Building Our Backyard Garden in the Catskills | Growing Good Food & Big Dreams
We’ve been knee-deep in projects since we bought this amazing land last year—drainage systems, outhouse builds, garden dreams, and more. And honestly? We’ve loved every chaotic, muddy, wheelbarrow-heavy minute of it.
But now, almost one year in, we’ve finally got enough breathing room to hit “record” again and bring you along for the ride. So—welcome to Basecamp Brooklyn Estates.
This place is becoming more than just our home. It’s a place to gather. A place to breathe. And a place we can’t wait to share with you—whether you’re showing up for a weekend event, staying in our off-grid cabin (almost ready!), or just dreaming of trees while stuck in traffic on the BQE.
Potting Herbs by the Cottage
Before we tackled the heavy stuff, we started with herbs. Mint, chives, rosemary, basil, shiso—just the basics. With so many other projects in motion (French drains, dry creek, outhouse, the cabin...), even a few pots of green felt like a win.
📺 Watch Erin’s herb planting moment here
👉 (from our Ivy+Light channel—her softer, slower lens on this same land)
Crushed Stone, Willow Logs & A Raised Bed
Next up: the glow-up. We had leftover crushed blue stone from our drainage projects, a pile of cardboard, and a fallen willow tree begging to be used. With a little creativity and a lot of hauling, we layered fresh cardboard, spread the crushed stone, and used our riding mower cart to bring everything down the hill.
Allan built a rustic raised bed using willow limbs from last autumn, secured with rebar stakes. We filled it with branches, trigs, and topsoil, then packed it full of tomatoes, peppers, and butternut squash. A few things got up-potted. Some areas were reshuffled for better flow. We even created a flower bed around the maple tree at the center of it all—lots of pollinator blooms still to come.
Watch the full build + transformation here:
What We’re Creating (for You!)
We’re not just growing vegetables out here—we’re growing something much bigger:
A place to gather. A place to reset. A place to eat ridiculously good food under the stars with strangers who feel like old friends.
Here’s a taste of what’s coming:
Our tiny house cabin will be ready for bookings soon—off-grid, cozy, and surrounded by birdsong
A dedicated event area for weekend escapes, fire-cooked meals, and long conversations under the trees
Thoughtful infrastructure like a photogenic outhouse, relaxing outdoor shower, and stargazing platform to keep things functional and comfortable
A working garden filled with herbs, veggies, and flowers that show up in the meals we serve (and the vibes we share)
No, it’s not polished. Yes, it’s a little scrappy. But every log, rock, and wheelbarrow of soil is part of a bigger vision:
Creating a space where you can unplug, get your hands dirty—or just eat, laugh, and watch the stars.
Want in?
📬 Join the mailing list for early access to the cabin rental + event invites
📅 Check out upcoming events → basecampbrooklyn.com/event-tickets
📺 Subscribe on YouTube to see what we’re building next → @BasecampBrooklyn
We’re just getting started—and we’re so glad you’re here for it.
