If you're going to garden , don't dispose of the cardboard. That's absolute gold for weed suppression in the garden . Any organic materials are valuable 🤑🤑
Agree! Save the cardboard…worms love it, it does a brilliant job as a covering to slow down creeping grass weeds etc…you need to layer it a bit & over lap the edges. Works a treat! Don’t burn it 🙏🏼
Before you bring in rock for the front yard look at a way you can channel the water away. By raising the ground with rock you may have water drain towards the cabin. For the appliances you have set out. Try taking them apart and each trip into town take a bit at a time. I did that with a swamp cooler and got a lot of screws and a good electric motor to use on another project.
Talk to someone about your driveway. If you raise the level where you park without a drain...your basement will flood. Also cardboard is excellent for gardening. We shred it and put it in compost or just use it flattened in walkways or in the beds covered with mulch and or soil.
Roads maintenance may be why I throw in the towel eventually. Every other year I need to bring in nearly a mile of gravel and level it with a rake. As a mature woman on a fixed income it gets a little daunting. It’s always a bit next level to realize you need your own heavy equipment and trailer but that’s the fact of owning acreage.
Morning Alone! Planning a garden? That cardboard is GOLD! Helps keep soil moist. Keeps weeds way down. Cardboard under mulch creates lovely weed free pathways between beds. You can put neighbor pin boards or newspapers ad for gardeners free cardboard, you haul it away. So many uses for it. Hope you’re doing well and remember, How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. 😂😂😂🎈
I know you said you're planning to have a garden. Put the cardboard down to help weed control AND as it breaks down gives nutrients for worms and soil.
What a tremendous amount of work it takes to live this way. It hadn’t occurred to me that they don’t have trash pick up or that electricity was so expensive until I listened to your channel. Lots of skills or money are needed as well as equipment. You are doing an amazing job, I don’t think I could do it. ~ Janet 😘
I agree using that precious cardboard for your garden. I wish I had some of it, I live in the Southwest and that stuff is gold to us. I'm in need of driveway red rock, rock is very expensive now.😮
Hi Denise! Yes, cardboard has so many uses beyond it's original intended purpose! I do plan on using some of it in the garden and will be doing an upcoming video about it too! I wish I could send you a bunch of this cardboard for use in your garden! 😉💛
Gosh, save your cardboard to lay down on the ground where you want garden beds and you will not have to remove grass or weeds or spade up the soil. Just weedwhack any plants close to the ground, lay a couple of overlapping layers of cardboard (be sure to remove any tape first), then put 4 to 6 inches of compost, soil, bark mulch, shredded leaves/grass clippings, or whatever you have handy or can get delivered or get in big bags on top. Your no-dig garden bed will be ready to plant next spring (if you do this in fall) or if you just put compost/bagged soil of top of the cardboard you can plant immediately this year. See Charles Dowding's no-dig vids on YT. This way you save time, labor, and preserve the life of the soil. When you spade up garden beds you destroy the soil food web. And BTW, earthworms love cardboard! If you are planning raised beds, simply use the method described but obviously pile up more soil. To save money and/or increase the size of your garden, you can compost all summer in newly built raised-beds-to-be and they will be ready for planting next spring.
When we lived on cumberland island national seashore, s retained rights residents; our electricity had a 50% surcharge. I’ve been gone 10 years now, so I know it’s gone up, but the average bill was $600.00/mo way back then. Sometimes more, that’s just average. Then our propane for generator and stove, the truck had to be barged back and forth (we had to hire person with barge). Same with our gasoline. We had a farm type gasoline pump. If a fridge went out or something broke, everything was was a logistical nightmare! It’s bad enough being remote, but add in being surrounded by water from any stores, mail, anything.
I stopped using butane. It’s not always easy to dispose of the cans, there is typically some wasted, and I don’t believe it’s good to breathe it and its combustion products in an enclosed space.
The best way to get rid of the cardboard and paper is to compost it. Add some weeds and vegetable scraps plus ash from your fire to the heap, it will rot down over the summer and you will have some lovely compost for your vegetable garden next season.
Would it not be better and cheaper to run a gas line from your tank outside and use a gas stove? Just a thought. Cardboard is a good resource for gardening to prevent weeds. Place topsoil on top of it and it will eventually breakdown. I used that and newspaper for all my landscaping.
Alone…. How about using the cardboard as a weed-barrier for an above ground vegetable garden. (Haven’t finished watching the video, so I hope it’s a helpful suggestion).
You're problem is drainage, covering the area in gravel is not the answer as it's just covering a problem. The water has to go somewhere, assess the area dig ditches to allow water to drain away , then and only then cover the area in stone
Well, I'm having quite a conversation with you today!!! Another use for those cardboard boxes is put one inside the other to add strength, add a bag of soil, and then grow potatoes in the boxes this year. Not something I have tried myself, but apparently one gets enormous crops this way. See many YT vids on the topic. It's another good no-dig method to jump-start your garden, and you can place the boxes anywhere! The cardboard will biodegrade over the summer and you can compost it in fall after dumping the soil on one of your more permanent beds and picking out the mature potatoes! Easy peasy.
Your driveway is looking like what "The Boss of the Swamp" had to deal with every spring. We had the same problem when we lived in Vermont. People who don't have "Mud Season" just can't fully understand what a headache it can be.
I use all my cardboard for the bottom of my garden beds, it makes great compost. I do have to take all the tape off of it, and that is a pain, but it is worth it when the garden grows.
Another tip: instead of a butane stove, consider getting an alcohol stove. About the same size as what you have, easy to use, cooks with flame, no butane cans to explode or recycle. You can buy the alcohol at most camping stores or order online. The cool thing about burning alcohol is if you ever had a stove fire you just put it out with plain water. I used an alcohol stove all the years I was off-grid, and traveling in my van (I hate stuff that can explode!) and I loved it. The brand of stove I used is Origo They make them for marine applications because, again, you don't want explosives on boats. There are even Origo stoves with ovens -- I used one in a tiny house on wheels. The ovens are small and a little tricky to use (very HOT), so I don't recommend them highly, but if you put a pizza stone in the oven to moderate the temp you can use the oven for basic applications. Sometimes you can find used Origo stoves on CraigsList or Kijiji (Canada). I got a great deal on one that way. Also, if you REALLY want to be self-sufficient, you can buy a small still on Amazon and make your own alcohol from any woody plant material. Something to consider as products become less available. BTW, one also can use Everclear in the stove, although that could be a bit expensive!!
Hi David! I looked at the blackstone griddles, but wondered if it would turn out to be just a coating like teflon that would eventually flake off or off gas. I need to do more research. But I do have two cast iron griddles of various sizes, and I have a propane two burner camp stove and two 25-gallon tanks that I bought last year so I am able to can. I will be going over the pros and cons of cardboard in the garden in an upcoming video. Thank you for the great suggestions! 🤗💛
@@AloneinRemoteAlaska My blackstone is sheet steel.. No coating.. They need to be seasoned.. Now mine is a few years old, but I can't imagine they would be coated.. I use mine in my kitchen.. People say that that is unsafe, but it's just like a gas range in reality.. Just digging in my garden and the cardboard I used last year is gone.. I'm on the Canadian side of the border from Seattle.
Hi David! Thanks for the information on the blackstone. That is good to know. I am curious about the cardboard here, because we don't have earthworms here. I am sure that there are other critters, insects and bacteria that would help to consume it, but not sure of the difference due to the lack of worms. I do plan on using some in the garden so it will be interesting to see. 😊
I live in a small town that collects cardboard and most residents don't know that it then goes to the dump and burnt. It costs more to haul it to the big recycle plant than the get so it is burnt. You do what you have to.
If you get some road fabric for your driveway, you can save having to put up to 12" of large roadbase rock down. Then you will only need a few inches of crusher-run gravel over the road fabric. The higher and dryer areas should do just fine with say 5" of gravel right onto the dirt. Also consider a couple drain pipes under the roadbed in the lowest places since the raised driveway will create new places for the water to pool beside the driveway.
Since you have multiple freezers why don’t you fill empty containers like milk with water and put them in a freezer to make ice. As they melt in the Yeti put them back into freezer.
Just love the scenery! One thing to consider, I'm sure you have already thought of it, is when you fill in your lake make sure you have drainage away from your cabin. Glad to see that your number of subscribers has grown quite a bit lately. How much day light do you have there now? CMQCAA++
Hi Chip! Yes, drainage is the name of the game this year! And it does appear that plowing the driveway may have led to the poor drainage this year as removing the feet of snow, also took away the insulating factor of the snow on the ground. Learn something new from my subscribers every day and I love it! The channel continues to do well, and I am thankful for that. 🤗 Right, now this area is averaging around 17 hours a day of sunlight. In the next six weeks we will only gain a few minutes of daylight each week, topping out at around 19 hours of sunlight by the summer equinox. Though it won't actually get completely dark by that time. 😉💛
I understand your thinking about the appliances. I got rid of my electric stove and fridge for similar reasons and continue to simplify my life. I never get tired of the amazing views of the mountains in your videos!
Hi Beth! Electricity is so expensive! And I am finding the simpler I go, the more use and enjoyment I get from things. Glad to hear that you're going this direction too! I have some travel plans in the next month, and hope to share some new and exciting views with you soon! 🤗💛
Totally understand the non cardboard in the stove. We don't do that either, not worth the chance. However, you can lay it down on an area that you want to have a garden. It will kill the weeds and compost when breaking down. I know you have a lot there however. Your a good teacher on living basically on your land. Here in Minnesota we are getting lovely green grass and leaves on the trees. Soon , very soon the morels will be out! I can't wait. You stay safe and good blessings to you and you favorite guy.
You could use you cardboard in you compost You can start your compost bins sooner so you are ahead when with your garden is installed as it takes time to make I am not sure of all things that could go in compost But some are paper not glossy, old leaves, uncooked kitchen waste eggs shells, banana skins, and coffee grounds and tea leaves also grass clippings and weeds you can even put in dog and cat hair it uses up the waste and is free You can also use your Cardboard for ground cover for no dig beds
Some old refrigerators can also be used as a meat smoker. My husband's family in Northern Wisconsin uses an old refrigerator as a meat smoker and it works out perfect.
The cardboard is a hugely valuable gardening resource as a weed suppressor and for moisture retention. Consider breaking them down flat amd storing them upright tucked against a wall in the woodshed for now. Havent been watching long enoughbto know what is in your junk,pile but you might want to look at it with repurposing eyes. For instance some of the repurposing I do...i use a dead deep freezer as rat proif storage for chicken and dog food. I use a dead dishwasher on my por h in lieu of a root cellar for potatoes, carrots, etc in winter (coastal PNW location). I have remodelled an electric hotcwater heater into a raised bed growing area by cutt8ng one side off lengthwise. Perhaps a stove could be flipped on its back and used as a raised bed for planting, etc.
An old 55 gallon steel drum with some steel mesh (spark arrester) can be used anytime and in any type of weather…even rain when the fire gets hot enough. That way you don’t need to wait until the snow melts off of the bonfire pit.
Can you use your cardboard for your garden? I saved and used tons of cardboard when creating my no-till garden beds. I couldn't dig so I built up the beds. Worked wonderful. Don't know your plans for gardening but it may be an alternative?
If you have some place that refills/exchanges larger portable propane bottles, it seems that using that with a camping stove would spare you the garbage. You might look into using a Wonder Bag for cooking to save energy, and save heating up the cabin during warmer months. Some people cook using a DIY type of Wonder Bag setup using towles, pillows and blankets in an old cooler or even a cardbord box. TH-cam has links on that. Love your videos!
Breakup is my least favorite time of the year: It’s always a mess and it is the only time of the year where I think Alaska is ugly. Thanks for sharing.
Spring break up is definitely a sloppy mess in AK. And ohhh boy our electric bill has gone up here too. Thanks for another excellent podcast. big hug to all ❤️🙏
Yup, Breakup is a real season in Alaska. One of those 55 gallon barrels next to your green house would make a great burn barrel, also a common solution for trash. A heavy screen on top to help the the fly away ashes. We burn in open areas in the winter as the risk of fire is less and there are usually no burn bans during the winter. As far as worms, we have some but with deep freeze we get makes it really hard to raise worms outside. I keep a worm bin inside.
I'm dreading how much trash shows up in my yard once the snow melts! Course it is fun remembering all the stuff you known once the snow is out of here! Be safe Ms Alone! 😊❤ Oh and P.S. this is/was Little Alaskan Homeplace 😅
Hi Josh! I knew it was you! I saw that you changed your channel name a few weeks back and love the new name! I, too, am finding things popping up in the yard that were buried all winter, that I had completely forgotten about! 😳 Hope all is well with you and your family! 🤗💛
Lasagne gardening! Layering cardboard. Yes, don't I feel your struggles! The loads of dirt, river rock and gravel I've had delivered to combat the deluge of rain here. Now I have my neighbors squatting out front on newly graded area selling cooked food from a tent. Ahh the joys of trying to maintain peace love and harmony!!! You go girl!!! Trash is the worst residue for our existence (besides wars, etc.)✌
Oh my, is right. Man, i wish we could all decend on your place and help lift your enormous challenges. I want to see you succeed! All the best...👍🇨🇦💜🙏⭐
Thank you so much for sharing these challenges. I’m about to put together the new electric mower and mow for the first time in 10+ years. I feel ready now. 💜
Why are you not using the cardboard in your garden and compost ??? Or burn it NOW while you still have snow !!! Safer than waiting for exposed ground that can catch fire.
And you could find a old fashioned whisk blender you crank the handle and it will blend up your things like cake mix egg whites for merang pudding and even make mayonase ok❤
I completely understand not wanting piles of things on your property. It’s really sad to see when people have piles of crap on their property. It’s worse if you live in a development or housing community. It does take away from the beauty of homesteads as well. Good luck and I adore your videos and your vibe!
With all those freezers its more cost effective filling jugs of water or melted snow/ice to freeze for the Yetti & not pay for Ice anymore. Btw... I had bought some beautiful lightweight lanterns that look old fashioned in a antique bronze color from Amazon that just takes battery that can be charged using an usb port & they go from dim to very bright. They can stand on table or hang from a wall. I love them. I have two & I save on my electricity & cost of light bulbs. I have a few kitchen gadgets also that can be charged using an USB port like a small grinder, etc. Cordless. Btw.... I also carry my lanterns outside to see when it's dark while I'm star gazing. Also... They never get hot. I love things that are flameless cuz I fear fires so I have beautiful flameless candles too & they look so real.
Hi sister. Pretty much to organize for you. You are so brave and tough! We here in bali are busy with organzing our move from Asia back to Europe. We will move into a new country- Italy. We are looking forward for our new life and adventures. Its enourmous work to make this change happen. So I can understand the amount of the work you have to do at your place. I wish you miracles! Helpful friends, creative solutions and that you stay healthy and happy. Thank you for sharing your life. So interesting. Big hug from Bali.
Sounds like u have a LOT on u r plate! Don't over c extend! Hope the "lake" can b dealt with in a timely manner. Also, hope the job search is going well! Scenery is breath taking there, but as one comment I read,Alaska is NOT 4 everyone. U have a lot of "grit", that's why it's working 4 u. Love 2 u/Kenai. U r CO connection.
i use cardboard in my gardens for paths and also tear it up and mix in with compost for garden beds. If you have a wood chipper it does an awesome job of chopping it all up great
Snow melt/mud season is tough. I felt the overwhelm in your face as you were showing the lakefront property. We're about 6 weeks ahead of you as far as mud season goes and we were super lucky to get a week of sun with temps in the 80s right at the start of April, so mud season was over quickly this year. It was interesting to hear your struggles with recycling; I felt just a tad better about living in this nanny state, in that there is a way to recycle just about anything here. But I applaud you holding your ground as far as limiting your dependence on electricity. There's always a way to do without- electricity is so new in terms of human history and we all still traveled and drank coffee lol!! Hang in there my friend!! ❤❤❤
Our building was affected by Sandy We all helped to do a flower garden in front of building at that time. Gardening is therapeutic and up builds our lives. Even indoors as well.
You could soak your cardboard in 5 gallon buckets and put it in another bucket with holes in the bottom. Then press the water out of the mess and let it dry. You have now made a log you can burn as fuel in your stove. Same can be done with paper. Just a thought
I think I dislike mud worse then snow. The ruts just seam to get deeper and deeper . I have a ton of trash to get off my property also. OPT .other peoples trash.
I pray you can get driveway fixed soon Alone. I'm sure it's hard getting in and out. You will conquer all your needs one at a time. You are a determined lady.
I think your yetti cooler is a great idea, and you have had success with its performance so -- "if its not broke don't try and fix it!" as the saying goes 😊! I also always think less is more. Lots of folks in the comment section speak about using the cardboard in your garden, that's a great use, and you may want to consider that. I really enjoyed this video because it was so authentic and real, and shows us what you are dealing with, and so many good folks in the comment section have some great ideas for all the situations you showed us, I hope it helps you with these projects. I think your doing a great job of keeping up with everything and knowing what needs to be done. Yes, projects...projects...but you are so capable it will all get done. Thanks for the update, see you on the next!❤
My thought also- the cardboard is a good start to a garden bed. Spread it out and weigh it down with fire wood or logs. I’m doing that now on my property where I’m planning a new garden bed. bed. 😁❤️🌹😊
Hello Snow Maiden! I have a question that you may have already answered. Why did you move to Alaska from Colorado if you have it physically harder, more expensive, more isolated and just generally more problematic? I can wait until the next Q and A. Have a great week!
Hello Alone! Enjoyed this video and I am looking forward to more videos of your warmer weather projects and excursions. Keeping you in my thoughts on the job hunt as well. Take care❤
Hi Alone! I knew you didn't have trash pick-up, but wow, I didn't know how difficult it was to get rid of your trash. Talking about your day to day has given me a different view about living remotely, there are so many things like the mail and the trash and the residency etc. etc. etc.. It is actually pretty shocking how difficult it is to live without big city (Dallas area) services. The lake front property really makes me appreciate our storm drains, which scared me when I first moved here from Denver. Yes, Denver has storm drains, but there are some drains in big box store parking lots and the like, that a small child could easily fall into. I have a greater appreciation for them now! Who would even think about the hassle of getting rid of empty butane cans? Not me! Thanks for sharing these interesting tips and the beautiful scenery.
Heck. That water hole looks like our place did last year. Everything was awash, and roads went out or away. Slop is not fun. I graveled/rocked our driveway and it seems to be holding but we haven't had pouring rain again yet. It all costs. The cardboard. Are you allowed/ or will you use it for where your garden will be? Good weed stopper. Power costs are skyrocketing everywhere. We will not enjoy it. We are in winter now, and there are multiple people here to wash and dry so that will hurt. Gas prices aren't pretty either. O, well.
Well Hi 🎉 Such a beautiful nice place to see .Be safe !You carry a 45 for yourself and a knife Im guessing ? That holster looks nice I got Galco holsters myself they make custom also !Those yetis are not cheap !Have a great day !
Why not get a propane gas hob, it must be a lot cheaper than those small butane ones, plus they are refillable. Wow 23c a KWh you don’t want to be in the uk then 👍
Lots of changes coming to the property. Thank you for sharing this with us. I am sure you will get things done as you can. Things are just very different than in the lower 48 regarding recycling. Everyone stay warm, safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia
Your spring has come further than mine. It feels like March here. Can´t remember such a long and hard winter. We had 30 cm of snow on Tuesday, it was the complete chaos everywhere. I managed to get into work, as I still have the studded snowtires on my car. So I got safe to work and all the way home, until I came up the driveway. I pushed in the 4x4 button, and drove carefully up my driveway, only to get all 4 wheels dug into the ground. 😂 I had to laugh... Stuck in snow the last week of April. Depressing really, below freezing every night. Expecting snow again on Monday, May 1st. I burn my cardboard in the snow. It is better to burn stuff in the winter, as there is no firehazard to the nearby wood. That cooler of yours does the same job as a normal fridge by the looks of it, and without electricity - other than the energy to freeze those iceblocks again. Is your property completely flat? Is there a way to drain the water away? I use a word "nyttelast", it translates to "payload", dont know if it makes sence. But, every time I go upstairs, or drive in the direction of the recycling plant, I carry stuff upstairs, that doesnt belong downstairs, or fill up my car with things that I can donate or recycle. Must admit, it sounds wonderful, but I dont do this every time! 😅 Have a nice long weekend! I am looking for spring! 🌼
I am new to your channel and from South Africa, so I can't give you any advice, but watch Simple Living Alaska. Arial and Eric are epic off grid people and you can learn a lot from them. Good lux. Love your videos
Thank you for the tip on how to get rid of my Butane can, I was wondering about that And you mentioned putting rocks on the property I'd like to know a little bit more about that, just wondering if that's to control the water level.
Your doing a great job up there also some well paced French drains on you property at some point would make spring thaw with much less standing water . Thanks for sharing .
Ms. Remote Alaska, YOU are such an inspirational Woman!! I'm sure you are in a 'Class of your own' in many ways. Most women couldn't even conceive of being able to learn and do all of the things that you accomplish with such confidence & grace. YOU could have an online Course in Teaching many practical Skills. Even if someone never needed to use these Skills; they would be able to do them if needed. That, alone strengthens and builds confidence, courage, and a 'Where there's a Will there's a Way' attitude. : ) # The Scenic VIEWS of Alaska, in your videos are Awesome!! Your videos are my favorite : )
If you're going to garden , don't dispose of the cardboard. That's absolute gold for weed suppression in the garden . Any organic materials are valuable 🤑🤑
Agree! Save the cardboard…worms love it, it does a brilliant job as a covering to slow down creeping grass weeds etc…you need to layer it a bit & over lap the edges. Works a treat! Don’t burn it 🙏🏼
Cut the boxes a little smaller and lay them on the ground. The worms love cardboard. Its is also good for dirt. Cardboard is like GOLD!!
You could use all that cardboard in your garden. The worms will gobble it up & it will also decompose & keep weeds at bay.
I was going to say this, we put them under the soil when we made the raised beds. It helps somewhat to also suppress the weeds and rots down.
Yep! I don't have to weed anymore.
I was going to suggest using it for her garden also
Yes great idea
Wow! Interesting...🤔
Use your cardboard for your garden, works great!
You can rent a U-Haul local and make a dump run.
Before you bring in rock for the front yard look at a way you can channel the water away. By raising the ground with rock you may have water drain towards the cabin.
For the appliances you have set out. Try taking them apart and each trip into town take a bit at a time. I did that with a swamp cooler and got a lot of screws and a good electric motor to use on another project.
Talk to someone about your driveway. If you raise the level where you park without a drain...your basement will flood. Also cardboard is excellent for gardening. We shred it and put it in compost or just use it flattened in walkways or in the beds covered with mulch and or soil.
Husband worked in quarry for 40 years. You need rip rap as a base not river rock
@@judyrosy yes agree for sure 🎯
Do you not have junk people that want the metal or that will come pick up the things from your remodel? One man's junk is another man's treasure!😊😊
Roads maintenance may be why I throw in the towel eventually. Every other year I need to bring in nearly a mile of gravel and level it with a rake. As a mature woman on a fixed income it gets a little daunting. It’s always a bit next level to realize you need your own heavy equipment and trailer but that’s the fact of owning acreage.
Morning Alone! Planning a garden? That cardboard is GOLD! Helps keep soil moist. Keeps weeds way down. Cardboard under mulch creates lovely weed free pathways between beds. You can put neighbor pin boards or newspapers ad for gardeners free cardboard, you haul it away.
So many uses for it.
Hope you’re doing well and remember,
How do you eat an elephant?
One bite at a time. 😂😂😂🎈
The guy you hire to bring the rock might be willing to do a dump run for some extra cash
Watching all these Alaska shows makes me never want to move there..lol. its not for everyone.
I know you said you're planning to have a garden. Put the cardboard down to help weed control AND as it breaks down gives nutrients for worms and soil.
Sadly, the "Recycling Program" anywhere in the US is a joke!😢
Thank you for another wonderful view into your life!💕✌️
What a tremendous amount of work it takes to live this way. It hadn’t occurred to me that they don’t have trash pick up or that electricity was so expensive until I listened to your channel. Lots of skills or money are needed as well as equipment. You are doing an amazing job, I don’t think I could do it. ~ Janet 😘
Sheetmetal from old appliances comes in handy down the line. I recycled a refrigerator and replaced the floor on our old farm truck with it
I agree using that precious cardboard for your garden. I wish I had some of it, I live in the Southwest and that stuff is gold to us.
I'm in need of driveway red rock, rock is very expensive now.😮
i agree...cardboard is like gold!....so many uses
Hi Denise! Yes, cardboard has so many uses beyond it's original intended purpose! I do plan on using some of it in the garden and will be doing an upcoming video about it too! I wish I could send you a bunch of this cardboard for use in your garden! 😉💛
I’d use the cardboard as a weed suppression and a mulch once all the tape is removed.
Gosh, save your cardboard to lay down on the ground where you want garden beds and you will not have to remove grass or weeds or spade up the soil. Just weedwhack any plants close to the ground, lay a couple of overlapping layers of cardboard (be sure to remove any tape first), then put 4 to 6 inches of compost, soil, bark mulch, shredded leaves/grass clippings, or whatever you have handy or can get delivered or get in big bags on top. Your no-dig garden bed will be ready to plant next spring (if you do this in fall) or if you just put compost/bagged soil of top of the cardboard you can plant immediately this year. See Charles Dowding's no-dig vids on YT. This way you save time, labor, and preserve the life of the soil. When you spade up garden beds you destroy the soil food web. And BTW, earthworms love cardboard! If you are planning raised beds, simply use the method described but obviously pile up more soil. To save money and/or increase the size of your garden, you can compost all summer in newly built raised-beds-to-be and they will be ready for planting next spring.
When we lived on cumberland island national seashore, s retained rights residents; our electricity had a 50% surcharge. I’ve been gone 10 years now, so I know it’s gone up, but the average bill was $600.00/mo way back then. Sometimes more, that’s just average.
Then our propane for generator and stove, the truck had to be barged back and forth (we had to hire person with barge). Same with our gasoline. We had a farm type gasoline pump.
If a fridge went out or something broke, everything was was a logistical nightmare! It’s bad enough being remote, but add in being surrounded by water from any stores, mail, anything.
I stopped using butane. It’s not always easy to dispose of the cans, there is typically some wasted, and I don’t believe it’s good to breathe it and its combustion products in an enclosed space.
The best way to get rid of the cardboard and paper is to compost it. Add some weeds and vegetable scraps plus ash from your fire to the heap, it will rot down over the summer and you will have some lovely compost for your vegetable garden next season.
Would it not be better and cheaper to run a gas line from your tank outside and use a gas stove? Just a thought. Cardboard is a good resource for gardening to prevent weeds. Place topsoil on top of it and it will eventually breakdown. I used that and newspaper for all my landscaping.
Alone…. How about using the cardboard as a weed-barrier for an above ground vegetable garden. (Haven’t finished watching the video, so I hope it’s a helpful suggestion).
Definitely use cardboard in the garden! Great video, keep them coming!
You're problem is drainage, covering the area in gravel is not the answer as it's just covering a problem. The water has to go somewhere, assess the area dig ditches to allow water to drain away , then and only then cover the area in stone
Keep cardboard and use it for your garden , lay it flat put soil on it and make some flower or veg beds x
Well, I'm having quite a conversation with you today!!! Another use for those cardboard boxes is put one inside the other to add strength, add a bag of soil, and then grow potatoes in the boxes this year. Not something I have tried myself, but apparently one gets enormous crops this way. See many YT vids on the topic. It's another good no-dig method to jump-start your garden, and you can place the boxes anywhere! The cardboard will biodegrade over the summer and you can compost it in fall after dumping the soil on one of your more permanent beds and picking out the mature potatoes! Easy peasy.
We are growing potatoes in cardboard boxes.
Your driveway is looking like what "The Boss of the Swamp" had to deal with every spring. We had the same problem when we lived in Vermont. People who don't have "Mud Season" just can't fully understand what a headache it can be.
I would use that cardboard for the garden where you don't want weeds to grow. I have done that for years.
Thank you Alone!
I use all my cardboard for the bottom of my garden beds, it makes great compost. I do have to take all the tape off of it, and that is a pain, but it is worth it when the garden grows.
Another tip: instead of a butane stove, consider getting an alcohol stove. About the same size as what you have, easy to use, cooks with flame, no butane cans to explode or recycle. You can buy the alcohol at most camping stores or order online. The cool thing about burning alcohol is if you ever had a stove fire you just put it out with plain water. I used an alcohol stove all the years I was off-grid, and traveling in my van (I hate stuff that can explode!) and I loved it. The brand of stove I used is Origo They make them for marine applications because, again, you don't want explosives on boats. There are even Origo stoves with ovens -- I used one in a tiny house on wheels. The ovens are small and a little tricky to use (very HOT), so I don't recommend them highly, but if you put a pizza stone in the oven to moderate the temp you can use the oven for basic applications. Sometimes you can find used Origo stoves on CraigsList or Kijiji (Canada). I got a great deal on one that way. Also, if you REALLY want to be self-sufficient, you can buy a small still on Amazon and make your own alcohol from any woody plant material. Something to consider as products become less available. BTW, one also can use Everclear in the stove, although that could be a bit expensive!!
blackstone griddle with 20,or 100 lb. propane tanks...refillable of course.and cardboard for garden.. vids on youtube..
Hi David! I looked at the blackstone griddles, but wondered if it would turn out to be just a coating like teflon that would eventually flake off or off gas. I need to do more research. But I do have two cast iron griddles of various sizes, and I have a propane two burner camp stove and two 25-gallon tanks that I bought last year so I am able to can. I will be going over the pros and cons of cardboard in the garden in an upcoming video. Thank you for the great suggestions! 🤗💛
@@AloneinRemoteAlaska My blackstone is sheet steel.. No coating.. They need to be seasoned.. Now mine is a few years old, but I can't imagine they would be coated.. I use mine in my kitchen.. People say that that is unsafe, but it's just like a gas range in reality.. Just digging in my garden and the cardboard I used last year is gone.. I'm on the Canadian side of the border from Seattle.
Hi David! Thanks for the information on the blackstone. That is good to know. I am curious about the cardboard here, because we don't have earthworms here. I am sure that there are other critters, insects and bacteria that would help to consume it, but not sure of the difference due to the lack of worms. I do plan on using some in the garden so it will be interesting to see. 😊
I live in a small town that collects cardboard and most residents don't know that it then goes to the dump and burnt. It costs more to haul it to the big recycle plant than the get so it is burnt. You do what you have to.
If you get some road fabric for your driveway, you can save having to put up to 12" of large roadbase rock down. Then you will only need a few inches of crusher-run gravel over the road fabric. The higher and dryer areas should do just fine with say 5" of gravel right onto the dirt. Also consider a couple drain pipes under the roadbed in the lowest places since the raised driveway will create new places for the water to pool beside the driveway.
You make things harder for yourself than they need to be!
Since you have multiple freezers why don’t you fill empty containers like milk with water and put them in a freezer to make ice. As they melt in the Yeti put them back into freezer.
Just love the scenery! One thing to consider, I'm sure you have already thought of it, is when you fill in your lake make sure you have drainage away from your cabin. Glad to see that your number of subscribers has grown quite a bit lately. How much day light do you have there now? CMQCAA++
Hi Chip! Yes, drainage is the name of the game this year! And it does appear that plowing the driveway may have led to the poor drainage this year as removing the feet of snow, also took away the insulating factor of the snow on the ground. Learn something new from my subscribers every day and I love it! The channel continues to do well, and I am thankful for that. 🤗 Right, now this area is averaging around 17 hours a day of sunlight. In the next six weeks we will only gain a few minutes of daylight each week, topping out at around 19 hours of sunlight by the summer equinox. Though it won't actually get completely dark by that time. 😉💛
I understand your thinking about the appliances. I got rid of my electric stove and fridge for similar reasons and continue to simplify my life. I never get tired of the amazing views of the mountains in your videos!
Hi Beth! Electricity is so expensive! And I am finding the simpler I go, the more use and enjoyment I get from things. Glad to hear that you're going this direction too! I have some travel plans in the next month, and hope to share some new and exciting views with you soon! 🤗💛
Totally understand the non cardboard in the stove. We don't do that either, not worth the chance. However, you can lay it down on an area that you want to have a garden. It will kill the weeds and compost when breaking down. I know you have a lot there however. Your a good teacher on living basically on your land. Here in Minnesota we are getting lovely green grass and leaves on the trees. Soon , very soon the morels will be out! I can't wait. You stay safe and good blessings to you and you favorite guy.
Good morning from Arizona. Cardboard can be used in compost pile. It'll degrade down.
I live my dreams through you..
Love the scenic tours you take us on in your videos.
You could use you cardboard in you compost
You can start your compost bins sooner so you are ahead when with your garden is installed
as it takes time to make
I am not sure of all things that could go in compost
But some are paper not glossy, old leaves, uncooked kitchen waste eggs shells, banana skins, and coffee grounds and tea leaves also grass clippings and weeds you can even put in dog and cat hair
it uses up the waste and is free
You can also use your Cardboard for ground cover for no dig beds
Some old refrigerators can also be used as a meat smoker. My husband's family in Northern Wisconsin uses an old refrigerator as a meat smoker and it works out perfect.
The cardboard is a hugely valuable gardening resource as a weed suppressor and for moisture retention. Consider breaking them down flat amd storing them upright tucked against a wall in the woodshed for now. Havent been watching long enoughbto know what is in your junk,pile but you might want to look at it with repurposing eyes. For instance some of the repurposing I do...i use a dead deep freezer as rat proif storage for chicken and dog food. I use a dead dishwasher on my por h in lieu of a root cellar for potatoes, carrots, etc in winter (coastal PNW location). I have remodelled an electric hotcwater heater into a raised bed growing area by cutt8ng one side off lengthwise. Perhaps a stove could be flipped on its back and used as a raised bed for planting, etc.
An old 55 gallon steel drum with some steel mesh (spark arrester) can be used anytime and in any type of weather…even rain when the fire gets hot enough. That way you don’t need to wait until the snow melts off of the bonfire pit.
Can you use your cardboard for your garden? I saved and used tons of cardboard when creating my no-till garden beds. I couldn't dig so I built up the beds. Worked wonderful. Don't know your plans for gardening but it may be an alternative?
If you have some place that refills/exchanges larger portable propane bottles, it seems that using that with a camping stove would spare you the garbage.
You might look into using a Wonder Bag for cooking to save energy, and save heating up the cabin during warmer months. Some people cook using a DIY type of Wonder Bag setup using towles, pillows and blankets in an old cooler or even a cardbord box. TH-cam has links on that. Love your videos!
Breakup is my least favorite time of the year: It’s always a mess and it is the only time of the year where I think Alaska is ugly. Thanks for sharing.
Spring break up is definitely a sloppy mess in AK. And ohhh boy our electric bill has gone up here too. Thanks for another excellent podcast. big hug to all ❤️🙏
Things do seem to collect and add up over time. Easier to stay ahead of it then to have to tackle a huge mess.
Yup, Breakup is a real season in Alaska. One of those 55 gallon barrels next to your green house would make a great burn barrel, also a common solution for trash. A heavy screen on top to help the the fly away ashes. We burn in open areas in the winter as the risk of fire is less and there are usually no burn bans during the winter. As far as worms, we have some but with deep freeze we get makes it really hard to raise worms outside. I keep a worm bin inside.
I'm dreading how much trash shows up in my yard once the snow melts! Course it is fun remembering all the stuff you known once the snow is out of here! Be safe Ms Alone! 😊❤ Oh and P.S. this is/was Little Alaskan Homeplace 😅
Hi Josh! I knew it was you! I saw that you changed your channel name a few weeks back and love the new name! I, too, am finding things popping up in the yard that were buried all winter, that I had completely forgotten about! 😳 Hope all is well with you and your family! 🤗💛
In my area, Michigan, you can advertise free and find people who take away for scrap metal.
Lasagne gardening! Layering cardboard. Yes, don't I feel your struggles! The loads of dirt, river rock and gravel I've had delivered to combat the deluge of rain here. Now I have my neighbors squatting out front on newly graded area selling cooked food from a tent. Ahh the joys of trying to maintain peace love and harmony!!! You go girl!!! Trash is the worst residue for our existence (besides wars, etc.)✌
Oh my, is right. Man, i wish we could all decend on your place and help lift your enormous challenges. I want to see you succeed! All the best...👍🇨🇦💜🙏⭐
What about using the cardboard for your garden by laying it at the bottom?
Thank you so much for sharing these challenges. I’m about to put together the new electric mower and mow for the first time in 10+ years. I feel ready now. 💜
Hello Alone a good video as usual and even though the snowing is melting the scenery is still as beautiful as ever there in Alaska. Be safe. 😀
We spead straw all over. It soaks up the water and the seeds grow grass everywhere.
Why are you not using the cardboard in your garden and compost ??? Or burn it NOW while you still have snow !!! Safer than waiting for exposed ground that can catch fire.
Hi Alone. Enjoyed the video.
And you could find a old fashioned whisk blender you crank the handle and it will blend up your things like cake mix egg whites for merang pudding and even make mayonase ok❤
I completely understand not wanting piles of things on your property. It’s really sad to see when people have piles of crap on their property. It’s worse if you live in a development or housing community. It does take away from the beauty of homesteads as well. Good luck and I adore your videos and your vibe!
With all those freezers its more cost effective filling jugs of water or melted snow/ice to freeze for the Yetti & not pay for Ice anymore. Btw... I had bought some beautiful lightweight lanterns that look old fashioned in a antique bronze color from Amazon that just takes battery that can be charged using an usb port & they go from dim to very bright. They can stand on table or hang from a wall. I love them. I have two & I save on my electricity & cost of light bulbs. I have a few kitchen gadgets also that can be charged using an USB port like a small grinder, etc. Cordless. Btw.... I also carry my lanterns outside to see when it's dark while I'm star gazing. Also... They never get hot. I love things that are flameless cuz I fear fires so I have beautiful flameless candles too & they look so real.
ha ha, typo...I meant to write YEARS, not tears.
Hi sister. Pretty much to organize for you. You are so brave and tough!
We here in bali are busy with organzing our move from Asia back to Europe. We will move into a new country- Italy. We are looking forward for our new life and adventures. Its enourmous work to make this change happen.
So I can understand the amount of the work you have to do at your place.
I wish you miracles! Helpful friends, creative solutions and that you stay healthy and happy. Thank you for sharing your life. So interesting. Big hug from Bali.
Sounds like u have a LOT on u r plate! Don't over c extend! Hope the "lake" can b dealt with in a timely manner. Also, hope the job search is going well! Scenery is breath taking there, but as one comment I read,Alaska is NOT 4 everyone. U have a lot of "grit", that's why it's working 4 u. Love 2 u/Kenai. U r CO connection.
i use cardboard in my gardens for paths and also tear it up and mix in with compost for garden beds. If you have a wood chipper it does an awesome job of chopping it all up great
Snow melt/mud season is tough. I felt the overwhelm in your face as you were showing the lakefront property. We're about 6 weeks ahead of you as far as mud season goes and we were super lucky to get a week of sun with temps in the 80s right at the start of April, so mud season was over quickly this year. It was interesting to hear your struggles with recycling; I felt just a tad better about living in this nanny state, in that there is a way to recycle just about anything here. But I applaud you holding your ground as far as limiting your dependence on electricity. There's always a way to do without- electricity is so new in terms of human history and we all still traveled and drank coffee lol!! Hang in there my friend!! ❤❤❤
Even at a mess it is so scenic. Be safe
Our building was affected by Sandy We all helped to do a flower garden in front of building at that time. Gardening is therapeutic and up builds our lives. Even indoors as well.
You could soak your cardboard in 5 gallon buckets and put it in another bucket with holes in the bottom. Then press the water out of the mess and let it dry. You have now made a log you can burn as fuel in your stove. Same can be done with paper. Just a thought
I think I dislike mud worse then snow. The ruts just seam to get deeper and deeper . I have a ton of trash to get off my property also. OPT .other peoples trash.
you are in need of an outdoor kitchen in so many ways.
I pray you can get driveway fixed soon Alone. I'm sure it's hard getting in and out. You will conquer all your needs one at a time. You are a determined lady.
I think your yetti cooler is a great idea, and you have had success with its performance so -- "if its not broke don't try and fix it!" as the saying goes 😊! I also always think less is more. Lots of folks in the comment section speak about using the cardboard in your garden, that's a great use, and you may want to consider that. I really enjoyed this video because it was so authentic and real, and shows us what you are dealing with, and so many good folks in the comment section have some great ideas for all the situations you showed us, I hope it helps you with these projects. I think your doing a great job of keeping up with everything and knowing what needs to be done. Yes, projects...projects...but you are so capable it will all get done. Thanks for the update, see you on the next!❤
maybe consider putting a hitch on your truck and getting a little trailer you can haul stuff around yourself...?
Great idea!
My thought also- the cardboard is a good start to a garden bed. Spread it out and weigh it down with fire wood or logs. I’m doing that now on my property where I’m planning a new garden bed. bed. 😁❤️🌹😊
Hello Snow Maiden! I have a question that you may have already answered. Why did you move to Alaska from Colorado if you have it physically harder, more expensive, more isolated and just generally more problematic? I can wait until the next Q and A. Have a great week!
She has some good videos already made that addresses these things, and they are fun to watch! ☺
Good luck with you projects.
Hello Alone! Enjoyed this video and I am looking forward to more videos of your warmer weather projects and excursions. Keeping you in my thoughts on the job hunt as well. Take care❤
Hi Alone! I knew you didn't have trash pick-up, but wow, I didn't know how difficult it was to get rid of your trash. Talking about your day to day has given me a different view about living remotely, there are so many things like the mail and the trash and the residency etc. etc. etc.. It is actually pretty shocking how difficult it is to live without big city (Dallas area) services. The lake front property really makes me appreciate our storm drains, which scared me when I first moved here from Denver. Yes, Denver has storm drains, but there are some drains in big box store parking lots and the like, that a small child could easily fall into. I have a greater appreciation for them now! Who would even think about the hassle of getting rid of empty butane cans? Not me! Thanks for sharing these interesting tips and the beautiful scenery.
Yes I was going to say rock. I feel bad for you! I have a gravel driveway and sidewalk. I just had to order more. Expensive Yikes!!
Heck. That water hole looks like our place did last year. Everything was awash, and roads went out or away. Slop is not fun. I graveled/rocked our driveway and it seems to be holding but we haven't had pouring rain again yet. It all costs. The cardboard. Are you allowed/ or will you use it for where your garden will be? Good weed stopper. Power costs are skyrocketing everywhere. We will not enjoy it. We are in winter now, and there are multiple people here to wash and dry so that will hurt. Gas prices aren't pretty either. O, well.
Well Hi 🎉 Such a beautiful nice place to see .Be safe !You carry a 45 for yourself and a knife Im guessing ? That holster looks nice I got Galco holsters myself they make custom also !Those yetis are not cheap !Have a great day !
It was a pleasure to meet you today in Anchorage. All the best! Brian and Amy
Why not get a propane gas hob, it must be a lot cheaper than those small butane ones, plus they are refillable. Wow 23c a KWh you don’t want to be in the uk then 👍
I had a similar lake; all that snow melts and really accumulates as water when it gets warm
Lots of changes coming to the property. Thank you for sharing this with us. I am sure you will get things done as you can. Things are just very different than in the lower 48 regarding recycling. Everyone stay warm, safe, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia
Your spring has come further than mine. It feels like March here. Can´t remember such a long and hard winter. We had 30 cm of snow on Tuesday, it was the complete chaos everywhere. I managed to get into work, as I still have the studded snowtires on my car. So I got safe to work and all the way home, until I came up the driveway. I pushed in the 4x4 button, and drove carefully up my driveway, only to get all 4 wheels dug into the ground. 😂 I had to laugh... Stuck in snow the last week of April. Depressing really, below freezing every night. Expecting snow again on Monday, May 1st. I burn my cardboard in the snow. It is better to burn stuff in the winter, as there is no firehazard to the nearby wood. That cooler of yours does the same job as a normal fridge by the looks of it, and without electricity - other than the energy to freeze those iceblocks again. Is your property completely flat? Is there a way to drain the water away? I use a word "nyttelast", it translates to "payload", dont know if it makes sence. But, every time I go upstairs, or drive in the direction of the recycling plant, I carry stuff upstairs, that doesnt belong downstairs, or fill up my car with things that I can donate or recycle. Must admit, it sounds wonderful, but I dont do this every time! 😅 Have a nice long weekend! I am looking for spring! 🌼
I am new to your channel and from South Africa, so I can't give you any advice, but watch Simple Living Alaska. Arial and Eric are epic off grid people and you can learn a lot from them. Good lux. Love your videos
Thank you for the tip on how to get rid of my Butane can, I was wondering about that And you mentioned putting rocks on the property I'd like to know a little bit more about that, just wondering if that's to control the water level.
Your doing a great job up there also some well paced French drains on you property at some point would make spring thaw with much less standing water . Thanks for sharing .
Hi Alone & Kenai, good that you’re getting things done and it’ll be green and pretty soon and all that sloppy mess will dry. 😊
The yeti cooler would be great on hand to have if the power goes out. I would just keep one of those ice blocks in my freezer. Very informative video.
Thanks for answering my question..definitely a lot to think about living in Remote places.
Didn't know the Yeti was so efficient.
Ms. Remote Alaska, YOU are such an inspirational Woman!! I'm sure you are in a 'Class of your own' in many ways. Most women couldn't even conceive of being able to learn and do all of the things that you accomplish with such confidence & grace. YOU could have an online Course in Teaching many practical Skills. Even if someone never needed to use these Skills; they would be able to do them if needed. That, alone strengthens and builds confidence, courage, and a 'Where there's a Will there's a Way' attitude. : ) # The Scenic VIEWS of Alaska, in your videos are Awesome!! Your videos are my favorite : )