Chop and Drop - Concept and Demonstration

'Chop and Drop' is a common term in Permaculture management techniques. In this video I show just one of many examples of what this concept can be interpreted as and how you can get started in your own food forest.
The most important part of all this is to convey the idea that you can start now, start small and learn from your work as you go. A little pruning here, placing the plant material there... what happens? Can you mulch with the leaves and coarse branches of this or that plant? (most likely!)
Get in there and do some prunin'! :)

Edible Acres is a full service permaculture nursery located in the Finger Lakes area of NY state. We grow all layers of perennial food forest systems and provide super hardy, edible, useful, medicinal, easy to propagate, perennial plants for sale locally or for shipping around the country…
Happy growing!

[creativesoundlab]

You’re the Bob Ross of plants. Love it man.

[belindaroadley]

"Seems less rude to the plant"
That's such a sweet sentiment, totally borrowing that. ^_^

[TaggeMD]

Love the concepts you are teaching. The thoughtful and ethical design, or as you say, "intimacy of management, " support the connection to the process of being good stewards of our natural resources

[gogotrololo]

It's rare to come across anyone who respects nature so much as to consider the tree they are cutting. "Seems rude to the plant" warmed my heart!

[kirsten]

How could anyone give this channel thumbs down, I'll never understand. I love everything you do.

[wolfbirdhomestead]

Great stuff. One of my favorite permaculturalists!

I appreciate the experimentation and quality information you always put out.

Everyone needs to subscribe and upvote!

[simonjlkoreshoff]

It makes me happy the way you treat the plants with respect :-)

[DerSnoeziewoezie]

I just stumbled upon your channel and are binge watching all the precious experiences you so generously share with us. Your down to earth backyard tech solutions and the deeper understanding you display in the design of your projects resonates with my core beliefs of how we should live our lives and steward planet earth. Thank you!

[shuvanidev]

I love your thoughtful and respectful attitude to the work you do with these plants. I also love that you do everything as simply as possible and with the most basic of tools. It makes what happens in my neighborhood look like savagery and gross wastefulness in comparison.

[neilhanley]

Love the way you think. Thank you so much for your time you invest in sharing your message! One day I hope to deal with plants daily instead of turning wrenches, but it keeps the lights on...

[olgakuchukov]

I’ve watched this several times and each time I hear more information, learn more details applicable to my situation and comprehend more. You linked this video in a comment reply to your most recent video and it is highly valuable, thank you!

[lunizparlein]

I like your ethical considerations when you explain how you do and think

[lindawisner]

This is going to save me TONS of work clearing. Great idea and use! Thank you!

[acsoul]

This video inspired me to finally go handle that poke/knot/grape situation we spoke about.

[KayiFarmJaHoneyBees]

I love the insights and knowledge shared. Will definitely be taking this along when I develop my future farm.

[MrDuffy]

You are my favorite teacher when it comes to gardening. I really enjoy your channel.

[treykerr]

I am struggling with being in a hurry versus just enjoying the process. My land is 10 acres and your channel makes me enjoy the idea of a 10’x10’ area as much as a 1/2 acre area. Especially when the whole thing is just a beautiful playground of ideas and areas to grow.

I am in the process of setting up a 16’x32’ area for some small piglets with the idea being in a year or so to turn it into a great garden area. I am starting to plan and prepare that area to make the most of it. I have already started the native pecan tree, peach trees, and tons of comfrey in pots for this area so I am really ready in a year. I plan on having so many plants in the understory and I am enjoying every part of the project.

I really enjoy your channel!

[maclagor]

Great stuff Sean. It raises a couple of questions for me:

1) what do you do about vines and climbers? I have an abundance of viney, climbing, thick and dense ornamentals on my property. Its everywhere, with broken up weed matting underneath that the last owner planted / laid. There are alot of plants in there that I just cannot find out what they are too. I want to put the spaces to better use, and clearly it can all be used to support other plants in a chop / drop / mulch fashion - but cutting everything up with loppers / pruners takes an AGE. It really is back breaking. Would you consider a chipper in the first establishment / clearing if there is one? I am considering a small electric one, not petrol, just to muscle through the awful work done before me and find space to plant into.

2) How long do you think this will take to break down at the lengths you are cutting?

Really happy that this channel is growing. I interpret your subscribers as 72k people, all interested in taking responsibility for their little corner of the world and learning from someone who only has goodness in his heart. Makes me feel better about the world and the people in it. Thank you.

[poodledaddles]

That is some impressive growth, thanks for the video!

[CliffsidePermaculture]

This is such good inspiration, and it is also working wonderfully for managing excellent root mass along my cliff so I'm not at risk of land slide, while also allowing for maintenance of my view - so perfect! I use the pole wood for low cost retainer wall supports to expand my growing space too! Thanks for sharing!