When someone tells another person to "touch grass," it is usually meant as a lighthearted way of advising them to take a break from their online activities, particularly if they are excessively immersed in virtual or digital environments. It implies that the person may be spending too much time indoors or focusing too heavily on online interactions and could benefit from the grounding and rejuvenating effects of nature.
I hope you'll find that in this channel you feel encouraged to go out and touch grass, and that you will join me in my gardening journey.
It depends so much on your local environment and the exact conditions you've seen the past few winters. If you're not sure, leave a thermometer outside where you want to plant trees this winter that tracks temperatures, and see what the lowest you see is. If it's below 30F you will have to protect your trees with a heat source (the cacao tree will need heat at 45F). Hope this helps.
I live in Phoenix and can't believe my luck in finding this video. I never find information for both location and plant type at the same time! I have a 16-year-old multi trunk Brazilian Pepper tree that died this summer and was wondering if the ground shoots could be cultivated into a new tree. I wish I could post pictures. I have some shoots coming out of the 12" trunk about 18" up but I'll take your advice and let everything grow for a while before favoring the shoots coming out a couple of feet from the original trunk. I honestly think I killed it by back washing my pool there but it never seemed to be bothered by it before this year. I'm on the fence about cutting the tree down because I've been hoping to see some new growth once the temps cool down, but also wonder if the tree is losing growth energy by not cutting it down.
That's amazing, I'm glad you found the video and channel. My brazilian pepper tree has continued to grow, and is now almost 25 feet tall! Find the biggest trunk that is straightest and furthest away from the original trunk and let it grow. Thanks for the comment.
Which one do you like best between the Maher and Kari and why? And have you tried the Fwang tang? Also do you mind sharing where you purchased yours, I'm finding it hard to find a grafted star fruit even on Etsy.
I really enjoy the Maher. My Kari hasn't fruited yet, but I've heard it's among the best (so I am not sure which one is better in my opinion). Hopefully I'll know next year!
Ok, question for the OP and people in comments, not trying to hit on OP, I'm sure he is taken. But I want to ask here and maybe under some other similar videos. Where do men like this go? I would love to find a guy thats into this lifestyle as much as I am and I'm having zero luck. I date but would be so much nicer to be with someone with this same passion. I have been to homestead festivals, taken beekeeping classes, joined garden groups, etc. The issue is the guys there are either already taken or are much older than me. So open to any other tips or advice from other fellow gardeners/homesteaders, orchard farmers. Thanks in advance ☺️
I think you're right that most guys into gardening tend to be more settled and therefore older. My view is that you don't need to find someone with the same hobbies as you, but rather you should ensure you find someone who is open to spending time with you doing the things you enjoy simply because you enjoy them (and vice versa). For instance, before I met my wife I had never planted anything in my life, but she got me interested in gardening during the pandemic and then I ran with it!
@TouchGrassGardening ok, thank you! I have yet to find someone like that yet. I've always had to hide my hobbies, do them alone, or wait until I'm out of the relationship to really enjoy them. The search continues! Thanks for responding and providing some advice based on your experience 😊
Sure I will. In the meantime you can check out this video about how I frost protected my lychee last year with frost cloth: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-sfDG-Xq1Du4.htmlsi=BsrCMsghePhxcYmK
It's the worse tree. Grows to 30' plus. Hundreds of fruit will litter your yard, and attract birds, squirrels, and homeless people. Dozens of seedlings will pop up every year, like weeds.
Moved to Brazil about 2 years ago and just moved to an apartment with a balcony. Started experimenting with the some of the plants you mentioned. Thx for the information and the great video!
I’m so happy to have found your channel !! We moved here from California and trying to find fruit trees that do well here. I’m Vietnamese, so these are the fruits that I’m really familiar to. Thank you so much.
The taiwan tiger is a phitanthra hybid of some sort, the phitanthras i have do tend to be have an upright growth habit. I have a few of these ones from taiwan, giant red crystal, red lantern and a giant red diamond that is just putting out its first buds. Jaboticabas are an addictive rabbit hole!
I've planted mulberries in my Chandler yard. I'm considering getting rid of them. The shad is really great. Comparatively, it doesn't look like the rainbow euc or the floss provide much shade. How big is your yard?
You know how to take care the plants and maybe good soil too. I have Indian Jujubee 10-12 years ago but later I gave to my friend. They grow in Cambodia. Thank you for your video plus à love to plant fruit trees.
We have that Chico sspodilla or Chico ponderosa is really taste good . My dad planted in our backyard in the Philippines. Star apple we gave that also even the cacao smazing
I have a grafted loquat for 3 years now in Chandler. Probably about the same size as yours but mine always looks so burnt up. I water it daily and it sits in all day shade underneath a mosquite tree. Its cool to see your success since you are near by. :)
Glad to hear a fellow traveller is gardening in hard mode. I wonder if you are watering too frequently, but not deep enough (I water maybe every 3-4 days, but leave the hose on for ~1 hour). Seriously, even keeping a grafted loquat alive in our climate is a huge accomplishment.
Your place looks very well kept and you have a healthy collection. I’m a Hawaii grower with many types of sapodilla, jackfruit, durian… thanks for sharing.
Where did you get the Taiwan tiger? I'm guessing that one was mail order. What variety of cacao do you have? Surprisingly, there are lots of great tropical fruit tree nurseries in the east valley. Tropica Mango is actually in Apache Junction. Have you tried Arizona Fruit Trees or Jungle Nursery in Mesa? Queen Creek Tropicals? You can usually find something unique at each of them.
I got it from GreenDreamsFL (mail order). Not sure on the cacao variety because it was not listed - perhaps it is a seedling. Those nurseries you listed are also great options!
Your yard puts mine to shame. I will be making tree rings, like you have, this winter. I will be filling them with beets and lettuce for a really cool look. In the winter, I draped incandescent Christmas lights on my citrus and covered with cloth and black trash bags to protect them from the frost. Now that they are three seasons in the ground I won't have to do that unless it gets in the teens, but they are so big now. You inspire me to take more time with my trees.
Thank you! Keep your head up - every garden has its own uniqueness and something to appreciate about it. It's definitely a crazy hobby that we partake in when we protect so many of our trees in both the summer and winter!
Do not believe online info. It maybe so in native region but plants always try to live and thrive when they are treated well. In Taiwan, more and more gardeners grow cacao and able to fruit in pots and in ground even in zone 9. Over winter either way has no problem! So with durian and Jackfruit are getting common in south of Taiwan although they are with small quantities. I am in Canada 6a, but no problem grow zone 7 plants outdoors, just need simple shelter to protect them from the cold wind and freezing rains, etc. My kale, cabbage, radish, carrots, coriander, few varieties of potatoes, few varieties of lettuce they all can live through zone 6 winter outdoors in the ground without any protection. I started with large amount of seeds then cold hardier lived and seeded, the new generation becoming cold hardier and hardier this way naturally.
Next to my house and the borders/berms of my yard are all drip, while the middle (grassy area) is flood irrigation. I likely would have planted differently without flood - saves a ton of work, and many of the tropicals do better on flood.
I have the Pakistan Mulberry here in Texas. It's grown from 2 foot nursery plant to about 8 feet in the first year. However, the Moringa I planted from seed is up to about ten feet, so that one might deserve an honorable mention.
Totally agree! My neighbor has a moringa that grows super fast. It just dies back a ton in the winter where we are... also, whenever I need any moringa he always has extra so I don't need one in my yard :)
Lol, yeah sometimes people like the idea of a tree more than the reality of how big it can get. How big was your neighbor's when they cut it down? I saw one that must have been near 100ft tall and 10 ft wide in the Huntington Library in Los Angeles.
I live in central FL zone 9b and love my silk floss. Super inexpensive tree. I got mine for $40 at 4 feet tall and planted it three months ago and it’s already grown so much, it’s probably 6 foot now. Looking super lush as well and can’t wait til it matures and flowers.
Where did you buy these trees? I'm also in Arizona but I don't remember having seen them at local nurseries....unless until now I just didn't know what I was looking for. 😊
I planted my loquat tree (champagne loquat variety) a few years ago, and got a few fruit the first year, and it hasn't fruited since because Hurricane Ian really decimated my food forest in SW Florida. It leans to one side because of the storm, but now it's beginning to flower again. I cannot wait.
Once it seems to be putting on new growth, I suggest getting a stake and straightening the leaning tree out. Keep it healthy and reap the rewards! Good luck!
I just visited Chios and collected some of the beautiful mastic from the trees growing there. Absolutely perfect. Very rarely do they produce mastic as well as they do in Chios, so well done for having a producer!
I’m in Southern Oregon. I got some fruit in Santa Barbara. Brought it home and soaked some of the pits and got some baby plants! Most died, but now I have about 3 plants. They are in a pot. Some of the leaves got burned by the sun. Will they survive the winter here?
Welcome! I think it's worth a try either way since you grew from seed they are hardier. If you're on the southwest of Oregon they will definitely survive. Should be able to survive to 10F.
Do not follow him he is dangerous. First the hole should be 3 times larger than the pot, This tree being in this large pot certainly it would have poted roots and the way he planted he did not see that to ammend it. The hole should be rectangular and not round so the roots would go straight out and not round the hole.
Not dangerous, just sharing my gained experience. By the way, tree is doing great currently. 1. This tree was recently bare root, so it's not fully rooted in the pot - that's why I use this method. Otherwise the soil often falls out if you pull it out from the top and this damages the roots. 2. Size of hole depends on how vigorous the tree is. For instance, mulberry, stone fruit, eucalyptus, etc., doesn't need 3x size of the pot; whereas if I plant a sensitive tropical tree like lychee or miracle fruit, I will do at least 3x. 3. I've experimented and found rectangular vs circular doesn't really matter much once the tree gets going. Especially for vigorous trees that have rootstock bred to penetrate clay soil as this one does. Cheers.
I live in Salome Arizona, zone 9A. My first property has oleanders probably 12 feet tall. It was planted before I bought the property, but luckily it’s nowhere near my septic system. Although oleander grows prolifically its roots will search out water if you don’t provide water to it. Other than that, it’s maintenance free, always green, and when it flowers I have white, pink, and red flowers for about two months.
Will the tree roots be invasive for the silk floss and break concrete? I have a spot 9 feet from the house, but I read online that some recommend planting at least 15 feet away
I haven't heard of or noticed silk floss roots to be destructive, but the tree grows fast and eventually gets huge. I would be a bit cautious planting it so close to your house, if nothing else, from falling branches.
What a great video. I have a peach whose stock is producing suckers. This fall, I have two pears that are in need of a hard prune because I had no idea that the lower limbs were not necessary. Maybe I will make a video as well. I have two Cassia trees in my yard, never heard of a rainbow version, but will look into purchasing one. In the fall, the two I have here in southeast Georgia, USA, are covered in mass amounts of bright yellow flowers. Thanks again!
