just make sure if you ever have to buy hay; it does not have grazon that has been sprayed on. if your animals eat it and you use the manure on your garden or soil it will posion your land and take years to get rid of it.
Yes, SWALES!!! We love them down here :) The wind damage is definitely a big issue here in SE Arizona too. This is the main reason we are building a hyperadobe earthen home because it withstands the winds so well. The sun can also be a big factor. We have found that using the Shou Sugi Ban technique works pretty well to protect wood out here. Love the potato beds...we just put ours in a few days ago. We are doing in the ground, but also trying to grow in bags...have you tried that yet? Excellent job on your rain harvesting systems! We agree 100% with you on the actual state of water here :) It's funny, we've gotten waaaaay more rain here than we ever got in Colorado! Where we are at in Cochise County (the very southeasternmost county in AZ) our winter lows don't go much below 20 and summer highs don't go much about 95. Take care!
When I moved into my first house in Phoenix, my next door neighbor [a local organic gardener of 20+ years] told me the soil was called "desert asphalt" for a reason. But with compost and frugal methods, I could grow a garden, and he was right. I had a pickup -- I gathered bagged up pecan leaves in November and December, which improved the soil tremendously plus pecans. Gardening is an experiment, so I learn what not to do as much as from my successes. Great video !!!
You are definitely showing that if there’s a will there’s a way👍. May not be easy but is doable. Thanks for sharing all your newfound knowledge with us. 👵🏻👩🌾❣️
Your homestead keeps getting better and better John. It's amazing to see the progress. I haven't check out a video of yours in a few months. What progress!!
My wife and I have plans to homestead in AZ somewhere. We’re full time traveling right now but once we get a little nest egg together we’re gonna jump on some land and get started. Thanks for showing how you operate and run your plot.
Just located your Channel. Awesome 👍. I've had several off grid properties myself. I totally understand you being happy and content alone. I am the same. So many Folk's would ask me, if I got lonely as well, but I always answered; I'm not alone... Staying busy, enjoying the animal's & constructing things as you have is very rewarding mentally & physically. " Not everyone is cut out for all this work ". But, I to love my space & peace of mind, it's healing for the soul. You're doing a great job ! I'm searching for property online in Arizona currently. I've lived off grid in both Arkansas and Tennessee. I've seen many now in the High Desert of Arizona & I think 🤔 my dog & I will load up and explore there. What's the downfall is, all Counties seem to be different what they'll allow & approve before one can actually dwell on their purchased property. Take care of yourself.
I don’t know what your budget is for a tractor, but I came across an electric construction equipment page for a relatively decent price for small scale homesteads/farms. Might be worth adding a few solar panels and charging it up over a few days between uses. The company is Nesher Equipment.
The secret to a great garden is: observe, experiment, adjust and persevere. Some things need more of this or less of that or will do well here and not there. Some things don't produce like you'd hope. Others surprise you. Never underestimate shear dumb luck. Take what you can get. Keep trying. Keep building. "Life begets life" Lyet Kynes.
We my wife and I are trying to make it in SE AZ! The wind can be brutal over here. Have problems trying to manicure the landscape to drain properly. And the evaporation rate with the sun and wind is very high! You look like your having great success! Gonna try some of your methods!!!
The birds are beautiful but also useful for bug control. Sounds like you have a very healthy ecosystem! 100% with you on wind damage being an issue. We are planting fast growing tall bushes to combat that. I think we will go with privit. What percentage of your own food are you able to grow? Our potatoes went in this week, and it's co crops of leeks, basil, merlot lettuce, celtus, and my favorite, blood sorel. We are actively looking for an alternative to celery, as it doesn't want to grow for us here. Trying lovage cardoon and the celtus. Very interested in the sorghum and what you do to make it grow We tried some grains last year with very poor germination.😢 We do grow amaranth for greens, good vitamin profile but not our favorite in terms of flavor
I have created enough growing space, soil and water storage to grow all my fruit and vegetables. I just need to store that rain this season and prove the concept. I nearly produce enough meat already. I would say in a year or two I should have it pretty well covered. Sorghum is pretty easy to grow. I only planted about 10 feet of swale last year and it was brim full. I just tossed it in the dirt when the rain was coming.
Jus Subbed; This Was Really Insightful, An One Of The Best & Honest Uploads About Homesteading In AZ. Been Looking Out There For Few Months. Got Friends Who Just Bought Land Out There. With Your Information An Boots On The Ground. The Transition Of Moving There Will Be Alot Easier! Thanks My Brother, Stay Blessed!!
My husband and I just watched your wonderful video. And we just had to say you’ve done such a great job ,inspired us also and to let you know you’re such a beautiful light worker, and we enjoyed seeing all those orbs all around you when you were in the seller, at the end of the video. you have lots of angels and loved ones around you. thank you so much for sharing your knowledge …❤
You should really try keeping sheep. The dry areas is perfect for the sheep. You can plant some fodder trees for them along with alfalfa.... and you have a high fat 8% milk and meat. Dual purpose sheep like awassi sheep is from middle east with similar climate. Plus the sheep manure can be used to keep heating through composting the sheep manure.
With the climate as you mentioned, the wells are what are drying up.. and our government likes to make things illegal like an entire state that's considered part of the southwest where its illegal to collect rainwater at all, makes things look really grim. What we will need to do to survive a grid down event would largely be illegal, aka wood stoves in our homes.. But hey, Im trying to start a homestead myself in Arizona probably so thanks for your channel dude!!
Hey, bud I have an idea for you. I am going to do this for my property asap. Ok, how about just getting a simple used riding mower with a bag catcher ? It would cut and gather for you, then dump it into your bailer. Just a thought. Keep up the good work ! - Ron - @ Sodbuster Homestead
@@FrugalOffGrid Using a non mulcher type blade & a bag catcher, it would gather most of what you cut into the bag, then dump bag content into your bailer, but yes material may be cut up smaller, possibly have to modify the bailer some for smaller content. Well consider time improvement & volume of bales with ease. I have cut swathed & bailed alot of hay & believe it to work, gonn try it, will let you know results, tnx for response & best wish's.
I am so sorry I am new to your Channel though I have to ask this. Are you able to build an underground to above ground home for yourself? Similar to Tatooine Star Wars homes that are somewhat above ground but go underground for most of the home. Please forgive my ignorance. I just began watching as I stated earlier because I wanted to learn how to build a root cellar. But then I became intrigued with your homestead and your way of life. Thank you so much for sharing! ❤
The main trick is to keep the water moving and filtering which I haven't done a perfect job of yet but I have only seen maybe 3 mosquitos since I've been here.
I didn’t hear you mention a magpie. My late parents spent 14 years in Arizona, mostly in the Verde Valley, only a mile or so from the (former) Red Rock Crossing. Are you North or South of that latitude? Cause they had a magpie. I also observed a jaguarundi, which is not officially going so far north. They are mostly nocturnal, so you may not ever see them even if they are there. We were driving to catch a red-eye flight, through a rugged spot over a dry wash and there it was!
What’s your evidence for a decrease in rainwater in AZ? I thought they were saying that it’s the Colorado river that is drying up. Isn’t there a possibility that climate change will increase the amount of rainfall due to more extreme or extended monsoons?
Hey Hey!! Fellow AZ Guy here. My wife and I are interested in starting up a homestead oasis. What part of northern AZ would you recommend for us to look to purchase some land?
How to start a homestead in 2025 webinar November 9th 9am MST frugaloffgrid.com/products/how-to-start-a-homestead-in-2025-webinar
just make sure if you ever have to buy hay; it does not have grazon that has been sprayed on. if your animals eat it and you use the manure on your garden or soil it will posion your land and take years to get rid of it.
Yes, SWALES!!! We love them down here :) The wind damage is definitely a big issue here in SE Arizona too. This is the main reason we are building a hyperadobe earthen home because it withstands the winds so well. The sun can also be a big factor. We have found that using the Shou Sugi Ban technique works pretty well to protect wood out here. Love the potato beds...we just put ours in a few days ago. We are doing in the ground, but also trying to grow in bags...have you tried that yet? Excellent job on your rain harvesting systems! We agree 100% with you on the actual state of water here :) It's funny, we've gotten waaaaay more rain here than we ever got in Colorado! Where we are at in Cochise County (the very southeasternmost county in AZ) our winter lows don't go much below 20 and summer highs don't go much about 95. Take care!
Swales are golden. So much water can be redirected on the land. Thanks for sharing guys.
Shelter, animals and a garden. What a nice set up.
Your water management is next level! Very impressive.
When I moved into my first house in Phoenix, my next door neighbor [a local organic gardener of 20+ years] told me the soil was called "desert asphalt" for a reason. But with compost and
frugal methods, I could grow a garden, and he was right. I had a pickup -- I gathered bagged up pecan leaves in November and December, which improved the soil tremendously plus pecans.
Gardening is an experiment, so I learn what not to do as much as from my successes. Great video !!!
Glad I found your channel. Living vicariously through you while sitting in my office in downtown Los Angeles 😑
You are definitely showing that if there’s a will there’s a way👍. May not be easy but is doable. Thanks for sharing all your newfound knowledge with us. 👵🏻👩🌾❣️
Your homestead keeps getting better and better John. It's amazing to see the progress. I haven't check out a video of yours in a few months. What progress!!
My wife and I have plans to homestead in AZ somewhere. We’re full time traveling right now but once we get a little nest egg together we’re gonna jump on some land and get started.
Thanks for showing how you operate and run your plot.
Just located your Channel.
Awesome 👍.
I've had several off grid properties myself. I totally understand you being happy and content alone. I am the same.
So many Folk's would ask me, if I got lonely as well, but I always answered; I'm not alone... Staying busy, enjoying the animal's & constructing things as you have is very rewarding mentally & physically. " Not everyone is cut out for all this work ". But, I to love my space & peace of mind, it's healing for the soul.
You're doing a great job !
I'm searching for property online in Arizona currently. I've lived off grid in both Arkansas and Tennessee.
I've seen many now in the High Desert of Arizona & I think 🤔 my dog & I will load up and explore there.
What's the downfall is, all Counties seem to be different what they'll allow & approve before one can actually dwell on their purchased property.
Take care of yourself.
Seems like the southwest gets way more rainwater than California you just need to harvest it. 😊
I don’t know what your budget is for a tractor, but I came across an electric construction equipment page for a relatively decent price for small scale homesteads/farms. Might be worth adding a few solar panels and charging it up over a few days between uses. The company is Nesher Equipment.
Your potato patch looked really nice.
I can't wait for this springs videos this channel is going to blow up!
Gotta be the best video for my move to the AZ dessert I’ve seen. Thank you so much !!
The secret to a great garden is: observe, experiment, adjust and persevere. Some things need more of this or less of that or will do well here and not there. Some things don't produce like you'd hope. Others surprise you. Never underestimate shear dumb luck. Take what you can get. Keep trying. Keep building. "Life begets life" Lyet Kynes.
We my wife and I are trying to make it in SE AZ! The wind can be brutal over here. Have problems trying to manicure the landscape to drain properly. And the evaporation rate with the sun and wind is very high! You look like your having great success! Gonna try some of your methods!!!
Hey this is off topic, but when you build your cabin, check out the boat arch, or gothic arch method. You can build rather cheap that way.
The birds are beautiful but also useful for bug control. Sounds like you have a very healthy ecosystem!
100% with you on wind damage being an issue. We are planting fast growing tall bushes to combat that. I think we will go with privit.
What percentage of your own food are you able to grow?
Our potatoes went in this week, and it's co crops of leeks, basil, merlot lettuce, celtus, and my favorite, blood sorel. We are actively looking for an alternative to celery, as it doesn't want to grow for us here. Trying lovage cardoon and the celtus.
Very interested in the sorghum and what you do to make it grow We tried some grains last year with very poor germination.😢
We do grow amaranth for greens, good vitamin profile but not our favorite in terms of flavor
I have created enough growing space, soil and water storage to grow all my fruit and vegetables. I just need to store that rain this season and prove the concept. I nearly produce enough meat already. I would say in a year or two I should have it pretty well covered. Sorghum is pretty easy to grow. I only planted about 10 feet of swale last year and it was brim full. I just tossed it in the dirt when the rain was coming.
Love the mountain bluebirds and the Orioles.
Thanks for visiting my channel
Jus Subbed; This Was Really Insightful, An One Of The Best & Honest Uploads About Homesteading In AZ. Been Looking Out There For Few Months. Got Friends Who Just Bought Land Out There. With Your Information An Boots On The Ground. The Transition Of Moving There Will Be Alot Easier! Thanks My Brother, Stay Blessed!!
Thank you for sharing ❤Divina from Tempe. 😀
Gotta catch up on your videos! Love the process. The tried will be moving onto ours soon. Hopefully we will meet you
My husband and I just watched your wonderful video. And we just had to say you’ve done such a great job ,inspired us also and to let you know you’re such a beautiful light worker, and we enjoyed seeing all those orbs all around you when you were in the seller, at the end of the video. you have lots of angels and loved ones around you.
thank you so much for sharing your knowledge …❤
Great job as always 👍
really like watching your videos and the information your give is really helping me to make a decision about where i want to move to
Your home looking good you been busy working hard hope all is well and cool your doing good with the water ok bro wish you lots of luck
You have done a great job!!!
Thank you!
Thank you! Terrific video! Educational! 😊
Awesome, thanks very much. Can't wait almost time.
Keep posting these💯
Thanks for the update
rad man keep it up, i hope to have something similar.
Lots of good info, Thanks Bro
You bet
You should really try keeping sheep. The dry areas is perfect for the sheep. You can plant some fodder trees for them along with alfalfa.... and you have a high fat 8% milk and meat. Dual purpose sheep like awassi sheep is from middle east with similar climate. Plus the sheep manure can be used to keep heating through composting the sheep manure.
With the climate as you mentioned, the wells are what are drying up.. and our government likes to make things illegal like an entire state that's considered part of the southwest where its illegal to collect rainwater at all, makes things look really grim. What we will need to do to survive a grid down event would largely be illegal, aka wood stoves in our homes.. But hey, Im trying to start a homestead myself in Arizona probably so thanks for your channel dude!!
Ever thought about vertical garden towers?
We’ll be moving there soon! Hopefully I can find a lovely husband to homestead with !
Here we go Arizona!
@@FrugalOffGridyes! It’s finally happening this year. ❤ we are leaving in the summer. Exciting!
Plant winter rye and it will yield the best tonnage for you
Hey, bud I have an idea for you. I am going to do this for my property asap. Ok, how about just getting a simple used riding mower with a bag catcher ? It would cut and gather for you, then dump it into your bailer. Just a thought. Keep up the good work ! - Ron - @ Sodbuster Homestead
A lawn mower would obliterate the hay, making it difficult to collect and bale.
@@FrugalOffGrid Using a non mulcher type blade & a bag catcher, it would gather most of what you cut into the bag, then dump bag content into your bailer, but yes material may be cut up smaller, possibly have to modify the bailer some for smaller content. Well consider time improvement & volume of bales with ease. I have cut swathed & bailed alot of hay & believe it to work, gonn try it, will let you know results, tnx for response & best wish's.
I am so sorry I am new to your Channel though I have to ask this. Are you able to build an underground to above ground home for yourself? Similar to Tatooine Star Wars homes that are somewhat above ground but go underground for most of the home.
Please forgive my ignorance. I just began watching as I stated earlier because I wanted to learn how to build a root cellar. But then I became intrigued with your homestead and your way of life. Thank you so much for sharing! ❤
Hey John, fellow arizonan here. Do you have to add anything to your pond to keep it from being a mosquito incubator?
The main trick is to keep the water moving and filtering which I haven't done a perfect job of yet but I have only seen maybe 3 mosquitos since I've been here.
I didn’t hear you mention a magpie. My late parents spent 14 years in Arizona, mostly in the Verde Valley, only a mile or so from the (former) Red Rock Crossing. Are you North or South of that latitude? Cause they had a magpie. I also observed a jaguarundi, which is not officially going so far north. They are mostly nocturnal, so you may not ever see them even if they are there. We were driving to catch a red-eye flight, through a rugged spot over a dry wash and there it was!
Do you have a filtering system for drinking the rain water or do you buys some from town?
Near the Grand Canyon we only got 3 inches all year. We dont get near 11 inches.
Where about in AZ are you? Where is ideal in AZ to homestead?
What’s your evidence for a decrease in rainwater in AZ? I thought they were saying that it’s the Colorado river that is drying up. Isn’t there a possibility that climate change will increase the amount of rainfall due to more extreme or extended monsoons?
Can't find the link to the webinar???? Help!
I'm curious what's your elevation
We are 100% clay. Ph is 7.0. Nitrogen is whats missing.
How safe do you feel and what is the crime rate there?
❤❤❤❤
Hey Hey!! Fellow AZ Guy here. My wife and I are interested in starting up a homestead oasis. What part of northern AZ would you recommend for us to look to purchase some land?
If I were you I would look at several states like I did. There are many great places.
@@FrugalOffGrid ooohhh nice! Where did you end up?
Lol, Arizona. Do your own research because if everyone goes to the same place it won't be nice anymore.
@@FrugalOffGrid hahahaha... Makes Sense. lol
I'm in yucca az where are u
I am amazed my friend👊🏻 you get my text ? Life is amazing 💫⚡️✨
Hey Ray! I haven't had phone service for about 7 months now. You can always email me or message me through my website.
How many acres do you have?