquired hardy kiwi, grapes, red and black currants, a combination hazelnut tree, a combination haskap, a thornless raspberry, a thornless blackberry, a honeycrisp apple tree, goji seeds, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, eggplant, and I've started a strawberry patch. I'm working on getting a second apple tree of a different variety (and I will graft a scion from my first apple tree since they are/will be at different locations,) a native Canadian plum, and I'm contemplating a cherry tree or bush cherry. And! I'm contemplating pawpaws, since our property is lakeside! I'll also be planting garlic chives, ornamental onions (so that my trees/bushes/crops always have protection,) and walking onions if I can find those. ❤
as usual, critical information delivered well. exactly the thought process i went through in the late 70's before i purchased my little orchard in the early 80's.
I've watched countless videos on permaculture and homesteading and finding your channel feels like finding out about permaculture for the first time. You Sir, are good.
Issue with seeds & fruit trees, is your not going to get the same fruit as the seed. Just about all fruit trees are grafted from the branches of selected fruit trees, otherwise you end up with a disappointment in the varierty & size of the fruit unless you get extremely lucky.
Fantastic. Put a wire mesh tightly over the seeds when fall seeding. How do I know? Rodents ate all my seeds. Or keep them in the fridge and spring sow. Make sure you plan spacing for full sized trees.
depends what you want from it... I put a bunch of seeds and pits in the ground a few years ago and ended up with a few apple trees. I wouldn't bother with trying to wrap up seeds in mesh or anything like that tho, there are so many ways things can get at them; like tunneling under your mesh. if you're going to baby them you might as well start them indoors in pots and transplant them, which I've also done with an apple seed that was actually already sprouting in the apple :P
@@joshua511 Yes, I’ll graft after they have grown. I’m in Iowa so I’ll be planting apple, apricot, cherry, plum, peach, nectarine and pear. And like Stefan does, I’ll be planting fruiting vines on the nitrogen fixers and edible perennials in the tree rows.
I don't have anywhere near the same level of experience or expertise as you, but even 6 years in I've realized there are so many crops we grow that I either don't care to eat much of (eggplant, spinach, zucchini) or just doesn't make sense for me to grow based on the inputs (lettuce, most squashes etc) I should've focused more on vegetables that grow easily or with little to no maintenance. There are plenty of wild greens for example that serve the same function as lettuce, but do not bolt and are not as pest-prone or don't require anywhere near as much effort to grow and taste just fine. I plan to grow basswood trees for thos reason!
Stefan the biggest issue is buying the land. So many rich people are buying up the farm land. I’ve worked on other peoples land and it never works out. It is an energy drain on your mentality not owning your own piece of land. I moved to Ecuador because Victoria British Columbia is outrageously expensive. Love it here. The ditches are filled with amazing plants everywhere!
Curious about planting all layers at once. If a shrub is suited for shade or part shade, which is what you'd need under trees, wouldn't it die from sun exposure before the tree is mature enough to shade it? Especially if you plant small trees like you recommend. I really need your help with this question. I love the idea of doing it all at once but don't want to risk wasting money on the understory plants dying until the trees provide the right environment for them.
No it won't die. People plant mostly shrubs without shade, even if it's not optimal it works so don't worry. Plus if you scared you could fine ways to make shade for the shrubs
Shrubs have a range of tolerance to shade and in our climate none will die from full sun just languish for a couple of years. Plus you can plant the shade tolerant ones on the north side of the tree. That’s what i do for gooseberry.
I think you need to start with your canvas. Get the drainage right. The flow should meander, so moisture is held, but you dont want water to sit for too long. You dont want to be working away at it for years, then decide you need to fix drainage issues
My 20 acres is 4 hills that slope down to a little flat land before the creek that floods. Trying to figure out how to fence off an orchid from the cows!
@@StefanSobkowiak Oh, I meant *choosing the right place to fence* off from the cows. I heard apples don't mind a hill, so ...! ;-) I have an electric wire around 20 roses and a long-grass & wildflower patch, just for bugs, but there's one cow and her grown daughter that don't mind a sting, for a bite of it. Their days are numbered!
at 13min. you mention Plastic mulch is a one time application. Plastic tarp does not last forever. The lighter versions deteriorate in less than 1 season. (where little plastics get into soil - its disgusting). I use heavy tarp and it kills bad weeds or grasses in 3 weeks. I'll then remove it and add manure and organic mulch.
Well except if you live somewhere that nothing really grows like weeds here in northeast Wyoming in the flat land Prarie. I'm trying it though I started planting fruit trees last year, trying out plum peach, pear, apple and even grapes.also this year, elderberry, raspberry, strawberry, cherry, Kiwi. It's really hard with our high alkaline soil and wind and extreme cold we can get and dry ground typically. Also trying backberry and blueberry bushed, and a more native plant to us in the buffalo berry. I havnt had much sucess yet.
Hi Stefan, first time / long time! Do you have any general advice for prepping ground / soil for nursery (fruit, nut trees)? I’ve got a vacant piece of property, this could be a great first step for me towards my orchard dream.
So I've already got a small row of 15 trees planted. it is a diverse row of trees but I hadn't watched your videos on trios So I have no nitrogen fixing trees in between my other trees. What do you suggest for me?
what exactly is wrong with just grass around trees? it's never stopped trees in nature from growing, tree roots are deeper than grass roots. grass roots go like 4" down, trees go feet down... idk what's wrong with some peoples trees that they're getting choked out by the grass... they're both above and below the grass simultaneously, the grass is just sitting there in the middle.
I agree mostly, seen a few orchards work just fine with grass but grass roots do go down much deeper than that. Only problem i can see is if your interested in feeding the tree and not the grass.
What kind of plastic do you use that lasts the life of the orchard and is a one-time expense? My only experience with plastic was that it disintegrated and disappeared into the Florida sand with the humidity and heat. And now there’s shreds of it everywhere and the weeds just grow straight through it. 👀
um ya... I'm on heavy clay and the whole area is covered in choke cherries. what's that tell me? that cherries grow like weeds... just gotta find the right variety. also tells me you regurgitate a lot of nonsense you hear.
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I seriously love your enthusiastic dad/endearing old professor energy and your knowledge, I've learned so much from you and I really appreciate all of it! I want a permaculture food forest so that I can feed myself and my family better, because food prices in British Columbia are high and my dad and I are poor, so anything that helps us get ahead is wonderful.❤❤❤
I've acquired hardy kiwi, grapes, red and black currants, a combination hazelnut tree, a combination haskap, a thornless raspberry, a thornless blackberry, a honeycrisp apple tree, goji seeds, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, eggplant, and I've started a strawberry patch. I'm working on getting a second apple tree of a different variety (and I will graft a scion from my first apple tree since they are/will be at different locations,) a native Canadian plum, and I'm contemplating a cherry tree or bush cherry. And! I'm contemplating pawpaws, since our property is lakeside! I'll also be planting garlic chives, ornamental onions (so that my trees/bushes/crops always have protection,) and walking onions if I can find those. ❤
I'm 34 by the way. ❤
You rock!
I've been watching and learning and growing😊
as usual, critical information delivered well. exactly the thought process i went through in the late 70's before i purchased my little orchard in the early 80's.
Thanks for sharing!
This is the first video of yours i have come across and im glad i did! Thankyou good advice is hard to come by
I've watched countless videos on permaculture and homesteading and finding your channel feels like finding out about permaculture for the first time. You Sir, are good.
And you are discerning. Thanks.
Thank you, Stefan.
I’m going to direct seed 37 fruit trees this fall, I planted all the nitrogen fixing trees this spring and you sir are to thank.
Which types of fruit trees from seed? Would you plant apple then worry about grafting later?
Issue with seeds & fruit trees, is your not going to get the same fruit as the seed. Just about all fruit trees are grafted from the branches of selected fruit trees, otherwise you end up with a disappointment in the varierty & size of the fruit unless you get extremely lucky.
Fantastic. Put a wire mesh tightly over the seeds when fall seeding. How do I know? Rodents ate all my seeds. Or keep them in the fridge and spring sow. Make sure you plan spacing for full sized trees.
depends what you want from it... I put a bunch of seeds and pits in the ground a few years ago and ended up with a few apple trees.
I wouldn't bother with trying to wrap up seeds in mesh or anything like that tho, there are so many ways things can get at them; like tunneling under your mesh.
if you're going to baby them you might as well start them indoors in pots and transplant them, which I've also done with an apple seed that was actually already sprouting in the apple :P
@@joshua511 Yes, I’ll graft after they have grown. I’m in Iowa so I’ll be planting apple, apricot, cherry, plum, peach, nectarine and pear.
And like Stefan does, I’ll be planting fruiting vines on the nitrogen fixers and edible perennials in the tree rows.
Merci beaucoup pour les infos, very good teaching
Great video Stefan very inspirational and informative .
Glad you enjoyed it
Thoughts that I put to the wayside years back, until recently. One step forward. 😊
You get one time around, Mr Sobkowiak!
I don't have anywhere near the same level of experience or expertise as you, but even 6 years in I've realized there are so many crops we grow that I either don't care to eat much of (eggplant, spinach, zucchini) or just doesn't make sense for me to grow based on the inputs (lettuce, most squashes etc)
I should've focused more on vegetables that grow easily or with little to no maintenance. There are plenty of wild greens for example that serve the same function as lettuce, but do not bolt and are not as pest-prone or don't require anywhere near as much effort to grow and taste just fine. I plan to grow basswood trees for thos reason!
The perennial wild greens are higher nutrient quality because of a deeper root system.
Your videos are so interesting and informative!
They really are. Good man
Glad you think so!
KING🎉
Stefan the biggest issue is buying the land. So many rich people are buying up the farm land. I’ve worked on other peoples land and it never works out. It is an energy drain on your mentality not owning your own piece of land. I moved to Ecuador because Victoria British Columbia is outrageously expensive. Love it here. The ditches are filled with amazing plants everywhere!
Omg! I got my property and this is sooo timely! Thank you, thank you!
You are so welcome!
Wow I’m only 30! Feels like I started 20 years too late but this stuff requires patience
Curious about planting all layers at once. If a shrub is suited for shade or part shade, which is what you'd need under trees, wouldn't it die from sun exposure before the tree is mature enough to shade it? Especially if you plant small trees like you recommend. I really need your help with this question. I love the idea of doing it all at once but don't want to risk wasting money on the understory plants dying until the trees provide the right environment for them.
No it won't die. People plant mostly shrubs without shade, even if it's not optimal it works so don't worry. Plus if you scared you could fine ways to make shade for the shrubs
Shrubs have a range of tolerance to shade and in our climate none will die from full sun just languish for a couple of years. Plus you can plant the shade tolerant ones on the north side of the tree. That’s what i do for gooseberry.
@StefanSobkowiak thank you!
I think you need to start with your canvas. Get the drainage right. The flow should meander, so moisture is held, but you dont want water to sit for too long. You dont want to be working away at it for years, then decide you need to fix drainage issues
My 20 acres is 4 hills that slope down to a little flat land before the creek that floods. Trying to figure out how to fence off an orchid from the cows!
Very easy for cows, just use 1-3 electrified wires with a good fence charger. They will touch once and only once.
@@StefanSobkowiak Oh, I meant *choosing the right place to fence* off from the cows. I heard apples don't mind a hill, so ...! ;-)
I have an electric wire around 20 roses and a long-grass & wildflower patch, just for bugs, but there's one cow and her grown daughter that don't mind a sting, for a bite of it.
Their days are numbered!
@@LilacDaisy2 hills are great for most fruit.
@@StefanSobkowiak Great! I'm mapping it out! I love your videos - so helpful, thank you!
Bahahahaha, 5:37 is the best part of the video. Hands down.
Yup
at 13min. you mention Plastic mulch is a one time application. Plastic tarp does not last forever. The lighter versions deteriorate in less than 1 season. (where little plastics get into soil - its disgusting). I use heavy tarp and it kills bad weeds or grasses in 3 weeks. I'll then remove it and add manure and organic mulch.
I had my woven plastic weed barrier for 6 years now. Still looking good.
Well except if you live somewhere that nothing really grows like weeds here in northeast Wyoming in the flat land Prarie. I'm trying it though I started planting fruit trees last year, trying out plum peach, pear, apple and even grapes.also this year, elderberry, raspberry, strawberry, cherry, Kiwi. It's really hard with our high alkaline soil and wind and extreme cold we can get and dry ground typically. Also trying backberry and blueberry bushed, and a more native plant to us in the buffalo berry. I havnt had much sucess yet.
Do you know where this orchard is at? He is up there by you.
@coachcal4876 well im in northeast Wyoming I thought hes a little further east than me
He's not really up near me he's over above new York. I'm out west.
I’m working on training fruit trees. The movie talks about how to train the branches, but what do I do with the central leader?
Bend the top when it reaches maturity or the fruit will do it for you.
Hi Stefan, first time / long time! Do you have any general advice for prepping ground / soil for nursery (fruit, nut trees)? I’ve got a vacant piece of property, this could be a great first step for me towards my orchard dream.
Add compost and or aerobic compost tea in the rows at least and fill the space between rows with wood chip mulch. Gives a low maintenance nursery.
So I've already got a small row of 15 trees planted. it is a diverse row of trees but I hadn't watched your videos on trios So I have no nitrogen fixing trees in between my other trees. What do you suggest for me?
Just add some low shrubs in between, any diversity is the goal. You can always add compost and much for 15 trees.
Why do you irrigate, is it absolutely needed, and is fertilizer addedto the irritation there?
Absolutely probably not but with our short growing season losing a week or two because the plants are so stressed can lose 20% of our growing season.
what exactly is wrong with just grass around trees?
it's never stopped trees in nature from growing, tree roots are deeper than grass roots. grass roots go like 4" down, trees go feet down... idk what's wrong with some peoples trees that they're getting choked out by the grass... they're both above and below the grass simultaneously, the grass is just sitting there in the middle.
I agree mostly, seen a few orchards work just fine with grass but grass roots do go down much deeper than that.
Only problem i can see is if your interested in feeding the tree and not the grass.
Depends on size of trees at planting. Not a problem for standard or semi dwarf but for dwarf it can give them a hard time.
@@StefanSobkowiak makes sense, also if the trees are just seedlings or small cuttings they can get choked out. but for decent sized trees I'm saying.
I definitely think it's a problem when first planting. This year I spread clover seed around. I'm hoping that can outcompete the grass.
why does anyone grow fruit? to get fruit.
do you know anything about dealing with pear blister mite? the birds thing doesn't work on those. ;/
Horticulture oil early Spring on bare tree. I've used neem oil early on before flowering too.
I dont have blister mites.
@@StefanSobkowiak hope you don't get them... pesky little buggers >.
Im in on the title alone
What kind of plastic do you use that lasts the life of the orchard and is a one-time expense? My only experience with plastic was that it disintegrated and disappeared into the Florida sand with the humidity and heat. And now there’s shreds of it everywhere and the weeds just grow straight through it. 👀
Silage grade plastic 4-6 mil thick.
@@StefanSobkowiak thanks! I may give it another try.
Why not weed barrier fabric?
Fabric allows roots to grow into it, making eventual removal nearly impossible.
Hahaha. I don't know ANYONE who ever did this things even though they were ALL advised to do such things. Humans just aren't that patient.
I want chickens in my orchard.
I'm too old to learn the hard way with trees.
um ya... I'm on heavy clay and the whole area is covered in choke cherries.
what's that tell me? that cherries grow like weeds... just gotta find the right variety.
also tells me you regurgitate a lot of nonsense you hear.
Then grow chokecherries. Majority of Sour or sweet cherries grow best in sandy loam. 🤷♀️
Doesn't sound as good tasting as a cherry...bitter, toxic seeds...
@@meuandthelot maybe sweet cherries, but sour cherries seem to like it just fine here.