I get ideas all the time for new GardenFork videos, but I'd like to hear from you guys what you'd like to see. I have a list of show ideas in my Evernote file, but some of the best ones come from you guys. Like the video we did on garden hose repair!
I'd appreciate you taking the time to post below your suggestions and thoughts, i'd appreciate it. Thanks, eric.
John
Here's a topic for ya:
Trimming, pruning and general cutting: when is the best time of year to trim bushes, hedges, trees, etc?
How do you do it? Can you cut too much? Too little?
I'm clueless.
Regards,
-jf.
Joe Rose
Eric,
A show on putting the garden to bed for the winter would be helpful. Do you add compost or not, cover or not etc.
I also enjoy your simple cooking recipe shows and use most of them.
Keep up the great work!
Joe
Pam
It would be nice to see how to make a small green house. How to keep it warm, what veg. you can grow in the green house and how to care for your plant.
Thanks
Pam
Christine Margetic
I have a crew of marauding raccoons eating my tomatoes. I'd say they got 80% o f the tomatoes just before they were ripe. Please...ways to keep them away. Websites I've looked at say : Live trap them, (then what?), Shoot 'em! (I'm a pacifist), one website even had a nice recipe for raccoon stew. There has to be another way. I'm planning for next year. This year's crop is a lost cause. These raiders are quite wiley.
Isolde
Learning how to take care of your veggies either in a small greenhouse or potted in your terrace. Regards,
Isolde
Amisa
Here are my show ideas. Maybe you'll see one you'd like to do:
Pruning trees and shrubs
Planting to attract pollinators to your garden
Companion gardening; planting cover crops
Planting heirloom seeds and how to harvest and store the seeds
How to make a living fence
How to know what to add to your soil
How to make a "gray water" system
How to make rain barrels
How to grow asparagus
When to harvest Rhubarb (why don't we harvest all season?)
Crop rotation and how to plan your garden
What to do with bee's wax after you harvest honey?
How to make beeswax products
How to collect bee pollen from your beehive
How to grow raspberries
Patty Hankins
I have been reading about Top Bar beehives. An easy method with no fancy equipment and you don't have to extract the honey - its all comb honey just hanging down freeform from the top bar. That might be a good show.
Also, I'd like to see someone make one of the Free Energy devices that I've seen on the internet. The website NEST has the top 5, and there are other sites, too. Most of them use a variation of Tesla's device, but some use hydraulics from the work of Viktor Shauberger. And many others.
THE HERETICS NOTEBOOK by James Demeo may also give you some other ideas. Mr. Demeo created a device to re-establish the rain cycle, and used it in Africa and then in the American Southwest during the wildfires.
You could also check out OPEN SOURCE ECOLOGY, FACTOR-E FARM for some really cool ideas on small machines to build. These young people in Maysville, Missouri are creating the 50 machines needed to have a functioning community. Everything is open source - they post the videos, schematics, materials list, everything. The first machine they built was a tractor with modular power source, then they built an attachement to pulverize soil, then a compressed earth brick machine. Then they built a huge fabrication lab out of the cebs. They buildt a 3-D printer for under $2000 that they use to print spare parts. They enllisted a geniuswho has been working on a small, efficient steam engine to help them with that, and they are creating a pelletizer so they can make pellets of about anything they grow on their farm to run the steam engiine.
Sleepy Maggie
I've just started experimenting with a new off the grid, self-sufficiency thing you might want to try, and if you like it, do a podcast on it. You've probably seen Kefir in the dairy-section of most whole-food type stores - it's a probiotic that has helped my husband with a lot of former digestive problems, including lactose intolerance, which is a thing of the past in this house now! I always wanted to learn how to make my own, but it requires raw milk, which is illegal in my state, so I didn't think there was much chance of it.
Then I heard about "water kefir," which is a similar probiotic culture that thrives in water instead of milk. It's a lot like Kombucha, only it grows in crystals the way milk-kefir does, and will live and can be re-used forever if you take proper care of it. Anyway I got some water-kefir grains from Amazon.com and started working with them. It was really amazingly easy! It makes a tasty fruit drink if you add organic fruit to the culture while it's brewing, and lately I've also been experimenting (with varying success) on using it to make cider, mead, and beer. (Cider is easy, beer is hard for someone who wants to achieve something like Guinness!)
Anyway if you're interested in learning about it, Google "water kefir" or "tibicos" - or I can direct you to the seller on Amazon I got mine from.
Gertrude "Trudy"
Since not all of us have high enough speed of transmission--due to living where even high transmission speeds are pretty low--I would request that a transcript version be offered as an option.
Pretty please?
Maybe we won't get the eye candy, but we will get the vital information.
Anabanana
Oh my gosh. I just buzzed through some of the suggestions and they are terrific !
I have read books and watched videos on pruning. I have done it too. My fruit trees seem to rebel against my pruning. I cut to open them up in the middle and they get pissed off about it. You should see what they do to make sure I stop it.
So, yeah, pruning would be nice.
I would like to see you build a garden shed with a foundation! Maybe with a window?
I would like a nice bird bath. Can we build that?
Love the site, love the videos, love you and the video recorder !
All the best to you and your wife and friends, Eric.
Roger Fish
Eric,
How about winter crops for the garden, how to extend your growing days without spending thousands for a greenhouse, and (unusual) containers to collect and store water for garden use.
Tonia Moxley
You're a painter, but you never show us how to paint things. Best way to paint a wall, best way to choose colors for a room, do you need to prime, are primer+paints worth it, or should you buy primer separately, when do you choose stain over paint -- I would love to stain my house, rather than scrape, sand and paint every 15 years. But is that wise? Better yet, what's the best way to clean old paint off your old siding? The mind reels at the painting questions out there.
David K
How about a retro-DIY - soap making. Soap-making seems pretty messy and fairly expensive if we want a quality soap. Can we replicate what they sell in upscale shops for less $$ ?
Dave
Eric,
Though we are Lab lovers and could watch them for hours we realize that like any good agent you can't over expose your stars! So, when the dogs are off screen here is an idea:
My wife and I live in the South and travel to New England to cool off most every summer. This has led us to talk about snowbirding and dividing the year up like so many do between New England and warmer climates in winter. In our research we have noticed, for obvious reasons, that rents can be a bargain up there in the cooler months. We pick up a lot of general info from your show on living there in winter but would be interested in some specific shows on how hard or easy it is to get through winters in New England. We enjoyed your snow clearing one (think it was the roof), but would be interested in costs, heating options, how to do it in an older home, pros and cons of various months (renting there in fall/spring versus all winter), winter house prep, getting snowed in, etc. We realize your Northern audience may know some or all of this already, but everyone likes to watch and learn from others. Maybe you could involve some neighbors or local experts to keep the stories interesting to those who are already there. Thanks for asking and keep up the great show!
james ferris
i know what eric could do, on show for halloween, have to make a pumkin pie from scratch, and try to explain what halloween means to him.
Eric Gunnar Rochow
thanks for all the ideas here. i'm thinking we'll start with pumpkin pie seeing that its late october here! thx, eric.
Norma
Wow! Our choice! That is awesome 🙂
I'd like to see all of the ones listed above. I'd really love to see how to use and grow alternative sweeteners, especially maple sugar. I've been told that you can make syrup from trees other than maple, so i would really like to see, say a walnut syrup. One for next year that I'd love to see is how to extract oil from sunflower, corn, etc. How to grow, harvest and grind wheat, and a little excerpt on no-till gardening (I really just don't get it).
I LOVE your videos, and the relationship that you and your wife have. You guys crack me up!!! I can't imagine her not picking on you while she films the videos!!!
Norma
Me again. Sorry, i forgot one. I would really love to see a video on seed starting that covers sowing, thinning, hardening off, and transplanting with tips and tricks that help you successfully start seeds. For example, every year (until about 3 years ago), I'd start tomatoes indoors, and had great success until I transplanted into the garden. Those leggy plants would just collapse and die. Finally, a wise lady suggested that i put a fan on the seedlings as soon as they emerge to help strengthen the stems, and I have successfully started my own seeds since. Even when I made my cold frame and started my seeds in them, I put solar powered fans in there, and this year, with the natural light and "wind" they got, I had seedlings that rivaled any nursery stock I could find. I'm sure there are others who agonize over the loss of their seedlings every year that would benefit from a complete education. THANKS AGAIN for asking us! 🙂
Bruce
Hi Eric,
How about a show using your grill as an oven using indirect heat. It's a cheap way to turn your grill into a smoker, too. A basic Weber grill is all you need. It can be a great way for people to learn if they want to move on to buying a real smoker.
Backyard bird watching is a fun and affordable hobby. A simple feeder and/or birdbath can bring so many wonderful winged creatures near your home. Your place in Connecticut might not be so good for that---bears! 🙂
Love your video and audio shows. What I truly love about what you do is that they are never predictable.
Bruce
Ohliveia
I'd like to see some videos about prepping and self-suffiiency, cooking using a rocket stove, solar panel DIY, solar hot water heater DIY, Canning food, making your own laundry detergent, making fermented foods and the benefits- goat yogurt, goat cheese, Keifer, dilly beans,wild edible plants, I can go on and on, etc.......
Shonda
I would first like to thank you for this wonderful community. It's inspiring to have found people "like me" who just figure out how to make it work with simplicity and joy. Thank you.
Winter gardening and greenhouses sounds like a wonderful idea! Canning is also becoming popular again, for good reasons. I was determined to try canning dill pickles this year and found an easy, wonderfully spicey recipe that delivered crispy deliciousness in spades; I'd have tried it much earlier had I known how simple it was. The same with making my own jams and sauces. We're trying out a wood burning stove this year, and would enjoy seeing some information on keeping your wood pile the best way, chimney information, stacking wood in the burner for the optimal slow burn, and preparing the house for winter. Over the years I've made home-made gifts for the holidays and would enjoy some new ideas for that; it's a great way to cut down on the expense and stress of shopping, plus it has wonderful memories attached, as we created them as a family.
Dale Murphy
Make a good bbq sauce
Make a beef stew
How to use a pressure cooker
Install gutter guards
Stephen Ahern
Hi, I've been listening to your podcasts.... Great stuff.
We've been using Aquaponics for the past 6 years to grow summer and winter veggies (without heat for the past 5 years).
We use a 300 gal fish tank, and 6 grow beds (2' X 3') for the veggies.
We also use only one pump to run the entire system.
The plans for our system we "copied" from these plans: http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/Travis/Simplified-Manual.pdf
(which are free)
Our system is NOT the same we've changed it a little bit.
IF you want to see it, we live in Vermont, USA
I can send pictures of what we have, if you want.
Stephen and Abbie Ahern
Eric Gunnar Rochow
again thank you all for the ideas here. i will compile them into a big list and email all of you. thanks! eric.
Michelle Blair
I enjoy your videos that are informative, inspiring, creative, funny and entertaining. Every one that I have watched contains one or more of these elements. I just learned about Garden Fork this summer and have watched all of the podcasts on iTunes, but have discovered that you have many more videos on your site. Please forgive me if I have suggested something that you have already covered (as logistically it will take me longer to peruse your collection on your website.
Some topics that I would find intersting; soils, soil types, and how to amend soil. How to compost, how to make hard cider (you talked about this on one of your radio podcasts and I would be interested in learning more. Beneficial insects vs. harmful insects and how to combat naturally. Raising worms. Raising hens for fresh eggs.
More cooking shows, how to use a pressure cooker, recipies for the slow cooker, more about smoking foods. A honey episode -- dedicated to recipies with honey.
Making ice cream and sorbet. Canning and dehydrating foods.
Perhaps some episodes about the dogs, doggie snack recipies...
My husband and I both enjoy your show, the dogs, your unpretentious manor, your sense of humor, and the banter between you and the camera woman. 🙂
We look forward to watching many more of your podcasts and tell all of our friends about you.
Best regards,
Michelle & Paul Blair
bob bush
More Bees!!!!
TERESA
ERIC,
HAVENT BEEN TO THESITE IN A WHILE....SO EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT HTE BEGINNERBEE KEEPING POSTS...AS WE HAVE DECIDED TO TRY AND START THAT OURSELVES!
I LOVE ALL THE RECIPE/COOKING EPISODES AND ALL THE DIY EPSODES. IVE LOVED ALL OF THEM....ABOUT GARDENING...IVE HEARD ALOT ABOUT "LETTUCE TABLES"...A FRAMED TABLE WITH WIRE BOTTOM FOR PLANTING SALAD LETTUCES. ALSO HYDROPONIC LETTUCES OR GROWING HYDROPONICALLY ANYTHING AT ALL IN THE VEGGIE CATAGORIE.
ALO I HAVEN HAD THE BEST OF LUCK GROWING HERBS....I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IM DOING WRONG MABEY ITS JUST TOO HOT HERE? WE ARE IN NORTH FLORIDA.
WE SO LOVE YOUR SITE AND ALL THE VIDEOS...KEEP UP THE AWESOME WORK!!! THANKS,
TERESA AND JIMMY IN FLORIDA
Linda
Love your videos. I have a large garden 50 by 50. I love planting all kinds of things, The problem is Stink Bugs that eat my summer squash, They lay eggs so fast cabt keep up with them,Down soap and water works but the bugs over run my garde. My next problen is weeds, They kill my back. I dont have the money for ra beds. I hope you can Help. Thank you . Linda from New Jersey
Laurie Schledorn
Hello, I don't know if yu have ever read the Foxfire books (there are 4 of them I think) But they have alot of interesting information in them. I think you culd get alot of ideas for shows from these books.
David Pastor de la Orden
Hi there,
These last days I've been dealing with acorns, I've gathered a bunch of them, turned into meal and now I'm wondering what to do with them.
I'm very much interested in foraging, alternative crops and wild edible plants... in any season.
And what about something about wild animals? (not to eat, but to take care of them, attract or just contemplate...)
Anyway, I think that whichever video you'd upload will be interesting.
Thanks!
David
Juli Hyatt
This time of year, a cooking video on making applesauce for the freezer would be good. Lots of apples right now. I have made it on the stove, in the microwave and in the crockpot, so lots of options. Cook it down a little more add spice and you've got applebutter. We put it hot into sterilized canning jars, put the lid on, let it cool and put it in the freezer. Works great, no fuss with hot water bath etc. I also make "pumpkin" butter from butternut squash. Cube, put in crockpot, add a little apple juice to get it going, cook it down, add pumpkin pie spice taste.
Care of garden tools - how to sharpen a shovel, spade and pruners. Taking care of the wood handles, even how to replace a broken handle. Oiling the metal parts to keep away rust. Many of my tools have been passed down and are 100+years old.
Ways to keep leaves out of gutters -- nothing seems to work well for me! Grrr. Hazard of living in a little clearing in a woods.
Ways to build a compost bin. I used the plans from the old Crockett's Victory Garden book. Works well, but I have seen a wide variety over the years.
winterizing mowers and other yard and garden equipment - string trimmers, leaf blowers etc.
Preparing for a hurricane or other weather issue where power might go out... how to select and operate a generator, food to put up that can be prepared without running water or electric. Using things like solar power yard lights inside during a power outage.
Planting flowering bulbs and ways to keep squirrels out. Fall planting veggies like leeks and garlic.
Dehumidifiers - how to pick one and maintain it
winterizing your home to save energy-- I would like to know what things I can do to save money on heating, cooling and lighting without spending a lot. I can't afford new windows but I could caulk for example. The small things that add up.
Someone mentioned keeping raccoons out of tomatoes - how about rodent proofing your home? Tracking down where they get in and ways to keep them out.
A good guest would be Dave Whitinger of the website All Things Plants.
I think you are both on the same "wavelength." He does some really neat things on his farm with gardening. Hugelkultur raised beds, vermicomposting etc. He tries to be self sufficient. He would make a good on the air co-host when you need one too! I would also like to see you and your site interviewed for ATP. I mention GardenFork a lot - and I think you could gain more viewers/listeners there. He's a long time programmer, and was the original mastermind behind the Dave's Garden site.
Gosh, I could go on and on! LOL
Sara Ferwerda
Can you show more about making a garden out of a small space with very little money? Also what type of vegies do good in very cold weather ?
Tonia Moxley
Hope you're doing ok up there this morning. Looks like the Northeast, especially NY took a hammering. Post something soon so we know you're ok!
Mike
Would love to see more truck/house/tool/appliance repair & maintenance videos.
Love the show, keep it up!
Eric Gunnar Rochow
had a hard to figure out problem with the truck, rough idle and poor power, shot a bunch of video of that, have to now edit it all. thx, eric.
Eric Gunnar Rochow
you might want to get a used copy of square foot gardening, it has a lot of good stuff in it for small spaces.
Lettuces and cabbage family crops do well in cool weather, Kale and that sort. thanks, eric,
Eric Gunnar Rochow
wow, quite the list, a bunch of great ideas there. thanks for that. i have a dehumidifier in the basement that drains into the drain line, and that will make a good video, the big problem with them is the tank fills up and then they turn off. thx, eric.
Eric Gunnar Rochow
thanks dave, i've read a bit about acorns, we have the kind that tend to be bitter in our yard, but the turkeys like them. we just posted a foraging video about staghorm sumacs and here's an foraging video about purslane. thx, eric.
Eric Gunnar Rochow
i'm going to look for the foxfire books, thanks for that, eric.
Eric Gunnar Rochow
hi linda,
you may be able to find wood for raised beds in the dumpsters of new construction, or maybe on craigslist for free, just have to look around ask around a bit,
stink bugs are a problem, i don't have a simple answer for that one, i have them too. thx, eric.
Veronica
Apartment Gardening!!!! I've killed all my plants...AGAIN!
Maryann
How about a video about preparing yourself,house and more importantly your pets for storms,hurricane.etc ?
Maryann
How about a video about storing your crops,plants,bulbs for winter?
jim
Beautiful labs! How about a dog care show? Flea and tick prevention, flea infestations? Bathing your dogs in cold weather (with your pond I don't think you have any problems with them being afraid of water!) Basic training of your friends (the labs!).
Another area. Have you checked out any of the rocket stove mass heaters? From what I've seen, for wood heat it cuts the amount of wood used per season by large amounts! (saves money, heats the house (shop or whatever) and you can keep your favourite hot beverage warmed on it. And it's a lot cheaper to make than buying a traditional wood heater.
Gardening - What about a flower pot vegitable garden during winter months? How to do and care for.
jim
@ Sleepy Maggie
I use milk kefir with pasteurised milk from the store. I too cannot find fresh milk and have heard that the kefir is better with fresh, but the standard 12% store brand will work. And with the FEDs cracking down on farmers selling fresh whole milk it looks like the only way to get any is to raise your own milk cow! Also, kefir can be consumed by the lactose intolerant with few or no problems.
R J Parker
I'd love to see a show about building, using, cooking with a wood-fired brick oven. Pizza, bread, slow-cook stews, etc. I want to build one in my backyard, and think it would be a great (warm) place to hang around and cook on in the winter (maybe with a small carport lean-to around it, for foul weather cooking). Our winters are cold and rainy, but not snowy. Guess it would work in the snow too, if enough insulation.
Thanks for a great show. The only thing I'd suggest, from my personal taste, is a little less sarcasm from the camera operator and more positive encouragement to Eric. Otherwise it's great, fun, informative, and I love the dog shots.
much aloha,
Janis
Mitsu
more on growing winter vegetables and cooking
Dan from Michigan
Here are two ideas - make homemade mustard, and make soap using rosemary, lavender, honey, goats miilk.
Timothy Wagenknecht
I think that a passive solar water heater would be an interesting show. Not sun to electricity to heated water but Sun to heated water. Basically it is a panel with an elevated tank that uses the change in water density (I.e Hot water is less dense) to make the water circulate.
Hope that this is helpful.
Eric Gunnar Rochow
good suggestion, i have a design in my head for a solar water heater that won't need a pump. if you sign up for our weekly email, we'll let you know when we make the video, thanks, eric.