Behind the Scenes

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Watch my videos of builds, tools, animals, life, problems and adventures.
Filmed at the cabin and in the arid veld, with love.

Subtitles are available to allay frustration with the wet lens and mic. Sorry. About the video: A bit of "fun" as we have to repack the small dam wall. Our little earth dam was lost in the recent level 6 storm that came through here. Since we planned it to be small, docile and have an "exit strategy", there was no damage other than surrendering valuable water to the river. What we learn from this, is how to do it right; Also that any weather event can shadow a previous one. That such a small hill can harvest so much rain... On the upside, we learn from nature. My puny rain weir, meant to pick up the miniscule flow off the hillside, is a great success and will provide a game plan for more ways to ensure we can get enough water for parched times, for us and our animals and to grow food. Members get benefits and help this channel live on. https://www.patreon.com/simple_earth #simpleearth #selfsufficiency #homestead #rainwaterharvesting
Wins & Losses: Homestead Dam Problems | New Rain Harvesting Experiment
In this video: Revisit the scene of the flood-damaged road, and go over the plan. + See how I mitigate human error by using simple, cost effective means of automation. I show you how easy it is to program one of these Tap (and Orbit) turn-dial timers. + Tag along for the Nigerian dwarf goat and Dorper sheep hay run. Most of all, I just wanted this excuse to hang out with viewers of the channel. Happy end of February! Patreon members get benefits and helps this channel live on. https://www.patreon.com/simple_earth #simpleearth #selfsufficiency #homestead #survival
Is our road fixed yet? | How to water trees automatically
In this short episode, you can have a peek at what's happening at the (currently empty) dam. <br /><br />Also, I started improving the New Zealand rabbit buck's living quarters by raising him above the ground and planning for some cooling, sheltering and growing that will benefit him and his girlfriends soon enough. We are excited to see their numbers growing, health and happiness increasing and we are slowly learning more about them every day.<br /><br />This is by no means a full info video on the rabbit project. I am not ready for that, but plan to bring you such an episode soon. We will then discuss the breed, needs, risks, etc. <br /><br />Thank you for all your support, views, comments and subscriptions. Much appreciated. <br /><br />Patreon & channel members get benefits and help this channel live on.<br />https://www.patreon.com/simple_earth<br /><br />#simpleearth #selfsufficiency #homestead #rabbit
Rescue Rabbits: New Zealand White Buck Cage (learning update)
It's hard enough digging in our rocky terrain, let alone in the hottest month of the year. Planting a tree on top of the ground minimises digging and gives the sapling ample space and nutrients to find its own way down. I love hanging out with you, so join me as I get this Keurboom into the ground and talk about the short-term plan here. Patreon & Channel members get benefits and help this channel live on. https://www.patreon.com/simple_earth #simpleearth #selfsufficiency #homestead #survival
Planting a Tree Without (much) Digging + Short-Term Plan
Dedicated to Philippe Pouyaud. About this video: Join me for the relaxing build video out in the veld. The long list of self-sufficiency projects kicks off with this build of a pen, or enclosure, for the Boer bok we have planned. Our buck is ready to come to the farm, and we still need to find him some nannies. I split the large goat pen into two, with an electric fence and sturdy posts. I also move the water trough. Patreon members get benefits and help this channel live on. https://www.patreon.com/simple_earth #simpleearth #selfsufficiency #homestead #survival
Our Boerbok/Boergoat Preps - Splitting the Pen Fence
We went down to the river before the worst heat struck, to get a single Bluegum log we sought (fence!). This is one of those things we do, but almost never film, so join us for this relaxing, easy episode. [Subtitles/Captions available.] I am glad I did some sharpening on the CRKT axe, because it was a super lazy morning. Blunt blades are dangerous, and make the work harder. The fire's smoke kept gnats and some mosquitoes off us, at least. Merry late Christmas wishes to those who observe it, and a joyous, safe new year to all my channel friends. Patreon friends, thanks to you all. https://www.patreon.com/simple_earth Jacques, Zac, Kevin, Tiaan, Joe, Markath Goateries and our legend, Philippe. #simpleearth #selfsufficiency #homestead
Axe, Log, Dog & Fire. DIY Wood. Happy 2023!
About This Episode: The flash floods locked us into the farm, but we need this rain, so no complaints. The earthmoving companies closed down, and there may be one neighbour who can assist with a temporary repair. If this can be done, we should be mobile in no time. This is the sort of thing one has to be prepared for when establishing a wilderness homestead in the desert. It's a great test of our emergency systems, however (and it's exposing a bunch of flaws). Thank-you for your visits, views, likes and subs, my friends. Patreon members get benefits and help this channel live on. https://www.patreon.com/simple_earth #simpleearth #selfsufficiency #homestead #survival
The Homestead Road Flooded (and it's OK)
After a period of drought, the desert is a bit hostile towards large rains. The road is out, and we need to fix it before Christmas! The full episode is currently with my Patreon members. It will soon be released for your enjoyment. Stay safe this Christmas. Patreon members get benefits and helps this channel live on. https://www.patreon.com/simple_earth #simpleearth #selfsufficiency #homestead #survival #shorts
Road Flooded (next video) #shorts
Blue, then brown, then green for us. We temporarily abandoned the greenhouse while we got into the water resilience setup here. The arid zone we are in is proving to be very challenging to grow food in. We will prevail, however. In this video, I install drip emitters (after tearing down the over-head sprayers), which saves a tonne of water and works a lot better. The automation timer and better soil mix will have some time to prove itself before we grow food in there, though. 00:01 Good day to you, friends. 00:06 Main pipe setup 00:30 Salvage Wood Shelving 00:46 Pot and Dripper Placement 01:20 Testing drippers and timer 01:28 New Soil Mix 01:59 Greenhouse Cleanup Thank you Patreon members, for making the videos worth doing! Jacques Jooste, Tiaan van Wyk, Joe Russell, Kevin Loubser, Zachary Ball, Markath Goateries & the Stalwart member, Philippe Pouyaud! https://www.patreon.com/simple_earth #simpleearth #selfsufficiency #homestead #greenhouse
Greenhouse Reboot: Drippers, Timers, Progress (subtitled)
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