A complimentary video for you… 5 Keys for a Productive Garden
Are you inspired? Do you have a special “key” that has helped you in your gardening experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below…
And make sure to hit the “like” button to share this with your friends!
172 Comments
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Bob Wood
July 4, 2013Good to see a young fellow so interested and committed to gardening. Wish I was like that when I was younger. Just goes to say “we get too soon old and to late smart.” At least that is true for me!
Paul
July 5, 2013Hey Bob – Thanks for your kind words… though I’m sure there is much I could learn from you as well. Just remember that it’s never too late to start. 😉
Claudia
September 4, 2014The info u gave was very helpful thank u for all the tips may God bless ur endivers keep up the good works!
Brenda
April 3, 2020I wasn’t able to get with you for the class how can I get the downloads offered there not available
Agathe
July 9, 2013hello, i would like to have this in german. it would be great, if possible! Many thanks, Agathe
Paul
July 9, 2013Hi Agathe, I would love to have it translated into German but don’t have the resources to do that at the moment. If you know of anyone who would be interested in volunteering the time that would be wonderful! 🙂
Dom
September 26, 2014Never mind German, I would like it in book form.
Dom
September 26, 2014Im not having much success, first of all I can only grow veg in a green house. I tried a PVC one, it had condensation in it and all my little shoots died, so I sent the green house back. Then I brought another sturdier green house, which was badly designed and just sent that back. Which is the best green house to have? plastic, or glass, or Aluminiuim?
Roger
November 16, 2014Plastic would be best for a green house, look for a tube plastic. This is a dual layer plastic that you can get a small blowe ti inflate thus insulating it with ari, very efficient covering for any green house that must be heated by some form.
Paul
November 18, 2014Hi Dom, Roger has a good point and I’d suggest going with plastic as well. Not every house has to be heated and if so you wouldn’t need the double layer of plastic. This would depend on how serious you are, where you live, and what you would like to do. We live in TN and grow straight through the winter under unheated plastic greenhouses.
Jane Grossman
September 24, 2013Paul,
Great, practical tips for a successful garden. Enjoyed it!
And congratulations on your Garden Bloggers award!
Paul
September 26, 2013Thanks so much Jane – I enjoyed getting to meet you at the conference! 🙂
Margit Sepsi
April 21, 2016Hello Paul, blessings from our Heavenly Father, I just remember you because I was watching the conference. You just got married to that beautiful lady in February????? Didn`t you ??? Thank you for Born to Grow page on Face Book. Check out my FB page : Sepsi Margit. At the moment I am in Romania to my mum`s house where I have a very big garden 25 acres,with lots of trees ,walnut trees.etc. Sad ,because my mum just past away . I want to keep that house because of that beautiful grden. I need help in setting up a bio gardening. Maranatha,get ready because Jesus is coming back very soon and we are going home…..Soon ,very soon we are looking forward to International Heaven`s Day, in a little while we are going home. I want to see Jesus. What about you ???
Yolanda Sullivan
September 30, 2013Thank you for the tips. My husband started a garden for us, but I have yet to get in there and work it, I’m scare of bugs, so all I do is water it.
I got tomatoes all types of chilies, cantaloupe, zucchinis, and, basil. Also, I’m not sure that he made it organic totally. He said he did. So, I’m going to learn from you. Thank you for the tips.
Paul
March 20, 2014You are welcome Yolanda! Keep up the good work. 🙂
joe
March 20, 2014you are right on !!!!!!
Colleen Rittenour
March 23, 2014Paul,
Thank-you so much for the inspiration. On the fifth step of your 5 keys you mentioned that you would share two tips on feeding the soil. One was adding organic matter, but I didn’t pick up the second one. Did I miss it?
Thank-you so much,
Colleen
Paul
June 24, 2014Hi Colleen – great question! The two tips were not necessarily specific for feeding the soil, but for keeping your soil healthy. The one like you mentioned was to add organic matter and the second one was to make sure to keep your soil loose so that air and water can flow freely through it. Thanks for asking!
Linda Skipper
March 24, 2014Thanks you so much for the 5 steps, my husband built a 16×20 raised garden and steps you spoke we have done. I was so pleased, I know we were on the right track. I have signed up for your seminar on the 27th. God Bless you & you family.
Becky Carlson
June 22, 2014Thank you! Will you be blogging or teaching a class on how to plant a Fall/Winter garden? If so, I would like info about when, please.
Paul
June 24, 2014Absolutely Becky! I’ll keep you posted. 🙂
Gustavs Latgalis
June 24, 2014Thank you so much for these 5 useful tips! Inspiring, I enjoyed them. 🙂
Blessings to your farm,
Gustavs
Paul
June 24, 2014You are welcome Gustavs! Glad they can be a blessing!
Dixie
July 29, 2014I didn’t get the video 5 keys to a productive garden. There wasn’t anyplace to click to watch. Can someone help me out with how to watch it?
Paul
July 30, 2014Hi Dixie – do you mind trying to refresh the page or load it in a different browser? Let me know if you are still having trouble and we can try loading it for you somewhere else. Thanks!
Jonnie
August 21, 2014I really enjoyed watching the video. It has inspired me to try having a garden, even though I still have no yard, and live in crowded city. I’m going to do it with containers, and do a vertical garden, to be able to grow more than just a couple of things. The patio is 6×12, and has a 9 square foot HVAC, sitting at one corner. Until we get a house with a yard, I have been putting it off. Now I will do it this way, and take it with us when we move. There are times I regret moving out of Arkansas, because, I had a garden when I lived there. Keep encouraging people, from children to seniors. I believe everyone should have one. If they did, the would have less stress, and be a lot happier.
Paul
August 25, 2014Yes yes Jonnie! Keep it up even in the city… that’s the spirit. Something is better than nothing and I totally agree with you that everyone should spend time in the garden!
Joy Jackson
August 24, 2014Yes, the minerals that load gardens with nutrition that is like no other!
Praise God for these! Very healing!!!!!!!
Ohmyrem.ember777@gmail.com
Paul
August 25, 2014Amen! Praise the Lord Joy!
Drew
August 24, 2014Paul
Fantastic presentation! It is good to hear that you have been instilled with the respect for God and courage to share it. The garden is a great place to discover some of the blessings that God has provided. I personally have been gardening since i was a child with my father. I found after marriage that i was in a slump and was wrapped up in television. My wife nudged me to get out and garden to work off the anxiety of the day in the field of Architecture. I have seriously worked at a garden for my little family for at least 13 years. Praise be to God that i delved into the gardening.
This year has been bountiful and the garden still looks like a spring garden thanks to the mild temps and good moisture.
Looking forward to your webinar.
Drew
Paul
August 25, 2014Wow Drew, that’s a beautiful testimony. And yes – there is so much to learn about our Creator through His creation. Thanks so much for sharing about your experience and I’m so glad to hear how well your garden is doing. I’m glad you’ll be joining us for the webinar!
Janet
August 25, 2014We have been gardening for years, learn something new each year. The last couple years we have concentrated on mulch, practically no weeding, and fantastic bounty.
Paul
August 25, 2014Wow Janet, that sounds wonderful! What kind of mulch do you use? I’d love to hear more about your experience with it. Keep up the good work!
Sunshine
August 26, 2014Wonderful video and introduction to gardening. I am looking forward to the webinar. Thanks for such a lovely presentation.
E
September 2, 2014What a joy to see a young man living in accordance to God’s plan for mankind “to dress it and to keep it.” If all mankind just heeded that simple Biblical teaching, there would be no wars, people would be far healthier, far happier. God’s blessings show in this young man. Short story–working in Iraq, I had a head injury and heavy exposure to toxins via “everything” (metals, plastics, etc) thrown into the nearby burn pits …which damaged my lungs, cardiovascular, and neurological systems. Doctors could not help and the meds they prescribed worsened my physical condition. I took myself off their prescriptions, was told about and began taking resveratrol (grape extract) and initially unable to walk more than 20 feet with 2 days recovery time to heal, began gardening. Slow, steady, significant healing progress, over 7 years. Not only do we eat much from what we grow, but some of the weeds are also heavily laden with nutrients, such as lambs quarters and dandelion greens. Many younger co-workers exposed to the same burn pit toxins are now dead from cancers. I am alive and can joyously garden for hours at a time. Only heat causes re-arranging of “outside” schedule. God gives us everything we need. All we need do is actively care for His creations and appreciate His blessings. This young man IS a wonderful example of being a blessing to humanity–sharing the knowledge of “feeding the soil” and reaping the blessings. Thank you for a fine video.
Paul
September 29, 2014Thank you for your kind words E. It was a privilege to read your story – very touching. Keep up the good work and may God richly bless you!
rued dave soreno
September 19, 2014i missed the opportunity,hope to avail next time. got read your positive feedback.
Estoria patton
November 12, 2014I could not see your program on my Kindle Fire Tablet. I tried over and over again. Very disappointed.
Paul
November 18, 2014Hi Estoria,
I’m very sorry about this… do you mind trying it on a different computer? I’m not sure why it would be causing trouble. I do hope you can get it to play!
Kris
November 16, 2014Hi Paul!
I work in Fountainview Accademy In BC Canada on the farm. We grow organic carrots. I like your points:)
I wił try to stay in touch.
I am oryginaly from Poland so my eanglish Is not so great:)
But i love What you do:)
God bless you.
Paul
November 18, 2014Thank you so much for your comment Kris! I love what you all are doing on the farm there at Fountain View. Even though I’ve never been there I’ve tasted some of your carrot juice which is excellent! Keep up the good work and thank you for your kind words and encouragement. Praise the Lord.
Rowena Steck
November 17, 2014I have learned on our island, where the sandy soil is often blamed, to not plant without helping the soil first. I planted caliloo (spelling?) (greens common in Jamaica and somewhat here) two places and one prospered and the other didn’t. The prospering one had had kitchen garbage and manure buried in it. Rowena Steck
Paul
November 18, 2014Thanks for sharing Rowena! It is so true. Building up your soil is such a foundation for having a healthy garden.
Amy
March 29, 2015Hi Paul,
Thanks for all your great tips! I am enjoying checking out all your videos and would love to come up and see your families garden sometime. I just thought I would share our experience with gardening that we had last year. My husband and I along with the help of my Mom, planted our first garden last year. My Mom has been doing a garden for a few years now but she was doing it a bit different than we did. We built raised beds and purchased a truckload of organic garden soil from a nearby company that has wood chips, and all sorts of other things. We planted tomatoes, carrots, peppers, cherry tomatoes, some herbs, cream zippers and strawberries in our raised beds and my mom had green beans, corn, okra, squash, and more tomatoes & peppers in her garden which was just in the ground that was tilled up. She also already had blueberries & grapes planted in between her garden area and ours. We put wood chips on top of our soil in the raised beds after we planted our plants. We also added wood chips all around the raised beds and the blueberries & grapes and they all did wonderful! The areas that didn’t have the wood chips did not do as well. The plants were much healthier and the food seemed to have excellent flavor. I’m not sure if it was all because of the wood chips or if it had to do with our raised beds having all organic garden soil. Either way, it was great! We are looking forward to doing it all again this year. I hope you guys have a very blessed year as well and look forward to more info from your site.
Blessings!
Amy
Paul
March 30, 2015Hi Amy,
Thanks so much for sharing! I love hearing about your garden and would love to have you all come by and visit sometime. That’s great to hear about your experience using the wood chips. Mulch like that can definitely be a blessing. We’ve seen it work well in our flower beds. I haven’t actually tried the wood mulch in our vegetable garden yet – but would love to. And yes, the healthy plants and great flavor could definitely be due at least in part to the mulch. It’s probably a combination of both though – the good organic garden soil, plus the mulch on top.
Keep up the good work! It’s a blessing to hear from you about your experience!
Paul
Marian
April 11, 2015Hi Paul,
I can’t access the video…it may be outdated because I didn’t check my inbox since you sent me the link until now…I am very busy with gardening.Could you please send me the link again?Also,I am very interested in how to get rid of pesticides…Recently I had problems with the crickets eating my seedlings…for lack of a better alternative, I used an insecticide.Thank you for sharing your experience!God bless you!
Paul
April 13, 2015Hi Marian – thanks for your note. Please make sure that Flash Player is up to date on your computer and maybe try it in a different browser. I know the video is up and running for others! Thanks and sorry for the trouble!
Billie
April 12, 2015I am blessed by listening to you, keep up your good attitude and works for us ‘hobby’ gardeners! I have learned a lot about gardening through your seminars, etc. and appreciate your willingness to SHARE with all of us listeners, as we struggle to do our best with our gardens. THANK YOU very much, may you continue your good works and words!!!
Paul
April 13, 2015Thank you for your kind words and encouragement Billie – I really appreciate it! And keep up the good work!
Bette
April 12, 2015Thank you for some nice ideas! I plan to scratch my soil much earlier, and to emphasize GMO-free over cost. I have had my whole yard as a small plot garden in sandy loam for a few decades, and change or add something small each year. Looked more into permaculture, and have mulched with 4 layers of newspaper under grass clippings but can’t do wood chips with my builder husband concerned about termites or carpenter ants. Recently saw a neat idea to use compost bins like raised beds that give off enough heat to keep seedling trays warm and also the greenhouse. My greenhouses are large pots covered with tomato cage and double wall of contractor trash bags.
Paul
April 13, 2015Hi Bette – thanks for your note! Yes… getting those weeds early like that can save a LOT of time for sure. Reminds me I need to go do it in my garden soon here. And I love the innovation. I’d love to hear how your compost bins work for you if you try that out!
Patty
May 18, 2015Good presentation, short and basic with good tips and inspiration, I want to be more committed!
Paul
May 22, 2015Go for it Patty!
Billie Fletcher Meyers
May 20, 2015Dear Paul,
So simple almost hard to believe. We struggle in Ok to have a productive garden because our NW part of state is usually very dry and hot. Last year we started the mulch and wood chips it has made a great difference but because the cedar wood chips were fresh even though we layered them on top it robbed the soil of nitrogen. This year is better because we have had some wonderful rains. Billie
Paul
May 22, 2015Hi BIllie,
Sorry to hear about the woodchips robbing your nitrogen! I’m glad it’s working better for you now. Keep me posted on how your garden comes!
Patty
May 20, 2015Good info-focused and instructive and inspiring. I see that I need more commitment and time management so this key impacts your whole lifestyle sorta….
Paul
May 22, 2015Absolutely Patty. I like to encourage people to make gardening part of their lifestyle. Integrate it into your life – it is such a blessing!
Christine
May 28, 2015Thanks so much! We have a small group meeting weekly and wanting to do gardening so this is JUST THE THING! Blessings to you and look forward to more! I have started mine garden here in south Tx.
Paul
May 29, 2015Wow Christine! I’m so glad it could be a blessing. Keep up the good work with your little gardening group. I love it!
jan nelson
August 13, 2015Hi, Didn’t know if you could help me find a professional farmer to live on my ranch that is a organic farm to develope the market plan with the growing and production of food. East of Temecula California at 4,000 foot elevation. There are orchards of variety of fruits/nuts/vineyards and super large greenhouse. you can contact me by phone 760-8081434.
Paul
August 13, 2015Hi Jan,
Thanks so much for your note. Unfortunately I don’t know of anyone at the moment. There are more and more people wanting something like this. Thanks for checking in though!
Steve Dragoo
September 2, 2015Hey Paul – thanks for the good info. What you presented was a clear pathway better than most anything else I have watched or read. .Keep the Faith! Steve
Paul
September 3, 2015Thank you for your kind words Steve! I’m glad it was a blessing!
Jonnie
October 27, 2015I enjoyed, and agreed with what you said. Curiosity is killing me. How do you grow plants, that do better in direct sunlight, in a hoop house? It looks like it would filter the sunlight. I ask because, my medications have warnings to stay out of direct sunlight, and I am considering purchasing a hoop house, so that I can grow my garden. How hot does one get, and can they be used during the harsh winters?
Paul
November 6, 2015Hey Jonnie,
Great question! Well, first of all – a hoop house simply has one layer of plastic over it so it still gets what we would consider as direct sunlight. You could put a shade cloth over it too which would filter the sunlight more. Now, even with the plastic the sun is slightly filtered but I’m not sure how it would be considered when it comes to your medications. I hope you can get something that works! There’s nothing like working out in the soil. And yes, they can get fairly warm inside. Even when it’s freezing outside on a sunny day it can get up to 50-70 degrees F inside. And they can definitely be used even in harsh winters. Now depending on how much snow you get it could be a little more complicated as you’ll need to keep the snow shoveled away from it. Hope this helps!
Joseph
November 6, 2015I’m presently in the military, serving in Oman and, God willing, I’m
planning to start a small farm on a small acreage somewhere in
North America when my present term of service ends.
Your great enthusiasm and equally great information that is
wonderfully presented in a simple manner which makes everything
easy to understand and replicate is nothing short of wonderful and
a great blessing from God.
Thank you so very, very much and may God bless you and your
family very abundantly!
Paul
November 6, 2015Thank you for your kind comment Joseph. And thank you for your service. Praise the Lord. I’m glad the training and tips can be a blessing!
Vernon
November 29, 2015Hay Paul,
What a great start to your new “Born to Grow University”! I have just purchased 5 acres here in TN, but there are a lot trees that have to be cleared before I can have space for a garden. I have been thinking about container gardens for a start, but with so many trees, I am concerned about enough sun light for a good crop. I’ve had some trees removed for my cabin space, but need a lot more removed before I actually have room for a good garden. Glad your sharing your tips with us! Keep up the good work.
Paul
April 6, 2016Hey Vernon,
So sorry I missed your comment earlier. Thank you for the encouragement and keep up the good work on your garden! Let me know how it comes this season. 🙂
Nancy
March 29, 2016Thanks Paul,
Nice video, information and encouragement! This will be our 6th year on this property. Previous owners said it was impossible to grow anything here, tested the soil and it came up 0 for everything! It’s been a struggle but persevering in building up the soil like you talked about and looking forward to what the results will be this year. It is an activity full of life lessons to be sure! Last year the strawberries were indescribably amazingly delicious – the deer thought so too and ate all of our organic plants… including the savoy cabbages and green beans. I do wish I could follow your advice to keep it small… sigh.
Paul
April 6, 2016Hi Nancy,
You are welcome! So glad it could be a blessing. I’m so sorry to hear about your soil. Keep up the good work with building it up. Perseverance goes a long way! Let me know how the garden comes this year and http://www.deerbusters.com has some affordable fencing we’ve found very effective against deer. Hope this helps!
Jeanne Brower
April 18, 2016It sounds like fun but I don’t know to do all these things without a greenhouse.
Paul
April 20, 2016Hi Jeanne,
It can be a challenge to grow outside if you live in a harsh / cold climate, but the same principles apply whether you are growing in a greenhouse or outside. There are also many ways in which you can protect plants outside without a greenhouse or hoop house, with minimal cost.
Thanks for your comment, we’d love to help!
Mayra Cruz
April 19, 2016Hello Paul!- This is Mayra Cruz. I cannot access my old email account and I am trying to contact you through here to see if you will be able to help us with our next health class in Linden, TN in the month of May. We would love to have you or your dad sharing your gardening concepts with our class! My e-mail address is: mcrpab7@gmail.com. Thanks and many blessings!!!
SUSAN SCOBLE
April 19, 2016Beautifully done Paul, and what a blessing. Thank you so much.
I first saw your lovely farm and family in the video “Urban Danger”
God Bless You and Maranatha
Susan
Paul
April 20, 2016You’re very welcome Susan! And thank you for the encouragement. 🙂
gayle
April 26, 2016inspired with your video Paul.!
i’m an agriculture student at Mountain View College, almost to graduate. But i stop studying my course 2 years ago already. i have a lot of fears and i don’t have confidence, because every time i do gardening, most of my plants die. it seems that agriculture is not my field perhaps i made a wrong decision when i enrolled to college. but i really love gardening. after i stop my schooling, i join missionary work as a Bible Worker assigned in Metro Manila for almost 2 years. i enjoy working with Lord. but the more i engage this kind of work, the more also i appreciate my course. Soul winning is just like gardening.
angd watching your video, inspired me to go back.
thank you.
Paul
April 26, 2016Praise the Lord Gayle! I’m so glad it was an encouragement. Keep up the good work!
Kathryn Yvonne
June 16, 2016I loved this 5 Keys presentation even though I am not physically able to garden myself. My daughter lives in Tehachapi Valley between Mojave and Bakersfield in So. California at 4500 feet. She is a ‘kept’ wife so has time to commit to serious gardening at least 6 days a week (and she has the tan to prove it). She was determined to do organic gardening so she could provide almost 100% of her family’s fresh and preserved food year around — The soil needed a lot of amendments. She first established a vegetarian compost pile which the mice and voles thought was a picnic, so she purchased a composter which is sealed. Then she began using the “Back To Eden” method of disturbing the soil as little as possible, topping it with mulch, inserting her seed into the soil, and topping it all off with ‘whole-tree’ wood chips — not landscaping bark chips. This has worked very well for her for several years with the least amount of weeds. This year, though, has been different for her, because living close to the mountains has brought a lot of weeds. She wanted to aerate her soil, so she sent away for a lot of Night Crawler worms (they burrow more deeply than the others) and her semi-desert soil is just loamy, dark and beautiful now. The wood chips work like little sponges holding moisture from humidity and even arid desert air. The secret of using ‘whole-tree’ wood chips is to first feed the soil, plant, mulch, and apply the wood chips last. Do not till them into the soil for that robs the nitrogen and your crop will fail. If you have applied wood chips in that area before, just push some out of the way, poke your seed into the soil under the mulch and spread the remaining chips over the area again. If you need more chips, just add new chips to the top. Her husband found a source for good mulch and ‘whole-tree’ wood chips in Bakersfield, so he and his trailer keep her well supplied — she is gardening in three large beds on their property, and if watering is needed she uses their pure well water, but the chips mostly keep the soil damp without additional watering even during this drought — very good for a state that demands water rationing. Their raspberries, boyenberrys, black and strawberries are a bumper crop this year. You name it and they are growing it (except for the Macha and other strange crops you mentioned). She is considering purchasing the organic Medicinal Garden Kit from Food 4 Patriots, to start her own old fashioned treatments right from her herb garden. She also has cherry, apricot, peach, apple and nectarine trees that are very happy. The grape vines are growing across the edge of the long deck roof and are delicious if you can get to them before the birds do. Speaking of grapes, DO NOT mulch them or toss your grass clippings under them — they will get a fungus and not bear. Remember, they are native to the Middle East where it is dry and nobody mulches. Also if you just pile up the grass clippings, they will harbor a bumper crop of flies — we learned this when the neighbor donated theirs to our horse corral — horrible and the horses wont eat fly infested grass clippings. Thanks, Paul for your wonderful programs — since I can not put your advice to use, I forward all of them to several of my friends and relatives who have moved out of the city into rural areas and need gardening classes, ha! Keep up the good work and thanks alo for exercising your gifts and talents.
Mary Ann Matzer
October 3, 2017Oh No! I forgot about the time difference. My mother has Alzheimer’s, I get a little off schedule at times,
Betty Baerg
January 6, 2021Dear Paul,
I have needing to get in touch with you for several months. I took your winter gardening class and learned a lot. I grew one of my biggest broccoli plants.
However, since I got interrupted and didn’t get to see all of your winter gardening program, I order it for $35. I got a receipt from your dad. Then when you offered the special program helps, I can’t remember whether I wrote for $60 or $80, I think it was 80, and I have a receipt from your dad. Now I haven’t heard from you since!!!! I can’t say that it is all your fault because my computer has not been bringing things since November 20.
If you could send anything to my husband’s email, I would appreciate it.
lynn.baerg@sbcglobal.net.
I was looking forward to seeing you at the agriculture conference, but my husband got covid and so we cancelled out. So sorry to miss it.
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