Become a more efficient and productive gardener here: https://abundanceacademy.online/p/more-food-less-effort
This video is all about how to tackle and overcome challenges, issues and problems in the vegetable garden in an effective manner that ensure long-term success in the garden. I show you the 3-step method that I use whenever I hit a challenge, and it really helps me find an answer to the problem I face. I also include how you can do research to find the answers you need, and give plenty of tips on how to make the whole process much easier. I hope you enjoy this video and that it will help you on your own vegetable gardening journey.
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-Huw’s books-
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-Online Courses-
More Food Less Effort Course: http://morefoodlesseffort.com/
Planting Plan Short Course: https://abundanceacademy.online/p/the-monthly-planting-plan
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Another challenge example: During the growing season I feel that I am getting overwhelmed with the number of weeds there are in the raised beds. I want to focus on the growing but need to find a way to keep on top of the weeds.
Solution: I need to approach this challenge from two angles. The first is to create a routine or habit related to weeding. This is where I will add ’30 minutes of weeding’ onto my weekly to-do list to make sure I don’t forget this task and that the weed issue doesn’t build up. To make these 30 minutes more interesting I will listen to my favourite podcast as I do the weeding. There is a new podcast episode every week and I’m not allowed to listen to a new episode until I start the weekly weeding session.
The second angle is the tools. Weeding by hand takes a while and can also hurt my back, so I will use an oscillating hoe and a hand hoe to tackle the issue with a better posture. Weeding hoes are perfect for regular weeding as any weeds will still be small as a week isn’t enough time for them to develop strong root systems.
Outcome: By creating a routine weeding session every week and using the two types of hoe, I will be able to keep on top of all the weeds in the garden and will feel more in control.
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Challenge in video: Our water supplies could dry out again if we have another severe drought, and I don’t have enough water storage to keep seedlings going for at least 2 months.
Solution: I need to purchase 6 used IBC tanks for the equivalent storage capacity of 6,000 litres of water. The tanks must only have contained safe material when in industrial use, and I will not take a risk in purchasing contaminated tanks. The tanks will be place at the North end of the new garden and supported on top of heat-treated pallets to allow space to fit a watering can underneath. I will need to buy a tap that will fit the thread size of the IBC tanks.
The tanks will be filled from one inlet that carries water from the stream on the other side of the parking area. I will use a small pipe to attach each IBC tank. Once the first tank is full, the connecting pipe will start filling the second, and so on. This needs to be completed by February to not interfere with spring sowings, and to be filled and ready for action as and when needed.
Outcome: Once completed, I will have storage of 6,000 litres of water ready for action in case of drought, and I will feel far less stressed when dry weather does stay around longer than usual.
You can see from this I have all the basics covered to solve the issue, and it only takes a moment to quickly look over what needs to be done. Keep this somewhere safe so you can go back to it when needed to make sure you are on track. It is vital you include a target end date too, otherwise it is easy to keep pushing it back and then you find yourself with a build-up of challenges all needing attention at the same time.
#vegetablegardening #permaculture #opportunities
0:00 Introduction
0:37 The 3 R’s & Benefits
1:55 Step 1
3:01 Step 2
4:54 Example Problem
5:56 Making the Plan
6:53 Example Plan
9:06 Step 3
10:01 Final Tips
Great Video, are you aware that you used alot of elements of 'agile'/scrum methods of project management/problem solving? if you came up with this all alone… it might be useful to have a look into the above mentioned methods, normally they are uses for software development but you can apply them to all kinds of projects
btw if have kind of the same challenge, i'm in the process of installing two IBC's… by the way ibc's are stackable so if you need to increase waterstorage…. but you might need to consider ibc's with metal palettes, the wooden ones tend to rott
Hi Huw, i am currently in Kent UK, and due to C19 negative impact on our v small business (we have to work for ourselves to support our two adult autistic sons and remain available to them) we may need to relocate. My husband needs a good internet connection for his side of the business. However , currently i have a triple allotment in one location and my bees in another, both a car drive away – or long cycle. We are looking at cheaper places to live, where i could combine sufficient growing space, with colocation of my bees, around accommodation large enough to support and accommodate us , our business, and our sons. They are mostly more northerly and westerly than Kent, such as N Wales or Scotland. These are beautiful locations but I'm concerned about trying to continue the volume of our food I grow, in cooler, wetter, possibly duller regions. Do you have any suggestions? AngeleQuilting@gmail.com
I wish I had room for ibc tanks! I just have blue barrels!
Since I found your channel I love it more with each video. Keep it up, and thank you a lot for your inspiration!
The best water/drought solution is cover the ground. Look into Paul Gautchi's Back to Eden gardening no-tilling method.
What happened to that little geeky kid who would teach us about gardening….oh wait! hahaha Seriously man been watching you that long. Great channel!
Thanks so much for this and your other videos. I am in Brisbane Australia (i.e. subtropical!) and despite the differences in climate between us I have found your advice to be very useful and your enthusiasm a real (re)motivation to me. Thanks again.
Thank you for this! I do have several issues I need to deal with in my garden and these are good suggestions.
Thank you for your concrete advice. Very helpful and encouraging.
Great motivational video to cope with gardening and other daily issues. Thank you Huw
Brilliant work, Huw. Spot of tea does wonders for the mind, especially if it's a seemingly inescapable challenge.
Awesome update thank you for sharing Huw and making
Great info and at a perfect time. Big changes ahead for us to increase crop whilst making time management better. Winter projects abound!
This is great I'm going to get my notepad out right now!
I have a question for anyone out there gardening on a slope. Looks like some of Huw's raised beds go with the contour of the land rather than being leveled. I like the idea, but it seems that the practice here in the US is to level raised beds. Are there any cons with not leveling raised beds?
Great video and approach to gardening! This was my first year growing veg in my Brooklyn backyard, and I must say that there are highs and lows in the process, and I struggled with keeping going when problems like pests or what to plant next or just the change of seasons arose. I like this type of "big picture skills" video, it is very helpful so I hope you will continue!
Super ! Incredibly inspiring!
Hi Huw, have you considered covering your IBC tanks to reduce Algae growth? Cheers for the tips!
Robbie, can I ask you a question about potatoes…
People advice that you should grow potatoes in bags larger than 5 gallons.
Do you get more potatoes in large bags?
The large bag the more potatoes?
Does it work this way?
Some garden bloggers advice 30L containers. They say that it is an optimal bag size for growing potatoes…What do you think?
GREAT ADVICE.
Hello Huw..
Compliments from PORTUGAL. Congratulations for the awesome videos, I followed you about 1 year. I have 1 question about the water containers, do you make any maintenance for the water don't get any contamination for being stopped for long time ago??? I live in Portugal and clima here is a little bit warmer than England, do you think that is better to put the container in shadows for the water don't become contaminated??
Thank you and continue the great job.
Great way to look at any problem!
Such useful life information. Thank you.