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
#rootsandrefuge
32 Comments
You should try growing Elephant's Ear sweet pepper. It's in the same category as Ajvarski pepper Baker Creek sells, but much larger and meatier. It's traditionally used in the Balkans to make ajvar, a kind of relish, with eggplant or by itself, and with garlic and chili. It's addictive and stores well when prepared right.
Your seed picks for peppers are many of what I grow – thanks to YOU we love them all! My pepper crop was AMAZING last year and this is what I am mostly so excited about. My grandson loves to just pick peppers and tomatoes and eat them standing in the garden – reminds me of Ben! Many of your tomato picks are what I grow and last year was not great tomato crop but I def had enough to eat, freeze and give to neighbors and family. For the hot temp. problem I am going to plan a sunflower row to give them shade or grow them close to my hydrangea bushes. Thanks for your enthusiasm about gardening it helps me get motivated even if I have to wait a little longer then you!
The small red round peppers that were on your pizza sound like peppadews! Besides the crazy hot peppers my husband likes we are growing Corbaci’s for pickling, Txorixero for roasting and making a Biscaya sauce for winter and Ajvarski to roast and make Ajvar spread, also for winter. At the end of the day though, there’s almost nothing better than a giant sweet bell pepper!!
We in SC will have a cold snap before Easter. Count on it.
Since my yard is small, I didn't use all my Wild Boar special Jessica's favorites tomato seeds so I have all of some and some of the rest if you need some.
There is ALWAYS at least one gold nugget in every vlog, thank you Jess. My favorite pepper last year was Ashe County Pimento, very pretty and sweet.
Hey there, Jess, how about a cookbook?
Over the years you have become more poised in front of the camera but "editing Jess" is the only one who minds your wordiness! I love the cadence of your conversations/teaching. Love love love ya'll!
Planting extra green peppers this year and making green pepper jelly for Christmas presents.
It soil temp with peppers, that is why we use black plastic film
I grew shishitos on your recommendation, even in my colder climate, they were great! Totally prolific, great variety for our CSA boxes.
Oh, sorry – it does look bad 🙁 I have poor facial recognition which means I can hardly see swelling, and your face looks swollen! Of it looks swollen to me… well… 🙁
Great choices Jess. You’ve inspired me to expand our pepper selection this year and these little babies are already starting their seedling journey to beauty. Thanks for always sharing your wisdom and expertise and your passion. Keep going Girl! Xx from Batesburg, SC 🌙🌴 Ps. Enjoy the gorgeous weather we are having!!
I’m sensitive to wax and stopped waxing my eyebrows. Switched to threading about 10 years and no break outs for the last decade😊
The way you carried that tray on your hip made me so nervous 🤣🤣
Bless you Jess !
You have such a wealth of knowledge,, information and are an inspiration to me and I know to many others!!! I don't think you could ever "talk" too much! You are helping so many more than you even know! Thank you for all you do! PS. You have such a calming and soothing voice also.
I can use a ridiculous amount of potatoes myself alone.
It is so nice to wake up and feel like you are having coffee with a friend or daughter, very relaxing and also educational. And thanks for sharing your family, I really enjoy watching them be kids. A blessing to find you!
an couple oscillatiing fans ( the kind that are on a stand) might be perfect for your greenhouse.. You can move them where you want them and even put them on a timer
We’ve always found that every year varies. One yr we planted 60 egg plants – why why why? Never did that again. Eggplants are like zucchini, each plant produces like 30+ eggplants. We served eggplant parm as a special at our scratch restaurant but still ended up composting many. Great video!
I grew coolapeno and they tasted like a green bell? Are the nadapeno just like them?
Do you not Pot up? From my understanding it gives a better root system.
Or would you plant halfway down of those big containers yr using & while they grow add more potting soil. I believe ive seen people do this with tomatoes.
Do you give those nice colored containers away when you sell or give away. They seem pricy to not get back to use next year.
Hi, Jess. Poblanos!!! I love poblanos, they are usually stuffed and are in the hot family. Also, have you tried Jupiter? They are kind of bell pepper from Johnny seeds and were bred for the South. Peppers are my favorite, I love them hot. Love to create exotic hot sauces and dried seasoning blends. Thanks for sharing and I bless you too 🌟
So much information…I have to keep going back and replaying segments. I think you solved my pepper problem. Going to wait a couple of weeks after I put out my tomatoes (4 wks. after last frost date) Thanks for sharing your knowledge once again.
I had no idea there were so many kinds of peppers. I just grow plain old bell peppers. My husband is unable to tolerate any heat, it actually hurts his tongue. So it is boring peppers for us. But I was interested in the nada?? jalepeno peppers. Where can I get those from?
You can add a Split A/C unit. It will help and they come with a remote.
Hey Jess, I received a reply saying; "let's talk now, wassap me… ". Was it you or an imposter? I didn't reply just in case. If not you, can you address the issue on a video? Thanks, blessings 🌟
Always talk away! Never know who needs what tip, do you? Would not watch if I did not enjoy hanging out with you. You fill a very needy space for me. Thanks so much for letting me be with you in the greenhouse today. Take care. Stay safe! ❇❇❇
Jess I think I’ve found someone who loves tomatoes more than you. Here is a link to one of his videos. He visits gardeners in and around Melbourne Australia from the Greek & Italian communities. They are just people beautiful. I hope this works as I’ve never done this before. If you like the video could you please share it.
https://youtu.be/1ESM0ehmtCE
I grow for market, but not everything. There are some crops that are just for us. We grew just three tomatillo plants and made enough salsa for our small household to last almost a whole year 😊Plants can really surprise you!
My skin always reacts to the wax they use. I've tried multiple places and even those who claim it's not toxic and my skin swells and freaks out everytime.