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
– 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
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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
– Neptune’s Harvest Fertilizer: https://rootsandrefuge.com/neptunes-harvest-fertilizer
#rootsandrefuge
39 Comments
I had to laugh at trying not to put things in the ground too soon! I tell my team to lock me into a dark room until the impulse passes! Have wasted a lot of seeds planting them prematurely…
I have 7 different varieties for basil planted – bc TEA and smelly goodies in the garden 😅
I was officially diagnosed with adhd just 2 weeks ago I have also found the non negotiable tasks to be a big help. I get a lot of people tell me not to get animals and stuff because I struggle with sticking to schedules and I'm like the fact that I need to keep this alive litterally forces me to get things done. Getting a puppy and chickens and adding more to my plate that demands my time and energy helps me keep everything else on track.
Also I started way too much basil this year lol I've always had trouble keeping it alive so I started quite a bit expecting to accidentally kill some of them. Well so far I haven't so now I have 7 varieties of basil started for a total of 35 plants😂 I will be forcing some of them off on my friends lol. Same thing with all my other herbs. I have 18 spotted bee balms….it's a perennial where I am I only needed one lol😂
I’m going “whole hog” on the Basil this year! I saw on the country vlog from Azerbaijan the father made basil tea with “blue basil”. It wasn’t the purple because he made that too and it made purple tea. The blue basil made blue tea. I been trying to find it but can’t. I did find a variety called “Corsican Basil” so trying that. I always recommend growing “Spicy Globe” basil because it makes a really good hot tea. It reminds of the “spiced chai” tea sold here in the USA. Spicy globe is small and grows well in pots.
I also need forced structure. My nature is much too laid back (possibly irresponsible) otherwise. I don’t need it to be a very big enforcer, because I desire routine. I just don’t instinctively create it.
I am so excited to plant my herbs. I got seeds for lime Basil this year. And lemon grass. I'm so so excited to plant them!
Hello, first of all, Love, Love you and your family videos. I have been longing to ask, I've had three gardenia plants in my lifetime but they pasted away. So on one of your farm tour videos, you pointed out you had a gardenia plant but never heard or saw it since and I am looking for it in all your videos. Do you still have it? Sendin some love from San Diego CA
Jess, it’s so nice to know that I’m not the only one lol😜🤪🤣. I, when trying to explain to people how it is for me and how it is in my mind, and I’ve never been diagnosed with ADHD or anything, but the best description of my busy mind that I have used for most of my long life, and that is, if there was a speed limit in my mind… I’d have oh so many tickets!!!!! 😮. Seriously not an exaggeration lol😳
Initiating the possibilities
When you started taking about the basil, I sat here wishing that you’d share what all you use it for and then … tada.. you did just that.
You never leave us hanging. Thank you
Hey Jess. I just finished reading Kristen Hannah's, The Women. My husband was in Vietnam during the Get Offensive in 1969. He was in Pleiku where he was shot twice but thankfully made it home. He still doesn't r talk much about it. The physical injuries are only a small part of it. This was such a revealing account of service not only for the women. Thanks for the recommendation.
In Southwestern Ontario, this February was the warmest on record. Today it is 18 C. We are having the most unusual Winter ever. No snow has lasted more than 2 days. Crazy !!!!!
Right there with you on the ADHD. For me, specific routines help, with doing specific things every day at specific times (morning/evening chicken chores, dog feedings, etc.). But when it comes to crafts, hobbies, and even gardening, I can be jumping from one thing to the next depending on the day of the week.
I just got done planting more oregano, thyme, rosemary, and dill. The small amount of rosemary, thyme, and oregano I planted last year survived winter, so it should be fine. I'm waiting a bit on the ones that didn't survive until maybe another month. My basil almost made it but finally gave in during our last hard cold snap in January. I hope I'm not making a mistake, it's such a gamble. 😬
Yippee! Botanical Interest Holy Basil: Uniquely divine. It is fruity, and candy sweet with hints of clove. Iced or hot, this basil tea is Nirvana. The Holy Basil from Baker Creek, MIgardener, and San Diego Seed Company are all similar, and are simply not the juicy fruit sweet and spicy Holy Basil that grows from Botanical Interest's seed. I cannot wait to hear what you and your family think.
I can 100% relate to feeling more organized when there is a set part of my schedule. It makes such a difference to get me going on time and keep me going.
Every SINGLE time your turkeys 🦃 gobble. I gobble where ever I'm at in solidarity. 😂 "gobble gobble"
5:54 – I always warm my bottles for my baby. Some parents give cold milk to their babies and I just think that’s a bit weird. Warm helps with digestion.
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Your asparagus is up but is your rhubarb up?
Curious, could Whit not feed from the girls?
Love watching you!! Your farm is so gorgeous! I know it's a lot of work, but thank you so much for sharing! I'm trying growing from seeds this year.
The goats were your original inspiration for your homesteading dream after chickens
The basil tea. Has really inspired me to diversify my basil. Always looking for flavoring for tea.
I started my tomato and pepper seeds today. Probably too early, zone 6a, but I had to plant something. Lol
I love watching your videos when I get out of school to calm my nerves.
I didn't grow enough lemon basil last year so I've started A LOT this season. Lemon basil tea was my absolute favorite drink last summer.
I'm autistic and have adhd. I need structure and stability in order to survive.
Your leeks will do great I’m in Ga mine were bigger in pots that Greenstalks and did great in all seasons
I don’t love the taste of cinnamon basil but it would probably be delicious as a tea 🫖 I usually grow it for the bees and the pretty purple flowers 🌱💜💚
Jess ADHD me too! Diagnosed at 75
Oh Jess. Thank you for getting the goaty girls again. Now, I can vicariously raise goats again, through your vlogs!
I call them squirrels. Sometimes they win.
I've been trying to make basil become my dominant weed issue, St. Augustine grass is too tough, basil can't compete against the grass.
I’ve tried licorice basil it has lovely flowers for the pollinators and reseeds its self so well. I love the fragrance! Trying Holy basil and sweet basil too this year! My tomato seedlings and peppers going strong. Thanks to your inspiration! Blessings!❤
I don't think I'll ever have to plant basil again! Last year I planted some, but every seed that dropped the year before came back bonkers! I love it but was borderline invasive lol
Last year I bought my grape tomatoes from the market. As soon as I had suckers I took them and rooted out 3 more plants. Got tomatoes off all 5.
LOL….ADHD…..I don't think so. Anyway, beautiful vlog as always!
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Currently May 14 is last frost, but we’re getting 70 days & 30 nights. I’m worrying about fruit & other trees budding and losing them.
Ok last night about 6 hrs ago before I got to sleep I was watching you Jess in your kitchen now Wednesday morning I am watching you in your garden. Great start of my day. 🎉🎉🎉 Hope you are have a fantastic day. 🫂 to you and 🐐🐐🐐🐐