A Meme of My Garden Went Viral. Here’s What I'm Learning, How It Felt
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- Part 2 is here: Folks Made Bold Assertions About My Garden When A Pic of It Went Viral. Were They Right?
• Folks Made Bold Assert...
Another company made a meme of my garden. It quickly went viral on social media, being shared tens of thousands of times across multiple platforms. The many thousands and thousands of comments:
-folks asking how they can learn about my garden
-folks sharing their gardens which look similar
-folks boldly declaring the images were faked or that based on ONE picture, they were sure my garden must be overrun with snakes and mosquitoes and my water bill must be astronomical
- and hundreds of insults and offensive comments.
So, what's it like when hundreds of strangers tell you the diverse and productive garden you made - a garden that brings you immense joy and feeds your family - "looks like shi*t" and "like a foreclosure" and you "wouldn't know a good garden if it bit you in the *ss"?
Never one to shy away from the permaculture concept of "the problem is the solution", I also examine 2 takeaways from the experience of being insulted nonstop for 48 hours (and counting!) about changes we can make to become more resilient people. Let's work for solutions!
Also, PLEASE tune back tomorrow as I break down the 4 "gotchas", assumptions, and criticisms of my garden that folks made over and over and over again based on a single image. I'll be honestly discussing whether they have any merit, and what it's really like here. Is it really a snake pit here? Is my water bill actually high? Is the garden just photoshopped? Come back tomorrow and I'll have some real talk about Parkrose Permaculture and those confident assertions strangers made thousands of times about my garden.
Ways to support our work:
Paypal.me/ParkrosePermaculture
www.Patreon.com/ParkrosePermaculture1
You’re garden is amazing. Ignore the rude, uneducated people and just feel sorry for them. They haven’t yet discovered the absolute joy that creating a home permaculture food forest brings. Maybe one day they will? Who knows.
#your
It’s winter here and yesterday morning I was picking gooseberries from my front yard for breakfast. How does it get better than this?
Hey Angela! Here is the opinion of a man from Ukraine. Firstly: you have a beautiful garden and you're doing an awesome piece of work there!
Secondly: the majority of people are really mean. Period. This is like rain or snow, can't do anything about it. It is just in our nature. Some people can overcome it, but most of them do not. And there is nothing we can do about it. You can't educate people about a sense of beauty. All you can do is be a great example for early adopters.
The majority of people like the mainstream. This is about the beauty of men/women, about cars, about politics, about everything. What you need (we all actually) is time and more examples of awesome natural gardens and food forests around the globe. Early adopters will become the mainstream soon.
Just do what you do, welcome those who adore your way of living, and ignore those who hate it.
People tend to rely on supermarkets and concrete cities way too much. With all these wars and climate changes, they will envy people like you.
Well said Alexander !👍
Exactly what I think. You said it wonderfully. Strangely, I think many people can see they want to change. Strangely, they also do not know how and prefer to just beat up those who are trying and those are different, even as they see that earth and nature need help. I think those of us who can see just have to keep trying and keep going.
Angela is doing an amazing job, as is everyone who is trying.
Well said!!
I'm also in Parkrose. I was feeling so defeated by my lack of very geographically specific gardening knowledge that one day I googled "Parkrose Permaculture" and discovered that we are neighbors. When I'm out walking I try to do a loop past your place every so often because it makes me happy to look at it and see what all you're up to. Sometimes I also keep up with your vlog, and while I can usually only take in teaspoons of your great info at a time, it is definitely helpful for me on my own permaculture/cottage garden journey. Keep it up!
I’ve literally never felt the need to comment on a RUclips post before, but thought I would surface here to give you support. I learn a lot from your channel and I grow a good portion of our food. I also have an anti-yard and people who walk by on the street thank me for it. You know your own truth and don’t feed the trolls. Sending all the positive vibes your way!
My Nana lived in Sherwood in the 80's. I went to visit her and she had herbs, medicinal plants, and food growing all over her front yard. I thought she was totally weird and told her so. She took me around and talked with me about all the plants.
Years later I think she was a visionary. It takes time and maturity to start to see the world through your own eyes and not ones that are conditioned with society norms.
Take a deep breath. The video was viral because you are doing awesome things. These trolls are just unable to see the beauty of it because they are conditioned not to. Give them time, and think that maybe your yard is the first time they have seen this idea.
What a gift. Maybe you are planting a seed in thier mind about sustainability. Some seeds germinate right away, some dry up and fade away. Others might get tucked away only to bloom years later.
This!!!
Exactly this!
You are a trailblazer. It’s always painful to go first, but you’re showing us how to heal and move forward from some very harmful societal norms. Chin up, you’re doing great and very important work.
Okay, I just watched this entire video - it was heartbreaking to watch. One thing I can tell you is that the reddit posts were only 5% mean and 95% "this rocks!". I think a big factor is that you were looking at facebook mostly, which quite frankly is a cesspool, almost as bad as twitter.
Your property is incredible. There are SO MANY OF US who absolutely adore your work, adore you yourself. What you ran into in all these comments is something I struggle with constantly. I get comments like that on my own land, but that's not really what I'm struggling with. I can brush those people off. It's what you say - their comments say more about them than they do about you. They are miserable. Miserable people are gonna be miserable. However, the thing I'm struggling with is that it's THESE people who we need to wake up if we're going to survive the mess we're in. So how do we REACH those people?
If anyone has the answer to this, I'm all ears. I've been trying to be inclusive of as many viewpoints as possible, to couch my words so as not to offend the climate deniers and such. But I really like how you called every single one of them out on their BS. I actually think this is the correct way to go about it. No more kindness. They need to know that their ignorance is ignorant. So many people made comments like "what a mosquito mess", "it's a flooding disaster", when those things are just factually incorrect. They are diametrically opposition to reality and truth.
Anyways, just a long comment to say that I defended you as much as I could, in any post where I saw negativity. And also that there were so many people who adored what you did, and liked the "after" better.
What an improvement over grass! I love your yard. What you're doing is important for the future. Just like they used to ridicule scientists who made discoveries, like the Earth isn't flat. People are afraid of what they don't know. Keep educating. It may take years, but the world will be a better place for your kids.
Angela, you inspired me to build my permaculture garden. Please don't let these jealous trolls bother you. I agree that a diverse garden that provides food security is better than a lawn that provides little & takes up so much water, gas to mow, time to work on. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder & many people really do see beauty in food forests.
my mom sent me that picture and said "my yard" because she is FINALLY going to quit dumping money into a "perfect lawn". I was so happy when she made this decision. the smart people are looking at it for inspiration. the people invested in a lawn will be sorry when they are spending 500 a week on groceries.
I also want to add that I wonder what kind of neighbours the people who say, "the neighbours must hate you" are... probably not the kind you can go to if you need a cup of sugar. I'd rather a nice neighbour with a wild yard than one who judges what everyone else is doing with their properties. those ones are the WORST!
Your piece of property is so much more than what someone sees in a photo and passes judgement on.
Those of us that understand your vision and passion for permaculture are able to see the beauty in your design and the tremendous talent it takes to harvest and cook all the food you grow. What a gift you give to your family. Nobody's opinion should be able to hurt you because you are living your life in a creative, healthy, environmentally responsible way and you should be proud!
I enjoy your channel from Abbotsford BC Canada, we're also 8b. Please don't let people's unwelcome opinions hurt you. You're a trendsetter and a role model for your children!
My daughter just bought a new home and asked me for resources to learn about growing food at home. Your RUclips channel was the very first resource I shared. You are helping so many of us by sharing your skills, your knowledge and your struggles. I’m sorry for what you are going through with this meme, but remember that for every jerk mansplaining about things he knows nothing about, there are dozens of us learning and appreciating what you do. ❤️
If I was 20 years younger (I'm in my 8th decade), I'd try permaculture in my small urban yard. One set of next door neighbors hate the live oak tree that grows in my backyard...have no idea what they thought when I did away with the grass in my front yard. Grass is a waste of time and water. When we lived in AZ, we watched people come from other areas in the USA and bring their grass mind set with them. We watched lawns being watered and millions of gallons of precious water being wasted. So I'm with you...we need to get over being so wrapped up in how things look. If you're growing food, trapping water for a useful purpose and just generally being more like nature, that's a good thing. Sorry to say men are being encouraged to be hateful, especially to women. It doesn't bode well for humankind. I appreciate your honesty about what's been going on in your life. Let's face it if folks were busy doing useful stuff like gardening in their yards, on their balconies, wherever, they'd have less time to be minding other folks business.
I love how yards look different in the southwest! It's one of my favorite aspects of that region, because a well-done yard there is much like a zen garden. Every plant and tree stands out and gets a generous share of attention because it gets enough negative space around it. Plus, it's always neat to see every plant rejoice in its own way every time it rains!
Angela,
I'm writing from the Caribbean. You are the best permaculture teacher I have seen on the internet. I have been viewing permaculture videos for several years now. It is also very helpful to see a mature permaculture yard in almost my exact circumstances. I love your yard. You respect nature, work with nature and reap its bounty. Insisting on the water consumption of lawns when America's lakes are drying up is absolutely horrifying. This is pure lack of education. Keep on keeping on dear lady. Yes, people who don't use their real names on the internet feel free to be rude and disrespectful to strangers, about whom they know nothing. Your channel is important and necessary. Your yard is my goal. Keep sharing. I will be here.
Hi Angela, I've not commented before but wanted to tell you that you've inspired me in Canberra Australia. I'm a perfectionist who previously struggled to settle on a garden design for fear of not being able to carry out the plan perfectly or worried my plan may not be the best I can do and a better idea may come to me later. After watching your positive, give it a go approach and comfortablness with making mistakes and tweaking your design, I'm now comfortable with myself and my ideas and am developing my own permaculture garden. I'm also working with my kids school to create gardens with food for people and wildlife. Thank you to you, for everything you share. Many people appreciate it 😊
The problem is the solution: the problem here, as you pointed out many times, is that people are culturally indoctrinated into seeing highly manicured spaces a beautiful and “wilder” spaces as “messy”. The solution: seeing more diverse “wild” spaces (with good associations) until the subconscious starts to accept it as normal and then they start to see the beautify-or at least the purpose and can appreciate it.
So, it always hurts to be on the bleeding edge, but someone has to do it to cut into mainstream acceptance.
In the meantime, try to let the ugly roll off your back. You know the good you are doing for your family and for nature.
Completely agree with this, well said. It takes time
I wish there was also more education on identifying plants. When you know the name of a plant it ceases to be just a “weed” that is messy and becomes a being with a name.
It makes me so sad to see the glee with which people are unkind.
Angela, you are a gift to the earth, Portland, the people that watch,your circles close and more. I SO appreciate your work and am eager to repay you in labor or pay it forward.
I am really sorry you had to see all of that unkind sentiment pointed your way.
There’s SO SO much to say around the lack of awareness and outright belligerence of the general male in our culture. Pandemic levels of vileness
@@Brennannnnnnnnn I realize Angela said many/most of the worst comments were from men (?), but do we really need to sweep all men into this discussion?
It’s difficult when people are so brainwashed by marketing and cultural habits, that they will fight tooth and nail to defend the very system that is unsustainable and going to kill us unless we change. Being a pioneer is always hard. We need tough skins to protect ourselves from the closed minds. Keep doing what you are doing 👍
They may be corporate trolls. I am ashamed at the things people will do for money and ego.
The unfortunate thing about this is knowing many people disparage things that seem different until they see the need for them. I think its insecurity in realizing someone might be doing something more or better than you are, when it doesn't have to be like that, you could just recognize that different people have different priorities and there's no shame in admitting right here and now your priorities are not the same and that's ok. Not everyone wants or has the energy for a full food forest in their yard, but that doesn't mean disparaging people that do. I remember an odd transition around March of 2020, I have always been pretty 'zero waste' in my food purchasing and preparation, not because I had the ethical drive but more I had the financial drive. Usually when you talk about using everything you bring into the house in as many ways as possible etc... people ask why would you bother, its just trash etc... but around March of that year so many people who asked me why, started asking me how. It would have been easy to be snotty (and privately I did a bit of that, schadenfreude is a thing) but people are better served with education than with mocking. You are educating, and the people who are mocking you are still paying attention, and they will remember that image and the conversation, and if their life changes in a way that they need or desire to create something they know who to ask how to.
Our culture doesn't embrace nature and the wildness of it all.
No accounting for taste, right? Your garden is beautiful! Your neighbors are lucky to have you!
I definitely came across the meme - had no idea it was yours! And call me a weirdo, but I was excited when I saw the first ever snake in our permaculture food forest last night! It means my yard is a safe place for wildlife. The snakes keep down the bug and rodent populations.
Pearls before swine. But it is also the shallow nature of the internet. It never pays to read comments! It encourages snark and meanness. The fetish our country has about boring monoculture lawns is so weird to me. I love your earnestness and passion.
If you look at the history of lawns at least in the U.S.A. they were turned into a status symbol meaning roughly "I'm so wealthy I don't need to use my yard to grow food". You might learn more about it if you watch last week's Russel Brand interview with Vandana Shiva
You inspire me and I am loving my front yard garden, I'm getting a lot of compliments from other gardeners in my neighborhood. I was invited to join a local garden club with very experienced gardeners. I learned from you the value of adding beautiful things to the garden to encourage others, I hope it's working. It also makes me want to be in the garden all day! Thank you for putting yourself out there, I know it's a vulnerable thing to do, which is why I don't have the courage yet. By having the courage to do so, you have helped so many of us improve our lives through gardening!
I appreciate your decision to reframe this and seek the solution within the problem. I also value being frank around having one’s feeling’s being hurt after stranger’s put something that is precious to you on blast.
Wounded humans wound. You educate and inspire people. Their insecurity dooms them to bully, shedding misery like a pathogen. You're learning, and growing. ♥♥♥
Angela, I deeply admire you, and you inspire me. You are handling this with more grace, dignity and thoughtfulness than I would be able to muster! YOUR PROPERTY IS BEAUTIFUL! 🌻🌿Reading the comments from all the old farts made my blood boil!🤬 (Yes, yes...the patriarchy is still 'alive'...*sigh*) Their thinking and actions are why everyone and the planet are in the state we find ourselves. All through your video I had Joni Mitchell's lyric playing in my head; "they paved paradise and put up a parking lot". They are an obnoxious, loud, ignorant minority. Your garden is beautiful. Your children are beautiful. Please continue speaking truth, sharing beauty and knowledge. Thank you so much for all you do!
It looks so beautiful to me. I hope to have mine look more like that over time, though I'm not sure my neighbors will be as nice about it as yours. So far they have not complained about my 4 chickens but they have come to instruct me on how I "should" garden and even mowed my front lawn a couple of times when I was letting the dandelions feed the bees. sigh. Unconscious bias and the internet suck a lot of the time.
I cannot believe they mowed your lawn! Probably illegal too! I had that done to me by family members, but neighbors? You are taking it way too well!
I love what you do and admire how keen you are to understand nature and passionately nourish your family while being kind to the planet.
This time last year my allotment garden got taken away. My neighbours reported it to the local council. They said it's foul smelling and I fill it up with waste and it's like a skip and I was told I need to clean it, otherwise I have to pay a fine. If I clean it I don't need to pay the fine but it gets taken from me anyway. I was devastated & broken hearted. It was my permaculture dream coming true and I was growing so much food it was insane. We had the biggest draught Latvia has ever experienced and everyone was watering their gardens to see it all turn into a desert while u had such abundance that we were eating from the garden every day, preserving for winter and sharing for free with the locals. I requested for someone to at least come for an inspection and at least have a look but nobody cared.
Somehow the Universe worked it all out and this spring I applied to get it back and it was a completely new management and I got my garden back. Had to start everything again from the beginning because I had to clear it all last year... it was the biggest heartbreak of my life. I was crying for weeks.
People have such stubborn ideas about gardening and are reluctant to be open minded and they are jealous when you don't need to be weeding and watering all the time and still produce a lot more than them... watched your video from my garden between my new lavender and sage plants I started from seeds and I am positive that new fresh changes are coming and the world will become better. Our parenting and gardening and taking responsibility for this planet will not go to waste. It will grow. We have the power to change the world just got to stay strong 💖💖💖 you're awesome 💖 your garden, too 💖💖💖
I have seen the meme before and found that despite the number of people saying awful things, many others thought it was beautiful and an inspiration. I think that the "solution" to this "problem" is that you are sharing your garden so much more widely than ever before! Even people seeing hateful comments still get to see the pictures and learn another way to garden and live.
Your garden is one of my biggest inspirations, and I'm trying my hardest to slowly cover my lawn that I hate with trees and fruiting shrubs. During this hard week of 108 degree weather when all I can do is water, I remind myself about small slow solutions and how long it took you to create your garden. It is my dream to take my eastern Oregon desert lawn and turn it into a lush, cool sanctuary with plenty of shade and fruits and places to simply be outside enjoying life.
there were lots of really really lovely comments. I don't want to ignore the fact that I saw dozens and dozens of folks saying they would like to transform their yards someday, or they are in the process of it now, or they have a similar garden. It is REALLY encouraging to see so many people actively engaged in trying to be more resilient and to shift the cultural norms toward sustainable and productive gardens
I was raised by parents who felt if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. I don't know if this is right or wrong, but on you tube people can choose to watch or not, and I believe this saying applies to you tube or other social media sites. The best compliment I can give you is this: I can't begin to tell you the number of times I have watched your video's and wished you were my neighbour, truly, " you go girl"
I love your garden! Dont let these strangers get you down! Your work is impactful. Im sure your fotos have made a lot of people think about implementig more food in their gardens and follow your example. Be happy about that! Share your message, no matter how other people react. They dont think about environment, only about their status and representation symbols. I m really inspired by your content! Thank you for teaching!
When I lived in Berkeley I convinced my landlord to let me put a couple raised garden beds in the front lawn. It was SW facing and California was in drought, so the lawn always dried out and looked miserable every summer. By the time we moved away, 8 years later, the space was transformed into a lush, edible, and glorious landscape. Best of all, I got to know all my neighbors from spending so much time in my front yard! My landlord made us dig up, pull out, and get rid of every single plant before we moved (we gave them all to neighbors and friends), and then she replaced the sod. Now I live here in Portland, with my very own yard, where I get to call the shots. I am inspired by your lifestyle choices, your knowledge, your honesty about garden struggles, and by every one of your videos! You have had a hugely positive impact on my life and my yard. Thank you!
As your neighbor (across the River in Washougal), your yard is the most beautiful one I’ve seen in Portland in decades. We NEED more permaculture and more education about how life should be! I’d be happy to come home to that every day! I’m building mine now, HOA or not. You’re an inspiration to all of us!!💕💕
Your channel has been a source of encouragement and inspiration for my family as we've redesigned our suburban yard into a permaculture garden and food forest these past 2 years.
I hope that the land I'm responsible for resembles your "after" picture some day. Thank you for your strength.
Angela, you have inspired me to do better in my garden. Your garden is beautiful and I appreciate all you share. I feel fortunate that I can learn from people like you ❤️
It saddened me to see you treated that way. You are a gentle and kind person who is leaving the Earth better than how you received it. I love your videos. Calming. Reassuring. Informative. Hang in there. I appreciate you.
PLEASE don’t feel bad. I’ve learned so much from you since getting my community garden plot here in Portland and I’m angry that you’ve been made to feel less then you are! I don’t see myself owning property in this town ever, but if I ever do, I’ll aspire to be like you!
When I saw the meme on reddit I was so excited to recognize your food forest! I laud you for engaging with any of the negative comments and turning them into teaching moments. Your patience and dedication will reach those who are mildly curious, but unable to speak their mind. Also, I would be overjoyed to live next to you! Thank you for all the inspiration you share.
My family and I have watched you for a long time. We also live in Oregon and we deeply appreciate your knowledge and perspective. We would like to thank you for all that you do and for sharing your knowledge and experience. We are also turning our yards into food forests and it’s wonderful. Thanks again ♥️♥️♥️
Hi Angela, I live just on the other side of I-205 from you. I started watching your channel this past year while locked down during Covid. I want you to know that there are old white guys who find you inspiring. I left social media a couple of years ago, and while I had plenty of positive moments on Facebook and Twitter, I did the hard calculus and decided they added very little value to my life and went a long ways toward distorting reality. Ignore the ignorant. Keep inspiring people with your videos! You certainly have inspired me. My lawn will only get smaller in the coming years!
I love your garden and it’s a big inspiration for my yard. I’m in Northern California, zone 9b with 1/4 acre also. We’ve been here for 2 years and have been rehabbing everything. You’re much further along 😂 and I’m thankful for your constant courage and passion. It’s inspiring even if we have many differences in amount of rain water and plant types. Love your insight about men and raising your own. Good job. You’re a very good mom. I’m glad you’re raising your children with such insight. Has me happy for the future You’re right on about the emotional maturity that’s needed. True statement about control in the gardens. I have been saying this for years! We as a culture are moving in the direction of masculine and feminine harmony, not control, and our yards are and will be examples of this. Wildly beautiful, is your yard, and it is where we are going. I look forward to it. 💚
To increase the biodiversity in my yard, I turned my front lawn into a wildflower patch. As a result I get complaints to the city and notes in my mailbox from neighbors offering to provide free mowing service since I apparently cannot afford the lawn care. I feel for you and encourage you to ignore the internet bullies. You are a trail blazer and provide me with the inspiration to continue my efforts. Thank you Angela!
I’m one of the people that excitedly shared the meme. Now seeing your videos, I can’t believe some of the negative comments and would never have thought someone could think like that. Keep pushing on!
Hi from Spain, Angela. I’ve learned a ton from your videos, wanted to say thanks. If humanity doesn’t shift to this mindset we’re all doomed. It’s your land, end of story.
I'm in a lot of gardening groups, and it was really interesting to observe how people engaged.
First, I linked your youtube when it was posted in the groups, just so people can get your good content.
Next, I noticed that a lot of people loved the overall idea and the change, but didn't like the 'mess' or stated that even if this was their style, this wouldn't work in their HOA, municipalities, etc. To the first, I talked about stylistic differences (formal vs informal, ornamental vs productive, etc). To the second, I talked about how to design to get HOA/municipality approvals. I am particularly good at this, if i do say so myself! :)
But, the idea was to lead people away from criticism and toward creativity -- the idea of how can we use some of these principles in our gardens, even if we aren't practicing permaculture or "going the distance" like you are in your garden (which is not a criticism; i love your garden!).
One of the problems a lot of gardeners are seeing this year is the intense heat and lack of rain really impacting their ornamental gardens where things might not be "right plant, right place" without the heavy infrastructure of irrigation systems (like drip systems), fertilizing and insect control, and so on. I have been pointing back to permaculture principles in capturing water, natural fertilising, and insect control through companion planting and predator insects. All things that come out of permaculture!
In the end, some people shift -- from criticism to creativity. And that's what I try to do (and, btw, inside myself. Criticism is often the springboard to creativity, so. . . if i'm being hard on myself, i step back and look for the creative solution).
I absolutely love the natural look of your garden! It is beyond beautiful to me! Both it’s form and function are an inspiration for what I want my current garden to become. I have learned so much about permaculture and gardening in the PNW from your channel. I’ve been growing food in my front yard for 15 years and heard similar comments from people. But I’ve noticed a shift in thought with more and more people in the last few years. Sadly, some people (often hyper masculine men) are just so resistant to change and so controlling that they feel the need fight against anything other than the status quo. They feel threatened by and attack anyone who thinks or acts differently than them. I’m so glad that you are doing what you do. Thank you for your important work and for bucking the current failing system.
I'm in Australia. You're amazing ability to teach, share valuable information in such a beautiful way and show all of us how to live a better life is so so appreciated by so many of us. I love love love your garden, and am going to replicate as best as I can in my garden. The people who have ignorantly criticized you are the ones that go to the supermarket every week and pay huge dollars for crap food that has no nutrition in it...which they will feed to their family. I have faced the same kind of cruelty on social media and I know how it can destroy you. Those people have no souls. You are an amazing woman, cherished by many of us. Keep doing what you're doing!!! We send love and hugs to you.
The first time I saw it I knew exactly where they got the pictures from. It truly is a beautiful yard and great example.
Your home is the most beautiful and abundant suburban permaculture system I have ever seen. In this never ending heat wave (North Texas) I sincerely wish we had so many leaves around our home. Your garden is an inspiration.
"I have a fabulous sense of humor. You're just not funny" got me. Your garden is an inspiration and it going viral will inspire so many people to get started. Lawn lovers are boring.
In all seriousness though I'm sorry something you love so much is the target of such hurtful words. It's completely unwarranted.
Your before photo was so typical of a realtor's photo that would make someone want to buy that house. Your after photo was so typical of what my heart want to go grab & sing with - I can almost smell the fragrance of flowers blooming & the fruit ripening, hear birds & bees buzzing to cover traffic city noise❣It makes me so happy to see your piece of paradise😍
Haven’t read all the comments, so apologies if this is a repeat, but if you can bring laughter to this. Your work is critical for the planet. The yard is now absolutely beautiful and the oxygen your garden adds to the atmosphere helps keep everyone alive!!! Even the meme people. Many of the meme people are sitting inside, in front of computers, and would not know a plant from a tennis shoe. LOL So sorry you ran into this, but if you can ignore them, it would be best. You are wonderful, your work is wonderful, and thank you so very much for keeping us all alive!!! Hold that in your heart. Smile at yourself in the mirror. You got this. You GO girl! ❤️
Angela, you are one of my favourite RUclipsrs! Kind, empathic, a great story teller and educator, successful and a wonderful role model. I love that you have turned this situation, that should have been a positive experience and has been hijacked by negative people, into a post of strength and empowerment! Big love to you all the way from Australia.
I live in the southern part of the Willamette Valley and look to you and your content for what I can do with my own space. I've rarely had perennials before (just a few herbs) and only annual gardened off and on over the years. Even though I am 73 I am working at making a food forest on my property, one that I and others can enjoy. We live on a steep hill that was basically blackberries and ivy; clearing that out, terracing, and figuring out where to plant what has been a challenge. You encourage me and many others all the time. Keep up the good work and ignore those who aren't at a place/time in their lives where they can understand what is beautiful and good. Hopefully one day they will learn.
I saw the meme and “loved” it right away. Then I went to the comment section and saw all the negative comments. I was shocked at the things I read. Please know your yard is amazing! All your hard work has truly paid off! I wish I had a yard like yours!!
Oh, Angela this breaks my heart. I love your channel and the sad thing is how conditioned people are to their sterile wasteful lawns. The people commenting negatively have no idea what a healing place a garden can be - both to the environment and to the humans who tend it. What a different world it would be if everyone had a garden. For one, there would be a lot fewer angry trolls in the world! I imagine you started your channel because you realized you were both a literal and figurative ground breaker and wanted to light the path for others to follow. Things are never easy for brave souls like you but our world is better because of the work you do. Your home and garden are beautiful and so are you. Thank you for doing what you do! You don't need to defend what you are doing, you just need to keep on keeping on! People will catch up eventually. Never stop growing. 💚🌻
I wasn’t a subscriber of yours (until today!), but I was recommended this video by RUclips, which makes sense as I pinned the image you spoke of just yesterday. I saw your BEAUTIFUL garden, and showed my husband, because that is EXACTLY what we are working towards in our garden. I was raised on manicures lawns and aggressively neat gardens, and I never learned how to grow ANYTHING. During the first of the covid lockdowns (here in Australia), I started a really small veggie garden. That snowballed of course lol, we are now extending that original veggie garden into a massive permaculture patch, and transforming our entire front lawn into a permaculture garden too. I just wanted to reach out and tell that not only is your home and garden beautiful, it’s INSPIRING, literally. Thank you for what you are doing for your family, the environment, and for the people that can learn from you ❤️🌱
YES!!! We need more people like you in this world to stand up and speak about these things. You make great videos, don't let the negative get to you. Some people like things straight and organized, some people like it free and wild, and some people don't or can't spend the time on garden maintenance and prefer none at all. All of those are just fine. Your yard can be grass, garden or gravel, it doesn't matter to me. You do you, each person should worry about their own yard and life instead of others. When you look within to improve yourself instead of outward, you find true joy and happiness. I used to love straight lines and everything perfectly in place, my yard, garden and home were in perfect order at all times because I spent every waking hour from when I'd get off work until late at night to keep it that way. Yet I didn't have time to go have fun in life because I was constantly cleaning and maintaining . Now, my garden and farm are my happy place, I like things neat and perimeters around my gardens, but within those areas are a vast collection of plants, vegetables and flowers. They are not growing in straight lines, but rather growing staggered and mixed with others. They thrive this way, their ecosystem and soil is balanced, they are happy so I am happy. I have far less work to do, and far more time to spend with family and making great memories! My neighbors down the road have a front yard food forest, and I love it! They have even more food, and save so much money and time!! Whatever each person decides to do with their yard, just remember to enjoy it! Don't worry about your neighbors yard. Make the best of your own situation and it won't matter what's going on elsewhere, happiness will be in your own home.
Your videos have been tremendously helpful in my work in the gardens at the Orthodox Christian monastery where I live. The point you made about approaching gardening for its many benefits to us instead of as an exercise in vanity or control exactly corresponds to the lessons I have been learning in helping to feed my fellow monks and our visitors. The fruits of the earth are a gift of love that we are made to manage in a loving and wise manner. When I started gardening, I tried to put everything in neat rows, pull every volunteer plant no matter how useful, and insist on my schedule. I have been humbled by how much abundance there is around me if I study the wisdom already present in creation and work with it. Almost everything I thought was a weed was actually edible or medicinal. In fact, we just enjoyed a delicious stinging nettle topped pizza, one of the northwest plants I now simply forage and even allow to enter parts of the garden. The forests on the monastery produce more food than our gardens!
If I were in your position, I would not expose myself to these negative comments. I pray that they turn from these hateful ways and towards the humble love of Jesus. How might this problem be a solution? For me, I would take it as an opportunity to forgive and show them a better way by not returning evil with evil but overcoming it with good. I would consider the ways in which I, too, often hurt others in my own sins, and how much I need forgiveness and goodness instead of retribution. I would advise placing your focus on all that is good, and seeking the good of all. Your gardening videos contribute to that.
Perhaps a little educational video to help neighbors and naysayers see the beauty of this way of gardening might help bring about something good from all the new attention? Anyway, that's my unsolicited advice. Please forgive me if it's unwanted. I am thankful for your work and will pray for you.
This is only the 2nd year of my food forest garden and you and your garden have been an inspiration the entire time. I have learned so much from your videos and I thank you. I can't wait until my forest is as wild and beautiful in its own way. Keep up the great work.
My second year as well and this channel has been a huge inspiration. This has been the best thing to come out of the pandemic for our family. (Have to find silver linings sometimes 😉)
Your garden is fantastic and an inspiration. I would happily be your neighbor! All the trolls can suck it. Keep on keeping on!
While I was digging up my lawn (three years ago, 68 years old, "one woman with a shovel") I got code warnings more than once. My goal was to have a native plant nature habitat with areas to tuck food crops here and there. (The back yard is reserved for food but I'm not there yet.). It's almost there. The major plantings are done and growing. Three years later and here in SoCal we have pretty much run out of water. Surrounded by brown grass, shallow rooted water-hog trees and gravel, I have had no more code issues. People have been ignoring global warming for decades. We are soon going to need every homeowner to grow their own food. Sod and bark chip lovers will have a rough road ahead. I'm so happy you are here as I continue to learn and progress. (PS, social media is a haven for the weak-minded and cruel. Kind-hearted people who know better suffer. Try not to let it dig in too deep. We need and appreciate your positivity.
Angela, I absolutely LOVE your food forest, your channel, each of your videos, and your willingness to share your perspective - as well as the ways that your perspective has changed and/or expanded over time. As a gardener and a homemaker (and honestly just as a human), you are such an inspiration to me. I look forward to each of your uploads, and I know that I will always gain some nugget of wisdom from you. I think your response here is healthy and appropriate; you are expressing your frustration and disappointment in a very level way. You are a fantastic educator, and I know that you will continue to rise above the small-minded views that run rampant on the internet. I think you probably know this, but just a quick reminder that it's okay to not be okay. You're going through something foreign that is so emotionally taxing. Exploring and defining your response by actually putting it into words and saying it out loud (to yourself, to a trusted friend/family member, or yes, to your channel viewers) is so incredibly important for your own emotional resolution. So to wrap this up with my humble opinion... You rock. All of those nasty commenters can go eat their nutrient depleted dirt. 😤
Hey from Portugal! Just só you know you are one of maybe 5 RUclips gardeners I follow regularly and one of my motivators and examples of urban regenerative agriculture. Ignore the bad comments from people who ignore your work and didn’t research all of your videos or at least some to get the gist of what you’re doing there. It’s an amazing transformation and a long dedicated endeavor from your part. Be patient with yourself like you’ve been with your house and garden! Retrace your steps and remember only you know all the details and hardships. Don’t worry about it. If you change some peoples’ ways and influence good ideas and practices you’re already successful. Lower your expectations that everyone will love your job. It’s never gonna happen. But know that many here love, follow and feel inspired by what you do. To take care you need to see others caring too. You’re doing it Ángela. Thank you so much and don’t let yourself down by tiny comments with no vision of the whole. Keep planting the world! Xoxoxo
I saw that post come across my Facebook feed and wondered if it was yours until I saw your note that it was your garden in the comments. I’m (foot by foot) working towards a permaculture food forest in our suburban (lawn), also in the Pacific Northwest and your channel has become such an inspiration to me. I don’t understand why people feel the need to tear others down, but know that you are positively impacting other families, our community, and the earth through your hard work and through your willingness to share. Don’t be discouraged, we’ll just work towards building resilience and kindness in our children and set the rest aside. You got this. And THANK YOU.
Hi Angela I wanted to say hi from Denmark and let you know that you inspire people all over the world. As someone who also endured (mostly male) hateful online comments and attacks a very long time (as a writer and debater) I relate to the hurt you are feeling. If your garden is a “problem” to some people, maybe the solution is also your garden, as it’s beauty and abundance is healing to you (and some viewers). I healed in my garden, which was also mostly a lawn and some few ornamental beds, when I took over. But today it is full of diverse plants, edibles and wildlife. Brimming with life and joy! I doubt you can argue anything to people who write those mean things. They feel critizised or threatend on their own gardening style and taste when they see an image of their ideal as a “before”. They feel the urge to defend what they have put so many hours and years of work and belief into. It’s really very sad and a huge sign of insecurity. They can’t tolerate diversity in any form neither in concepts of beauty nor in their own gardens because they feel their sense of order attacked by it.
Luckily many more people are waking up to the points you are making, but they probably are not from the mean comments group. In the end, not reading those comments (and certainly not answering/reacting to them) at all is probably the best way to deal with them. It was for me.
Angela! You and your garden are amazing! You are a wonderful source of real information. You are a well spoken and intelligent woman that I find very inspiring.
PLEASE, please do not listen to those folks who don't know you at all and obviously don't see the world as you do. You have helped so many people not just with particulars about Permaculture, but in how to live Permaculture and you actually practice what you preach! Kindness being one of your strong values.
I love listening to your videos. I used to live in Portland and now Salem , so having someone local talking about Permaculture in a balanced way is exciting, helpful and feels kindred.
I would not want to deal with those comments either. You have been very brave to put yourself our there and share so intimately. We have all seen the results of the worst side of people on the internet, but, that is a drop in the bucket compared to the good will from people who really appreciate what you do and love you for who you are.
So many awesome comments, we love what you do and appreciate sharing your journey with us. Your children are so fortunate to walk into the yard and eat the unbelievable taste of healthy fresh fruit and vegetables. You are a part of nature and give back by providing a sanctuary for God's creatures which are losing their habitat due to the perfect lawn along with ornamental plants that don't provide food. Your channel will grow because people will seek the vast knowledge you share. Thank You so much Angela, don't forget, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Our summer finally came to the PNW, go get your hands dirty girl, & keep posting, hugs.
What a bummer! I am inspired by your videos and your garden. You're putting positivity out into the world and its such a shame to see that you receive a bunch of bullshit back. I have no idea how to deal with that situation but thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience. You are making a positive difference in the world.
You inspire me so much! 👏🏼💗 We had a neighbor who hated our pollinator friendly, edible landscape, permaculture garden when we lived in the cities (MN). She even called the city complaining our chickens pooped on her grass when there were tons of wild turkeys in the neighborhood. Just a super negative woman who wanted a very "tidy" barren yard with no weeds or native plants. So, so thankful we went rural! You keep doing your thing! You are raising a powerful future generation of land stewards and making your corner of the world much healthier and more fertile. 🌿🌻 Hang tough! You got this!
People don’t understand what abundance looks like. I was watching Geoff Lawton filming his food forest in Jordan and was wondering why no one near it was curious on how he did it, choice between green or rubble.
When we moved from our place in the country into the city it gave me the hee bee jeebies that there was no bug activity in my yard. No beetles crawling through the grass, no dragon flies, no butterflies, no gnats, no chiggers, no lightning bugs... The backyard is now lawn free and the front yard is on its way to now mow. I now get bug bites again :) The wildlife think my house is the coolest. I am thinking about adding squirrel to my diet, but for the most part we coexist happily. Keep doing what you do. You are such an inspiration to us all. Thank you.
Angela, you are doing it the correct way - the 'old fogies' are just that.....old with nothing else to do with their time but criticize others. You have so much support in the comments I have read - we love what you are doing and love that you are putting yourself out there and showing the correct way to garden. I just turned 70 and have always gardened but just now turning my yard into a permaculture paradise!! I never did like planting my veggies in rows - ew - planting stuff here and there and tucking plants next to other ones of a different kind has always seemed right to me. You just continue on doing what you are doing, dear girl....and God bless you!!
Your garden is an expression of your love of creation and also a passion to provide the very best food you can grow for you and your family. We lovingly call our Permaculture garden "the messy garden" and we love it dearly. Many do not understand our methods and it has allowed us a wonderful opportunity to teach. I hope you do not let the cruel and ridiculous words of others steal your joy. Happy Gardening!
Angela, Thank you for this video because it is a discussion that needs to be had. Your garden is an amazing creation with well thought out and executed plantings which I've really loved and taken to heart in my own garden. As I have evolved from more of a controlled system (e.g. classical French gardens) to a more free-flowing, natural system (e.g. classical English garden) many of the issues you spoke of have arisen. Yes, a permaculture system like yours, and mine IS kind of scraggly looking and definitely at odds with standard "norms", especially from a distance and it is only upon closer examination that the beauties and multi-layered complexities of it revealed. For permaculturists that is exactly what is desired, but for most who want something simple, standard and accepted it is just the opposite. Getting people to see and be open to that is difficult, but you are doing a good job and it is appreciated.
I LOVE your garden, and am hard at work making my own permaculture paradise where I live. The comments on the Facebook post were instructive, in that they reveal people's values and mental models of the world. Fear of "messiness", fear of non-conformity, fear of burglary (that was a new one to me), fear of monetary loss, fear of wildlife, fear of "work", fear of neighbors, etc. Which is in stark contrast to your stated values and those of permaculture. Embrace of fertility, welcoming wildlife, sustainability, balance, ecological considerations of place and resources, long term outlook, non-capitalistic, community focused, etc. And to state the obvious to anyone who has ever gardened, if plants aren't happy, they die! If they are happy, they thrive! So odd to see comments concerned for the health of the plants because they aren't lined up with rigid conformity when they are clearly thriving.
People’s capacity for meanness never ceases to shock me. I recently discovered your channel and have been devouring your videos. I love your garden. I love your practicality. I love that you aren’t alarmist. I know it’s hard to let mean-spirited comments roll off your back but know that those of us that care will always support what you are doing.
Something I recently read…Never accept criticism from someone you wouldn’t go to for advice. (I don’t remember the author of that particular gem.) Certainly you wouldn’t go to someone who is uneducated or thinks a monoculture lawn is better for gardening advice. Do not accept their criticism. You’re doing a wonderful job already and I’m learning so much from you.
I really appreciate all your beautiful gardening and sharing your passion of sustainability instead of manicured yards. I'm so sorry for how mean so many people have been in the comments to the meme, and im very proud of the conversation you are having, and your reaction of challenging people to do better, and be kinder, especially the men who were in the majority of cruel comments. You are spot on in viewing to raise your sons to be kind men. The world needs more of that! I recognize all your hard work, your joy, your passion, and the difference you are making for the health of the planet, especially as you share your journey and educate people about a more sustainable way of being stewards of our properties. The last couple of years I've been learning about and planting native plants at my home, and it's hard! Especially when the deer and the armadillos think you are planting it for them to eat!
Keep doing what you are doing!
I think you are an incredibly resilient person, and I don’t think people realize (probably myself included) how emotionally difficult it is to put yourself out there and have that many people say things like that to or about you. I think your choice to turn this into opportunities to learn/information others can use to talk to their cities or HOAs is brilliant. (A pet peeve of mine personally is when people say “just ignore the haters” - one, not realistically possible or helpful, and two, puts the responsibility on you as if it’s your fault for being hurt instead of holding the jerks accountable for being jerks!)
Don't be discouraged. There will always be people talking trash because they feel so brave on the internet and have no one to keep them accountable for their words. Please keep sharing your garden, knowledge and teaching us! I love your transparency! ❤️😍
I love watching your channel, you have inspired me and my yard is progressing. I’m in the second year and what a joy to harvest my first elderberries. Don’t listen to those nay sayer’s, people who feel the need to criticize someone’s channel is a small person. If you don’t like the channel just move on, don’t pour meanness into someone else’s joy. God bless you Angela!!! Keep your passion flowing!
I found your channel thanks to that post :) im happy that you posted your yt link. I think the garden is gorgeous, some people just have their tastes and prefer a clean cut yard but I’m loving how permaculture yards and such look and hope to learn all that i can before we buy our own property.
I admire your patience, Angela. I live in Japan and I don't always understand what you're talking about 100% but I always enjoy watching what is going on in your garden. My garden is only 16 months old and I hope it will grow to be abundant and productive like yours in 10 years!
The problem: trolls; those with less than sterling manners; and those whose opinions differ. The solution: teachable moments for those who don't understand that permaculture is the bomb; and the chance to be a role model of grace and kindness when confronted with crudeness of manners and bullying. If and when it becomes too tiring it's never wrong to ignore any of the above folks Afterall this is your channel and your platform.
I'm personally enthralled by the abundance you've been able to obtain in your gardens and put many of your practises into use.
I love your garden. I'm in the first year of turning a property covered in plastic or landscape fabric topped by inches of commercial mulch or rocks with a few ornamental shrubs poking out here and there into a beautiful "mess" that produces food and supports wildlife. You're an inspiration.
When I lived in Cupertino, CA and walked around the neighborhood I saw a few places that had food forest on their property. I thought that was a great idea.
I now live in a very rural place in WY where some people think it’s ok to put up very bright lights all night long. When I posted on the local FB page asking if people could adjust or put the lights on motion sensors , I got a lot of nasty feedback. Some even sent me PM telling me to move. All I wanted to do is see the night sky.
Angela, I am so very sorry that you were abused. I value you, your perspective, and the content you create deeply. You are a constant source of inspiration for me.
I look forward to each topic you discuss. And, I often find new ways to see issues through your opinions. Although we've never met, I've come to think of you as a friend. I've found comfort in your channel during these past two years. It upsets me that someone would attack you. I wanted you to know that you are valued, appreciated, and respected. Thank you for being brave and putting yourself out in the world.
I admire your patience when dealing with those comments! Your garden is beautiful and inspiring to so many people, but, most importantly, it brings you and your family joy and habitat for wildlife/biodiversity & benefits for the planet. The world is slowly moving towards more sustainable future and those people are just so narrow-minded. Sending best wishes! X
Hurtful comments are honestly why I myself haven’t wanted to start or share projects online. It seems so hard to be attacked for something you put so much love and effort into. I do think when things go viral they hit so many more eyes, and a lot of those people don’t/can’t/won’t see the immense value in this amazing thing you’ve grown. I find you so inspiring and am grateful to have learned so so much from you.
Angela, IF I was your neighbor, I would LITERALLY be soaking IN the beauty and wonder of your TRULY A M A Z I N G permaculture garden. And, SO GRATEFUL to have YOU as my neighbor, to learn from :) Mean people SUCK!!
I experienced something similar at a community food garden. My plot was thoughtfully planted and tended and THRIVING - but scorned by hurtful people. They even went as far as to rob me of my prized produce. Heartbreaking :(
STANDING WITH you! 🌱🦋💓
Hi Angela, I just wanted to comment to offer my support because I have been tremendously inspired by what you are doing down in Portland. So much so that my husband and I recently made the move to a lot that's less than a quarter acre and we're slowly but surely fixing up the old house and putting a food forest into the front yard. Please don't feel discouraged by the hateful comments. You're doing amazing things. They just can't see the beauty and complexity and productivity because they're too deeply entrenched in suburban lawn culture.
Angela-- Please don't let the ignorant trolls get under your skin. You have been an ongoing source of information and inspiration, as I turned a lawn into a food forest and vegetable garden. You are a guiding light and I so appreciate your work. Thank you for all the work you put into spreading the joy of permaculture.
I love your channel & what you do. I am a first time home buyer in E PDX & its a fixer with a neglected weedy grass yard. I knew I wanted to get rid of the grass, add native species & garden space. I can't even remember the first video of yours I saw, probably something about grass alternatives or specific tips on berries, but I subscribed immediately & watched a bunch more.
I'm a member of a local tribe, so I think of this as my mini "Land Back" project, bringing traditional foods, medicine & culturally important plants to my yard, that I will share with friends & family. I knew thimbleberries, salmonberries & huckleberries before elementary school, but your channel introduced me to even more options that I wasn't aware of.
I'm sorry people are being mean about your work. If they don't like it, they are unimaginative & have no sense of wonder or curiosity. Too bad for them.
Ugh I'm sorry you're hurting. What you post and intimately share of your permaculture gardens has been an inspiration to me!! I can only hope that one day I can have what you have. 💞
I love your attitude. People like you are one of the things I miss the most about living in Oregon. You are way more patient with the haters than I think I could be. Someone said “sticks and stones have never broken my bones, but words have always been able to hurt me.” I think that’s more accurate.
Too many people prefer a small patch of thirsty, monoculture grass that they will drown in glyphosate so as to never see clover in it. That lawn will require a carbon footprint to keep it manicured and they will never do anything with it except glance at it while they walk from their car to their front door. I’d much prefer a productive food forest. Keep fighting the good fight!
Your garden is beautiful! Thank you for your hard work, willingness to live counter-culturally and be a great example those around you!
Please don't let people get you down. I am so impressed with what you have accomplished! Thank you for trying to educate people and for doing something to help the planet instead of just poisoning the earth with more fertilizer/herbicide, etc.
I wonder whether those same people who criticized your garden think natural forests look ugly too? Your garden looks like an earthly paradise and it’s been a great source of inspiration to keep working on my own garden, so it hopefully looks like that one day! Thanks for sharing your knowledge so freely. Don’t let the trolls upset you, they’re just sad little people that don’t deserve your time.
You are the one garden-related RUclipsr I follow the most, by far. Your values, philosophy, compassion, etc., on top of the great coaching and inspiration for attacking my own project (3 hours north of you)-- all of that keeps me coming back. Keep in mind that those negative comments say much more about the commenters than about you; it's that old "consider the source" thing. Please don't worry about what other people think; mostly, they don't.
I saw the post after it had a link to your you tube channel, so didn't read the negative comments as I headed straight to your channel, which I will be watching in the future. My Dad taught me "Sticks and Stones" in 1969, when I was 5 and, yes although it doesn't always work even back then I understood that I had to choose not to let it hurt and it's still working for me today. The good news is that you, your family and most of the people watching your videos are enjoying a healthier lifestyle and with the price rises in food, saving a lot of money too. Hopefully a lot more people will find your Chanel and learn from what you share. Thank you.
Hi from New Zealand. Those people making such rude comments are just ignorant. They have no concept of better ways to live within our communities and planet.
They will probably be the first to put their hand out for assistance in bad times rather than look after themselves.
May they learn from their mistakes fast.
Take care. You are on the right track.