Healed Soil, Bonus Cukes and Tomato Redemption (Not quite a garden tour) | 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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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!):
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- Neptune's Harvest Fertilizer: rootsandrefuge.com/neptunes-h...
#rootsandrefuge

[@drlaurawhite2175]

I have ground cherries for the first time this year. I handed one to my daughter and her eyes lit up. “I ate these in China but I didn’t know what to call them here”. Definitely a mom AND a garden win!!

[@Sky-Child]

I can smell the rain too. 🌧 Words for you, fellow wordsmith - Petrichor (the smell of dust after rain) and Spirophyll (the breath of trees)

[@kele1264]

Love this. Thanks!

[@humanbeing4368]

You mean Sporophyll which is a leaf that produces spores?

[@catracampolieto8989]

NEVER GIVE UP!!! I started gardening in 2020. It was terrible. If I gave up, I would not have learned so much and grown so much food. I also learned to have more patience. I've gotten more than just growing food. Peace, confidence, and an addiction to gardening. I feel that I have to grow food. I called my neighbor, told her I saw some crazy lady putting beets on her front porch. She asked if it was me. I said maybe....lol.

[@umiluv]

🤣

[@patriciamiller1916]

I randomly put beet seeds into one of my raised trough garden beds...I saw them grow! Only got one 2inch beet but the tortoise Loved the greens! Know nothing about beets!

[@DM-kt8rd]

Your comment reached out to me. I have gardened for over 30 years. I always reach the point in the year when I need to "share". Keep it up! It is a good feeling to share the bounty, especially when you find those that really appreciate it.

[@selimashuler-jenkins6415]

Don’t just grow a garden, become a gardener. Harvest the wisdom and don’t give up.❤

[@renabuckner8]

It’s been 3 years since we had the grazon in our garden. I wish I could show you a picture of the plants ! They are huge and very prolific with green beans and herbs! So grateful for the produce ! It took a lot of patience and work to improve the beds! I have learned a lot from you Jess!!! Thank you!

[@thehomegrownhomestead285]

How did you improve your beds?

[@renabuckner8]

@@thehomegrownhomestead285 I am basically a new gardener, so when my plants were dying I contacted the college to get help. I was told it would take 3 to 4 years for the soil to be rid of the chemicals. The next year I fed the soil and added more organic compost, blood meal and fish emulsion. This process was repeated till this year where actually I planted green beans and herbs in one of the beds. And we have success! I have just found Jess’s channel a couple months ago where I have learned about the worm tea. That sure would have got us up and going a lot sooner. 🤷‍♀️

[@thehomegrownhomestead285]

@@renabuckner8 thanks for sharing what you did! I'm glad you got your beds back to normal growing

[@kathycannon4805]

In science, it’s not failure; it’s just a negative result. What doesn’t work is essential information.

[@suehinson1629]

One of my biggest "failures" used to be not having the "extra" seeds for replanting those that didn't survive, the "suprise" bugs, weather, rodent, etc. But NOT anymore!! I learned how to be prepared and now how to save my own "extra" seeds. Thank you to my Granny in heaven and to Jess, I thank for the knowledge that has further "sharpened" my growing talents. I have been abundantly blessed in many ways from this family and platform. I truly love you all as family! Many blessings and Much love. Amen.

[@sharonthomas8983]

How do you get rid of pill bugs? I think that is what you called them. The ones that eat the seed plantings.

[@seanaames6855]

​@sharonthomas8983 You replied to a comment, only the people who read your reply to that comment will see it. You'll have a better chance of getting more answers if you post your own comment. That said . . . You can take 1/4 or 1/2 of a cantelope or watermelon rind and place them upside down under your plants. The pill bugs will gather inside the rind at night. You can pick the rinds up with the pill bugs inside and dispose of them away from the garden. Sow bugs are great at removing heavy metals from the soil though, so maybe just move them to the compost pile, so you don't miss out on that benefit entirely.

[@unzipitjoe8928]

@sharonthomas8983 Cinnamon no doubt!

[@italiana626sc]

"Harvest the wisdom in things and don't give up." What an amazing message from a brilliant and insightful woman. Thank you!!

[@tammykaltreider]

Yes I can smell the rain coming too 🤍

[@livingdamos]

Every time I hear you speaking about the contamination in your soil, I hear Spirit whisper "Listen to me, she's telling you something I need you to hear." Your passion about gardening and caring for Mother Earth is contagious! Many blessings my friend. ❤

[@boysrus61]

I am so glad that you share your losses and how you figured them out. I remember how bad I felt for you when you are in a new area and you get the soil and it was contaminated. Your loss has ended up a great learning space for us! Keep sharing because we need to know and you are an excellent teacher in all things!

[@unzipitjoe8928]

How to keep bugs, worms off plants safely? Cinnamon. Along with animals like bunnies and moles. Can put Cinnamon in a sifter after a rain storm and sift Cinnamon onto leaves of plants and bugs and worms hate the taste of cinnamon. Cinnamon helps plant grow strong and really flourish!

[@kaliamburgey8505]

Thank you ! 😮😊

[@jadeswrapsandbraids]

Thank you for the tip

[@nancyschwartz5665]

Here in the north we are definitely warmer and dryer. There are summers where we will never even get to 90 degrees. But we've had weeks of mid 80's and 90 and we just got our first rain in three weeks. My garden is way ahead of normal and it s a blessing for us in zone 3 with a first frost of September 24th. Thanks for the update. What a treat to see the ground cherries in the greenhouse of sorrow. Redemption is at hand!

[@gabybop]

Soil is a living being and as long as it’s still alive, there’s hope. ❤

[@steveegbert7429]

Thanks for the encouragement Jess, not just for me but for all who are feeling discouraged in any way. Over this Winter and Spring I have been dealing with hip and knee woes that have made it more difficult to do all that I want. Slow to get the garden prepared and such. You encourage me and others to do what we can. For everyone, even if you cannot have as much garden as you want, you can at least have something on a smaller scale.

[@colliecoform6238]

I concur. Broke my hip a few months ago. It now feels fine but it aggrevated the herniated disks in back so bending is an issue. Still doing it but I need to put my feet up aftera few hours and recover. Hoping this isn't going to happen all summer.

[@sherylhart2704]

"Harvest the wisdom in things and don't give up." Been gardening for over 50 years and I am still learning. Had a long, cold, wet winter; cooler and wetter June and we have a very short grow season.....still learning with each season.

[@brooket2690]

I would love to see some videos on your worm farm! The setup, what it looks like, how you started it and how you maintain it!

[@clancarney2541]

I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU ADN YOUR SOIL!!! (ok i never thought i would say something like that and have the actual emotion behind it. lol)

[@judifarrington9461]

Every year of gardening is a year of learning. Last year, I had several intensive courses on Pill Bugs and Slugs, Drought and Scorched Earth. This year seems to be my test on what I learned from last year, and I am getting an 'A' for my grade! I discourage pill bugs and slugs by moving mulch away from seedlings. I'm using ollas, rain barrels, and shade clothes to save my crops from the sun and drought. We are learning to overcome whatever garden challenges come our way. We only fail if we do not learn.

[@samanthahoos9827]

😂I love that you smelled the rain coming! My daughter and I went to a pool to cool off with 3 of our dogs. While swimming the dogs started getting antsy and we were pruny so we left for home. As we’re on our way home a black cloud moved over, thunderstorm struck hard and all we could think about was how other people had just gotten in the pool as we left. Great timing, but maybe we all felt that weather change subconsciously. 😊

[@deewinston5651]

It did my heart so good to see all those lovely tomatoes on your plants after the heartache of last year. So happy for you Jess!❤🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅

[@ramblinrosecottage5983]

I love that smell the air gets right before a rain. You can feel it, too. The air is kind of electric. It's something you can almost taste, as well.

[@margiebrown7436]

I have always been able to smell the rain 🌧️ before it gets here. My entire family thought I was weird. My mom used to call me the weather girl. LoL 😂

[@jenniferrescott1149]

I trim my hornworm damaged branches off while im searching for them. I find it makes it way easier to keep track if I see new damage

[@sarahnoah8741]

Reasons I love this video 1) There are projects on our homestead (like your cut flower garden) that I didn't quite get to yet. It's ok. There is still time. 2) All the volunteers in your Lazarus tunnel. Not only did you provide nutrients to heal the soil, you didn't rush to make it 'productive' immediately. It had another season to just heal and grow volunteers. In time, it will do more of what you've dreamed/designed that space to do, but for now it is perfectly ok resting...it's still growing. 3) Reminder that every growing season will be different. A year that has an abundance of tomatoes may not be your bumper crop of cucumber year. It doesn't mean you/I did something wrong as a gardener. Thank you for all the nuggets of wisdom and encouragement!

[@kathysherrill7243]

here in Western NC its raining and raining. I had a slug issue on my cabbage due to the rain so I put crushed egg shells around them and the egg shells attracted the skunks 😂 which dug holes and pulled up my plants oh what a tangled web we weave!

[@michelewhite1150]

Please show and explain more about bio char and your worm farm please please please

[@Homestead-ish]

That’s so exciting about the high tunnel soil healing! 🙌🏻 way to go! 10:50 All your flowers are just looking beautiful and the potatoes had me cracking up 13:32

[@lindapoe4124]

I can smell the rain a couple blocks away. Love the smell of the coming rain!

[@lunachic03dh]

Would be cool if you took us along on the black light tomato horn worm 🐛 seeking.

[@nancyschwartz5665]

I thought the same thing!

[@stephaniejackson4951]

Cardboard laid down, with wood chips spread out aver the cardboard will help with the grass in the walkway. It help hold moisture in your garden as well! 👍🏽 I started listening to your podcast as I’ve been out in the garden. I love it! Thank you always for sharing your blissful moments and sheer enjoyment in the garden. 🙏🏽🫶🏽❤️

[@twobearshomestead]

I can ALWAYS smel the rain coming. ALWAYS! people called me weird...LOL😂

[@SimpleMandy]

Can definitely smell the rain and snow before they arrive. It is my absolute favorite smell aside from the garden after a fresh rainstorm.

[@Youcangarden]

Yes, can smell the rain. My husband and I grew up in New England. We can smell snow. We can go outside and be like, I don’t care what the weatherman says, it’s going to snow today, and it never fails lol

[@debihuntsman9314]

As a second year gardener, with some successes, and some failures, I appreciate your sweet encouragement Jess.

[@rflcakepops]

Everything I have planted in GreenStalks,Home Depot buckets,and kiddy pools are doing amazing. Everything in my big garden is doing poorly. I think we’re getting your weather. It’s been hot and dry and if it rains it’s a soaking rain. Thank goodness for the organic produce stand!

[@jeangardensinIllinois]

“Become a gardener” good words! Cheers

[@samanthahoos9827]

I tried to explain to my aunt (86) that the reason she can’t find worms in her garden beds is because she’s spraying for weeds/bugs around her house that leaches into her garden soil through water/rain under the pavers towards her beds. Going to visit her makes me sad because she’s surrounded by homes, city-like suburb so when I can get her to my home (in the country) I love her excitement of all that we grow. She wants me to save her some rabbit poop from our pet rabbits, but nothing will help until she stops spraying chemicals.

[@cateastbranch2125]

Jess! I am so excited to see the ground cherries thriving in that soil! I got chills! I, like so many of your followers, watched those videos with such a sinking feeling of dread, and as you have been working elsewhere in the garden it has always been in the back of my mind. Seeing those healthy volunteers thrive was such a moment of hope! Thank you for walking with us in your journey. For sharing your knowledge and the wisdom you've gained. And all those tomatoes! SO overjoyed for you! Please share when you have that first delicious ripe tomato, it is as much a joy as watching you with that lovely cucumber!

[@dauntlessdivine2627]

So proud that you took your suffering and made it creative for others to learn from. That is golden and a true sign of the spirit within. ☀️💛🙏

[@WithrowUrbanHomestead]

It has been a cool dry prolonged spring here in the Mid-Atlantic but my garden is thriving due to a few things. 1. My no-till method of fall sheet-mulching with cardboard covered with mulch has helped my garden retain moisture through our dry spell. Spring is when I fill my 5 rain barrels but until last week they were empty. 2. Starting transplants under shop lights in my warm furnace room instead of direct sowing gives my plants a head start. 3. Planting out early by punching through the now soft cardboard and planting transplants directly into the soil also gives them a head start. I always have back-ups in case they fail. If I don’t need the back-ups I give them away. 4. Covering frost hearty plants with netting tunnels keeps the squirrels, birds and pests out. 5. Covering tender plants with fleece tunnels protects them from dips in the temperatures.

[@blessedabundance6266]

Its So Amazing how MUCH you have done in such a short time ❤ I know you keep saying you weren't planning on getting such n such done for another year.... your ahead of schedule and its just INCREDIBLE

[@kathylane5934]

Beautiful harvest

[@susieclark1498]

Your garden is looking amazing. Last year I was in tears about the contaminated soil but was so very impressed as you were determined to find out what it was and how to repair the soil. You are a great inspiration and teacher. Let's all "stick with it".

[@martharock8377]

I love the smell of rain coming 😌

[@GlitterandJams]

Your tomatoes are just gorgeous! This is my first real year gardening. I was going to start small, but why? Go BIG or go home! Lol! I ended up planting 150 tomato plants, plus various other goodies. I’m hoping to get a decent harvest to make all the tomato things! It’s so exciting to see the growth each day! I am growing along with my garden and learning so much. Next year should be even better! ❤❤❤ and hugs!

[@leahharbison4932]

Bless you Jess !

[@JenBLibertyImages]

Thank you for the tips on healing soil. This happened to us this year, and it was devastating to see my hard work be wasted and more, to know our soil was damaged. It would probably help a lot of gardeners if the videos relating to this were their own playlist.

[@DragonflyenAmber]

I built three garden beds for mom's balcony this year and we are trying strawberries in one. We have the start of fruits and lots of flowers!

[@teresaellis895]

In a hot southern Indiana.Was gone and missed hail..Was listening to Ryan all the way home.95 degrees and humid..

[@katherinemcdaniel8446]

I love the smell of rain coming so much. I live in the Southwest US, in the Sonoran desert, and the smell here before it rains is the best thing I've ever smelled. Your garden is stunning this year.

[@TheTinkerersWife]

What good news on the soil healing!!!

[@francesahrens1578]

So happy you can educate people about soil!

[@hatcat81]

I can smell the rain before it falls too. My husband thought I was making it up. He calls me a bloodhound. I just attribute it to sensory processing weirdness I have. ❤

[@mountaingardenamma8730]

Sometimes I watch/listen when getting ready fir my day and so don’t remember to comment. Just want to say that I love following your progress! When I first heard about/met you, you were the first Vlogger I was introduced to. Since then, it’s been such a blessing and a world opening thing for me.

[@gail7998]

YAY! Your soil is healing!!!! Happy dance!

[@rubensebastian2604]

Wow amazing work. Can you give a video on how you fixed soil step by step how much stuff u used gallons? Of tea

[@donnaingle391]

Great information

[@laurad7439]

Thank you, Jess!

[@Rubenchambers]

I love your knowledge

[@debbiebolman2705]

Thank you for the reminder to harvest the wisdom ❤️❤️

[@kimclayton7728]

I’m in middle ish Missouri, it has been so dry. Everything is growing at a snails pace even with watering. I just had a big ol pitty party for myself this week. I just want my garden to thrive and something to be proud of.

[@LoveGrowLiveFree]

ABSOPHREAKINGLUTELY adore you! Thank you for all you do!❤

[@RTCPhotoWork]

This year has been incredible. It has been an unusual year, in a few ways. (I'm in northeast Texas in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.) Over the last few years, we have had colder and longer winters like when I was a kid (39 years old now). That made for a cooler/milder and longer spring. Now that it has officially turned summer, we're experiencing the typical heatwaves. Prior to that, we've had rain at least once a week through June many time getting it two or three times a week. Even with a 100+ streak right now expected through Friday, it looks like we'll have a cooldown next week back into the low and mid 90s...which is still a little atypical here. My gardens are loving it. Some things have some sunscald, but they're in new places than they were in the past.

[@waterleo8888]

Celebrating you and the healing of your land. Goodness I love what you've done and continue to do. Your gardens and everything, you're an inspiration. You teach me so much. Thank you, love ya ❤

[@ericataylor1708]

Looking great hon ❤

[@rachelgalus]

Wow those clusters are just 😍

[@GreenWitchHomestead]

😮😮😮 that ground cherry in the hightunel made me 'Whoop' out loud ❤❤❤ Congratulations to You and Will!!

[@dottiewelch6964]

Jess… I am soo wooed by your garden It’s just stunning 😍

[@dottiewelch6964]

Thank you Jessica You have been so much inspiration ❤

[@stacieleffler7774]

Your garden is amazing. I just love the videos you share. I've definitely learned a lot from you. Thank you and God bless you 🙏 ❤ 🙏

[@choirmom78]

Its always a joy when you post. I loved your post with Giovanni the coffee grower. Enjoy that first cuke.

[@patriciawilson6524]

Happy to see those wonderful green tomatoes.

[@patriciamiller1916]

at 71 I have a big need to redesign my little garden space due to age...Hate saying that! I share my garden space with chickens, and have a regular issue with rabbits from the desert. Those fury folks tunnel into the garden so quickly it is hard to block entrances. I created a hoop cover that was amazingly perfect for our two beds. I designed it and now have to find a way to enclose that area so I can walk into that space not raise the hoop cover to garden, maintain, harvest..that is a crawlers special for sure. No summer garden this year and we have had such a fine June I would have had an abundance of harvest because it has yet to hit 110, it has been in the low 90s!! We have had no rain (normal) but when it does there is nothing that smells better than the desert after a rain!! God willing I will accomplish my garden surround, be able to disassemble what I have and reassemble the new with hopes it works as I anticipate. I have three old leaky horse troughs that I love and the chickens found a way to get into those soooooooo more covers/chicken wire enclosures. God Bless and I continue to love watching your garden grow!!

[@sunsetsky594]

Tomato joy!! They look awesome!

[@sandrasi8261]

Omg your tomatos so beautiful ❤

[@belindastuart-william421]

Hi Jess, so great to hear about your coffee dream progress🎉

[@LibertyLandingHomestead]

Last years tomato harvest was terrible for a lot of us! This year is LOOKING GOOD!

[@dhansonranch]

Looking good! That canna is gorgeous. I was glad to hear there was some redemption on that one green house - I was wondering. Tomatoes look great. Wise closing remarks!!

[@kimg5784]

Thank you!

[@JMK_Fam]

Smelling the “rain” is one of my favorite smells. I was told it's from the soil before the rain. So I have been focused on what soil type has the strongest smell. Definitely the farming soil 😆 and if it's chemically sprayed its the smell of rain and a hotel pool 😆

[@ljc9337]

So important to know this information. So happy to see your soil improving.

[@yvencia1150]

Thank you for sharing ❤️❤️🍅🍅🥰🥰

[@livw8650]

I'm originally from Arizona. You know when it's going to rain because the creosote bushes releases a smell from the waxy coating on its leaves that help it conserve water for its harsh environment. It's a very distinct smell that I absolutely love. I miss it being out here in PA.

[@belieftransformation]

Great knowledge & encouragement! Thanks for sharing! Many blessings to all 🤗💗🇨🇦

[@dianekreuzer3854]

First time gardening & I’m learning so much! Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

[@terryintintoli3749]

Your do so much. Please don’t burn out, your garden is about to explode with joy!

[@sandrasi8261]

So happy for the ground cherry’s

[@tammycarr9637]

I can always smell the rain before it comes too lol

[@Sochin72]

So glad to see this pop up on my feed. I was wandering around in my garden today, south florida heat, humidity and drowning rains are just beating my veggies up. My tomatoes did really well but are about done, I was thinking about all the things that didn’t work this season. I appreciate the encouraging words. Going to plan out the next phase and hope for a good fall garden. ;)

[@jamjar5716]

I love the contour rows! They are very pretty.

[@erikas974]

Jess I think you are the person with the greenest thumb I have ever known. Your tomatoes are insane.🎉🎉🎉🎉 Congrats for this year result.

[@tessakai]

Wake county, NC here checking in. We got about 4 inches.

[@loribethartist6353]

Same in East Tennessee 👋

[@vickif1419]

Here in SW MI we finally got a bit of rain. A large limb broke off of one of my Maple trees and landed on one of my Green stalks...grrr... It's been unusually hot and dry here. Most of my early stuff bolted. But, I'm having an amazing tomato year this year. Much better than last year 😁 I do so love to see the progress of your gardens! Thanks for allowing us to share your excitement!😊💕

[@kmarshall53]

SE PA had a several week long drought and now we’ve finally had rain over a few days and my garden has exploded with growth! I’m so happy to see the bumblebees and honeybees all over the place this week! I have tiny peppers and tomatoes and several volunteer squash and sunflowers - so exciting! I’m growing several heirloom tomatoes and Kajari melons this year! Can’t wait to see how they taste! Also tried Garbanzo beans, peanuts and celery. It’s so much fun to experiment.

[@frenchysandi]

I for sure can smell rain coming! My garden is just starting to bear fruit. Got tiny beans and cakes radishes are almost done, Holy, Thai, and Genoese basil can start flavoring tea and food. Peas are blossoming, lettuce almost ready and squashes are all in bloom. I am in central Minnesota.

[@shamancarmichael5305]

I see tomato sandwiches comin' from those big boys!😁 So glad to know that the hard work of remediation on your contaminated soil was successful. That will be good information for lots of folks in the future. Always good information here in Jess' classroom! 👍🌱

[@susan-almosta_farm8823]

I learned from you years ago about the black light to find the horn worms. I've had a few lately, but yesterday, my husband and I were walking through the garden and one of my 2 ft tall bell pepper plants was almost totally eaten. VERY few leaves left and I just knew a rabbit had probably came and ate it. But OH MY WORD!!!!! It wasn't a rabbit but a humongous horn worm!!! It also ate half of a whole pepper and was inside of it eating a way! I have never had a horn worm on peppers. The week before, I had a whole shishito pepper ate down to just sticks and only half of a pepper dangling on it. I thought then it was a rabbit, but now I'm thinking horn worm. So now I check all the tomato plants and peppers. Heck, we checked the entire garden last night. I need to get my husband his own black light cause he wouldn't give me a turn. 😂

[@bethsands7665]

Awesome garden, you grow girl ! That darn Sphinx-moth laying eggs at night on tomatoes ! I have found 6 already.

[@puppylover8991]

I have a mix of different types of tomatoes this year and they are a source of endless joy every day. Seeing you walk and touch them makes me know I'm not crazy! Thank you