Most anticipated video!!!! Can’t say enough about these two, it not just your availability to do the installations for those of us not local, but you’ve been such a huge resource on how to do it the right way, getting me linked up with additional services that needed to be done, and you went out of your way to make sure it was done right. Can’t wait to see this all in person, until then I’ll be a continual voyeur on the updates lol! Mahalo from the bottom of my heart to you and Paulina!
Awesome! This is exactly the info I'm looking for. Looking forward to part two and the Ashley's contact is good to have. Hoping to get started on my coffee orchard this year...
Great video you two! This was my favorite video of yours so far; it answered a lot of questions I had and then some. We’re still a ways out from getting our land, but y’all definitely amp up the anticipation. Cheers!
Me and my wife flew over from Oahu and always watch your videos and we agree that you have better fruits and vegetables than Hilo market. Lol we are staying HPP area.
I hope your friend is worth all the malama you guys are putting into the aina. I also appreciate that you explain what’s going on and why because when you first see the machines and you hear your friend is not even there while you work it can give the very VERY wrong impression, the “oh no, not another American wanting to live fantasy island, who’ll just get bored and flip the aina for kala 🙄 “ You just trynna help your friend who has the money to make major malama to a plot. Good job 👍🏽
Because much of the land in Puna is packed lava rock the use of a large dozer and "ripping" is a must for all the reasons mentioned in this vid, even your permaculture book will admit that in certain situations this method is correct and will allow for future planting and decent drainage which is a must. We have used Ashley's tractor service for a number of years and they are reliable and easy to work with but be aware the cost will add up quickly. As mentioned these trees will take a number of years to produce so get 'em planted asap and go from there.
Thanks for the comment! We have visited several people's properties in Puna who have not ripped the lava and were still able to plant productive fruit trees :) drainage is key, plus building the soil UP. Some unripped lots can still have good drainage as long as they're not "low" points.
If you don't mind me recommending-- Areca palms makes great boarders, they are easy/cheap to get and propagate, and the grow pretty fast and radiate up/out as opposed to Avocado trees. In three years you could have some serious green privacy fencing!
Totally, Avocados and palms would do fine close together, also heart of palm is really good, you can eat it raw chopped up in a salad, good luck with everything and thanks for your reply!
I actually need a driveway built, thanks for the reference. If I end up using them I'll be sure to tell them I saw their number on your youtube channel :)
Just got land on the big Island. Vids you put out helps lots thank you !!! Cali to Hawaii in sept 2019 any tips ? Also have u herd anything on moving pets?
Is the climate there too wet to make use of swales? Even if you had to build up the mounds rather than digging into the lava rock, would there be any benefit?
Hi Mike and Polina have you guy look in to breadfruit tree? It a tropical plant that love water and humidity and will grow in any soils conditions and you get fruit years round
@@OffGridHawaii in Vietnam we deep fried the breadfruit and served it like country hashbrowns... pill the outer layer like you would with a pumpkin cut into triangles wedges and cook till tender like a potato.
Love the video! I'm looking into doing something similar on the big island within the next 3-5 years. I'd prefer to find land I don't need to rip if it's cost-effective. Where can I find a run-down of all the variables I need to consider (specifically on Hawaii, and even more specifically on the big island) when evaluating the costs of developing land into something that will produce a thriving food forest?
Five wheel barrels is better than nothing, but really for Puna you want two buckets from a skid steer on top. Five wheel barrels will disappear fast, it will settle back to near ground level. I believe excavating a 3ft hole than dropping two buckets from a skid steer on top+ three time annual mulching the first three or four years will make up for the soil depth and drainage issues that cripple production of Puna fruit trees.
OffGridHawaii not sure, but the mound of soil and rock should be roughly 1.5 feet to two feet tall, with a radius of 2.5-3 feet from center. It has several functions in that it provides extra depth, better drainage, protection from pigs, protection from flooding, and your tree doesn’t get swallowed up by weeds as easily.
How much off set from Roses property line are you allowing for planting the avocado trees border. I would assume 30 feet so they don’t encroach on the neighbors property. Thanks 👍😊
Very good question. I will definitely go over the layout at some point but to answer your question they are 15 ft from the boarder because you take half of 30 ft.
Thank you for the planting tips. You invited me with a question for you so here goes...Have you ever considered using charcoal (charged with plenty of biological gunk)by the root zone of the new planting. I have heard that that stuff really retains moisture, provides a place for micro organisms, prevents leaching due to some heavy rain events, and stays practically forever, as it’s carbon (the element) which cannot break down any further. I plan on making some when it get out there in a few.😃🌈🤙
We have used biochar, the jury is still out whether it is better then just black cinder. I’m pretty sure it hasn’t effected any of our trees in a negative way. I did hear one lady say that her biochar was charged with toxic things and made here plants die.
My fiancé and I are going to move to The big island in the future. We love the idea of being self sufficient and living in nature and off the grid. My question is how did you guys prepare to grow food/build? Any amount of money you would recommend saving? Any good books/resources that you would recommend to learn how to even? Would you recommend this to someone who has no experience in building/ farming? I would really appreciate some wisdom from you guys.
If you check out our past videos you'll learn a bit about our adventure here. I recommend having a lot of money saved up, at least $100k-150k before coming here to buy property and start building up your land and home. Stable income is key, so unless you are willing to get a job right away definitely have plenty saved up to last you a year for regular expenses plus the cost of materials and the property itself. Don't recommend this to anyone who's never been to Hawaii, has no experience building or farming, and doesn't have a lot of money saved up. Just being real. 🤙🌈🌴
The next video is going to go in depth I to the costs but the going rate is about $9-12k per acre. Cinder was about $850 for 25 yards I think. Call Sanford to get exact prices.
I think I saw you guys at Target. I don’t wanna say what kinda vehicle you drive but is there a gash on one side? (Edit) cool video btw. Looking forward to doing this myself
I have some land down near South Point and would love to talk with you and possibly see if I could get some help with it, do you do consulting or know someone who does? I'd really like to make a food forest. The land is in a very protected spot with little wind and just the exact right amount of rain. Thanks.
@@OffGridHawaii a topsoil thats mostly organic matter? most top soils are like 3 percent organic matter and i thought the tropics was supposed to have bad soil.. everything is wrong i tell you haha
OffGridHawaii It’s great seeing your knowledge expand. I’ve been following you for a year and impressed with your idealism, commitment , and humor. I’ve been a professional gardener for 20 years and you remind me of my first years. So the ‘soil’ is rich, the structure and drainage is poor. Keep in mind and/or mention how the time factor or schedule affects your techniques your using. (Like piling the soil and covering to dry out before mixing with the cinders.) I have found working with plants to be very complex if one trys to explain it, but the key is be flexible, observe, keep an open mind and learn. I’m hoping to be moving to the big islan in the next year or so and hope you’re doing well!!
@@OffGridHawaii ok im gonna have to take some samples in the bush here cause its mostly just silty mineral soil but theres spots in deep where its black and i wanna no how much mineral content it has and needs to be good soil, see i read in the tropics the sols are poor because the rain and heat evapourates all the organic matter or takes it away but i guess its more microclimate related
Which location do you recommend to buy with 50k? I wish to visit from mainland and setup a food garden - is it possible? should i be based in there for few years?
sorry if ive already asked man im horrible, but how thick should real fine compost be as mulch in general and for trees in pots? i sifted it through a fly screen hahaa :p will it be enough to feed the plants or do tropicals need the boost juice? lol
I usually mix compost into soil rather then use it as a top dress. I like to just fertilize with the nutri-rich then cover that with the county mulch. Seems to work really well for me. If you do use compost maybe start with 1 inch and see how that works 🤔. I would still cover it with mulch though.
@@OffGridHawaii interesting, see elaine says we dont need fertilisers at all and that all the nutrients are in the sand silt and clay and that we just need aerobic environment and bacteria and fungi to do all the work, and gary matsuoka says not to mix compost into the soil as it rots and steals oxygen and causes the soil to sink later, he says pure clay if fine and that u only get rot when theres organic matter involved lol.. mybe everyone is right.. and every way works.. we just have to figure out how to do it our own ways, seems like the kinda thing your better off learning without others ideas and opinions :p
elaine ingham bro.. you havnt heard of her? man youve been living too much haha everyone talks so highly of her man shes like the queen of soil on youtube check her out@@OffGridHawaii
How expensive to buy land on the big island? I would love to know where to start. Is it affordable? I'm in the SF Bay Area and as you know, it is super duper expensive to have land. Love your channel. Subscribed!
@@OffGridHawaii I've been checking several locations on the big island such as weather. I heard it rains a ton west side versus the east side of the island. I was bummed out mango not growing well near hilo due to the excessive rain. I'm sure you still could right? I see that mountain view and outskirts of hilo are more affordable.
Hi guys, thanks so much for some great educational videos. Are you still around? We're thinking of doing something similar, and wondered if I can email you? What we're wondering is if you still do this for people? Thank you, and thanks again for the great videos. :)
You can still grow fruit trees and anything really. The problem with the snails and slugs is that you don't want to eat the snails and slugs if they happen to crawl on the produce, or eat the slime.
have you had much root rot at all with your technique? if you can get away with planting into raised compost you might aswel just sit the plants on the ground and not bother diggging at all surely? ive been told recently to plant in the soil and to not have compost around the roots or stems of rot sensitive plants and to not have more than an inch or 2 of compost cause it can be too much and suffocate the soil
Yes definitely there’s is actually tons of soil there that was pushed off for ripping. the plan is to put it all back and add some black cinder in with it.
@@OffGridHawaii wouldn't that be more trouble than it is worth? why not just leave a nice cleared orchard area for playing and hanging out...and then plant more trees along the whole edge you pushed all the soil?
Most anticipated video!!!! Can’t say enough about these two, it not just your availability to do the installations for those of us not local, but you’ve been such a huge resource on how to do it the right way, getting me linked up with additional services that needed to be done, and you went out of your way to make sure it was done right.
Can’t wait to see this all in person, until then I’ll be a continual voyeur on the updates lol!
Mahalo from the bottom of my heart to you and Paulina!
Mahalo rose!
Rose F looking forward to buying land in the same area in a year or two. So glad you let Mike and Paulina share your land and its transformation.
OffGridHawaii hi.. just purchased 3 acres of land in Fern Forest.. what’s the best way to get in contact with you
Best way is email aloha.offgridhawaii@gmail.com
That is super cool
Awesome! This is exactly the info I'm looking for. Looking forward to part two and the Ashley's contact is good to have. Hoping to get started on my coffee orchard this year...
Miss you guys!!!! Hope you r both well
💚✨ aloha, we are well!
Funny thing, I was thinking about you two and here comes a new video.
Like magic 🌈
MAHALO NUI "great respect" from Austria , you do exactly what we are dreaming of !!! planting foodforests Yeahh
Great video you two! This was my favorite video of yours so far; it answered a lot of questions I had and then some. We’re still a ways out from getting our land, but y’all definitely amp up the anticipation. Cheers!
Bobby from NY. Love your lifestyle, love your videos, please keep up with the good work.
Me and my wife flew over from Oahu and always watch your videos and we agree that you have better fruits and vegetables than Hilo market. Lol we are staying HPP area.
You guys have great taste in music and some serious vlogging skills!! Thank for sharing all this info!!
Thanks Michelle! Glad you Digg it 😉😅
I hope your friend is worth all the malama you guys are putting into the aina. I also appreciate that you explain what’s going on and why because when you first see the machines and you hear your friend is not even there while you work it can give the very VERY wrong impression, the “oh no, not another American wanting to live fantasy island, who’ll just get bored and flip the aina for kala 🙄 “ You just trynna help your friend who has the money to make major malama to a plot. Good job 👍🏽
I love Paulina's braids!!! Both of you look great btw. Miss you
I know itsy new favorite hair style! 🤭 Miss you I hope to crawl on lakes with you soooooooon!!!
Eeeeyyyy, thanks for answering my question guys! :D
Thanks for asking it :)
Because much of the land in Puna is packed lava rock the use of a large dozer and "ripping" is a must for all the reasons mentioned in this vid, even your permaculture book will admit that in certain situations this method is correct and will allow for future planting and decent drainage which is a must. We have used Ashley's tractor service for a number of years and they are reliable and easy to work with but be aware the cost will add up quickly. As mentioned these trees will take a number of years to produce so get 'em planted asap and go from there.
Thanks for the comment! We have visited several people's properties in Puna who have not ripped the lava and were still able to plant productive fruit trees :) drainage is key, plus building the soil UP. Some unripped lots can still have good drainage as long as they're not "low" points.
If you don't mind me recommending-- Areca palms makes great boarders, they are easy/cheap to get and propagate, and the grow pretty fast and radiate up/out as opposed to Avocado trees. In three years you could have some serious green privacy fencing!
Thank you for recommending. We have not much research on palm trees but definitely want to put more energy towards edible plants.
Totally, Avocados and palms would do fine close together, also heart of palm is really good, you can eat it raw chopped up in a salad, good luck with everything and thanks for your reply!
Yum 😋 heart of palm is delicious
Lol Eddie and mauna are my neighbors I have helped him build that place a little bit when he first moved here.
Shoots🤙🏽 We are uploading the video today.
I actually need a driveway built, thanks for the reference. If I end up using them I'll be sure to tell them I saw their number on your youtube channel :)
Thanks 😉
Ashley is a super cool guy he did my neighbors entire driveway even the clearing with his tractor very skilled.
Thank you!!! 🤙
Love you guys video's!!! Who would you recommend bulldozing 1/2 acre??
Send us an email aloha.offgridhawaii@gmail.com
Just got land on the big Island. Vids you put out helps lots thank you !!!
Cali to Hawaii in sept 2019 any tips ?
Also have u herd anything on moving pets?
Stay humble and be respectful of the land and people :) We don't have any experience with moving pets.
Is the climate there too wet to make use of swales? Even if you had to build up the mounds rather than digging into the lava rock, would there be any benefit?
Hi Mike and Polina have you guy look in to breadfruit tree? It a tropical plant that love water and humidity and will grow in any soils conditions and you get fruit years round
Yes we have several variety of breadfruit trees planted on our property 😁 delicious!!
@@OffGridHawaii in Vietnam we deep fried the breadfruit and served it like country hashbrowns... pill the outer layer like you would with a pumpkin cut into triangles wedges and cook till tender like a potato.
🤙🏽
Love the video! I'm looking into doing something similar on the big island within the next 3-5 years. I'd prefer to find land I don't need to rip if it's cost-effective. Where can I find a run-down of all the variables I need to consider (specifically on Hawaii, and even more specifically on the big island) when evaluating the costs of developing land into something that will produce a thriving food forest?
We made a part two video about this not too long ago under "how to start a good forest" title. 🤙
Five wheel barrels is better than nothing, but really for Puna you want two buckets from a skid steer on top. Five wheel barrels will disappear fast, it will settle back to near ground level. I believe excavating a 3ft hole than dropping two buckets from a skid steer on top+ three time annual mulching the first three or four years will make up for the soil depth and drainage issues that cripple production of Puna fruit trees.
What does two buckets from a skid steer work out to in cu. ft. ?
OffGridHawaii not sure, but the mound of soil and rock should be roughly 1.5 feet to two feet tall, with a radius of 2.5-3 feet from center. It has several functions in that it provides extra depth, better drainage, protection from pigs, protection from flooding, and your tree doesn’t get swallowed up by weeds as easily.
How much off set from Roses property line are you allowing for planting the avocado trees border. I would assume 30 feet so they don’t encroach on the neighbors property. Thanks 👍😊
Very good question. I will definitely go over the layout at some point but to answer your question they are 15 ft from the boarder because you take half of 30 ft.
Thank you for the planting tips. You invited me with a question for you so here goes...Have you ever considered using charcoal (charged with plenty of biological gunk)by the root zone of the new planting. I have heard that that stuff really retains moisture, provides a place for micro organisms, prevents leaching due to some heavy rain events, and stays practically forever, as it’s carbon (the element) which cannot break down any further. I plan on making some when it get out there in a few.😃🌈🤙
We have used biochar, the jury is still out whether it is better then just black cinder. I’m pretty sure it hasn’t effected any of our trees in a negative way. I did hear one lady say that her biochar was charged with toxic things and made here plants die.
Looks like a big job! Where do you get the cinder from?
Sanford or Puna rock. Will cover it in next video in detail
My fiancé and I are going to move to The big island in the future. We love the idea of being self sufficient and living in nature and off the grid. My question is how did you guys prepare to grow food/build? Any amount of money you would recommend saving? Any good books/resources that you would recommend to learn how to even? Would you recommend this to someone who has no experience in building/ farming? I would really appreciate some wisdom from you guys.
If you check out our past videos you'll learn a bit about our adventure here. I recommend having a lot of money saved up, at least $100k-150k before coming here to buy property and start building up your land and home. Stable income is key, so unless you are willing to get a job right away definitely have plenty saved up to last you a year for regular expenses plus the cost of materials and the property itself. Don't recommend this to anyone who's never been to Hawaii, has no experience building or farming, and doesn't have a lot of money saved up. Just being real. 🤙🌈🌴
How much was it to ripped
1/2 a acre ?
+ the cost of cinder ?
The next video is going to go in depth I to the costs but the going rate is about $9-12k per acre. Cinder was about $850 for 25 yards I think. Call Sanford to get exact prices.
Thanks for the information appreciate it..
You're welcome
@@OffGridHawaii Looking forward to the next video!
ashley did my property too! he's great!
Alright! 🤙😎
I think I saw you guys at Target. I don’t wanna say what kinda vehicle you drive but is there a gash on one side?
(Edit) cool video btw. Looking forward to doing this myself
I wouldn't call it a gash... Just a love tap from a friendly fellow driver who can't control how hard their damn door swings out lol
OffGridHawaii I don’t have a cool car but keep them away from me 😂
Do you guys go fishing for your food ? Or are you two vegetarians? If so you do have plenty of veggies you can grow as well.
I have some land down near South Point and would love to talk with you and possibly see if I could get some help with it, do you do consulting or know someone who does? I'd really like to make a food forest. The land is in a very protected spot with little wind and just the exact right amount of rain. Thanks.
8:05 thats such a weird soil what do you think the composition is?
It is just the topsoil. Mostly organic matter from the natural composting cycle of the forest.
@@OffGridHawaii a topsoil thats mostly organic matter? most top soils are like 3 percent organic matter and i thought the tropics was supposed to have bad soil.. everything is wrong i tell you haha
OffGridHawaii It’s great seeing your knowledge expand. I’ve been following you for a year and impressed with your idealism, commitment , and humor. I’ve been a professional gardener for 20 years and you remind me of my first years.
So the ‘soil’ is rich, the structure and drainage is poor. Keep in mind and/or mention how the time factor or schedule affects your techniques your using. (Like piling the soil and covering to dry out before mixing with the cinders.)
I have found working with plants to be very complex if one trys to explain it, but the key is be flexible, observe, keep an open mind and learn.
I’m hoping to be moving to the big islan in the next year or so and hope you’re doing well!!
Think more of top soil in a forest.
@@OffGridHawaii ok im gonna have to take some samples in the bush here cause its mostly just silty mineral soil but theres spots in deep where its black and i wanna no how much mineral content it has and needs to be good soil, see i read in the tropics the sols are poor because the rain and heat evapourates all the organic matter or takes it away but i guess its more microclimate related
Which location do you recommend to buy with 50k? I wish to visit from mainland and setup a food garden - is it possible? should i be based in there for few years?
❤️
Do y'all know of good ways to source large amounts of soil for sites like this?
I asked too soon! Ashley's tractor and hauling. Thank you!
sorry if ive already asked man im horrible, but how thick should real fine compost be as mulch in general and for trees in pots? i sifted it through a fly screen hahaa :p will it be enough to feed the plants or do tropicals need the boost juice? lol
I usually mix compost into soil rather then use it as a top dress. I like to just fertilize with the nutri-rich then cover that with the county mulch. Seems to work really well for me. If you do use compost maybe start with 1 inch and see how that works 🤔. I would still cover it with mulch though.
@@OffGridHawaii interesting, see elaine says we dont need fertilisers at all and that all the nutrients are in the sand silt and clay and that we just need aerobic environment and bacteria and fungi to do all the work, and gary matsuoka says not to mix compost into the soil as it rots and steals oxygen and causes the soil to sink later, he says pure clay if fine and that u only get rot when theres organic matter involved lol.. mybe everyone is right.. and every way works.. we just have to figure out how to do it our own ways, seems like the kinda thing your better off learning without others ideas and opinions :p
Who is Elaine?
elaine ingham bro.. you havnt heard of her? man youve been living too much haha everyone talks so highly of her man shes like the queen of soil on youtube check her out@@OffGridHawaii
Thanks will do
i want to go there and work on a geopolymer mix seems all the ingredients are in the land or sourced locally, make block build a small house , lol
no part 2 yet?
Eventually... We have some footage just haven't had much time to put it all together. It'll be out before February ends 🤙😎
How expensive to buy land on the big island? I would love to know where to start. Is it affordable? I'm in the SF Bay Area and as you know, it is super duper expensive to have land. Love your channel. Subscribed!
A place to start would be researching online but ultimately visiting and seeing how the island is for yourself is the first step
@@OffGridHawaii I've been checking several locations on the big island such as weather. I heard it rains a ton west side versus the east side of the island. I was bummed out mango not growing well near hilo due to the excessive rain. I'm sure you still could right? I see that mountain view and outskirts of hilo are more affordable.
Hi guys, thanks so much for some great educational videos. Are you still around? We're thinking of doing something similar, and wondered if I can email you? What we're wondering is if you still do this for people? Thank you, and thanks again for the great videos. :)
Where you been bro's
Living life 👐
I thought u can grow do to the snails
You can still grow fruit trees and anything really. The problem with the snails and slugs is that you don't want to eat the snails and slugs if they happen to crawl on the produce, or eat the slime.
"Plant high, sure to thrive. Plant low, sure to go." ua-cam.com/video/yP9loJ2wZHo/v-deo.html
I take it then that the ripping discussion alluded to at 4:20 :: >ua-cam.com/video/yP9loJ2wZHo/v-deo.html is in the Next Video? 😢
Yes, sorry we did intend on putting it in this one but it was getting too long.
How you gonna gentrify the jungle tho... it's ok to leave some stones unturned
I do explain a little about why we had to rip in this video, but I will be going more into depth in part two.
Ripping the rock, nice.
have you had much root rot at all with your technique? if you can get away with planting into raised compost you might aswel just sit the plants on the ground and not bother diggging at all surely? ive been told recently to plant in the soil and to not have compost around the roots or stems of rot sensitive plants and to not have more than an inch or 2 of compost cause it can be too much and suffocate the soil
Haven’t really seen any root rot. Compost alone will hold too much water so it needs to be mixed with something that drains well like sand or cinder.
@@OffGridHawaii so your essentially making topsoil and planting into that? hmmmm... too many ways to do things lol
The ‘soil’ on Hawaii has no sand or clay, it is too young. In some regards it could be considered 100% compost.
wow.. some1 take a soil test with a glass jar and some water for me id love to no how much mineral content is needed or optimal@@purpleplanter68
I have done the test. There is only one layer lol. I think I will show it in the next video.
6:30 hahaa
no red cinder unless you want plants to suffer :)
plant a tree where all the soil was pushed...you will see that it is good soil...just not much of it.
consider adding more companion plants around the trees, inside the mound, to reduce erosion and keep the roots covered.
Yes definitely there’s is actually tons of soil there that was pushed off for ripping. the plan is to put it all back and add some black cinder in with it.
@@OffGridHawaii wouldn't that be more trouble than it is worth? why not just leave a nice cleared orchard area for playing and hanging out...and then plant more trees along the whole edge you pushed all the soil?
and bring in loads of dump mulch to fill in a couiple feet high in between all the trees?
Love all the videos i've seen so far of the two of u. Could u give me an email address? Thanks!
aloha.offgridhawaii@gmail.com