DIY Trellis Build For Raised Beds has Started on The Appalachian Homestead

Welcome to episode 5 of the Yard to Table Appalachian Homestead journey! Join John, Mary, and Dustin as we tackle a massive weekend of projects, from setting up heavy-duty raised beds to figuring out the best ways to trellis our future crops. We are sharing the honest truth about the costs, the failures, and the small victories that come with starting a hobby farm from scratch. 🌿 In this episode, we dive into the science of using rotten logs for moisture retention and why our initial choice of white ash wood did not quite make the cut. We also break down the prices of landscaping fabrics from Walmart, Lowe's, and Tractor Supply to help you save money on your own garden setup. You will see us struggle with leveling beds on hilly terrain, replacing tractor batteries, and debating the pros and cons of weed barriers versus cardboard. 🚜 We also get our hands in the dirt to plant potatoes, onions, and broccoli, while sharing tips on how to protect your young plants from the cold. To wrap things up, we head into the kitchen for a classic Appalachian meal of fried bologna sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, and a simple two-ingredient ranch dip. Whether you are an experienced gardener or just starting out with a single container plant, there is something here for everyone. 🥪 Chapters 0:00 Intro and Episode Overview 3:15 The Problem with White Ash Wood 6:40 Growing the Homestead Community 10:15 Seedling Lessons and Failures 14:30 Calculating the Cost of Farming 18:50 Leveling Raised Beds on a Slope 23:15 Fixing the Lawn Tractor Battery 27:40 Designing the Garden Arch Trellis 32:20 Comparing Landscaping Fabric Deals 37:05 Best Way to Install Weed Barriers 41:45 Hardware Store Run for Supplies 46:10 Filling the Beds with Rotten Logs 51:30 Hardening Off Seedlings and Kale 56:55 Watering and Mulching with Straw 1:02:10 How to Plant Potatoes and Onions 1:07:30 Finishing the T-Post Installation 1:10:45 Cooking Fried Bologna Sandwiches 1:13:00 Final Tips for Container Gardening If you enjoy following our homesteading journey, please hit the subscribe button and click the notification bell so you never miss an update. Leave a comment below letting us know what you are growing this year! 🏠 #homesteading #raisedbedgardening #appalachia #gardeningtips #backyardfarming