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.
*********************
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
– Join our Patreon to get early access to podcasts and other information, plus monthly LIVES with me and Miah: https://patreon.com/rootsandrefuge
– Abundance+ (Grab a FREE 7-day trial): https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-wilder-still
– Shop our Stickers & Shirts: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-shop
– Order my first book, “First Time Gardener”: https://rootsandrefuge.com/yt-ftgbook
– Order my second book, “First Time Homesteader”: https://rootsandrefuge.com/first-time-homesteader-yt
– 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
**********************
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
– Neptune’s Harvest Fertilizer: https://rootsandrefuge.com/neptunes-harvest-fertilizer
#rootsandrefuge
36 Comments
When you take an unusual plant to market it sells better if you have a recipe or two printed up to share, otherwise people pass on it because they have no idea what to do with it. Just a suggestion of course.
Laughed when you ate the bit of melon. Whatever it was that nibbled the melon lives on your land and is pilfering clean food from enriched soil. It's probably healthier than me. Lowers the risk, you think?
At least you were here for this one!
Real question is did Bosco grab a tomato when you left 😂
Babies sleep 🥰 and calves are so precious, horses are very social 🥰 you should be riding them and have a chest camera to video and your hands are free to handle horse, seen a cattle drive with chest camera and lots of rain and thunderstorms it was awesome…
Love you two together!!
The swallowtail caterpillars Annihilated my fennel!!
So, do you think if Miah is riding that horse and he starts singing Onward Christian Soldiers, will the horse back up? 🤣🤣
Hey Jessica,can Miah make a pea schucking machine…look at cog hill today’s video,I’m sure Miahcanmake one for you!Amazing invention
Is there 23 and me DNA tests for cows? I'm thinking about and lines. I know I can Google it myself but I like to learn farm stuff from you.
I am having a lousy cucumber year, too in the P.N.W. I usually do well with them, but not this year. I think too hot too quick.
I always thought the younger bitter melons were less bitter. It can be the variety as well though. Some are much less bitter. When I was younger, I needed the bitter melon to be cooked very well, which reduced its bitterness, before I liked it. For some reason, I know love the bitterness. The less bitter ones, though, make a good salad. Slice them thinly and barely saute them with just a bit of salt and oil, maybe a bit of meat like hamburger or bacon. I still do like them to be cooked, but I am getting used to the mostly raw dishes I am seeing now. Definitely try yours at different stages and cooked different ways to see how you like them. Since you guys are new to the bitterness, blanching them and throwing away that first water probably would decrease their bitterness alot. Also cooking them until they are soft seems to decrease the bitterness as well. Don't forget to try a sauteed dish of the young vine ends and leaves. They seem to be milder in bitterness and are a lovely green.
How do you keep track of what is doing well and what isn’t? Like the ground cherries in the high tunnel.
What happened to the other dog that you got as a puppy for a companion for Gabrielle? My oldest rooter was picked off a month ago and my one year old rooster gave his life defending 22 chickens from a fox. God bless them, they were fabulous! Next year I plan to order chicks and yes, bring on the freebie. 😊
Tomato Holders!
I love that!
🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅
I inject a bt solution right into the squash vines where I see the frass. I haven't lost a vine since I've been doing it.😊
I love the bitter melon, when green i like to soak them in salt water for a bit before cooking but after slicing, helps get rid of most of the astringent bitterness. So many ways to cook it, even with fajitas lol, and those pulpy red seeds are great for making an icecream syrup
You guys don’t have Kahn anymore right? I don’t remember hearing any bad news but haven’t seen him or heard of him in a long time
I just love you, your family, and the channel. So glad I found you guys. Get so excited when there is a new video!
“Oh snap, we match, don’t tell him.” “….hey” OMG I laughed so hard.
Wonderful 😊❤💯🙏
Maybe you could dehydrate or freeze dry the bitter gord leaves for winter soups?
So cute❤️
DE… put it thick and right in the holes in the stems. Then a long neck lighter twice a week – pop the eggs and roast any crawlies that haven't met the DE yet. Make sure to keep the DE away from the flowers. After the plant recovers bury the damaged stems.
The eggs don't smooth well. Brushing them off the leaves just drops them into the soil. Seriously soaking the base of the plant flushes the crawlies out and you can season them with DE en masse.
I enjoy watching the farm animals , your chickens certainly are pretty, I just lost a couple of mine, it's sad I nursed it for two weeks , but it didn't get better, she really appreciated the love, as she put her head around my arm as to say thank you for caring 😢 so many things can happen .
Hey Jess! I have found that if I want to grow decent melons here in SC, I have to plant them where they are in the shade after 4-6pm. Our heat is so intense they simply die in the intensity.
You are abundantly blessed with Swallowtail caterpillars ! How wonderful!
It’s always a joy watching your videos. Cross between educational fun and reassuring, peaceful familiarity. 🤗
Nice tomatoes for sandwiches. Guessing those are Dr. Wythches.
Did I miss something,when did Jeremiah get a tattoo?
You have the greatest laugh!!
Congratulations on your newest addition!
I love your podcasts
Your farm is growing .. Who is riding those horses ? Ben ?
Congratulations on your new baby. So glad he was taking a nap!
Onward Christian soldiers we sang growing up every Sunday ❤
Like your hair cut Will.
love all the swallowtail catapillars, I want to try dill and parsely next year. I love letting plants going to seed.