When, I first started watching My Self Reliance, my goal was Land. Then my 93 yr old Father said, "Why not start now. " Start small." I thought How? I live in a 55+ community and the people who owned the house before me wanted "no to low" maintenance...so everything is gravel, vapor barrier and plastic. So, I planted 2 small vegetable gardens in horse troughs that I painted light green with teal flowers and the saying, "All is Well with my Soul." Today, I planted tree, tomorrow another tree. Then guess what, One Day at a Time, I am going to remove the gravel, plastic and vapor barriers and let the Land breath. Who knows from here. Maybe if I learn to take care of a small property, God will give me a bigger property. Shawn, my life is changing because of your channel and my Father's encouragement...I am very grateful.

Are you kidding? “We’re not interested in you gardening?” Brother we’re here because we all wish we had it in us one way or another to be living your dream. Of course that includes all aspects of your lifestyle that aid in you making it up there in the great white north successfully. We’re cheering you on regardless, believe me...

Your photography, editing, and music are so beautiful, I have to keep reminding myself that your life is not just a dream, it's very hard, steadfast work. Thanks, as always, for your honesty and humility. God bless you and your family. Wow, I didn't know porcupines climb trees! Ours here in Israel stay underground in their holes all day, then waddle around at night, foraging.

I LOVE the peaceful nature scenes at the end of this video! God bless the work of your hands.

Your channel should be required for high school students. It would grow good men and women. thank you

I confess I hit like before I viewed...saving thirty some minutes of escape to the wilderness before I sleep. I really do need a night with pleasant dreams to stay healthy. Thanks Shawn.

I respect what you're doing and the life you've chosen. I wish I had decided to live like that years ago. God keep you and yours.

This is the kind of "complicated life" I look forward to.. -learning how to grow food, the land I have to work with, figuring out through trial and error what work and what not.. next season, make whatever changes, etc. not the garbage life I've known all my life. I know nothing about building and growing, that's why I watch. Thank you.

The true fans of this channel enjoy all the tasks you do, thanks for caring. Great work on the garden!!! 😁

Man..never apologize. You're living the dream and sometimes that requires adjustments.

Before this pandemic, I wasn't planning to put in a garden this year because I was going to be too busy. My priorities changed and now I have put in a decent sized garden to offset my vegetable budget! Keep up the great work sir!

I will never complain again about doing work in my 20x20 garden in my backyard.

You appear to have single-handedly made a forest clearing and created a farmstead. Quite remarkable.

Shawn i watch you all the time .I did things that your are doing not at your level but pretty good .My wife and i did organic

I am 61 years old and I cant travel anymore, your videos are so relaxing AND you give me garden ideas! So thanks, keep em coming!

I've studied permaculture for many years now, as a layperson. One thing I've picked up with designing an area, is tying in as many needs as possible, in the one transaction. For example, you need a fence, water collection on site, tool storage and covered areas to store your harvest as it dries - potatoes, onions - maybe even a solar dehydrator, using the sun too. So build long, narrow, utility areas on the highest ground, as part of the fence line. Break up the separate buildings, with your edible, thorny hedgerow. It will create micro-climates for the plants to handle weather extremes better. Eaves of buildings, for example, help ward-off frosts.

Your work ethic is pretty impressive, Shawn. 👍🙂

I watch primarily because you live in such a beautiful place. Living in Hawaii it's ironic I never was much for hanging at the beach, but I could spend all day long in the woods, and have spent many nights as well tent camping. Thanks for sharing it all with us. With much aloha...

I forget how relaxing watching your videos are, since this pandemic broke up and took all of our attention. Thanks for putting them on youtube, stay safe 🥰

I live in Oregon on 78 acres of forested land. My sister and I have a large garden with 10ft high fencing for deer and in case we get any elk coming in. Twice now we have had cattle that are free range end up in our yard. The fence around the garden and the orchard saved us. We are on our 3rd year of straw bale gardening and the plants do really great. We get 2 seasons out of the bales and when they decompose it is great mulch full of earthworms. The problem here in Oregon is that the farmers have been growing hemp instead of hay and straw so straw bales are harder to find and almost as expensive as hay. We also have a greenhouse attached to the garage with a southern exposure. The heat source are 4 black steel drums filled with water. When