You Can Grow Food in the Snow - A Visit to Will Allen's Growing Power

[TheSnowDaze]

Why do we care if Nick said that sunflower sprouts contain a vitamin that you can't remember? How about giving us some useful knowledge instead of pointing out incorrect information given accidentally by someone else? I wish there was a way to filter out your videos from the results when I search.

[sourDeadhead]

dude all you do is bash will f u he is doing a great job and his minor flaws are not worth your bashing him i bet your set up is not half as productive as this mans eat shit you poser

[RedElwood]

Appreciate how you kept it real at the end. Man of Will's caliber should have a little more integrity when it comes to candy and soft drinks. Though Will's contribution to the urban farming movement is incredible. A pioneer of our time.

[bradgray51]

liberal goof.

[NW0arescum]

definitely too many chickens in that pen, and the turkey cage was too small and they had no live plants to live among.

that kind of food costs a fortune here in scotland too, organic stuff is basically unaffordable, which is sick since it costs the least to produce, i've wanted a job in growing it for over 15 years, and the governments and councils haven't managed to start much urban permaculture fuck-all or do anything else this world needs done.

[furlougha]

in the video there was a plant, green, you called "esterschen" I  think. You said you were glad they were growing it and they may harvest the weed and flowers.Please write the name of the plant so I can look it up.9;40 in video

[growingyourgreens]

nasturtium



[madelainejulien]

which fish are you breeding? you heat the water? do you have a website that explain about that (because I don't understand very well when someone speak in english but when it's written I do :))

[furlougha]

@madelainejulien the fish are "Talapia"

[madelainejulien]

@furlougha ok but does he talk about electricity cost for heating the water?

[mrsengeseth]

awesome set up love the compost heating, and the aquaponic project they have going on. :) thanks for the video!!

[bobinmissouri]

wow injoy the tour But there no way i could aford to pay 16.00 a pound for greens look forward to seeing more videos

[solaraine]

Why do you say you're growing food in the snow when it really is a greenhouse!? Big difference in titles there

[Bloodavenger3200]

@solaraine I though the title was beyond obvious if you know anything about Gardening?

[getsmartnow2011]

a note on the "OdoBan" That is the greatest stuff in the world, if you have pets. Use it in carpet cleaners instead of all the junk they sell you at the stores that don't work. You won't smell pets in the house after using it. :) Also, yrs ago while transporting a cat in my car, the cat got loose and sprayed in my car...U talk about STINK!!! The only thing that got the smell completely out, was OdoBan. Sams Club sells in by the gallon. Its worth its weight in Gold for pet owners.

[lillypondlane33]

LOL.... no sugar! dehydrated fruit and juice and water!!

[audioalt]

Hay! enjoyed the video

[BackyardDiscoveryCo]

I love the idea of year round gardening.

[craig265]

If you make a compost pile and wrap hose in it you will have 160 temp water.

[psychobunny32]

One of the other videos stated the duckweed was for fish feed

[maximumgravity]

How did they keep the snow off the roof of the glass paneled greenhouses?

[braueydesign]

Great video.

[downfall642]

They have the chickens in so tight so they can keep each other warm they would die otherwise

[dtp5150]

so many great ideas in this video. superb

[everedit]

Thank you for your insight. Your eco journalism is a valued resource.

[BlondieonBlack]

I completely agree with the chickens comment, too many for a small space cuz they're spastic & violent towards one another :(

[DATASHRINK]

Dont be a hater john! If you have an issue you should aproch the person in more of a private way. how would you feel if i toured your home and and air little tide its of negativity?

[ScopedOUT2]

May you please elaborate more on why they grew duckweed in those barrels and how it was utilized?

Thanks

[Candoract]

@ScopedOUT2 pretty sure they use it as suplimental food for the Talapia, it may take some toxics out of the water for the fish too.

[clintatk]

Thanks for the video.

You're focus is vegetarian, but that fish production is incredible!

The power situation can have some easy, alt-energy back-ups. Well worth it for such amazing food production (including organic water recycling& purification.)

[TheClownCentral]

lmao why wouldnt he let you just film it? likes it top secret or something...hahah how lame

[swinderby]

@TheClownCentral yeah, I must confess that put me off watching this video right from the start. If that is their attitude then who cares about their precious little setup?

[Candoract]

@TheClownCentral the tour guide likely had too much of trying to talk over tourists making videos.

[Jefferdaughter]

Wonder about the fish food. if commercial it may be contaminated w/heavy metals and/or has high petroleum input. Goats thrive w/only shelter from wind & rain. Eating meat is an integral part of natual life cycles, whether or not you choose to participate. Humans harvesting surplus buck kids is likely kinder than wild predators ripping guts out & eating while animal is still alive; or crushing trachea 'till suffocated... Appreciate your sharing this & your responses to their operation.

[MrFlyTWA]

As long as the buckets are food grade and not subject to high temps or harsh chemicals toxins would kept down.

[MrFlyTWA]

I am not sure if slugs would good choice if you are growing watercrest in the same water. Nice video!

[Jefferdaughter]

Interesting. Anyone ever look at whether/ what chemicals and/ or heavy metals may leach from plastic containers into the soil or water and potentially taken up by the plants?

[SissingPyd]

The slugs would be good fish food

[wildside126]

aquaponics the future im telling you john you should try it please make a vid if you decide to check out my channel

[name48taken]

Thanks for the vid! Pictures with narration work just fine. A quick note on the price of the mixed greens, micro greens and salad greens; market is around $0.60/oz and when you look at herbs, such as basil, market is $2/oz. So the $1/oz is mid run and expected for fresh organic veg in the middle of winter.

[iamjoannexxx]

That would never work here in Canada.  At least not here where i live. lol

[MrAJacks15]

@iamjoannexxx

I've been on that same tour at Growing Power, along with several of their paid workshops. I did take video on the promise that I'd not share it , & I know from a Feb visit, that you can do this in a winter environment. The compost-heated greenhouse was holding about 55 deg. F when the outdoor temp was about 15 deg F.

You would need A LOT of compost to do this, though, and they've got regular pickups from cafes, restaurants, breweries, & the municipal arborists to add to their's

[awallner05]

I think you could have benefited from asking more questions.

[pinkspotturtle]

What do they do with all of the food that they grow?

[AQUAPONICSTEVE]

Great report, colards and crayfish here one day.

[CannabizCropz]

Hmmmm, why was this fav'd? but yeah interesting imma grow some weed in snow lol

love and light indeed

[sweetloveelmo]

Awesome! Lovin it. Very inspirational! Keep it up.

Elmo says All in Love & Light.

[MrYendor1968]

there is a book you should read and it is fined horne

[Briansgarage]

Why can't you video.. Ridiculous.. Are they protecting sensitive top secret government information? I think not..

[evostevos]

how much would it be to ship those tree collard cuttings

[4trahasis]

Thanks so much for the tour, even if it is in still format, this is great a great video. Good to see the power sources, be they electrical, solar, thermal.

Thanks too for showing the crowding of the chickens, the candy and soda machines, and the pricing on produce. I wish these things were not the case, but sometimes one must prioritize by the laws of money and economy to keep on in this world. You do a great job, and I'm jealous you made it there before I, a Wisconsinite - and you're from CA!!

[GrdnovGreens]

I've had no luck trying to find 'true' tree collards like yours. Do you know of ANY place online that ships? I'm in Austin and have called every place in the book :( Of course I find seeds online, but I know the chances of those being true are slim to none. I'd fly to Cali to sneak a cutting, but be my luck I'd get bit in the butt by a chi ;) What's a girl to do? Great Vid John, as usual!! <3

[growingyourgreens]

bountifulgardens*org ships cuttings.

[22justus2]

@GrdnovGreens

The collard variety you speak of are called: Morris Heading Collards

Incidently, they are an old heirloom variety. Here in the South, they are the preferred collard by homeowners/gardeners. They are sold in the Feed & Seed Stores here and are commonly found.

Hope this helps you aquire a source for them.

[bepartial1]

Loved the video and your observations. Some of the 'big guys' in the urban farming/homesteading movement have to watch it a bit when they get to looking at the bottom line. You've got to be sensitive to the needs and the abilities of your target markets to pay for the goods you are producing. It has been my experience that some of these larger enterprises have crossed over that line and their products or services are just too expensive for the folks they need to help the most. Thanks again, John

[bestestmama]

and I agree about their pricing...pretty insane! My long-term goal is to provide fresh ORGANIC veggies year round at an AFFORDABLE price because I think what they charge for organic food is INSANE. Shopping local is SO important too!

[bestestmama]

Can I grow Dino Kale in Oklahoma? I dont have a greenhouse yet, but it is in the plans! I dont know much about dino kale...and its hard to find kale seeds out this way for some reason! ts very frustrating as its a staple in my diet!

[growingyourgreens]

Yes, you can grow Dino Kale in OKlahoma in the winter time.. you need a hoop house. check my other videos on my favorite seed catalogs.  Most of them offer dino kale.

[bestestmama]

@growingyourgreens I got quite a few of them already! I ordered them as I watched the video lol

[liagarden]

@bestestmama seed sharing--garden of lia at yahoo Kale is available from every organic seed company. I don't understand why you are having a problem. Just grow it in the cooler months.

[RC3883]

Thanks for the slide tour. Viewing your videos and others like Growing Power I now have a lot of plans ahead of me. Aquaponics, I think can be sustainable. But the models shown are not, considering the need for electricity. When I do think of a sustainable aquaponic system chinampas come to mind.

[1ChevyGuy375]

Thanks for the tour, I liked the narration and pictures. Some Interesting stuff they have going on In there. I would like to know where they get all those greenhouse black pots, there kind of hard to come by If your not buy things from a nursery.

[BikeManDan1]

Wow, what an operation they have going there! Very impressive. Thanks for the narration

[FreedomFox1]

John, will you try heating your greenhouse with compost?

[growingyourgreens]

probably not. I dont "need" to heat my green house for what Im growing in there.. here in California. And like it that way ... "low maintence" If I heated it, and grew more "tropical" plants, than I would always have to "heat" it. I like to "let plants fend for themselves" and strive to create "minimal' amount of work for me.. If I lived in the snow.. YOU BET. I would have several compost-heated hoop houses!

[bdbb3791]

any suggestions for ky ky-yakin? 

[seahorsecowboys]

chickens , lambs ,dogs all feel things....but dont plants have nerves systems too and they feel things aswell....im feeling like a chicken salad, yum !...love the show ,..not soo much the veganism ...lol...peace and god bless

[swoop1111]

i have been watching your videos & never comment - but i would like to thank you for being politically outspoken & addressing the cost of the food being sold & the candy - glad that there are so many of us on the same page. i also share your take on aquaponics although mike reynolds earthships have a sustainable system but im not sure how it works - would be interesting to find out. youre doing a great job from one nyc urban farmer

[yedon68]

..'emm that was relaxing ...thank you....!

[theeastwatch]

cool.

Thanks for the still tour :)

-TEW

[mombo39]

John, what do they do with all of their food?

[stnick2002]

Nice coverage! Do you know if they turn thier compost piles in the hoop houses or do they just leave it until it's ready?

[therawlifefamily]

Wow John, you looked really cold at the end of the tour. As far as growing in the winter, next winter I am going to put a 1-2ft deep layer of composted manure/sawdust/hay and cover it with planting soil and then I think I should get good growth =)

[NewJura]

John what were they feeding the fish? was it organic safe food?

[growingyourgreens]

They feed the fish: duckweed, vegetable scraps, but primarily fish food. Not sure of the specific kind or if its "organic".

[NewJura]

@growingyourgreens i know some fish food companies add all kinds of nasty to fish food, like other fish.... bleh!!! sad about the animals there....

[NewJura]

John what were they feeding the fish? was it organic safe food?

[ceadeses]

John you should check out Elliot Coleman up here in Maine he grows year round very accomplished organic grower!

[hollybearyhaleystar]

Sad to see chickens like that. Seems they take better care of their worms than their chickens :/

[muskyhunterred]

20 ppm of arsenic

[muskyhunterred]

Did they use rock dust in the growing mix? When I ordered some Gaia Green dust it says it has 20 parts per million in it with over 70 other elements also including chromium. The local requirement for treated lumber on playgrounds in Canada is set to not be higher than 12 ppm. So wouldn't it be fine to use treated lumber for a raised bed if we are just going to add the minerals to the soil?

[IllumTheMessage]

@muskyhunterred They have very rich soil in Wisconsin from the glaciers that were there. Hence all the productive farms. While rock dust is excellent to add it is not needed as much there.

[therawlifefamily]

@muskyhunterred That's interesting, however treated lumber contains things besides arsenic that are also bad.

[growingyourgreens]

They dont use rock dust or any supplemental mineral supplement. I asked nick at the end of the tour. I was REALLY surprised. I wanted to mention this in the audio narration, but didn't. I do not recommend growing in treated lumber.. unless that is your only choice.

[jimbogu3]

Let's have the truth.....you have been growing vegetables for many years. Did you actually learn anything that will help you in the future? Was it worth the trip?

[growingyourgreens]

Yes. I ALWAYS learn something from every trip. I learned that Growing Power was not as "impressive" as I made it out to be in my head. While they have ALOT of things figured out, like we all do, they still had some other things to figure out (like we all do). Probably the thing I liked the most - finally got to see in-the-flesh is how to grow in the snow.. Since I dont live in the snow, it was fun to see and experience the cold weather and how you can grow in the cold.brrr

[kiowa32]

Great vids John! I always watch em. Can't seem to find tree collards online, I grow some uncommon peppers. You want to make a trade for some rare pepper seeds for a tree collard cutting?

[PJDolan1]

John, I'm glad you made it to Growing Power. Too bad they didn't let you video tape the tour, though. I'm a little disappointed they aren't doing more with unheated greenhouses and they have junk food in the store.

If you're in Chicago next winter, I'll be happy to show you what I can grow in unheated hoop houses and cold frames. I don't even use compost piles for heat - just the sun!

Thanks for all your great videos!

[biggeemac]

Yes...will allen is my inspiration. I intend on modelling his approach as soon as i buy a house out here in antioch

[TheVbird420]

loving the daily videos Jon, really learning a lot! Keep up great work!

[crosspecans]

i have a 20 foot tall a-frame greenhouse that has been empty cuz i couldnt heat it. i did just obtain a wood stove and installed it. it will just take a bit of stoking in the freezing days in texas. using compost in the corner is a brilliant idea. id love to have some tree collards.