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
47 Comments
Want Roots and Refuge gear? Pre-Order is open NOW: https://www.b-unlimited.com/collections/roots-and-refuge
I am a tropical plant and I stop functioning as soon as it starts to smell like winter. I switch to survival mode and wait for the darkness and cold to pass. I had surgery this summer and couldn't take care of the garden properly. In addition, we had the biggest drought so far, it didn't rain for 3 months. So I failed a lot and hardly managed to grow anything.
That is why I expected winter depression to hit me especially hard this year. But I managed to find beauty and gratitude even in this "ugly" weather. I decided to come to terms with the fact that the Earth needs time to rest and recharge its batteries, just like me. That it is necessary to take a break and enjoy every now and then.
It's amazing how just a small change in thinking can make a big difference in life 💚
Hello 👋 😊
Many blessings to you and your family 🙏💞
Grew rutabagas for the first time and mashed some. Very good. I'm wondering if they will keep growing after nights in the teens.
I actually got some pretty good size broccoli 🥦 in my garden. Here it is November 18th. Will try grow some cauliflower next year too. I'm in NY
This is the wife Kay and I try to plant radishes around my squash and it keep squash bug away and around marigold around also. I have watched you all and love to watch your family. God bless
I long for being outside in my garden. To help with some of that I focus on houseplants through the winter months, it’s not the same but it helps. Sadly my houseplants are somewhat neglected during the summer months. I pull outside the ones that I’m able to so they can enjoy the rain and they love that but the ones that have to stay inside look a little sad during the summer. I’m setting up a grow room in my basement so I can start seedlings for spring planting and I will also be moving some of the houseplants down there so I can take better care of them. A home away from home for me. 🍁🍂🍁🦃💚🙃
I just love you n your family Jess. The new farm is looking absolutely gorgeous 😍 I was wondering though are you planning on doing the food forest " because you mentioned it this time lol" method on the farm? That's my dream!! 😍😍😍 I have wanted one for a long time n now I'm working on this dream pretty hard now.
Rest is important for planning and dreaming. I am moving my garden over the winter. Preparing a new area that will be three times bigger . So I am planning and dreaming and looking forward to the new. But I am thankful for the lessons learned in my small garden that I can now apply to the new big garden in the spring. Thank you for reminding us that there are benefits to down time. Love you!
I knew it wasn't just me who ached for their soon to be homestead, but I couldn't figure that feeling out until you put into your words. Bless you Jess, for all your lovely words and teachable moments. Is it just me or does Jess's voice and words soothe the soul & bring comfort to others on their homestead dreams and aspirations.
I so appreciate all of your time, energy, wisdom, videos and your precious words dearest Jess.💚🌻
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, may it be all that you and Miah dream it to be.
Much love from the west coast of BC, Canada🍁
Your darker hair looks fantastic! Happy Thanksgiving
How's the composting going you need sort out composting area etc large bays if I was you I get ur skid run take a gud layer off ur wooded area that be full nutritions…..ps try grow comfry plants in ur woods ref plant feed + composting etc
Hello Jess and Miah Sowards and family. Happy Thanksgiving from a viewer in Toronto Ontario Canada
I want to build raised bed boxes to grow food on our deck in the spring .. we are in nj.
It’s so crazy to watch everyone’s gardening videos because I live in south Florida and I’m currently growing summer and cool weather crops. We don’t have frost dates because it rarely hits the 30s….. I’m actually never seen it below 37 here. I’m all backward from everyone else lol our “off” season is June and July because it’s just so hot. We can grow sweet potatoes and peas though
Happy Thanksgiving! You and your videos and your wisdom are things I am so grateful for. You push me to want things I may never have but you give me hope even if all I ever get is your homestead and your experiences. Thank you!
Thank you for blessings
This came at a much needed time. ❤ It has blessed me. I bless you…..
Jess, ask Miah's grandma about eating the "turnip tops" – she'll know!
❤This! Working on my spring plans now.
Good afternoon dear pray your having a wonderful blessed day ❤ hugs and GODBLESS
Good afternoon dear pray your having a wonderful blessed day ❤ hugs and GODBLESS ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Sweet Jess, Sweet, are those small pumpkins pie pumkins? Pie making starts Tuesday here. I'm prepping every thing else so we can have an early meal on Thursday. Before my husband goes deer hunting for several days up at a friends deer lease.
I'm waiting….impatiently for my 2023 Baker Creek Catalog! I've been slowly planning what to plant for spring. I even have my lights, and heating pads ready to start seeds. Whats really bad, 2 months ago, I place a large order for seeds from 2 seed companies. I keep looking at the new packets, and my bin containers of seed packets dreaming of lush garden beds, and boxes with flowers planted in between. Dreaming is a good thing!
Thank you…I needed to hear this today!🥀
I couldn't find any Chinese cabbage.
Here in Georgia (just a little north of Atlanta), we are happily enduring the frosty mornings and harvesting periodically from our fall/winter garden. We are expanding our garden beds during this season and winterizing them to prepare for Spring. Also, we are going through all of our seeds and plan on planting "test flats" of old seeds in December and January. Anything that doesn't grow gets replaced in January or February. Anything that does grow gets repotted as appropriate and will get a home in the early Spring garden as soon as possible. This is how we have chosen to keep that gardening spirit alive this year. This year's garden has been such a learning experience for us!
Nice video. Horseradish is a joy..lol. This past gardening year was rough for a lot of people. For me, the weeds got ahead of me and drought was problematic coupled with a somewhat feeling of overwhelm. But bit by bit, I regained the garden and the overwhelm lessened . And to my surprise, the otherwise neglected garden produced enough that I had to can. I did harvest little amounts at a time but in the end it amounted to quite a bit. The garden just wanted to produce! It reminded me that despite life being full of weeds at times, there are things that want to grow and do well if given a chance. But also that it is important to harvest little bits of happiness too, because every little bit counts. Once again, great job. With almost a foot of snow, I am growing my indoor garden of greens and some peppers.
"There's always something to be thankful for." 💜 Yes, thankful for the different Seasons!
My first garden in 2020 was a flop. When the season ended I mourned and longed to have it back. Even though I wasn't successful I still wanted those feelings it gave me. 2021 and 2022 gave me those feelings. I didn't mourn at the end of those garden seasons. I pushed myself to learn as much as I could. I'm growing my own food and saving seeds. I want to soak up as much as I can. My daughter bought a small homestead and she wants me to help her grow her own food. I can't wait to show and teach her.
Jess, new gardener here, and I have learned so much from you. Would you please at some point before next gardening season expand more on 'trap crops' ? What are some other things beside the two you touched on, would serve the purpose?
I do the same thing. I leave the bug ridden plant as long as it doesn’t spread to anything else. I call it a sacrifice plant
I am also starting a lot of herbs to kind of just plant rows of them to help pest control
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your sweet Family ❤ ! I just Loved the message of this video , while already under 2 feet of snow, I look forward to Spring, this season I’m planning a herb and tea garden in one of my raised beds , Thank you for all the inspiration !
Here is some wisdom I harvested that may help someone reading the comments…I never saw it written anywhere, discovered it by accident. When I have aphids in the spring, I crush some of them right on the stems of the plants they’re eating. Other aphids want nothing to do with the carnage and leave the plants alone!
May your Thanksgiving be as Special as you and your family are…making memories and always planning ahead for future endeavors. God Bless you all!
Is there no sticker on the website this time?? I did not see any, found it on a different link the B-unlimited
LuLu, stop chasing those kitties hahahha.
I hate rutabaga/turnip (not sure what the difference is) and my Maw in attempts to get me to eat it would mash it with sweet potatoes and while I prefer just mashed sweet potatoes they were still tasty with the rutabaga.
I have my first ever cabbages in my garden and I am a seed they are surviving the freezes. I am so excited, my broccoli heads actually froze but the plants look great.
VOCÊ ESTÁ TÃO INTESTIDA ZINHA COM A PLANTINHA QUE FAZ UM ROSTINHO LINDO JESSICA🌱👏🏻🌟
I’m having a really hard time figuring out how to even grow a fall garden. My season is really Short here in MN.
Love watching the kittens the puppy and Bear playing in the background while you were talking!
Waiting and dreaming of my van is my version of your garden. I'm snuggled in it now in a beautiful part of the world. This is the first camping trip I've had space to stay warm inside and electricity for minor comfort. I feel pleased I took so long in my classroom phase to really work out what I wanted and needed.
Hi Jess, your veg looks so fab
I totally understand what you meant about the punching ache in your heart when you couldn't have the homestead life because that's how I feel right now , I have my garden and a greenhouse which I'm so thankful for, and I know I'll reach my goal one day just like you did
Just my opinion but I think you NEED that forgotten space, even just a corner. Its where dreams live in the off season……
I’m looking forward to this season’s rest. It was a disappointing Summer crop for me here in San Antonio TX. The drought was awful. I was blessed to have herbs, chiles, and tomatoes! I’m only putting potatoes in a few raised beds now that it’s cool enough. Blessings to you and yours Jess ❤️
I actually saw that you can dig a pile of fire ants from one mound and put it on another and essentially swap the ants to each pile and they will battle each other to the death and wipe them selves out