Surviving the Freeze: A Winter Garden Resilience Series

Houston’s historic winter storm put our green spaces to the ultimate test, but with the right preparation and sustainable practices, we proved that resilience is possible—even in extreme weather. This video series documents our journey before, during, and after the freeze, showcasing essential techniques like chop and drop for tropical plants, heavy mulching to insulate soil, and permaculture methods that protect our trees, gardens, and even chickens. From bananas and papayas to moringa and pecans, we highlight how these strategies help build stronger, healthier ecosystems—no matter the season.

Watch as we prepare for the cold, capture stunning drone footage of the snow-covered landscape, and assess the impact of our efforts. Whether you're a gardener, farmer, or sustainability enthusiast, this series offers valuable lessons on protecting plants, preserving soil, and fostering long-term growth. Let’s turn challenges into opportunities and grow smarter, even in the harshest conditions!

Before the Freeze: Chop and Drop Bananas

Want to grow bananas in the city? Here’s what you need: a good machete and the know-how to prep for winter!  Since bananas are tropical, they don’t thrive in freezing weather, but don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! Every winter, use the chop and drop method to protect their roots. It’s like tucking them in with a cozy blanket of mulch to keep them warm and thriving while building nutrient-rich soil.  Let’s grow resilient bananas and sustainable gardens, even in Houston’s unpredictable climate!

Before the Freeze: Chop and Drop Paypaya

Today, we chopped and dropped our papaya to protect its roots from harsh freezes and heavily mulched our garden beds to shield them from winter’s unpredictable swings. This practice not only safeguards the soil but also builds a stronger, healthier garden for the next season.

Before the Freeze: Chop and Drop Moringa

Preparing for the winter storm in Houston by chopping and dropping our beloved moringa! This amazing tree is a powerhouse of nutrition, provides shade, and helps regenerate soil with its organic matter. Did you know it can also propagate from cuttings? A must-have in every garden!

Snow Storm: Results of Chop and Drop

Winter hit Houston hard this week with snow and an extreme freeze!  Here’s how we prepped our garden to survive the cold. From chopping and dropping tropicals like bananas, papayas, and moringa, to heavy mulching that acts like a cozy blanket for the soil, we’re protecting our plants and prepping for a stronger growing season.  Check out the drone footage and see how our hard work paid off. Want to know more? Watch our previous videos to see how we got ready before the freeze! 

After a Freeze: Chop and Drop Bananas

After the Houston snow, it’s time to chop and drop your bananas!  This method protects the roots from temperature extremes and enriches the soil as the organic matter decomposes. Your bananas will thank you next season!  Let’s keep our gardens thriving, even in winter.

During the Snow Storm: Sheet Mulching Results

Snow in Houston is a rare and historic event, and it’s a powerful reminder of why sustainable practices like sheet mulching matter. The heavy woodchip layers shield the orchard’s soil and roots from extreme temperature swings, preserving tree health during winter freezes and summer droughts. With drone footage capturing this rare snowfall, we highlight the importance of planting native trees like pecans and promote diversity such as pears, and figs to build resilience against unpredictable seasons. Protect your soil, nurture your trees, and plan for the future.  

Chicken Care: Woodchips/Winter Strom Results

Meet our happy, hard-working chickens!

Here’s how we’ve created a sustainable, permaculture-inspired paradise for them:

• Deep Litter Method: Woodchips enrich the soil while keeping the coop clean and cozy. Later, it’s used for our gardens and orchards!

  
  

•  Banana Plants: They provide shade, supplemental feed through chop-and-drop, and even protection from predators like hawks!

  
  

•  Fire Ring Buffets: Greens grown just for our chickens to enjoy – sustainable snacking at its best!

  
  

•  Happy Hens: Dust baths, sunbathing, cozy homes in the snow, and fresh eggs for the win!

  
  

•  Don’t miss the drone footage showcasing our chicken haven in action. It’s all about sustainable agriculture, energy flow, and harmony with nature.

 Follow to learn more about permaculture and sustainable best practices!