OpulentBria, known as Brianna offline, is a TikToker who has developed a taste for sustainable living. In one of her videos, she sets up raised garden beds and declares that she’s, “Really preparing for my off-grid life.” What exactly does this mean?
Preparing for Off-Grid Living
Living off the grid means being self-sufficient and not relying on public utilities such as electricity, water, or gas. This often requires significant preparation and hard work, as well as mental and physical toughness. Brianna seems determined to make this work.
On TikTok Brianna also shares her knowledge of herbs, herbalism, and healthy living.
@opulentbria Really just preparing for my off grid life 👩🏽🌾🌿 #garden #blackgardenerstiktok #mossmedicine ♬ Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono - moshimo sound design
In her video of setting up raised beds, she talks us through the process. She explains that she first lays cardboard down to deter weeds from underneath. She says she is using the “lasagna method.”
TikTok's OpulentBria making lasagna - aka sheet composting.
Lasagna and Sheet Composting
The lasagna method she mentions is also known as sheet composting. It involves layering organic materials such as leaves, grass clippings, and newspaper on top of each other to create a garden bed.
Over time, the layers break down and create a nutrient-rich soil for plants. It's a fantastic way to use up yard waste or other organic materials that would be thrown away.
Brianna's use of this method to create her raised beds is a great example of how sustainable gardening practices can be both easy and effective.
Off-Grid Living
Living off the grid comes with unique challenges, but it's incredibly rewarding. Obviously, the biggest challenges are the lack of modern amenities, such as electricity and running water.
But even with these challenges, may people are drawn to the idea of living a simpler, more self-sufficient lifestyle. OpulentBria's TikTok video shows how she is working toward living off the grid. All it takes is a little hard work and determination!
Community Advice
One of the best parts of this TikTok video is all of the great advice we found in the comments!
And TikToks "Savvy Girl" advises, "on your next beds put wire down before cardboard so moles can't eat your crops..."
TikToker "Kimberly" says, "...even if you [only] have a balcony, you can make a smaller version"
"Use worm castings to help break down the wood mulch and fertilize", is great advice from "NubianGardener" on TikTok.
"Worm" from TikTok mentions, "Starbucks gives away coffee grounds for free!! amazing for soil"
With such great online resource and support, Brianna is sure to be successful with her raised beds and learn exactly what she needs to achieve her off grid dream.
Challenges of Off-grid Gardening
At the end of Brianna's video, she comes to the realization that she is going to have to mix many more batches of fertilizer to fill her raised beds.
This is just one of the many challenges that she may find living off-grid. In fact, in anoffgridlife.com, one of the biggest challenges they list is access to water for your garden.
How will you get water to your garden without access to convenient city sources? Well, some of the choices are hauling it onto your land in big barrels, drilling a well - if water is available underground - then setting up solar panels to get electricity for a pump.
But despite these monumental challenges, many people are attracted to the lifestyle of living off grid.
In Closing
OpulentBria's video has shed light on the growing trend of off-grid living. Her determination to prepare for an off-grid lifestyle is inspiring and helpful. She is among those who are leading the way for others interested in living off-grid.
Her video shows that with hard work, anyone can learn the skills needed to live a more sustainable lifestyle. We wish her the best of luck on her off-grid journey!