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Hey ya’ll, I’m Jess from Roots & Refuge Farm
Welcome to a place that feels like home. A small farm with a big family. We hope you’ll pull up a chair, grab some coffee and visit awhile.
There was a time that all I wanted in the world was a little farm where I could raise my family and grow our food. Now, that is exactly what exists outside my door. In watching it unfold, a new dream was formed in my heart – to share this beautiful life with others and teach them the lessons we’ve learned along the way. Welcome to our journey, friend. I am so glad you’re here.
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WHERE TO FIND US (Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we’ll receive a small commission but the price remains the same – OR BETTER – for you! Be sure to check for any mentioned discount codes.)
– Our Website: https://rootsandrefuge.com
– Sign up for our newsletter: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-signup
– Abundance+ (Grab a FREE 7-day trial): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-wilder-still
– Shop our Stickers & Shirts: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-shop
– Order my book First Time Gardener: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-ftgbook
– Pre-order my newest book First Time Homesteader: https://rootsandrefuge.com/first-time-homesteader-yt
– Growing Gardeners Course: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-ggcourse
– Instagram: www.instagram.com/roots_and_refuge
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootsandrefuge/
– Email Us: rootsandrefuge@yahoo.com
– To drop us a line:
PO Box 4239
Leesville SC 29070
– To have a gift sent to our house from our Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/SFA0IZHZRCOZ?ref_=wl_share
– To support us through PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/jessicasowards
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PRODUCTS WE LOVE – You’ve probably heard me talk about these things a million times, so here’s where you can order them (and get a discount with my code!):
– Greenstalk Vertical Gardens (Use code “ROOTS10” for $10 off your order): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-greenstalk
– Squizito Tasting Room (Use code “ROOTS” for 10% off your order): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-squizito
– ButcherBox: https://rootsandrefuge.com/butcherbox
– Growers Solution: https://rootsandrefuge.com/growers-solution
#rootsandrefuge #homesteading #gardening
You are 100% right on about gardening in raised beds. I always thought I couldn't grow food because the way my yard is situated, I cant put inground beds in. BUT, I saw your channel and your Green Stalk planters and got one as a gift this year. let me tell you, I have tomatoes, green beans, peppers and cucumbers galore right now. earlier in the season I had broccoli and radishes. I am growing tons of delicious healthy foods in limited space on my deck. Thank you for teaching and showing us ALL the ways to try gardening.
Really enjoyed the video and your chat! Ty
I'm in an apartment rental and use containers and portable raised beds. Just starting out and going good so far here in zone 8b.
I have clay soil that is rich but holds water terribly. I’m probably 50/50 in ground and raised. We use the in ground for peas/beans/okra and some squash. The raised beds allow me to plant earlier and keep my plants from getting wet feet as seedlings. I LOVE them. Of course, we have to water more but I still have access around them after watering. The important thing is access to gardening for all. Judgy folks need to just chill.
We are going to start building raised beds in our garden. After spending time on my knees weeding the beets and carrots, I don't think I will be able to do it when I am 70.
I have two herniated disks in my back. Raised beds let me grow things in a way where I can reach them and close enough to let me see insects that might eat my plants.
So happy you've been able to find good compost! Your homestead and garden is looking incredible!
Yes!!! Omg! Let people do things that make them happy and they feel comfortable doing. I've quit posting in several gardening groups because of this "attack" syndrome that happens. Everyone is some kind of "expert" on what's best.
Those are Gulf Fritillary Butterfly Caterpillars munching on the Passion Flowers. The Passion Flower vines,, both native and Maypop, are their only host plant. Their cousin "Zebra Longwing" butterflies also use the Passion Flowers as a host plant however their Caterpillar stage is white with black dots along with the long black hairs. Eating the Passion Flowers make both poisonous to birds much the same way Milkweed does for the Monarch butterfly. If you ever want to see some really funky flowers, get a Dutchmans Pipevine. They are the host plant for the Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly.
I got my first tomato today, and it was a cherry. None of my few full sized tomatoes have begun to color yet. This growing season is very concerning for someone who relies on this season or so much of their food fora year.
Jess, thank you for addressing the issue of raised-bed gardening and container gardening for people who wish to do so. I do container and raised-bed gardening because I am almost 70 years old and I am physically challenged. I cannot get down onto the ground or get back up again, so raised-bed and container gardening is what I do. Otherwise I would not be able to garden at all. So a big shout-out to you for pointing that out. Besides that, you or anyone should never have to defend their reasons for raised-bed gardening. It's no one's business and they have no right to criticize you for your choices. Blessings and greetings from central Florida!
Thank you for being a voice of reason. I have done raised beds since I lived in a 3rd floor apartment 30 years ago. Now I use mainly raised beds as I am now disabled. We all garden in different ways, based on our abilities. Thank you for giving us all permission to grow as we can.
Your garden woos me and inspires me to make my garden woo me, too!
I miss seeing Ben. He was your consistent gardening partner. Love to see all the stuff growing. Your farm is so big! Did you happen to notice at cog hill farms video, they have a compost bin with worms in it that makes great compost tea for feeding the plants… they have a decent setup there.
I lost so many tomatoes to splitting and right at the end, bugs. I have no clue what I'm doing but I know more now than i id when I started, so hopefully I don't mess it up next time. Your videos help a lot.
Raised beds work for me and my body aches. I definitely want to start a worm compost. I planted snap peas and used some compost, never grew. ❤️❤️❤️ your channel.
That is a fritillary butterfly caterpillar and they will devour that passion vine in like 2 days. Mainly because they lay a ton of eggs. I usually freeze them and feed them to my ducks. We have tons of those butterflies where I live
@3:10 is that a mouse in the bed?
I bless you & thanks again for sharing!
Raised beds and especially trellises and elevated raised beds is a great way to be kind to your body. It is a great way to age with your garden. As you get older you will be really happy you invested in yourself. It is easier on your knees and back and if you happen to get physically injured or handicapped it is nice to know you can still work from a sitting or standing position. Do what you love and what will work for you long term.
Jess, I love listening to you and learned so much from your site, but I was wondering if you have thought about going solar or using other green energy on your farm or home ? Just curious . THANKS
There's no non-legitimate way to garden. If you grow a couple of tomato plants on your deck in pots, you are a gardener.
Ben is adorable! Bless him! He is just too cute!
Jess, I'm in a wheelchair and have to re think on gardening to make it easy on myself! So raised beds, containers, and Greenstalks are super beneficial for me! Looking forward to planting my first greenstalk for the fall garden, thanks so much for all your suggestions on gardening at different levels! We live in Texas, so the heat has been horrible! Love watching your homestead come alive, thanks for sharing it all with us!
I so appreciate your views on raised beds gardening. It's all do and I love them, yes it was an investment for the soil. But I'm feeding my family food that I grew the benefits outweigh the costs by far. Plus I ain't a spring chicken and not having to be on the ground is a bonus.