Evening Harvest & My Toxic Trait (The garden is good for me) | VLOG

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: rootsandrefuge.com
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- Join our Patreon to get early access to podcasts and other information, plus monthly LIVES with me and Miah: / rootsandrefuge
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- To drop us a line:
PO Box 4239
Leesville SC 29070
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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): rootsandrefuge.com/yt-greenstalk
- Squizito Tasting Room (Use code "ROOTS" for 10% off your order): rootsandrefuge.com/yt-squizito
- ButcherBox: rootsandrefuge.com/butcherbox
- Growers Solution: rootsandrefuge.com/growers-so...
- Neptune's Harvest Fertilizer: rootsandrefuge.com/neptunes-h...
#rootsandrefuge

[@abhayathomas1232]

Last year at this time I was sitting on the steps crying, clutching a handful of sub par cucumbers. My little sister had just passed away and the garden was in total neglect due to so much time away to help with her care. At 68 I was ready to toss in the towel. Fast forward to today. Another batch of cukes went into the crock to ferment. The freezer is full of pesto and berries. The tomatoes have been an ongoing struggle but I'm okay with it. Some years are like that. And you, dear girl, have been my inspiration to keep going. God has blessed you with a wonderful way of reaching people. I'm so glad you're here and so free with your time, talent and love.

[@debsenritchedrefuge603]

Praises to you for your time with your sister and Blessings & prayers for you to continue without her... Just knowing how your garden is helping you through this new season! My garden is on hold for the most part due to caring for my aging mom dealing with Dementia... But so Blessed by a dear friend who is sharing her incredible variety of harvest with us after I had shared with her a few yrs ago. God is Good Always 🙌 ❤️ 🙏 🍉🐝🌻🍅

[@hannahrosefl]

Assume Positive Intent. I literally just stopped this video to go write that on my refrigerator with an expo! Gosh that just hit so deep ❤❤

[@brandywright-texasrealesta551]

We were told that in marriage counseling. It’s good!!

[@TheFlamingoHouse]

Good evening friends! ❤ Anyone else find themselves wanting to hit the like button after listening to a R&R podcast, and realizing there isn’t a “like” button on Spotify?!? 😂

[@ThePosyCo]

Agreed!! 🌻 I love the R&R Podcast. Have a great evening!

[@debsenritchedrefuge603]

Yes. Truth & Absolutely my favorite Podcast R🌻R...

[@CoreenT]

Every time. 😆 I seriously went back and double checked yesterday. 😅

[@aliciaellis9669]

🙋🏽‍♀️🙋🏽‍♀️🙋🏽‍♀️ every time! Lol glad to know I'm not alone

[@nessidoe8080]

Jup. And I always want to comment something

[@JCRineer]

"...Assume my husband likes me..." hit me right in the gut. I've been struggling with accepting help since having our daughter. Becoming a mom marked the first time in a long time I've felt so vulnerable and unable to keep up with everything I want to do - I was not used to having limits. That to say my garden has been so neglected this year. I had grand plans for it but because my little girl takes priority it's just a patch of weeds. However, I found a bunch of volunteer tomatoes that reseeded from last years' neglect! Now I'm just letting them grow and trying to care for the plants in place; maybe I'll get a harvest, maybe I won't. But I know plants WANT to grow (you taught me that) so I'm making the best of it. Another thing you taught me: there's always next year. Thank you for your wisdom, Jess!

[@barbararuthsmith2882]

You know Jess, what I don't like about your podcasts, is that there is no way to leave a thumbs up or a comment to say how wonderful they are especially this last one with Daniel, I thought it was so informative, insightful and loving. You are a very special woman and I hope your health and life continues to be the very best it can in all your endeavors. God Bless You from my heart.

[@trishbowring726]

Jess and Miah, thank you so much for your generosity in sharing so much with us all. Every video you make is so helpful and so loaded with beauty, wisdom, grace and love… thank you

[@jackcsaffell5641]

Ms. Jessica I totally understand when you say "so much food." When my cherries are ripe and then my Honeycrisp and Fuji apples follow it is truly difficult to find people who want to come pick. Here in No. Calif. near the ocean I get two crops of Improved Meyer lemons and Bearss limes. I often get so desperate, I take a bucket of my fruits to church and place them in the back with paper bags so people will take em home and enjoy them. We are truly a blessed people. God bless your family.

[@HillaryCraig]

Central Coast of California (inland from Monterey) here! What part are you from?

[@fatgirlfarmsteader4824]

I would totally come pick Apples and cherries! And Lemons too! 🍋 I live in Texas though lol but if I was local I sure would!!

[@jackcsaffell5641]

Hello Hillary, I live in a small town called Rio Dell which is 7 miles from the Pacific Ocean as the crow flies. I am 30 miles south of Eureka, CA. God bless you.@@HillaryCraig

[@HillaryCraig]

That's a beautiful area!! I love living near the ocean but the cooler weather, especially in the evening, seems to make my garden grow really slowly. God bless you as well!

[@rablatour]

I am in Berkeley and would totally come and pick!

[@d14551]

I didn't get many tomatoes this year, but the ones I did get are mammoth. The largest one weighed 1 lb 6 oz. Thanks, Jess, I got the courage to grow tomatoes from you and the idea of weighing them.

[@katiesan865]

Same! All my tomato plants have acted like determinant tomatoes, even tho they’re indeterminate. Just a short round of really big tomatoes and that’s it

[@FieldsOfGold149]

2nd lol Peace ☮️ love ❤️ joy and happiness to you!

[@Zinniaqueen]

That sound of crickets is so lovely. Watching someone harvest in the warmth of summer when, as I watch this its january,, feels like medicine to my soul, Thank you for sharing.

[@TiaChii]

You're one of the few people I know who enjoys gardens as much as I do and in the same way. You're like a big sister who has the same passion! I love you for that and I love that you just love on your garden and its plants and fruits so i can do it with you~

[@elizabethlink3993]

💚 Bless the Garden, Bless the Gardener! Thanks Jess. 💚

[@grassrootsgardening]

Love how the peas climbed the sunflowers!

[@barbaramix1683]

I keep expecting you to click your heels together and say "there's no place like home". I am glad you are home. The bounty of your harvest is wonderful and beautiful. Thanks for an evening in the garden. I bless you as well.

[@BrendaLeeShealy]

I and my family have learned so very much over the passed six years of following Roots and Refuge Farm's Soward family. Y'all, have funnn and thank you for staying steadfast with Truth in family, food, and farming!

[@sandra127100]

Loved today’s old school video. Just Jess in the garden and Daniel’s guitar.

[@chelseakayton206]

Yeah me too

[@melissasekely5107]

I love gardening in the evening!! I got to do that today, my husband cooked dinner and I stayed out until the mosquitoes ran me inside! It was great!

[@debsenritchedrefuge603]

So so many valuable little nuggets in here and all of your videos, podcasts, lives and other platforms! You just have a way with words Jess, even when speaking of 'Messy Jessy' it all comes together with value and sweet humor! Love Ya ❤R🌻R

[@trishbowring726]

Gardens are sooo amazing, and here is such. There is a thrill in watching a garden grow and develop, and oh my! When it’s time to harvest it is indescribably joyful!

[@brittanybates7498]

You know on Blue's Clues when they would jump into pictures, videos and things......"Blue scadooed, we can too!" I wish I could do that with this video. I love all the wildness of the late summer garden. Thank you for sharing glimpes of your beautiful gardens you have created!!

[@debsenritchedrefuge603]

Awwweee. This just makes my day complete! What a treat to hear you two!

[@jillwright8196]

Jess, your gardens are absolutely stunning and so inspiring! I am always moved when I watch, or listen, to you. Youve helped me so much❤️Thank you so much for sharing!

[@janeskinner3497]

Jess-I literally was laughing out loud with your Wizard of Oz reference…”I’m melting, I’m melting”. With your red boots on…”There’s no place like home” 😊

[@Blake.Cooper]

Easy to watch. Professional. Loving this channel!

[@DavidDavis-Central_FL]

Gooood evening from central Florida! Hope everyone has a great night! We all got some traits we wish we didn't... part of life.

[@Feather73]

This has to be one of my favorite episodes. My evening garden is my Happy too.

[@Wildevis]

It makes my heart feel good watching you in your garden

[@laurelhelton791]

What a blessing to have such a harvest. You two are the cutest couple and yes communication is the key to a strong relationship and putting Christ first makes it better . God bless.

[@KTinBk]

Delightful! I would looooooooove hearing you discuss native pollinator flower gardening. That was my intro to gardening here in my urban northeast space. Your channel has helped me expand into food plants. I’d love to learn more about the native plants and pollinators in your area!

[@jennifercrooms]

I love Daniel's strumming in the background 😊

[@samanthahoos9827]

It’s not uncommon for me to make dinner in the morning or before lunch because I won’t have time in the afternoon when I’m in the garden while it’s cooler outside. No one else cooks in my family, means anyway, but they don’t mind warming up food thankful that I even made anything. 😊

[@sherinebarden]

My garden is my place to relax and reset my head xxx

[@christinebodkins1655]

Box ticket seats of gardening 😂❤ I would buy those tickets 🥰

[@sydneygardener540]

You are lucky to have both parties that communicate their love. I really enjoyed listening to your happiness. AND then I saw your vegetable jungle!! Bugger dinner get him down to help with that one and buy some take away. Made me feel happy…..thankyou

[@desertfamilyhomestead3127]

Early morning or evening in the garden is a great time for me.

[@Homestead-ish]

That wild garden is a dream! I soooo love it!

[@rachelscrazyfarm3969]

The notification of your post came at just the right moment for me. Tonight we found out that our cow lost her baby and I was sitting here feeling kinda bummed. It's to dark here for me to be in the garden, so having your calm voice and your garden helped me kinda snap out of it. I am just thankful that my beautiful sweet girl is Healthy and we can try breeding her again in Dec... once she goes on a diet (shhhh don't tell her, and pray for me please....she is going to be a grumpy gal on less grain 😬) Thank you Jess and to your sweet family.. for bringing us along. We all need reminders to keep at it and to remember to communicate with our loved ones. 18yrs of marriage here and during most of it my husband was ative duty. Now that he is retired and is wanting to help more because he is home more and CAN help. I have had to take a breath and thank him and remember to talk to him about stuff. I am so use to running things on my own lol. Oh and I too leave things around here and there 🤣 you 2 are not alone! Bless ya'll!

[@michelewhite1150]

My husband has worked away our entire married life and now he is retired and home 24/7! It is such a huge adjustment so I hear you!! 😂

[@rachelscrazyfarm3969]

@@michelewhite1150 It is an adjustment for sure! Lol I have to remind my husband that I appreciate him and his help... but that sometimes I need to walk away and not be followed 🤣

[@debbieschmidt]

Jess & Miah you are a wonderful couple. You built a great empire. Appreciate each other. We never realize how much someone has done until they are gone. I've learned this through experience. Just help each other without them asking. Take it upon yourself to do whatever you can to help each other.

[@mikkileon6380]

I loved it when you said you were the wicked witch of the west melting. I remembered your ruby slipper boots that you’re wearing lol 😆

[@NatalieL523]

I really needed to hear that message about communicating appreciation. Thank you ❤️

[@yourtransformationjourney6503]

Love butterflies

[@tiffanymarie2097]

Listening to you while I pick gallons of green beans this evening. I love your garden videos! They are so calming!

[@jaclynfrank]

Oh that kitten! All you can see is Zucchini’s tail above the leaves haha. A good treasure hunt for food!

[@brittanyjames4768]

Jess, I just want to say thank you. I needed this video today. We are in the transition of moving to our first small piece of land (in Arkansas!) and it has been so stressful lately that I started wondering if it was worth it. I can see now that it is. ❤

[@ramblinrosecottage5983]

It's so nice to see your garden thrive. I am living vicariously through you and your garden this very hot and very dry August, as mine was done by late July. I do have peppers under shade cloth but they do not look too great.

[@robinhanscom1882]

I love my blackstone too. Never thought I would like a griddle over a grill,but I do! So versatile.

[@leahharbison4932]

Bless you Jess ! ❤

[@thelees-livinginhislight]

I used to loose my scissors everywhere till I got some heavy duty retractable lanyard. I attach scissors to them then clip them to my pants or harvest baskets ! Hope this helps it’s really helped me. 😊

[@dawndolinski768]

such a fabulous garden & awww Zucchini is just the sweetest😅

[@karenmikasko7148]

I was scrolling through the comments and I was just about to say "no one is saying how wonderful Zucchini is " Loved seeing Zucchini's tail every so often in the garden.

[@belieftransformation]

Beautiful vlog; thanks for sharing! Blessings to everyone 🤗💗🇨🇦

[@shesatitagain234]

That’s a VICEROY butterfly. It has the dark horizontal line on its lower wings. Beautiful!

[@BobbiPlumlee]

LOVE THOSE RED BOOTS !!! Woo Hoo 🤩🤩

[@shamancarmichael5305]

Watering in the cool of the evening with the fading light was my favorite time of the day. I miss my garden.

[@fuzzynuggetsbees]

I find your videos so relaxing. Thanks for sharing your life and thoughts.

[@sandyoklahomatransient8557]

Sweet Jess, your gardens look amazing, and so does your harvests.

[@stephaniejackson4951]

The perfect video I needed tonight. Thank you always Jess for being authentic and sharing your reflections with us. 🙏🏽 Cardboard. Lay down cardboard to mulch, then straw on top. You’ll need a lot of cardboard, but recycling bins… We mulch with cardboard + straw around our veggies. Then cardboard and wood chips in walkways. I live in the high desert in Arizona, so mulching is necessary for moisture retention.

[@MsNicholsLiz]

The Witch of the West with the Ruby Slippers

[@terresiagregg9326]

Your garden looks awesome great harvest

[@terrimarks3694]

That was lovely. Thank you!

[@kimberlydevlin5227]

I love your channel. It's so relaxing and just feel good. ❤ Thank you for sharing.

[@dhansonranch]

Good stuff and great harvest! Love you have the monarch's there.

[@marilynnew2189]

I've often wondered as I listen to the sweet guitar sounds in the background if that is your dear friend Daniel. If it is, thank him from this appreciative listener as I thoroughly enjoy every single note.

[@bethsands7665]

Meet in the middle and make it happen together ! , lovely like a growing vine fruiting from both the male and female flower working together with the aid of pollinators to get the job done. Yay for close-by tools when you need one ! I am totally enjoying a tomato:salt pepper and mayo sandwich while watching, yum!!!

[@richmondsplace]

Hey there you too! You guys have inspired us so much over the years. We took your advice on so many of our ventures. We still love watching you guys when we have time. We are living our best life on our new homestead and couldn’t be happier! Blessings to you both❤️

[@camicri4263]

Blessings 🙏💞

[@nancyzimmer3954]

Love the shiny red boots❤

[@guybronconut1754]

Our gardens in southern Arizona are struggling at least in my direct area. I have not heard many gardeners being able to harvest much this year. Last year was hard too. Thank you for being an inspiration to keep going even during the hard seasons. Thank you Jess...Thank you Jeremiah...

[@andreajones7023]

We moved the main meal of the day to lunchtime after moving to France so I could harvest for it first thing in the morning and never looked back.

[@lynnlovessoil]

Good analogy. Needed that reminder

[@smallspaceswithGloria]

Thanks Jess 😊

[@lindaminor1985]

God bless you Jess❤😊

[@cathykillion6544]

Enjoyed the video

[@bethsands7665]

You are a power-couple !! , true and honest !, yes... we need to express our needs and wants to one another to expect a true-love connection where we know what the other one wants and we want to please them. We are not Aliens who communicate through telepathy ( cats can do this through expression and we listen ). I love your "Dorothy shiny ruby- boots " ...so magical in your garden of nature. Lovely Monarch butterfly....so tough and fragile at the same time. Lovely Pumpkins , Melons and Okra !! Why are my Pumpkins just making male flowers ??? Lovely greenery and lush garden life. Nice free video.

[@sunshinensprinkles9322]

Zucchini’s so sweet 😄. Such a great video. Everything looks so beautiful! 💚 The garden with the sunset behind it is stunning!

[@raversmead]

Love those boots, very 'wizard of oz' ❤

[@auntiemo103]

So happy your coffee roasting business is up and going! Looking forward to ordering some eventually! 🥰 And FYI…that was a pretty VICEROY butterfly that visited you, VERY similar to a Monarch, and just as lovely! ☺️

[@angelapriddy6308]

I love your podcast

[@jacquelinedeering3452]

What a "Jurassic Park" moment. 😂 Well done Zucchini Kiity.

[@MarlenevT]

You have a wonderful life. I am envious.❣💓

[@carolinebrown9018]

I love your grateful ❤heart! You inspire me

[@kristinemagnien1]

I am in aw of your okra. I live in southern Saskatchewan canada and since watching your videos, have tried growing them for 3 years straight. This year was the worst year yet since we've been in a drought and havent had an inch of rain since April. I got 1 pod on a 6" stem. But I'm determined lol For now I'll live vicariously through your garden😅

[@shawnmcpeak6184]

Sunset was a glorious orange coming through the trees.

[@ATurtle24]

Used to work with monarchs a lot and had to stop by to point out that that was a viceroy, not a monarch. They look a lot alike! Love your videos and love Zucchini!

[@zoeshorthouse7913]

Seeing your garden and abundance of food makes me miss having a garden. Maybe next year.

[@brittanylehman4292]

YAAY! I’ve been wanting to see y’all go in there lol

[@fatgirlfarmsteader4824]

My mother loved butterflies, and the Monarch was her favorite 😍 It was so cool to see one again, I haven't seen one in years. I love your jungle garden. It's my favorite of your gardens this season. It's so good to see you starting with Fall, I'm determined to push through and grow a Fall garden in this heat. I've started Broccoli and Brussels sprouts last week. ❤

[@sandygranger1573]

I really like the boots!

[@connieatkins7390]

Aside from everything else, I love seeing the cats. So sweet.

[@lauriesmith7517]

You are the butterfly whisperer!

[@barbarafunk5118]

fun video what a wild garden you have my dear.

[@miladylaughalot]

I’ll so glad you are healing from your illnesses by doing carnivore. When you first had your problems, my first thought was carnivore. I’m thrilled to know you are feeling better and resting your gut. Xoxo

[@EmsGoldens]

Beautiful video! I'm thinking that was a victory butterfly, not a monarch. They look very similar but the vice versa are smaller and have an extra black line on their back wings.

[@jacquelineallan9550]

Thank you Jess as always for the content. Yes the garden is lovely at all times but it is pretty how the sun sets

[@taylorwatkins306]

Love this video ❤️ I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but your butterfly is a viceroy, a mimic of the monarch! Still just as beautiful and rewarding of your efforts.

[@lisanowakow3688]

I like them boots❣️

[@guntaweiland3428]

You are therapy❤

[@tracyzabelle]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@Elizabeth45840]

❤❤❤

[@janw491]

I’m waiting for fall and the die off of all the green growth to find my hori hori!!

[@debrabray8855]

Jess, what changes in your land have you observed since rotating various livestock? I know you get rain, but your grasses look extra lush and green. Thanks for sharing additional info.