01x01 - Patience

[bunniefuu]

[Birds chirping,
train horn sounds]

♪♪

♪♪

JAMILA: Farming is definitely
an exercise in patience

♪♪

And strawberry's definitely
one of those examples

♪♪

You know? You know that it's the
first fruit of the season

and people are really
excited about it,

and it's something
that we get excited about, too,

because it's really hard to grow
fruits and it takes a long time

♪♪

You've got to really prep your
soil and your beds

in the fall
so that you have a good harvest

in the springtime

But when that fruit comes,
it's just a sweet reward

♪♪

Mmm

♪♪

My name is Jamila Norman,

and I'm an urban farmer
in the city of Atlanta

I farm on 1.2 acres in the
middle of the city,

where I grow and harvest organic
fruits, vegetables, and herbs

I love potatoes. They're like
jewels under the earth for me

I started farming
to grow fresh food

for my sons, but saw a greater
need in my community as well

After 10 years as an engineer,

I left the corporate world
to farm full time

Connecting with the land
and sharing it with my community

is my greatest passion

- Yes. Whoo
- All the good stuff this week

We got red okra and green okra

WOMAN: Ooh, yum

Appreciate you. Bye
Thank you. Bye

JAMILA: Hearing the stories from
my mom growing up in Jamaica

on my great-grandparents' farm

really planted
a seed deep inside of me

I started this journey
for my family,

and I love to help others
discover the joys of farming

and start their own gardens
for their family

It's everything that
I've ever dreamed of

After all, everything tastes
a little better

when it's home-grown

♪♪

[Birds chirping]

I think what we can do is we can
just pull out the weed whacker

I'mma change it
to a thicker one,

and we'll just go down all
the walkways ALEX: Okay

And now I am going to go head
over to the Hartmans'

Gonna help them
with their backyard today

So, I'm going to leave
the rest to you

I know it's a little hot
out here Nah, it's all good

I know, right? Look,
it's all part of the job

[Engine starts]

♪♪

Patchwork City Farms is a farm
I started...

golly, almost 10 years ago

My journey in farming
is really about growing

and then helping people that
want to grow for themselves

I sort of find families

that already have that seed,
that are really excited

It's just, like, helping
to nurture that in them

It never gets old

♪♪

CHRIS: You want to call them?
Hey, make sure they're all

in there, Lana

Chickens!

Chicken!

I'm excited today
about going to see

the Hartmans

CHRIS:
Don't squeeze too tight, okay?

We started a little garden
in our backyard,

and we did that so that we could
grow our own food

and provide the family
with all of our vegetables

and get the kids involved
in some gardening

and get them excited

Some of the plants
that we put out are great

They're going fantastic
Some of them, not so much

So, we really need Jamila
to come help us

identify what we did wrong

and teach us
how we can make sure

that this garden can become
a farm and supply our family

So we even bought some chickens
So we have five baby chicks

I built a coop with some plans
that I found online

and put a little run-together
that's not quite as sturdy

and secure as that probably
should be for the chickens

We do have a few predators
in the back,

so we need to make sure that the
chicks are healthy and happy

so that they can have a long and
productive egg-laying career

But the chickens
aren't even laying eggs

That's true

Also, I grew up
in the Philippines,

where we had fruit trees
in our backyard,

so I wanted to do that here,

but I don't know if it's
even possible in Georgia

And so, I think that's where
Jamila comes in,

and we're really excited
to work with her

We're excited

Awesome Thank you

JAMILA:
So, the Hartmans,

they've already
started the work themselves

And so, we know that
they're committed to the vision

and this is just taking it
to the next level

It's going to fit beautifully
into their lifestyle

So...

Hey, how are you guys doing?

- Hi!
- Hi!

CHRIS: Hi, Jamila! [Laughs]

Hey, how are you doing?

Careful
Yeah. Okay

All right, so let's
lay out these plans

We're going to just look
at them real quick

CHRIS: We can't wait to see Yeah

So, what do we got?

So, here's the house,

and we are right here

So as you can see, everything's
going to be different

I'm going to help you turn
your small garden

into a large,
successful farm for your family

First, the plan of boxes
should be in direct sun

So, we're going to build

six raised beds
in the middle of the yard,

where you have the most sunshine

This will give you more room
to grow more food

Then, we'll move
the chicken coop

to the back corner of the yard
in the shade

so the chickens
don't get overheated

We'll also build a new chicken
run that's more secure

and will keep the chickens
safe and happy

so they'll want to lay eggs

Plus, we'll plant banana trees
around the yard

to remind you of your childhood
memories from the Philippines

JAMILA: We're just creating some
beautiful nooks of discovery

and food and chill space,

and what we want to do today

is some of the things
that you guys have growing,

we want to be able to save that,

and then we can replant
what is salvageable

into your new garden boxes

to give those plants the space
and sun they need

All right CHRIS: All right, where
do you want us to start, Jamila?

Yeah Let's go over here

What's salvageable?

Okay, let's go through them
What's not salvageable?

So, what I'm seeing is you guys
packed a lot in, right?

And a lot of what you packed
in are kind of different seasons

and a little too close together

So, when we expand and give you
all the different raised beds,

you'll have a little bit
more space

and then they'll have the space
to grow better

Right?
And yeah,

all these cucumbers
and squash and everything,

they're just fighting
for some light

They all need at least six hours

They love full sun,
so that's why

we're going to try to get
as much sun as possible

So, I'm going to dig up
one of the peppers here

So can I show you
how to transplant this pepper...

CHRIS: Yeah
...real quick?

So, what did you do?
Just around,

like, a couple of inches, I
guess? Yeah, just kind of go

underneath the root bowl,
dig it up

We'll open up
some soil in the pot,

and you just keep it watered

and then we can add that
to the new bed

Once we get your new
garden boxes built,

you guys are going to eat well

Oh, wow

It's day three of the Hartmans'
backyard farm transformation,

and so much has already
been done in the yard

Seeing that progress is
just like...

it's pretty inspiring

I envision the Hartmans coming
out here in the morning

and harvesting the vegetables

The garden space really
represents a place

for just creating
all kinds of connection, right?

And you're connecting to nature,

connecting with each other
and your family

Hey, Ron RON: What's
up? Looking good?

Yeah, yeah, absolutely

You guys did a lot of work
since last time

It's been a couple days
Uh-huh It's coming along

I love what's going on
with the new chicken run

Good, good, good Okay

I know we have to build this new

because the old run Chris built

Yeah, it was good,
you know, for a home project,

but I want to get something
that's just really nice

and has a little bit more
shelter for the actual chickens

Let's go look at the old coop

We're going to keep this

and then we're going
to redo this roof Right

Having chickens in your backyard
is not that hard

All they need is a high coop
where they can nest and roost,

and Chris already did that,
and it's beautiful,

but the run needs help

We'll start taking
this apart All right

So we can get this
out of you guys' way,

and then you can move this coop
over to the new run

Chickens need a run for a safe
place to exercise,

but the predators
can get into this one,

and it's totally lacking
ground cover

Chickens need
something to scratch on

Hey. How you doing?
Hey, Farmer J

The better the run,
the happier the chickens

You're not gonna cry about it,
are you?

Oh, no I mean, this thing

we can probably push over,
but if we take it apart,

we can salvage some of the wood

- That'll be easy
- Yeah

- You got that one?
- I got that one

Most of this is screws,
so we'll use that,

and you can start grabbing some
of the screws in all around

What in the world?
All the stales

Every one of them

I had a big package
I had to use them

There you go

Boom

I don't who put this together

It's interesting construction

There's some random screws
everywhere, aren't there?

Hey, you're not sweating enough,
Farmer J

Farmer J doesn't sweat
I make it look good, okay?

Rod, come on over It's down

ROD: All right

Okay, so how are you guys
moving this thing?

Good old manpower

Oh, you're using manpower?

And we'll pick it up,
and we'll take it over there

Really?

Wow

CHRIS: Guys, that was...

We're, like, screwing one by one

[Laughs]

They're like,
"Cut, cut."

You got work smart, right?

Get in there, Chris

That's amazing, guys

It's like the perfect pitch
It just matches

This is beautiful
This is a great job

You did good

Fantastic
Well, we'll keep moving on it

♪♪

♪♪

- Hey, May
- Hey, Jamila

JAMILA: I'm having Weng meet me
today at May's orchard

so she can really see
the fruit trees

and see what's possible
and what we can grow in Georgia

The farm looks beautiful
I love all the flowers

Yeah, yeah We try to really grow

a lot of flowers because
it's good for pollination

Absolutely

Absolutely
And as soon as I met Weng

and she was interested
in fruit trees,

May was the first person
I thought of

- Miss Jamila!
- Oh, hey!

There you are!
This is May

Hi, May Hi, Weng
[Speaking foreign]

[Speaking foreign]
I'm good [Laughs]

So, Weng, you love
fruit trees, I heard? I do

Yeah, so, like, nectarines
and peaches, persimmons

So, they grow here

JAMILA: They have the
same heritage of the Philippines

I knew they would hit it off

There's the fruit
That's a persimmon

It looks like a pumpkin

JAMILA: Actually, it turns
pumpkin colored when it's ripe

Yeah, yeah, yeah

I didn't know that there are
Filipino farmers in Georgia

It really warms my heart because

it's like getting in touch
with somebody back home

MAY: Look, Weng

Wow!

How is that possible?

JAMILA:
Banana tree, right?

I really want banana trees
in our backyard

because it
reminds me of my childhood

Is this a good size
for you, Weng?

I think so. Yes

Yeah, that's a good one,
and then there's another one

over there, that is...

and it's easy, too Easy to get

WENG: Lana, you ready to dig?
You love digging

You see how we mulch?

See how it's breaking down,

and then there are earthworms
Look at that

JAMILA: So that's why,
you know, your mulch,

it breaks down and provide,
like, a natural compost

WENG:
So, you mulch it

MAY: You mulch them
to conserve the... Yeah

Oh. Here we go
Yep

Weng, can you get
the cart for us?

Yeah All right

We're going to get this tree
in the cart

Lift

And then we're going to get
the small one

One, two, three Okay

WENG: In today's generation,
everything's like

instant gratification

I don't want my kids
to get used to that

I want them to understand

that everything that's good
in life takes time

Hold the leaf up,
Be gentle with it

WENG:
It's very delicate

I'm really excited to plant
those banana trees

I'm a little scared, 'cause
hopefully they stay alive

and I'll make me
and Jamila proud,

and I can't wait for the day

where we have
that banana blossom

It's going to be exciting

JAMILA: The Hartman's
backyard farm transformation

is really coming along

It's ready for the plants
and the seeds,

and so that's what we're going
to work on today

- Hey, Jamila
- Hey, how are you doing?

So glad you're here

I know. Look at all
this stuff you've got

Tito is a really good
friend of mine

We raised our children together

I've helped to start her garden

Weng is from the Philippines,
so she really wanted lemongrass

Got a lot of herbs... basil,
because as the season

Got some eggplant

She is like a sister, you know?

We just really vibe
well and work well together

So, she's going to be
helping me a lot

Get it in there
It's gonna be super tropical

It is going to be super tropical

That's the field we're going for

So now, the whole framework
is done

Hey So, just installation?

Yep All the hardscapes are done

So, now it's like
the finishing touches

All right, let's go
This is the fun part

♪♪

So, I'm really excited
to finally get to the point

where we get to place the plants

The firepit was here Okay

And their plants...

They just had like
two beds right here

The chicken coop was there
We moved that out of the way,

right,
down in the shade over there

Everything looks amazing

And we opened this up
just for the garden area

Wow. Nice

Okay?
Okay

I'm going to fill this
guy Let's get to cracking

I was telling Rod
and the homeowners

that it's really good,
kind of like a trick,

to prefill
your beds halfway with mulch

and it acts as a reservoir
for water, and also earthworms

and everything from underneath
will kind of like work

through that organic layer
as it breaks down

So, it's a really good way
to mimic nature

and get some organic matter
in your soil underneath

Great

And then we fill it with compost

I like these rocks

I have just wood chips
for my garden

and the grass kind of starts
growing up

through the wood chips
after a little bit of time

Okay, this is looking good

The zucchinis and squash,

they grow low, so they'll just
kind of trail off right here,

take up that corner,
and then basil wraps around

Got to give it some muscle
All right

Basil actually makes
tomatoes grow better

and have more flavor

So, they're great
companion plants

Let me know how many basil
plants you have in there

Three Okay, so I'm just kind of

like doing them
as a triangle around the tomato

You got your Caprese salad
right here

All you need is

[Italian accent]
mozzarella

[Laughs]

Undo these roots

so they spread out,

and just kind of open it up

Hey, Rob

Yeah, Jamila, what's up?

We're going to need
some holes dug

We're planting two
blueberries and two bananas

Okay Blueberries need full sun

All right Right?

And I think it'll be really nice
to kind of, like, stage them

on either side of this bench
right in the garden area

All right Then we can frame up

this bench on the other side
to the walkway,

with the two bananas

Nice little alley,
a little bit of sun

It's almost like you've
done this before

Oh, yeah [Laughs]

When you plant blueberries,

you want two
different varieties,

so they cross pollinate
and you actually get fruit

TITO: What kind of blueberries
are these?

JAMILA: These are the blue crop
in Dixie,

and they'll do really
well here in Atlanta

Let's do banana trees,
and we'll be done

Back it on up. Back it up
Beep-beep!

JAMILA: This is going to be
really lovely

flanking their
walkway into the fire pit

They'll be like, you know,

"Hey, just go to the fire pit

It's right
through the banana trees."

Like, who says that in the city
of Atlanta?

Yes Thank you, Tito

[Laughs]

So, okay, well, mulch these guys
and we will be done, Tito

♪♪

Teamwork, dream work

- Knocked that out
- Uno mas

♪♪

♪♪

I'm heading to the Hartmans'
I mean, this is the last day

We're going to get
all the finishing touches in,

and the backyard transformation
has been just awesome

And seeing it come to life,
it's so lush

I'm jealous [Laughs]

Really looking forward
to handing it over to them

and seeing what they do with it

So, Weng's really concerned
about the banana trees

and the leaves were wilting
a little bit

So, I'm going to check on it
and ease her mind

and let her know
everything's going to be okay

♪♪

- Hi, Jamila!
- Hey, Weng! Good morning!

Good morning

Is this going to survive?

It is Hey, Juju. How
are you? It looks so sad

I know. I know
But it's going to be good

You know,
we dug these guys up fresh,

and these were really big leaves

So, it just kind of went
through just a little stress,

a little trauma

This center is coming out
really strong, you know,

and they just keep producing

So, what we're going to do
is just like cut this off

so it's not sending any energy
trying to save these leaves, Okay?

And it just focuses
on new growth

So, banana trees are good Okay

They'll make it

We got the last
two garden beds to plant

JAMIL: Their garden was
originally in the shade,

and it was a hodgepodge

of plants
that didn't have enough space

I fixed that with these bigger
boxes in the direct sun

In this bed, going to plant
these peppers

that came from your yard

that we dug up from the beds
that were over here

We saved them, and now
we're going to replant them

So, we're going to do
some companion planting, right?

Okay, you want to
place that one... Here?

And then one at the end Yeah

Companion planting is where

you maximize the space
by putting some...

Yeah, you're maximizing space,

and then you're also
putting things that help maybe

repel some insects,
things like that

And so, that's where
the garlic comes in

because the garlic
keeps the bugs away

when it's planted
near the other vegetables

So, when you plant garlic...
Yes

...you got to break apart
the individual cloves,

and each clove of garlic
becomes a head of garlic

Each clove of garlic
becomes a head of garlic

So, this is essentially the seed

Oh Yeah

I'm so inspired and impressed
with, like,

just the attention to detail

and just how much information,
like, Wang

is soaking up
and the kids are soaking up

They just needed
a little bit of help

just
to take them to the next level

Put it there Mm-hmm

And we'll do
the sweet potatoes on the front,

and the sweet potatoes
actually will kind of trail

and come all out the front,

and then
in the next bed behind us,

this one's a little bit more
in the shade

So, we'll do the rainbow chard

Yeah We're going
to seed some carrots

Mm And then we'll
do your green onions

And now peppers

And that's it Alright

So, yeah, chicken coop is ready

They've been waiting for today
all week JAMILA: All week?

Okay, I'm going in the coop Okay

JAMILA: We're laying down straw
on the floor of the coop

because we don't want
the chickens all in the dirt

Right? This is where,
like, parasites

and all kinds of bugs...

they need, like, a really
beautiful, loose bedding

Okay And then that'll
buy you a lot of time

from having to clean this out,

you know, and keep
the odors down

- I like that even more
- Yep

Beautiful tire

Yeah. The tire, kind of like,
you know, speaks to the fact

that you're in the city
All right?

CHRIS: Let's bring it in
All right

So, I'm going to get the DE,
short for diatomaceous earth

So, why do they need
the diatomaceous earth?

It really helps to k*ll any kind
of mites and lice and fleas

and things like that
they get in their feathers

Ooh, they gonna be happy

[Imitates chicken clucking]

Do they answer to that? Yeah

Oh. Oh

[Imtiates chicken clucking]

All right, ladies That got them

Come on, girls Oh, my
God They know their daddy

[Imitates chicken
clucking] It's so cute

Whenever you plant
a garden, grow a garden,

I mean,
there's a lot of hands on

You guys are getting dirty

Lana, you're getting right
in there, aren't you?

CHRIS: Good job,
sweetheart

Yeah. Let me tell you,
it's not farming

if you don't get dirty

LANA:
Is this the last thing?

The last finishing touch
will be mulch

♪♪

We're done

All right Awesome, Dad

Thanks for the help [Laughs]

JAMILA: Compared to how things
were before,

this backyard was
pretty desolate

Now, I mean, it is just gorgeous

The chickens are happy,
the kids are, like, all engaged,

and I mean, it is just lush,

and I want this backyard
It's beautiful

♪♪

Lana, what you got?

Lana, what do you have for us?

Popsicles

You know, what I hope
that I've left with them

is the fact that, you know,

they feel confident,
they know they have a space

that is truly functional
for their family

I think we did a really good job

Lana, this is delicious

Is it yum?
Mm-hmm

Okay. You want
to toast?

All right Lana

Cheers Cheers

Cheers
Cheers. Julian

Cheers

♪♪

JAMILA: Now, the Hartmans really
have a backyard

that they can actually
grow food,

and it's just like an extension
of their everyday lives

The seeds you plant today,
definitely, you know,

it matters tomorrow
and it matters in the future

I plant a seed

I put plants in the ground,
I prep up the soil,

and then the magic
happens on its own

Waiting for the harvest takes
a lot of hard work and patience

But, you know, the most
rewarding things in life

are worth waiting for