How to Start Gardening for Self-Sufficiency with Huw Richards and Shawn James

Shawn James and Huw talk about his evolution as a young gardener and backyard food grower, his transformation from a family plot in Wales to a seven-acre canvas of biodiversity. Imagine stepping into your backyard to be greeted by a thriving garden, bursting with the fruits of your own labor - a dream Huw, a young permaculture enthusiast, turned into reality.
We'll share stories of community-driven farming, and I'll reveal how my new book marries the art of gardening with the science of cooking, thanks to insights from Chef Sam Black. Our conversation promises to be a treasure trove for anyone looking to embrace the virtues of self-sufficiency and unearth the potential of their own green space, no matter the size.
The Self-Sufficiency Garden Book:
www.regenerative.press/book-s...
KZread:
youtube.com/@HuwRichards?si=8...
Instagram:
huwsgarden
As we wander through the world of gardening, we'll touch upon soil's pivotal role as the foundation of a bountiful harvest, sharing secrets on crafting nutrient-rich compost and the marvels of natural farming techniques. I'll share my firsthand experience with methods like Korean natural farming and the wonders of wood chips in creating a lush, productive garden bed. Discover how to coax the most out of nature's offerings and consider the benefits of a tree and grass-centric food system that can revolutionize the way we approach our own food production.
Wrapping up our pastoral journey, we'll reflect on the broader implications of gardening - how it anchors us to nature and knits communities together. I'll share perspectives on community sufficiency and the transformative power of seed saving. Gain practical advice on converting even the smallest of lawns into a food haven and learn why every setback in gardening is but a stepping stone to greater yield. For seasoned gardeners and aspiring green thumbs alike, this episode is a heartfelt invitation to cultivate not just a garden, but a life enriched by the bounty and balance of nature. Join us, as we plant ideas that will grow into a legacy of resilience, taste, and togetherness.
Support the show
My Self Reliance KZread Channel-
youtube.com/@MySelfReliance?s...
Shawn James KZread Channel - / @shawnjames1
Merchandise - teespring.com/stores/my-self-...
Thanks for Watching!
My mission on this channel is to help YOU and your family live your dream life so you can become more self reliant, happy, fulfilled and prepared for challenging times.
You can expect to hear more about the way I live, how I got into massive debt, how I got out of it, what drove me to live the outdoor lifestyle and how I'm more prepared than ever to weather the storms of 2024 and beyond. I answer your questions, I interview people who are living unconventional lives, I try to inspire and motivate you to pursue the life of your dreams, I give you the tips I used to live my dream life and I reflect on my own life - past, present and future.
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Bracebridge, ON P1L 2E2

Пікірлер: 90

  • @HuwRichards
    @HuwRichards4 ай бұрын

    Shawn what a great chat this was! I really enjoyed speaking with you and thank you for reaching out🌿 Hope you have a great growing season

  • @alalmaoui5212
    @alalmaoui52124 ай бұрын

    I really love the collaboration of two great gardeners, and outdoors men.

  • @SuperNmolnar
    @SuperNmolnar4 ай бұрын

    Gardening is fun and relaxing. been a vegetable farmer for 25 years, Now a backyard gardener for the last 10. Cheers from Simcoe County , Ontario, Canada!

  • @enzopalumbo2164
    @enzopalumbo21644 ай бұрын

    Shawn, I live in the Montreal area. Many boroughs offer their residents community gardening plots. For many years my brother lived in apartments before he bought his house. He always had a community gardening plot. The boroughs provide the earth, access to water, and sheds for gardening tool storage. My father would often help him with the gardening. My father had his own garden and he often helped me with my tiny garden in my backyard.

  • @marlysjcollins8775
    @marlysjcollins87754 ай бұрын

    So amazing to see you two together! Huw was one of the first KZread gardeners I watched! REALLY enjoyed this podcast

  • @stoicepictetus833
    @stoicepictetus8334 ай бұрын

    Love Huw Richards! He's such an inspiration and follow him on YT. Great s eeing you two discussing gardening matters together. 😃👍

  • @HuwRichards

    @HuwRichards

    4 ай бұрын

    Thank you!!

  • @HalsPals
    @HalsPals4 ай бұрын

    Love your influence.

  • @miriamramos5011
    @miriamramos50114 ай бұрын

    This podcast was my favorite. Best of both worlds. I follow both Huw and James. This was awesome! Two different generations coming together to share through podcast. It just blows my mind.

  • @osmia
    @osmia4 ай бұрын

    This is great having you two together on the same video!

  • @amandar7719
    @amandar77194 ай бұрын

    Huw! 😮 yay!

  • @michaelboom7704
    @michaelboom77044 ай бұрын

    I enjoyed listening to this chat! Like Huw said at the end is to experiment which I try doing each year something new.

  • @djmoulton1558
    @djmoulton15584 ай бұрын

    I've been following Huw for a few years. Glad to see you make the connection here. Another person I think you might like to interview may be Stefan Sobkowiak of The Permaculture Orchard in Quebec. Thx for continuing your journey with us.

  • @stevieboy6986
    @stevieboy69864 ай бұрын

    Great watch. now going to find Huw.

  • @rebeccalay119
    @rebeccalay1194 ай бұрын

    Shawn, I live in suburban America and my entire back yard is a garden. My plans are to take down a couple trees in the front and use it as another garden. My next skill to learn is to can. I am 70 year old widow. If I can do it a lot of others can do it too.

  • @Toninz
    @Toninz4 ай бұрын

    Loving this!!!…thank you so much for sharing 🙏

  • @Roger-gs5ew
    @Roger-gs5ew4 ай бұрын

    Great Podcast, full of interest. Thank You to both of you.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

  • @michlardot2215
    @michlardot22154 ай бұрын

    Love Huw learned a lot from him

  • @HuwRichards

    @HuwRichards

    4 ай бұрын

    I'm glad to hear that 😊

  • @lenaanne9778
    @lenaanne97784 ай бұрын

    This is great, I've been watching both of you for a couple years. All the best.

  • @booswalia
    @booswalia4 ай бұрын

    The biggest obstacle when I started gardening 35 years ago was keeping up with weeding. It would look overwhelming and I would get discouraged. Now I mulch and mostly ignore weeding. You grow with your garden over the years.

  • @The__Respecter
    @The__Respecter4 ай бұрын

    Huw and Shawn at the same time. This is amazing!

  • @Karen-ew9zn
    @Karen-ew9zn4 ай бұрын

    Finally ! I have been waiting for your gardening videos to begin !! Yahoo!!

  • @bobobrien8968
    @bobobrien89684 ай бұрын

    Awesome interview.

  • @dlcarbonneau3750
    @dlcarbonneau37504 ай бұрын

    Great guest, I used to watch his channel but with less time, I now focus on people living and gardening in my zone 4, like Shawn. Frost free for about 3 months.

  • @adelineparinduri
    @adelineparinduri4 ай бұрын

    Can't believe I've been following Huw since he's still in his teens 😁 One of the few I learn from to start gardening here in Canada 😄 I'm happy for him for what he's achieved in such a young age. Keep the projects coming, Huw! Thanks for the wonderful vids. And thank you for adding this topic of gardening to your podcast, Shawn. I'm happy you chose Huw to represent the gardening (growing our own food) side of being self-sufficient. Great talk 👍

  • @lindapetersen1800
    @lindapetersen1800Ай бұрын

    SHAWN & OUR CALI !!! I plant things inside of the house for myself in pots !!! I grow a lot of radishes always planting every 10 days same with carrots to have to eat !!! I have pots that have tubers with another plant like broccoli or cabbage or tomatoes plants to go in the middle !!! Even grow beans in the house also !!!

  • @stevediduck9963
    @stevediduck99634 ай бұрын

    Quite a lengthy video, not complaining I found it quite informative and listened to the entire video. I learned a lot from the both of you. I was extremely inspired. We have lived on acreage for the past 35 years and like to think we do everything about growing vegetation as possible but you have both added a huge amount of info that we plan to implement. Thank you Great podcast

  • @lcotee
    @lcotee4 ай бұрын

    Love it when my favorites get together ❤

  • @just_alex
    @just_alex4 ай бұрын

    Really interesting chat. :) thoroughly enjoyable!

  • @marygordon3032
    @marygordon30324 ай бұрын

    Thanks Shawn and Huw, really appreciate the info and discussion. The Epic family road trip came up on my KZread feed and it was great to see you Shawn as a guest. Awesome! 👏👏👏🤩🤩🤩💯💯💯

  • @sergec.2014
    @sergec.20144 ай бұрын

    👍 Another awesome video. A pat for Cali... Looking forward to spring. Take care...

  • @karenporter3156
    @karenporter31564 ай бұрын

    Great interview! Thank you.

  • @mammyoffgrid
    @mammyoffgrid4 ай бұрын

    You know when two of your favorites come together to discuss gardening it's going to be a great one❤

  • @odin7682
    @odin76824 ай бұрын

    I'm in Ontario. Where I'm at Bush land here has consistently been listed for 1800-2500 per acre. 200 acres down the road went for 350k last fall. Another 100 acres recently for 180k

  • @rodneywroten2994
    @rodneywroten29944 ай бұрын

    thanks for sharing

  • @tyronesart
    @tyronesart4 ай бұрын

    Really good podcast. Been following huw for awhile now

  • @HuwRichards

    @HuwRichards

    4 ай бұрын

    Thank you😊

  • @adeildealves8798
    @adeildealves87984 ай бұрын

    Saudades!Seja bem vindo!

  • @cynthiataylor2092
    @cynthiataylor20924 ай бұрын

    Shawn you are extremely talented, skilled, organized, and bulit your cabin with your hands? Yes, you are very productively especially when you love what you do!!! Cindy 🎉

  • @alalmaoui5212
    @alalmaoui52124 ай бұрын

    We can learn more from Huw Richards than Huw Richards can learn from us all.

  • @zeph5800
    @zeph58004 ай бұрын

    Crazy collab, didn't expect that !

  • @jeffreypate3226
    @jeffreypate32264 ай бұрын

    I'm not going to get his book but I would like to see him on a future podcast .

  • @foolbart
    @foolbart4 ай бұрын

    Since I listen to both of you already, it was fun to hear you converse.

  • @jamesfairbairn1588
    @jamesfairbairn15884 ай бұрын

    Fantastic talk. Thank you for sharing. I definitely have some new ideas I’ll be trying in the near future.

  • @stevetheaker7286
    @stevetheaker72864 ай бұрын

    fantastic, so interesting

  • @lindapetersen1800
    @lindapetersen18004 ай бұрын

    SHAWN & OUR CALI !!! Hey there !!! Been listening and yes woodchips are the way to go for manure for you plus moose droppings also !!! We planted a apple tree in the area that the Old out house was it grows GREAT !!! This has been going on for years now !!! With the weather it has been lately it is easy to say we in Northern Illinois might have snow at Mother's Day !!! Now it is going to be up to the middle 60's this first of the next week !!! It is something here !!! I have started tomato cabbage broccoli bok choy onions for summer time the first of Feb.!!! Thinking to start another group of vegs. for first of July then got potatoes started also !!!

  • @cynthiataylor2092
    @cynthiataylor20924 ай бұрын

    What is the best fence to keep people out from my garden/property? Cindy high fence requires 7feet? 10feet tall and which kind of material to keep people out.

  • @giselecontassotdesayvre8090
    @giselecontassotdesayvre80904 ай бұрын

    bonjour Shawn et votre invité, j'ai eu la chance de grandir au sein d'une très grande fratrie,avec des parents auto-suffisants..respect de la terre, de la nature, des animaux..partages au sein de la famille et avec notre communauté..très vite j'ai acquis les rudiments, les bases du jardinage...actuellement j'ai un tout petit potager, que j'agrandis avec des petits potagers sur pieds, adaptés à mon " grand âge" 😁 ...par tout temps , je visite mon potager, et c'est une grande satisfaction...En tant que soignante auprès des " déments" et autres maladies, j'ai créé un atelier jardin...incroyable les gestes revenaient avec cette activité, très bénéfique , les résidents participaient avec bonheur, certains mangeaient la terre!😁..une ergothérapeute s'était investie à mes côtés par la suite..que du bonheur...merci pour tous vos Podcasts, vos très belles vidéos..et à votre invité du jour...🌱

  • @dtl2081
    @dtl20814 ай бұрын

    Great to see you here.

  • @johnfithian-franks8276
    @johnfithian-franks82764 ай бұрын

    Hi Shawn, you may go into the topic that I am interested in but for me it is not what I can grow but more the quality of fresh food that you do not have to pick until you are ready to eat it. Food from supermarkets is very old before you can get it and fresh food does not just taste better but has lots of other benefacts that are lost if not eaten straight away.

  • @cynthiataylor2092
    @cynthiataylor20924 ай бұрын

    Which fruit trees and veggies will you plant outside and which fruit trees and veggies will you plant and grow in a greenhouse? Will you buy/use a FloHive for honey 🍯 Cindy 👋

  • @steveroywojciechowsk
    @steveroywojciechowsk4 ай бұрын

    micro greens, aka sprouts are a great way to start growing food. It can be done in your kitchen and you will see results in 7 days. Start with mason jars (from your local thrift store), a couple of lids off Amazon and some sprouting seeds from your local garden center or Mumms. A great addition to a salad or sandwich.

  • @hilaryabbot9297
    @hilaryabbot92974 ай бұрын

    So happy that two of my favourites got together.

  • @user-lc9wx9pe1c
    @user-lc9wx9pe1c4 ай бұрын

    The Annapolis vally is very beautiful. I have been there many times $480,000 cad for 40 acres seems like a lot to me. I expected I could get 100 acres for that price. Which part of the valley were your parents from ? Middletown would be the heart of the valley. But Kentville is more industrial . The French settled the land and farmed it for 100 yr. before the English kicked them out for not signing a Loyalty treaty with the King of England. They were sent to Louisianna. Thats where the Cajuns came from ! Many of them found thier way back. and settled esst of Halifax . It is a very Frenchified area. Mike.

  • @Gordonseries385
    @Gordonseries3854 ай бұрын

    👍

  • @user-ww6es3bu9y
    @user-ww6es3bu9y4 ай бұрын

    ....I like the idea of peas....I'd grow, and have, snow peas and sugar snap peas........ Eat the pod and all and it's delicious raw or cooked...... Of course I'm not leaving out how delicious a stir fry of pea shoots is.

  • @danielluma2948
    @danielluma29484 ай бұрын

    This year I'm going to try to use copper wire in my garden. Some people have been using copper wire for gardening to improve their overall health of their plants

  • @miriamramos5011
    @miriamramos50114 ай бұрын

    Mr. Huw is right, large scale farming throws the baby out with the bathwater!

  • @folkerthesse5822
    @folkerthesse58224 ай бұрын

    What do you think about dog poo for compost? I heard different opinions about…

  • @loupiscanis9449
    @loupiscanis94494 ай бұрын

    Thank you , Shawn . 🐺Loupis Canis .

  • @teresarubel2182
    @teresarubel21824 ай бұрын

    Two of my favourite content producers in one posting! What a treat! Thank you Shawn (and Huw). Very timely spread of topics.

  • @cynthiataylor2092
    @cynthiataylor20924 ай бұрын

    How to barter let's say apples 🍎 for goat cheese or for honey? Is there a chart to figure how many potatoes for cheese, eggs, berries? Cindy

  • @TokyoCraftsman
    @TokyoCraftsman4 ай бұрын

    I'd love to buy the book, but they don't ship to Japan... 🤥

  • @amandar7719
    @amandar77194 ай бұрын

    @huwrichards enjoying this podcast…..😃what’s in the bottles behind you? 😎

  • @HuwRichards

    @HuwRichards

    4 ай бұрын

    A few tasty "tinctures" for cold days😉

  • @Gregorio_Si

    @Gregorio_Si

    4 ай бұрын

    It’s different varieties of apple juice 😂

  • @robbarclay6296
    @robbarclay62964 ай бұрын

    I’ve subscribed to you both for the last few years. Seeing this made my day!

  • @elizetemachado6755
    @elizetemachado67554 ай бұрын

    😂😊

  • @KatySimpsonLive
    @KatySimpsonLive4 ай бұрын

    Woohoo! 2 of my fave KZreadrs together!

  • @marlenecardinahl9346
    @marlenecardinahl93464 ай бұрын

    Ya no recipe is written in stone

  • @josefreck1103
    @josefreck11034 ай бұрын

    😂🙂👍🤗

  • @homeschoolontheCroft
    @homeschoolontheCroft4 ай бұрын

    Shawn: ‘I’m not an exceptional person’ Ummm … I kinda get your point, but honestly, I beg to differ ☺️

  • @dexterdog62
    @dexterdog624 ай бұрын

    Hugh.

  • @Teresitacorralesmeuly
    @Teresitacorralesmeuly4 ай бұрын

    HELLO:

  • @edevos3108
    @edevos31084 ай бұрын

    This conversation is very interesting, and some of the tips are useful, but I am lost with the whole “half-acre or more residential lot”- type of gardening because it assumes that most people are wealthy enough to have such a luxurious amount of land available to them and the freedom to use that land as they see fit. And “renting” private land here (Central Pennsylvania) can cost as much as an apartment rental fee on a seasonal basis. This leaves out millions of people who live in urban areas, who are renters, or who may be dependent on renting small community garden plots for sustainable living. Of course, if one is gearing all of their advice toward wealthier people who have more land, more money and more opportunities, I can see the value of this information. Unfortunately, I see nothing at all here of value for the majority of people, and that is where my concern lies. While I live in a suburban setting and do have access to a backyard garden (our home is on a quarter-acre lot, which is standard in most urban areas in the United States), the vast majority of people in this area have VERY limited space, and not everyone can get a plot in the local Community Garden because of the limited amount of space set aside by the County Government for that purpose. The whole issue of gardening for sustainable living or self-sufficiency needs to be expanded to cover more diverse types of people who have diverse circumstances.

  • @velikokotarowa1818
    @velikokotarowa18184 ай бұрын

    Che fine hai fatto?

  • @philspencer8251
    @philspencer82514 ай бұрын

    I must admit I am not a gardener, and really missing the practical build videos of late. Any future build projects in the near future ?

  • @jennifertaylor6591
    @jennifertaylor65914 ай бұрын

    As I’m watching this I’m eating tuna salad with celery and guess what. The celery is flavorless and very large.

  • @user-ne9ux7lq8x
    @user-ne9ux7lq8x4 ай бұрын

    The photo that illustrates the point is an ill-timed illustration A Frenchman who has a reputation as a sectarian person several times condemned in France

  • @heatherclayton-callaghan4270
    @heatherclayton-callaghan42704 ай бұрын

    Because GOD created mankind with the need to have a goal to aim for, for us to create the adrenaline to reach the goal. Proverbs 29: 18 18 "Where there is no vision, the people perish"... as humans we need that vision ,that goal for our mind and body to generate everything needed to build the dream , goal, vision. When we function the way GOD created us to function , we THRIVE; And if we've chosen God way, thru Christ and the Holy Spirit to do GODS WILL for our lives, we are unstoppable , for its no longer I that live but Cheist who lives in me. The further away mankind gets from GODS DIVINE PLAN the harder the struggle . We were never created to do it alone , always IN and BY GODS POWER, for HIS GLORY . The more you men turn back to the land and farm it according to GODS PLAN & PURPOSE the more productive it will be.

  • @user-ne9ux7lq8x
    @user-ne9ux7lq8x4 ай бұрын

    La photo qui illustre le propos est une illustration mal à propos Un français qui a une réputation d'une personne sectaire plusieurs fois condamné en France

  • @user-ne9ux7lq8x
    @user-ne9ux7lq8x4 ай бұрын

    I apologize because Richard Huw looked too much like the person who had been mistaken for him. My sincere apologies.

  • @cyndybutler7330
    @cyndybutler73304 ай бұрын

    My garden is ready and will plant root vegetables in a month

  • @Bam_Bam_Bam_Bam
    @Bam_Bam_Bam_Bam4 ай бұрын

    Two of my favorite KZreadrs!

  • @marianfrances4959
    @marianfrances49594 ай бұрын

    How awesome!! 👍😎🇨🇦🌿🥦🍅🧅🥕🌱🪱🌻

  • @andersonlobo21
    @andersonlobo214 ай бұрын

    I've been following your channel for a few years now and I just have to thank you for inspiring me to remote constructions and sustainable cultivation, it's been gratifying to be part of the circle. grateful Shawn James and family. 🏚🏠🏡🏕🧭🌄🏞