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
– Our music is by our friend Daniel Smith
– Instagram: www.instagram.com/roots_and_refuge
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rootsandrefugefarm
– 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
Want Roots and Refuge gear? Pre-Order is open NOW: https://www.b-unlimited.com/collections/roots-and-refuge
Lol. I live in zone 10a. I am experiencing abundance in my garden right now. This time of year is like your spring. I remember one time many years ago you were talking about one of your friends that lives in zone 10a in California and you couldn’t understand how anyone could grow there. I was amused by your musings, thinking to myself how can anyone stand to be cold. I love zone 10a (not really thrilled with the hurricanes but I’d rather deal with them than snow.) And no we don’t have that rest time but that’s ok. I love to garden! It’s in my heart and soul!
I have come to appreciate the snow because it's God's winter blanket adding natural nutrients to my soil while sleeping. Yes got too much last few days but see longer term benefits come spring. I don't see this season as a restriction it's a blessing!
JESS, you need to top the sprouts check out Broyan's farm on YouTube they explain it all. As farmers in PA with snow yes their tips worked perfectly to force the sprouts.
I've been planting trap crops for many years. It's surprising how successful it can be.
The lone rutabaga – I love it! My fall garden is a new experience and I’m amazed at what is growing and I’m learning. I’m trying new ways of growing, learning about new plants and new tastes, and developing my desire to eat more seasonally and locally.
Borax and sugar mixture kills ants fast.
I just love how all the animals follow you on your walk through the garden. I am sure they love you as much as we do. Bless you sweetheart xo
I'm no expert, but I have seen a video on brussel sprouts where they deleaf the plant at the bottom to encourage spout growth and push the plant to grow taller for larger and longer harvest. May be worth a try. Happy Thanksgiving from Kentucky!
Our family get together on Thanksgiving mainly due to my mom died on that day in 94. We have christmas on christmas eve..
While yous put your gardens to sleep over there our gardens over here are just waking up somewhere there is a garden that is bigger and better than the last Season you planted…that is a good life…❤
Great to learn of using Bok-choy as a trap crop for the brassicas. Thanks! You also are fortunate to have both a glass greenhouse for indoor vegetables and a hoop house for similar if heated.
I am using this "rest season" to re-do my garden book where I keep ALL notes from everything I have learned from so many great gardeners (like YOU!)as well as my own notes on what worked and what didn't for each crop. I'm so pleased with my progress I think I'll copy the whole thing and bind it for my son for Christmas! (He's acquired my garden bug!) Jess I so appreciate everything you've taught me! Enjoy this "rest" season!
Rather than mash the rutabega, chop it up in a stew. It will go farther and add spice to the dish.
I have used mustard greens as a trap crop for the little black bugs that eat broccoli and cabbage. Worked great this year
Say hi to cucumber the kitty!
I love your pep talks- I make a point to check for new videos every night while I do the dishes. Busy hands, learning mind. I’m on a temporary (large scale) gardening break due to circumstances out of my control. I’m expecting a newborn right before Christmas, we are moving from Stone Co, AR to Faulkner Co, AR the WEEK before I’m due, from a house to an apartment. Temporary change, but my heart has been so heavy, already missing the garden (no fall garden, growing another tiny human is taxing enough right now). I plan on taking my elephant ears, Easter Lily, pothos, string of drops and aloe with me but no veggie gardening. The goal is to transition from an apartment back to a house in the summer…there isn’t enough room to start things and move it mid-season. I might try to start plants as soon as we move; like as everyone else is unloading the truck lol. Thank you for your reminder to hold close the love of the garden in times of absence. ❤️
Awe thank you for this message!!! I spent this weekend cleaning up outside and putting up Christmas lights and it was so wonderful. Clean up isn't the most fun but I thought about my plants and appreciated that time so much.
Jess you know I am a fan for many years so pls don’t that this the wrong way. Poodles are not natural farm dogs they will take ruling the roost. The other dogs cats …..cows poodle will be in charge unless you do some serious training. If you Re watch the video little poodle as messing with everything in her path. We have trained with many poodles they like to get their & be in charge. Farm dogs relent Shepards labs they will listen. I have seen akc obedience champion flat out refuse to do stuff. Be careful they are not a sporting or a working breed.
You can also grow Land Cress near your Brassica crops – it is also a sacrifice crop that the Cabbage Moth loves
Im going through this right now. trying to let go of garden. And finish unpacking from our move. but coming from year round gardening zone this winter is harder for me letting go of garden. …
I remember when you were so sad in the past, there is so much going on to keep you busy. I am growing so much collard and broccoli and kale now just to be busy.
Garden Fasting brings deeper understandings. It's a spiritual Life we live and it is embellished and enhaced by the physical aspects of what surrounds, touches and influences our spiritually filled physical beings. Sweet Miah will be just as thankful for those brussels after Thanksgiving. He's fasting. We all are. Revelations come from all sorts of fastings….and sacrifices…red bok choy as a sacrifice, you are spot on. I am so grateful that you and Miah have sacrificed to offer to others hope, purpose, sensativity, knowlege, wisdom and oh, did I already say HOPE, and an extra dose of it. More to come……
Fertilome Come and Get It Fire Ant Killer, works good on the fire ants here in my SC yard. Its been the only thing I've managed to use to get them out of my garden beds. Its supposed to be crop safe which most fire and killers are not so it took me a while to find something to get rid of them in the beds. I use regular fire ant killer on the lawn because its cheaper. They laughed off my diatomaceous earth, and attempts to kill them with borax and sugar water.