Becoming a Homesteader in 2023? - Beekeeping, growing veg, mushrooms and cooking
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- Опубликовано: 31 дек 2022
- Yay, a new year. My plan is to become more self sufficient, learn lots about beekeeping, growing veg, growing mushrooms and cooking food. I also want to meet with people who share similar interests so feel free to message me on Instagram. Hope you enjoy the journey, let's learn together. :)
Check out my Instagram - / alex_smith1809
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Business enquiries - alexfordhamsmith@gmail.com
Plant a lot of lavender and rosemary in your growing space. The bees will love the lavender and the rosemary is an endless supply of flavour all year round.
getting little pots of basil, rosemary and cilantro and putting them on the kitchen window has been the best for my soups and sandwiches lol!!! :)
basil is also fantastic for bees!
We used to have a HUGE amount of lavender right outside our frontdoor, instead of bees we had loads of bumblebees. Was quite the beautiful display and we got to pet some bumblebees.
I second this! We have quite a lot of lavender in our garden and the bees love it, we'll see hundreds of them a day.
Not just that but aromatics are GREAT deterrents for things like rabbits and voles who want to nibble on young plants!
Alex, please don’t burn ply wood. It’s gives off toxic gasses. Plywood is made by laminating (with glue) pieces of wood together it is the glue that creates the toxic gasses.
why do you think you have the right or position to ask him to do or not do anything?
@@legowifey4773 And who gave you the right or position to question other people's rights?
Good advice!
Fight fight fight!!! 😂
@@legowifey4773 its advice you bumbling goofball!
i HAVE A SON WHO IS NON VERBAL AND HE REALLY ENJOYS WATCHING YOUR CHANNEL . HE IS SO LUCKEY TO FINALLY WATCH YOUR VIDEOS THAT ARE VERY INFORMATIVE AND NOT INTIMIDATING OR SHOWING ANY VIOLENCE . tHANK YOU FOR YOUR SHARING YOUR LIFE WITH US. WE WISH YOU A PRODUCTIVE AND FUN NEW YEAR 2023!
Why full caps
Oi stop shoutin m8
@@KamronAston why you just don't mind your business in these cases?
it's obvious that he/she isn't being rude or anything, maybe he/she cannot see very well or simply he/she forgot....
@@wxfbixw it’s a question stop being such a knob
that's so sweet
Make the most of your time with your parents. The occasional bunch of flowers for your mum might score a few points.
Alex, you could be my grandson but we have the love of gardening in common. You made a great point about picking the brain of people who have been at it a long time. Their experience is invaluable and one is never too old to learn something new.
Same I love gardening but I sadly don't have a garden so I'm just trying my best to grow lots of food in my balcony,I mean I harvested some but its not like a lot
@@omarkarem8445 A balcony is better than nothing! Good luck with your garden and good job for trying anyway! :)
Oooh my gosh when you spoke about the housing market and wanting to move away from your parents, I felt it on a spiritual level. I turned 30 this year, and am still trapped living in my parents' basement with my husband, because the houses are absolutely unattainable, and the banks wont even allow me and my husband a loan for what could be a potential shed. I thought about starting up a homesteading series as well, since I own a piece of land with my dad where we aren't allowed to live on, but it's permitted for agricultural uses. I want to showcase how we make maple syrup in spring, how I'd turn our sandy land into a bigger garden, how to preserve jars of soups, recipes, pures, and the process of buying hazelnuts to make a small orchard in the middle of the woods. I also want to get into mushroom farming! I wish here in Quebec we had the climate you have for winters, I can't build garden beds etc ahead of time seeing as the snow is above my head! 🥶
we're trying to move but landlords keep refusing us because we receive benefits, even though my partner works 2 jobs, its ridiculous
Times are really hard. I wish you all the best in your projects and moving!
Your so lucky to live in a great growing area and have a father as a gardening mentor. Wishing you a great harvest. I look forward to your adventures.
extremely privileged. less than 1% of the uk lives this well. That house is probs close to a milli these days.
Couldn't agree more
@@SparkThaMetal and? whats is anyone doing with that information now? he doesn't hurt anyone so why are you giving off so many negative vibes? He doesn't brag about it either, whats he supposed to do in your opinion? sell the place which won't change a single bit about this property?
@@kaedeshirakawa1979 I'm simply stating facts for foreign people who may not be aware of his position in the social ladder here.
This is not the average British upbringing , so I wanted to make non Brits aware of that.
Now foreign people can understand Britain a little better now that they understand most of us here will never live like this and can never dream of it.
You probably watch this and think Britain is all countryside and space. When the reality is the opposite. The rich get all the space and the majority are crammed together like sardines.
Average wage is like 30k odd. So for the average person this would take 3,333 years to buy, if they bought nothing else, no food or anything.
@@SparkThaMetal I am aware of the problem, it's pretty similar in most countries in europe (I am not some japanese girl as you might think, this name is simply an online name from one of my favourite books as I prefer to not use my real name, just as you)
Btw there is no need to instantly insult someone as a little cu*t and if you don't want to read comments answering you then don't comment in the first place. I have every right to comment at you
You also came of extremely offended that someone even dared to say that he is lucky to live in such house, and not as someone who just wants to inform others about britain and how you live... Good bye
Love this. Getting my bees back this season too (after moving) Homesteading for the win!
I don't know England Gardening... but African basil is beautiful and bees love it. As well as rosemary and thyme. Those have always been ,y bees favorites. Fruit trees make them happy too. :) By best honey comes from wild flowers :) Best of luck. Jealous of your garden. Mine is coming along soon in my new house.
Also, I am from Austria ;) Best skiing ;)
@@natandessie 99i9
Alex out here growing all sorts, while I'm barely managing the fungus on my big toe
😂😂😜
Parents play such an important role in inspiring children. I can see that your dad must be a gardener too.
Spoke to soon, added my comments before I watched the entire VLOG 😂
“they want to grow, don’t they. they are not like sheep”. you crack me up
First and foremost kudos to your parents, they did a fantastic job raising you from what I can see. I hope you continue what you are doing, because with everything going on today, we all need to get back to being more self-sufficient. Keep learning and keep growing and sharing. Peace and Love
I could be your dad. And I love watching your stuff, because it is all the things I'm interested in and doing - on a much smaller scale, due to - well, basically life, work... - or that become interesting through you, your style, your personality. I was always limited very much due to financial problems, but was fishing a lot as a kid and teenager - but without a clue, other then some random adult sometimes told me his "knowledge". I didn't have bees, but birds - and was very irresponsible with it. Then I liked women way too much and I didn't have another plan or vision, unlike you at your young age. You have a plan for 2023. This part almost brought tears to my eyes, because it's so great to see and a neccessary condition to create something, especially a life (and living). It makes me happy. You're doing great, while I always struggled, without a plan or a goal.
Being self sufficient and growing food or foraging only came into my life in 2014 . Gardening, mushrooms, wild herbs. And I love it, I find it the right and responsible, sustaining way to live on this planet.
But ultimately life on this earth is not that important and will never truely fulfill. The real meaning of life and what this is all about is not found here. So - never stop looking :)
I just discovered you today; I watched the hour plus video about your first year raising bees. Loved it! I'm so glad to hear that you're interested in gardening; the two go hand in hand. Research permaculture. It is something I discovered a few years ago, and have never looked back. Perma=permanent plantings such as fruit trees and bushes and culture has to do with agriculture. It's a method, that once you learn a bit, realize is the missing link! I now have over 50 kinds of fruit growing on my one acre, along with a vegetable garden and things like asparagus which are perennial. It has led to an interest in raising chickens and bees to have that full circle web of life thing happening. I'm 62, so I'm not sure how much more I should take on, but I'd love to have chickens and be able to have lots of eggs. The bees I'm not so sure about. I may just "host" a few hives to help pollinate all of the blossoms! I have 50 blueberry bushes and that is only one of the 50 fruits that I have! I prepped a mushroom bed last fall and hopefully in the spring will be able to harvest some wine caps. Speaking of wine; I hope to branch out into wine and mead making--you should also think about making mead, as its main ingredient is honey! Your friends would be most appreciative!
Wow you must be so busy! Your projects sound great! Best of luck with it all!
@@just_alex please tell your viewers that there is telegram bot using you to scam them!!!
I've been sick all day today and I watched your entire first year of gardening then bee keeping and just want to say thanks for keeping my mind off of this and helping me feel better.
Alex, it’s refreshing to follow a young lad’s life journey with a healthy and goal oriented plan. Please keep sharing your adventures, they’re inspiring. Happy New Year. Cheers!
I can see this channel already blowing up!! Been following you and Carl since you guys were little kids 10+ years now. Love seeing the journey
Greeting from Poland. Glad to watch someone living a live in a way that I would give two of my thumbs to cut off for.
The skiing learning curve/ progression is absolutely amazing after just your first week you'll be shocked at how much better you get with some confidence.
You have a wonderful family and enjoy seeing your father in video. Make most of the wonderful opportunities you have there being at home and learning and not to mention treasure the time with your parents you won't regret it. It's a beautiful home and property. I have a home/farm on 6 acres here in south east of the USA and 1st time seeing video. I have chickens ducks and dogs and horse and grow things and trying bees again this yr. Love doing things to be self sufficient and try to teach my 4 sons 15 to 22 same way. My oldest is in Japan in military and you remind me a lot like him. You seem like a delightful young man and love your ideas and plans. I retired at 32 and just turned 40 last month and trying to do more of the things you have planned but always seem to be busy with family and life stuff like appointments etc and hope to spend this year on productive activities I can see results from. Cheers!
As a grown guy you make me so inspired by you and how hard you work to just feel good and achieve your goals. Thank you for sharing all the process with us! Much love from Saudi Arabia ❤️🇸🇦
Just discovered your channel today and subscribed.
My fiancée and I moved from the urban congestion of the GTA to a village in rural Quebec the December before last. She had just retired.
We, too, wanted to become more self-sufficient, less 'on-grid' and dependant on municipal services.
Our house is situated on a treed 1.2 acre property. We're on septic, well water, have two fireplaces - and we don't burn plywood, painted wood, or treated wood because of potential toxins.
Last spring, we built 10 4'X8' raised garden boxes with 8' tomato trestles in two of them, a 6'X12' greenhouse - from hell, long story - and much more.
It's been quite a learning, eye-opening adventure. Winters here in Saint Felix de Valois are long, cold and brutal. We're at the foot of mountains, so snow is plentiful as are winter sports and recreation.
I look forward to joining you on your journey, Alex! If you ever get an itch to visit the western US, I'd love to get together! Gardening, foraging, fishing, skiiing, van camping - all of it! I'd love to show you the fascinating deserts here!
Since my family has some experience with historic American "homesteading", I thought I'd share a bit.
In the western US, the word homesteading connotes a very rough life, in reference to the historic homesteading practice here.
In the US, our government passed a law called the "Homestead Act" to encourage Americans, and even new immigrants, to settle and build their homes on the huge expanse of western land that was largely empty, but for the native tribes. The government owned nearly all that land, and they promised to give a parcel to anybody who would build a home and work to make the land productive. A number of my ancestors heeded the call.
My maternal great grandparents settled on a homestead in Wyoming, and their five adult children each took up a homestead nearby. Each of them built what they called a "homestead shack" to live in, and to satisfy the government's requirement that they build homes. They all "proved up" their homestead, and the government gave them title to the land.
Homesteading in most areas was a dicey proposition, because much of the land in the western US is arid. In reality, it was very difficult to grow enough crops and livestock on 160 acres of that marginal land to feed yourself and survive. Having a large family of homesteaders nearby made the proposition easier, as they could share the bounty when one parcel produced a good crop.
Many homesteaders took title to the land, and immediately sold it, because the lifestyle was so hard. This was the case with my paternal ancestors, who also took a homestead in Wyoming, but with five children, they "starved out" and sold it during the great depression of the 1930s.
My maternal ancestors were, luckily, in a position to purchase many of the surrounding homesteads when the owners sold. Through several generations, they amassed a large enough collection of these parcels to form a functional, profitable ranch, raising livestock and growing wheat on roughly 4000 acres. We still refer to many of these parcels by the names of the original homesteaders. We have been operating that ranch for over 100 years: my great grandparents received the title to their original homestead in 1914.
My mother still lives on her great grandparents' homestead site. She also still occupies the original homestead shack, which serves as her kitchen. The home was expanded many times through the years, and it is fully modern and comfortable now. We all marvel over the fact that the original shack is still there, and still serving the family. We have a garden shed outside that was a former homestead shack on a neighboring parcel. After they bought the neighbor's land, my ancestors lifted the shack off its foundation and moved it, using a team of horses. In the 1980s, while replacing the roof, we found the original homesteaders' marriage certificate in the attic, protected in a frame. We delivered it to one of their children, who still lived in a nearby town.
By the end of the homesteading era, the government had increased the size of a homestead, and allowed 320 acres instead of just 160. That helped make homesteading more attractive and more productive, but it was still a hardscrabble life.
Ultimately, the government's plan worked: through the Homestead Act, they attracted enough settlers to establish a population in the west. Because of the arid land, that population is, to this day, more sparsely settled than the rest of the country.
If you have a space where not much needs to grow, sow some phacelia for your bees! The flowers are really pretty and they refill with nectar very quickly in comparison with other flowers so they give plenty of food to your bees. They flower early ish in the year as well as late, depending on when you sow them.
It's funny how much we have in common in terms of interests (judging from this video). My husband and I converted our van and just started living in it and traveling. But I'm already dreaming about that acre we'll purchase one day. I can't wait to do gardening, beekeeping and mushroom farming. I'd love to start a RUclips channel documenting all of it as well. Pity the prices have gone up like mad, it has postponed fulfilling that dream for us as well.
I only just started watching this channel yesterday, but it's completely underrated. He's learning many new things and making so much content on them. I just finished his nearly 2-hour-long video on beekeeping, and also his 20-minute video with the professional beekeeper in Sweden, and not once did I get bored of it and click off of either one. Honestly, I've been so intrigued by these videos!
Glad you enjoy the videos!
I’m in the same boat! Loving these videos so much. @alex, you should make a patreon!
I wish you every success this coming year Alex.
i just subscribed! love seeing another young person getting into homesteading / gardening I'm 24 and also live at home, my parents have 10 acres and have a suburban hobby farm with a few cows,i started to garden in 2018 and it changed my life ! i think being more sustainable by growing your own food is awesome!(I'm Mexican american and its not out of the norm for kids to live with their parents until they can afford to buy a house )
Cant wait to follow your adventures in 2023!
Very excited to see all the adventures and growth you'll go through this year!
Much respect for living with the parents
Sounds like a great plan and a sweet deal for both you and your parents. Happy New Year! I look forward to your videos.
It's absolutely amazing to see your progress, it motivates me to become more self sufficient.
You have had an amazing 2022 and all the adventures in your van. Heres hoping 2023 is just as full of new adventures for us all to follow!!
Happy New year Alex and wishing you the best of luck. Keep up the great work.
Love watching your growth in these videos. Your path is one of a true human being and it is gratifying to see. Good on you!
This'll definitely be a great year for watching your videos, glad I found your channel
amazing. sometimes i watch you and you're brother vids and they always make me happy. Happy new year to you guys.
excited for what's to come ! cheers, happy new year!
Happy New Year Alex! Thanks for all the entertainment last year, looking forward to seeing all your new projects this year! 👍😄
My family and I watched this entire video while packing up the last bits of Christmas decor. Thanks for keeping us company!
Looking forward to seeing you here at the workshop again and watching what you get up to this year Alex 🏴🍺👌🏻 Thanks for all the great content you filmed, edited and shared since starting the channel. It’s hard work and I know I speak for many when is say that sharing your journey and experiences make a difference to peoples lives and well being. Keep doing what your doing but remember to look after yourself along the way 👌🏻
Hi Alex, I found you by rebonds (what a nice discovery) you’re so interesting, your curiosity really impressed me. I’m at the edge of retirement and my curiosity is also still and even more intense. Time rolls fast toward the end (wonder why? Einstein could probably help me on this question 😊). It’s a pleasure to follow your thinking troughs your journey. I’ve been a couple of time in England but not in the rural (which I’m really planning on doing) I’m from a bloke who move to Canada after the war, I always love UK for the history and charms. Somehow my roots seem stills strong, it’s unexplainable?
Anyway just a few words to let you know you’re special and your philosophy of life is quite marvellous. Keep it alive. 👍
good luck in your ventures for 2023.. growing your own is awesome
All good stuff Alex . Hopefully we have a wonderful year to come. Doing loads of mixed things 👍
Your life and goals are truly inspiring!! Learning, trying new things in life, new projects... all the best to you. Good luck!
I’m excited to see you grow mushrooms. I have been interested in doing this myself for quite some time. You just might inspire me to do it! I loved watching your bee keeping video. I’ve also wanted to keep bees and am now seriously thinking about it. I’m 67. That’s really the only thing that’s holding me back.
Can’t wait Alex for the new content for 2023. Happy new year as well mate.
Many thanks for your efforts. Much appreciated!
100 K well done that man ALEX all the best to you and yours for 2023
Looks exciting, my dad was quite the gardener, unfortunately I didn't take the opportunity to learn as much from him. His favourite flowers were orchids too.
Alex I'm excited to see what amazing adventures 2023 will have in store for you. My wife and I are also getting into homesteading and we look forward to not spending as much money in grocery stores. Cheers Alex. I hope this is your best year yet!
Yes, Alex , I enjoy following ! You are such an amazing person, funny, brilliant, curious, full of life and sane ! Keep on the great job you do, being genuine and authentic. We need more like you !
Really looking forward to following your channel again this year,excellent stuff Alex
Thanks John!
I can’t wait to spend the coming year with you!
wow! an exciting plan for 2023. Very interesting and I look forward to following your adventures.
Love your attitude to life, so pleased I found this chanel x
your videos are amazing, just love your ability to discover and willingness to learn!
Alex i hope everything you decide to do this year goes the way you need it to. I myself will be trying to do a few more home growing this year. Im going to try and eat less processed foods and eat more fresh. Cant wait to see what you get up to Alex Good Luck
I look forward to the year ahead for you! Not been a follower for long, only since the bee keeping journey video, but i watched more of your videos, and they are great! So I'm looking forward to more!
Congrats on 100k Alex!!! You inspire us with your content!
Looking forward to 2023 Alex going to be hard to beat last year but you probably will
the love for beekeeping in ur corner of heart thtz attract me the most:)
In the UK you are a Smallholder. Homesteads are generally associated with America.
You could become a Crofter but that would involve moving to and working certain pre-determined land in Scotland.
I just stumbled upon your channel and I really enjoy watching your videos and your journey. There is nothing more amazing than growing your own food, prepare it and enjoy it. It's magical and connects you to the land.
I love your sustainable life! Happy new year 2023!
Great plans!! I luv your teaching and learning videos! So, I will be checking on the execution of each of your goals!! Good luck!!
I have such a crush on this fellow. So intuitive; so kind; so just a neat fellow. Thank you, Mr. Alex. Happy New Year !
What a lovely video to start the year of with. Can't wait to see how it goes!
Thanks!
I'm in love with your content!! Thanks for the inspiration 🙏
Thanks for making complete videos. Most other youtubers would split them up and make like 5 out of some of your single videos.
Happy New Year, Alex. Looking forward to follow your journey in 2023 🎉😊
This is a promising schedule for 2023. Let‘s see what will come out of it. I‘m looking forward to watching the videos.
Healthy safe peace- and joyful new year to everyone 🌳
Found this channel today and love it!! You're such a nice and inspirational person.
What a gift from your parents! I am excited to follow your journey. I live in South Dakota and have converted most of my backyard to garden here in suburbia. It's such an enriching process.
Thanks Alex, I am looking forward to coming along for the ride.
I've been obsessed with your content lately and I just want to say that I think you are such a beautiful person inside and out. I enjoy watching your adventures and it inspires me to feed my own curiosities. You encourage me to want to learn more about the land around me in New England, USA as well. Can't wait to keep tuning into your new projects! Thanks for bringing joy into my life!
Happy New Year, and good luck for 2023, Alex. Keep doing what you're doing and the channel with keep growing. Some other channels I watch have absolutely took off in such a short space of time and doing absolutely crazy viewing numbers and subs. Fair play to you doing what you're doing going out enjoying the world. When I first saw you split from your brother I didn't think it was the best idea, but you have proved me wrong keep at it alex👏
It's really a nice idea Alex. Even me loves to grow some crops in my place, experimenting with things on how to grow them properly and harvest good food out of it. Hope to see your project succeeded.
Love your videos and your way of thinking to grow as a person and build your life as much as rich as you can! Watching your videos have already been my motivation for life. Thank you!
Good luck for 2023 mate. I will be following your journey. I’m up for a skiing trip
I love this channel. It's so peaceful and wholesome.
Happy New Year Alex! Love your content, great variety of topics especially your 🐝 🐝 and was great to see you and Carl together with Brendan, Austin and Brian. All the Best 💪🏻👍🏻
I‘m so excited! Let’s have a productive and happy2023
Bruh, I love your editing style, and your 1-year of beekeeping was a great watch. I'm so looking forward to watching you develop your homestead.
I love your channel, I'm 24 too and it helps put things in perspective thank you
Nice recap for the stuff we been enjoying the year of 2022,head to 2023 excited for the future enjoyable informative content,keep moving 🥰 happy new year everyone 🥂
Happy New Year, Alex! The plans sound like a great beginning. Keep growing yourself, as much as you are growing veg.
[1] I think you'd make an excellent farmer/homesteader, Alex.
[2] I sprout microgreens in jars on the countertops all the time. Takes only a couple of days!
Radish & alfalfa sprouts are my two favs to put on sandwiches or in salads. I really love sprouts in egg salad & lettuce sandwiches or wraps. Also good on top a pizza as soon as it is cooled a minute.
[3] When you say Courgettes, many people don't have a clue what you are talking about. Most call them zucchini. I cut them in half, then slice them. Saute them in butter with onions, then when halfway softened add in some Tomatoes until it cooks down. LOVE THEM!
[4] Your dad must be so proud of you, that you inherited his "gardeners" gene. It's like a right of passage to be a grower. Well done.
[5] And since you are now 24 and a grow adult, clean your Bedroom & storage room! lol
[6] Your videos are so entertaining. I can't wait til you get into the gardening ones. The sprouting and such, is in my niche.
Love the dry banter with you and your dad. Reminds me of my UK family. Best wishes from Aus!
Sound like a great plan for the year, I’m looking forward to the videos! 🙂
The quality of the edition and content in generel coming from this channel is absolutely amazing
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Happy New Year to you, as others have mentioned you don't want to be burning any glued or reformed wood. Ply, MDF and those treated with preservatives. Just use hardwoods. Have fun with the planting, we got a greenhouse recently so will be doing similar.
Thanks for sharing your world with us. As I'm sure you already know, you have very loving, exceptional mum and dad 💞❤
Great video. Good luck!
I grow all of my vegetables in containers. It’s very calming. It’s great to grow as much of our food as possible.
What a beautiful place! Great job! Thank you very much for your video!
I will follow your year with real intresset, I really hope your year works out well for you, the beekeeping really got me envyus.
For some reason youtube recommended your channel for me, and i loved it really. Good luck friend!!!
Cheers from Brazil!!
Looking forward to this new project, Alex. Wow, your dad knows his stuff! Gold medals from Chelsea is super! Can't wait for your next video!
Greetings from Austria❣️ wish you an adventurous NewYear dear Alex!!and some more followers!!! You’re pretty close🎉🎉🎉