Couple’s Amazing Backyard Homestead Produces TONS of Food in the City
In a city backyard, a beautiful micro farm thrives.
It features fruit trees and a vegetable garden.
There’s also a pollinator garden filled with native plants.
This couple produces an impressive amount of food.
They grow everything from tomatoes to beans.
They even have a little salad section.
Much of their harvest goes to food banks and friends.
This helps cut down grocery bills significantly.
They also barter for things like wine.
Any fallen fruit goes to local farm animals.
It’s a sustainable cycle of giving and receiving.
Marc and Aileen moved into their fixer-upper three years ago.
The backyard was mostly empty at first.
They discovered fruit trees as they began gardening.
It was a delightful surprise to uncover such resources.
Now, they cultivate a variety of vegetables.
The backyard spans about an eighth of an acre.
They faced challenges with heavy clay soil.
In summer, the clay dries out, making it hard for roots.
To combat this, they brought in quality soil.
They ordered 20 cubic yards and filled a raised bed.
It took a lot of effort, with around 300 trips using a wheelbarrow.
Once the soil was in, they covered it to suppress weeds.
With good soil and fertilizer, the plants thrived.
Frugality is key for them.
They reuse and repurpose materials found locally.
Many pots and furniture items come from recycling bins.
Marc is a skilled scavenger, finding useful items everywhere.
They’ve built structures entirely from reclaimed materials.
Welcome to Hog’s Backyard!
Here, the orchard includes mulberry, pear, cherry, and apple trees.
The veggie garden lies behind a fence.
They even have a wash station for cleaning up after gardening.
There’s a lookout tower for sunset views.
In the garden, tomatoes are a particular obsession for Marc.
They also grow peppers and Brussels sprouts.
Unique projects include a “pomato,” a grafted plant that combines potatoes and tomatoes.
They’ve built a cozy shack from reclaimed wood.
Inside, it features a wood-burning stove for chilly evenings.
The garden is about 60 feet deep.
They have blueberries, asparagus, and more.
A watering system was essential for managing the garden.
Initially, they used a handheld hose, which took too long.
Now, they have modular sprinkler systems.
These are set up with recycled hoses and a control switch.
They also have cucumber racks and landscaping fabric to control weeds.
Rain barrels collect water from the roof.
They have 13 rain barrels around the property.
Water is pumped throughout the garden using recycled hoses.
They’ve built a greenhouse from found materials, including windows and doors.
Inside, it’s very warm and perfect for seedlings.
They even built a solar-powered pop can heater for extra warmth.
Starting seeds indoors takes over their living room.
They grow all their vegetables from seed and save seeds from the harvest.
Gardening is a labor of love for them.
They dedicate much of their free time to the garden.
During harvest season, it can be overwhelming.
They had a bumper crop of apples and pears in their first year.
Community volunteers help with the harvest through a program called Hidden Harvest.
This initiative ensures fruit is shared with those in need.
They prioritize knowing where their food comes from.
Preserving food has become a new skill for them.
They can, freeze, and pickle their harvests.
They’ve learned a lot about food processing together.
Despite their busy lives, they still find joy in gardening.
Challenges include the need for constant care, especially in summer.
Weather can also be tricky, affecting their crops.
Pests are a common issue, but they manage them creatively.
They use plastic owls to deter squirrels.
The pollinator garden is certified by the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
It supports local wildlife and is filled with native plants.
Marc is also an urban forester, experimenting with trees.
They have a mini tree nursery for community projects.
Art and creativity play a role in their gardening journey.
They hope to incorporate more community-oriented projects in the future.
Initially, they dreamed of selling their produce at markets.
But the reality of gardening is time-consuming.
For now, they focus on enjoying their harvest and sharing with others.
