It’s so satisfying (High tunnel reset) | 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.
*********************
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...
Sign up for our newsletter: rootsandrefuge...
Join our Patreon to get early access to podcasts and other information, plus monthly LIVES with me and Miah: / rootsandrefuge
Abundance+ (Grab a FREE 7-day trial): rootsandrefuge...
Shop our Stickers & Shirts: rootsandrefuge...
Order my first book, "First Time Gardener": rootsandrefuge...
Order my second book, "First Time Homesteader": rootsandrefuge...
Instagram: roots_and_refuge
Facebook: / rootsandrefugefarm
Email Us: [e-mail]
To drop us a line:
PO Box 4239
Leesville SC 29070
To have a gift sent to our house from our Amazon wishlist: www.amazon.com...
To support us through PayPal: www.paypal.com...
-the music in this video is by our friend Daniel Smith
**********************
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...
Squizito Tasting Room (Use code "ROOTS" for 10% off your order): rootsandrefuge...
ButcherBox: rootsandrefuge...
Growers Solution: rootsandrefuge...
Neptune's Harvest Fertilizer: rootsandrefuge...
#rootsandrefuge

[@onlybev1]

OOh. Full of ants. I saw those crawling everywhere. I know you have a plan cause you are Jess. I used your suggestion of ant bates in my raised garden. It helped tremendously. Thank you for the tip. I was going to plant for fall but as I am by myself and my beds needs some soil added I may wait till my nephew can come over, help me amend and get things ready for next year. I have never planted a fall garden. Lord knows I have the seeds but when it is 100 degrees this 63 year old woman just does not get out there. I am okay with that for this year. I work full time as a hospice nurse in Oklahoma and when I get home I am tired. Thank you for all you do. I drove to see you at your last book signing in Arkansas and was so please to meet you and Miah. You guys absolutely fill my heart. Love Bev

[@sandra127100]

I feel the same way when I take the rotten produce out of the fridge and put it in my compost pile! 😂

[@Jules1280]

SUGGESTION: Plant clover in the walk ways. You don't have to mow it because it doesn't get high enough to be an issue. And it feels great on bare feet as well as chokes out weeds. Great short ground cover. And easy too. Good luck! Blessings!

[@andreagrowsthings]

I’ve wanted to do this too but was concerned about stepping on a bee while they’re on one of the flowers. 😊 Is there a clover that doesn’t have flowers or is this a silly concern?

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

Thanks for the tip!!

[@tamrahawkes3170]

Micro clover is even better!

[@hyacinthABC]

Depends on where you live. I tried what was supposed to be a low-growing clover as a cover crop in the deep South and not only did it get fairly tall, it also became rampant, spreading under barriers and a brick pathway and is pretty impossible to control. And yes, when in bloom it's full of happy bees! Not something to walk on.

[@MissBetsyLu]

​@@tamrahawkes3170 ohhhh. Where'd you find micro clover???? I've heard of micro meadow also. All only 8 inches high. Many grand blessings everyone

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I like our grass walkways. Weedeating them hasnt been a big deal.

[@kimberlykreations]

T shirt slogan- sho shatisfying, food n dirt! Lol

[@katiesan865]

I love that Will gardens barefoot. I bet that feels so good and grounding in the cool high tunnel 💚

[@galeharris6696]

Oh, do the push mower! I mow all around my garden and between my two garden "pieces", and it's so nice to walk on. It looks gorgeous when I mow it, AND I use the grass as mulch in my garden. It's right there! And it is sooo satifying, thank you, Jess!

[@tamichristiansen387]

Thanks for the waste vs loss idea and closing the loop! At our place we call it perfecting the harvest. It's definitely a homesteading mindset. We bless you, Jess!

[@AspenCreekFarms]

After having done this exact thing I vote for cardboard and mulch in the isles. Best decision I’ve ever made on the farm. It only takes joy having time to weed wack once and you will regret having grass. It also removes a regular chore that doesn’t go towards anything but maintenance. Cheers!! Love the garden so far. It’s fun to watch you plan and grow

[@blueroanie]

cardboard n mulch doesn’t work for me with Bermuda grass. Looks good for about a month….then the grass takes over again.

[@vlunceford]

Our grass and nut sedge will grow right up through the cardboard and mulch. 😢

[@lmullens75]

@@blueroanieSame! We have not only Bermuda grass, but Johnson grass… I grew some awesome Johnson grass in my raised beds last year with cardboard “weed barrier” 🤪

[@terriwhite6273]

Here in New England I do cardboard and mulch. Looks natural and works well for us. Best thing is if we decide to move raised beds we can leave the mulched area and it will eventually grass over vs using srine

[@lmullens75]

@@terriwhite6273 Glad it works for someone. I laid down 4 layers of cardboard and then 12” of dirt on top in the raised bed & it wasn’t even one season before the grass pushed its way through. We even have landscape fabric under some beds and one layer of that wasn’t enough.

[@robingirven4570]

I’ve been growing nasturtiums for over 40 years, direct sown, not having a clue. 🤷‍♀️ I started eating them about 25 years, after learning they’re edible! In my opinion, there’s nothing better than a volunteer! You’re so beautiful Jess and you know what? You have the most gorgeous eyebrows ever!!

[@WriteEraseRewrite]

She really is very beautiful!

[@deborahnelson7907]

"It's so satisfying!" That little boy talking about rain on the windshield was adorable! BTW....The concept of waste versus loss is quite profound. We experience loss in our lives, but in God's economy, it's not wasted. I need to think on that and pray on that some.

[@archaprice3372]

Beautiful insight.

[@vlunceford]

I love seeing Will work barefoot! That’s a true southern boy there!

[@heathergerwig9768]

That should be the next shirt slogan! "Wasps hurt my feelings" 🐝

[@marshashelley8668]

Love seeing how the gardens are doing! Request- please PRAY FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE WESTETN STATES THAT ARE BURNING!! Here on Idaho, western Montana and northeast Washington the fires are horrible! People losing their homes and some losing their lives.😣😣

[@jodymooney255]

and also Maui! I’m in Washington state and can’t go out do to the smoke. Cheney and Medical Lake is just horrible!

[@archaprice3372]

Praying for you, Hawaii and Canada!

[@starlingwarrior]

​@@jodymooney255I'm here too! Up in Mead.

[@Renie-hl8dd9mw8c]

Thanks for sharing, Jess. So sadishfying.😊

[@ssgundes1]

Ben is such a natural on camera just like his momma ( in so many ways!)😊

[@deniseharris9363]

Awe that’s such a cute memory to watch and carry on !! Sho satisfying!!

[@darcysimental5299]

Sho shatishfying😂❤ adorable!

[@jackcsaffell5641]

Hi Ms. Jessica. As a rose consultant "I was going to say crazy rose person but consultant sounded far more astute," we've used and advised the use of alfalfa pellets, 1/2 coffee can per each plant, on roses. There is a growth promoter in the pellets which is called triacontanol. Try wrapping your tongue around that one! I've had mixed results on my rose growth but the worms, Alleluia, love it. God bless your family and your coffee people. Can't wait to order light roast from Guatemala via South Carolina. he he he

[@archaprice3372]

I am glad Daniel is back on camera with them, I missed him. He seems to love the coffee process.

[@privatesuzie4071]

Would love to see the Sho shatisfying clip in the short videos YT is now doing so I can send it to others and save for me to give me a playback laugh…cheered me up!

[@CousinAmy]

I just watched today's vlog with my sweet boy and I'm reading thru the comments with Ryan and he said "send it to her, mom" so I'll upload it to my yt in a few :)

[@_ourperfectstorm]

Watching the sped up movement of the bug activity in the turned up soil is fascinating!

[@OrganicMommaGA]

I love the idea of changing the narrative about something "going to waste". If it is not being used for the original intent, it is easy to fall into that "it is wasted" mentality. Just as a "nose-to-tail" meantality for using all parts of an animal or the "nothing is wasted" mentality in the kitchen, so should be our mind-frame in the farm and garden. One of the biggest joys I have is in the wanton Glee my chickens display at our kitchen scraps and spent leftovers. For the walkways, I would say to try a few different ways in the same high tunnel and see what works best for you and your family. Our garden beds are raised, and I originally just left the grass between them. Until this year, when (due to abundant rain last year and the grass going to seed) all of our garden beds had a massive weed issue that took abundant amounts of time and effort to rein in. We figured out the cause, decided to bag our lawn clippings (because we didn't last year) and lay cardboard and mulch between the rows. Along the outside, we planted a low-growing, creeping groundcover that smells great when we walk on it. I'm not sure of the name because it was just a wild thing in our yard we managed to transplant and it thrived. Our next Spring's selves will thank us for doing this now. LOL So Satishfying. 🥰

[@stephaniekerr]

Paver blocks in the walkways in the tunnel house are great for barefoot gardening. It’s so satisfying!👍

[@TheMessyGarden]

It's amazing how much grew in there with no input from yourselves. I also spent today reclaiming a very wild abandoned garden, so satisfying ❤

[@melaniediessel7513]

Last year I decided to leave a couple of my sunflower stems in the ground (just cut the heads and stripped the leaves off) and then grew some of my climbing beans on those. Worked out well enough. 😊

[@susanlogan28]

So satisfying! 💜 and thank you for the discussion of loss vs waste. Such an important topic on a ranch or farm, but even just a household. Water your houseplants with the tea kettle water instead of pouring it down the drain. If we think about the principle applies in many areas.

[@elizabethlink3993]

💚 It's all in one's perspective..waste vs. loss and repurposing. Nice to have a blank slate in the high tunnel! I can just see all the beautiful cut flowers in there next Spring! Sho Shatishfying 😅 💚

[@snoywntr2]

The life! In that soil. Watching all the bugs run around as you are weeding!

[@jacquelinecarralero5289]

Thank you for your encouragement. Was feeling like quiting today 😕. Have a great day and God bless.

[@barbarafunk5118]

I love composting and using whatever I can, rather then sending to the land fill. Yesterday i cut open a pineapple and it was no good the entire pineapple went to the compost bin. I used shredded paper leaves garden greens what ever i can get my hands on to compost anyway I can. I never feel like i am throwing food away. Composting is magic I do have a bin but i love to build my small planterboxes with all the layers and very quickly it turns to beautiful soil. Today i had some garden shoes falling apart, telling my husband we have to try and glue the sole which is perfectly fine and get another year or two out of them. I also find my self trying to reuse all kinds of things in the garden and green house. Keeping the trash pick up to less all the time. its just a way to think about the resourses of the earth. It is a process.... i never in my life glued a shoe sole, i love buying more shoes, but the price is getting to high, we need to stop the waste. Buy less of everything including food grow a garden.

[@annettewhite8430]

❤ he is so cute 🥰 awesome video .we can listen to you about your garden for ever.

[@annettewhite8430]

Ever

[@lauriesmith7517]

If stung by a wasp, apply household ammonia for immediate relief. Amazing!!

[@29feliss]

There’s something so satisfying about a before and after effort

[@originalwoolydragon8387]

My knees and back are aching just watching y'all... Oh to be young and have non-arthritic joints! For your paths: lay down cardboard and then wood chips. Those will compost down over time and you can shovel it up as needed and re-fill with the chips? Kind of a combo of path & compost pile.

[@dawnwilliams8766]

I was thinking the same, lol!

[@CindDJo]

I love that Wes gardens in his bare feet. It's so wonderful.

[@cindygonzales7316]

I had to hit replay to make sure I was seeing correctly. Yup bare feet!

[@Mama_Nells_Garden]

at the 8:05 mark you started talking about nasturtiums. I share the same love for nasturtiums. Every year I buy several packets and give one to each of my kids, followed by telling them that they can plant the seeds ANYWHERE they want in the yard. In the grass, Sure! In the pot with the Japanese Maple, you bet! In the hanging planter with the sweet potato vine, Absolutely! It is SO fun to see nasturtiums popping up throughout the growing season. I LOVE THEM! and my girls thoroughly enjoy sprinkling them like confetti every spring.

[@debrasaints3809]

“Sho shatisfying”! Sho cute! The refurbished high tunnel looks great with grass walkways. I can almost the abundance you’ll be reaping from it all fall and winter! Blessings ❤️

[@katherineb6102]

This video was so satisfying. 😊

[@shodson314]

That grass and that soil AND those ants are the reality of my homestead. (North of you in SC) If you find a way to keep that grass from tunneling into your raised beds or even the fire ants to stay away I sure would be super tuned in!!

[@sharonknorr1106]

Yes - kale never really dies, it's like a zombie plant. I put up with a couple in very inconvenient spots this year after not pulling out by the roots. But before next spring, they are coming out, totally.

[@ellepoland5230]

Good morning. Thank you for being you and posting for all of us followers. You are such an inspiration to all. ❤

[@julie-annepineau4022]

Sho satisfying! Love a good reset video. I would go with grass paths. Since they are low beds you are probably going to be on your knees harvesting and planting. Much nicer than wood or gravel. Rotary or electric mower would keep it nice pretty easily and provide mulch for the beds at the same time. Are you going to do Holly hocks and foxglove too? They do better over wintered I think.

[@Wildevis]

Very satisfying indeed lol

[@HeatherCooan]

I grow ranunculus here in Phoenix in late fall and late winter or early spring. It's worth a try where you are. I bet you can get some blooms. I just dig the corms each season.

[@karronlaneNOLA]

definitely satisfying!!

[@judifarrington9461]

Living walkways are amazing -- especially clover walkways! Love your gardens!

[@marlaherrington5320]

Your right never a reason to waste. Would love my peppers to be doing that good, what a blessing

[@HabitualHobbies]

6 minutes into the video I couldn't stop staring at all of the bugs running around in the freshly disturbed soil 😅

[@kimsaggio5637]

This truly was "Sho Shatisfying"... Thank you so much for sharing, always learn something new with your videos.

[@faithfamilyhomestead]

Hey Jess, I'm more Coastal than you and sprouted Rannunculus indoors in mid-October and planted it outdoors uncovered in the garden, and they all did great and blJanuary if I'm not mistaken

[@LosingDrea]

This video was so shatusfyin LOL cute kid, love when they say the things they do. I recall some very cute awesome moments when Ben has said some very cute things I think needed to make a shirt or at least a sticker LOL

[@dhansonranch]

Very true about it not being waste. It is "So Satisfying" to find alternate uses for what most would consider waste and throw in the garbage. Cousin Amy's little tyke clip was too cute! Yes, best to leave the sunflowers alone as you don't want to hurt your "wittle fee-wings"...lol...family story as my baby brother always said "you hurt my wittle fee-wings". Fun, informative video. High tunnel looks great.

[@jacqibelle]

That lil boy is so cute! I have one of those manual mowers!

[@janemiddleton9509]

I use old chest freezers to store horse feed. Works great. Put a latch on them to keep raccoons out.

[@terrihubbard3741]

We used to start nasturtiums in the house when we were kids....then plant them out in front of the house for my mom. It was the only "seed" flowers my mom would buy....I loved watching them grow. Still the reason I love my garden, watching things grow!

[@lmullens75]

Ahhhh! I hadn’t heard anyone say “good night!” like that since my aunt Charlene passed away in 2010. Thank for the sweet memories, Jess!!!

[@ljgerken]

Natural walkways can make good chop and drop fertilizer/mulch for the beds! Consider growing good groundcovers in your pathways.

[@94Margie]

In reference to the moldy grain. I remember Jeramia taking extra care in building the feed storage room. I wonder if air flow or ventilation is too limited. Thanks for letting us into your life. I love your motivation.

[@emilyk1160]

Perspective is everything Jess! Love it

[@geanamarcum6449]

Strawberries! Never could start them and all my bought ones died till this year when I used the tower to grow them❤❤ we had to many almost😂

[@lorassorkin]

I'm picturing beautiful high tunnel walkways in Kentucky Bluegrass. That would be gorgeous with the colorful cutting flowers!

[@cathykillion6544]

Sho satisfying ❤

[@dawnwilliams8766]

I love how you just get in the dirt, no gloves. I do the same!❤

[@phyllisbruce213]

Harking back. I just made a pot of basil tea with honey. It’s a very mild taste but the aroma! Oh my goodness! And a wonderful, lingering basil taste.

[@LisaOsterholt]

I like this format for videos. Thanks!

[@palinprojects3370]

I appreciate the dialog of different walkways. I've received some feedback around my grass pathways that had me thinking I should change them to wood chips or gravel. I love the look and feel of the grass - I believe the maintenance is worth it! 🥰

[@kayleenvanderhorst]

I could watch reset videos every week! You all keep me inspired in my own gardening endeavors. Love the channel! Sending you love and positivity from Iowa!❤

[@dawnwilliams8766]

Same from Oregon ❤!

[@kathylane5934]

So satisfying 😊

[@kayrabey1344]

Wow, that weeding makes my knees hurt.

[@latigress1959]

It is awesome to see all the life moving in the soil!

[@lukeforehand8311]

The reel type mower for the walkways is a great idea.

[@kathleendodds5309]

Watching this video was sho shatisfying I can’t believe how much y’all accomplished in one day! Can’t wait to see it in its next inception

[@angelasevier6520]

I bless you Jess. Let your hair grow out again. And put it up when needed 😊.

[@hyacinthABC]

I love it this length! You look great.

[@michellenoel2725]

The flies in the time lapse were majestic looking!

[@karenjohnson7355]

I have a small suburban yard with raised beds. A couple years ago i wood chipped over half my yard in between the raised beds and i love it. Easy to walk on and if i get weeds i spray vinegar on them when the sun is the hottest and poof, they are gone. If i ever have the need to grow in that ground it is primed black dirt under those wood chips after starting out as hard Missouri red clay, only took 2 years to get that way. In other words, i highly recommend wood chip pathways.

[@LadyofRockmart]

I grew ranunculus in Florida so you can do it there for sure. I plant them in fall

[@hyacinthABC]

Do you have a good source? Every time I order them I either receive the wrong color or they fail.

[@janicegilman7672]

I am a little jealous when you talk about resetting for a fall garden. I live in Alaska and we have a long growing season but only that one season.

[@terresiagregg9326]

Good afternoon Jess its aweome how you farm is doing n you n Will are cleaning out the high tunnel

[@laurarahelbailey]

I love a good garden reset! Thank you for sharing. Although I'm not sure what I can or will grow in mine this winter, I'm already tired of the summer garden and how tired it looks this time of year. Ready to replace some things and bring new life in!

[@tiffanythompson4342]

Finally catching up on your videos.. I've been spending every afternoon mowing my garden in the 95+ deg heat to avoid mosquitos 😂 We had so much rain and I have grass pathways all around my garden and between in ground beds. It became a jungle! After my experience being much like yours with the creeping grasses, we are definitely going to do edging or short raised beds. Something to keep the grass at bay. But I'm like you, I have the landscape fabric for the whole garden but I just can't get myself to use it! 😂

[@aloras405]

Jess, I have had the same experience that you had with nasturtiums but with zinnias. I would get the little gift sets that come with a pot but I was getting nothing, ever. I was so frustrated and decided I disliked zinnias. But, when I really started learning how to seed start, I tried them again and boy do I love them now! I am going to add one to my shoulder tattoo that my husband is drawing for me.

[@diannasgardenmenagerie967]

Love these project videos!!!! Please do more, it’s so satisfying 💜💜💜

[@marycountry]

Good Morning Jess!

[@anitabirkhimer1728]

You look amazing

[@rebekahmccabe3195]

Ryobi makes a small, narrow battery operated mower perfect for jobs like these. And perfect for kids. They are really cool. Just a suggestion

[@robingreany899]

At least you can use that feed you had to add to your mass patch of compost. Your weeding the garden was great.

[@shawnmcpeak6184]

I had a bag oh layer feed get wet and had to compost that also.

[@leahharbison4932]

Bless you Jess !

[@mountaingardenamma8730]

Jess, what I would give to squat on my haunches to work like you! Keep care of your knees so you can continue!!! It's so much easier to do the hard stuff with someone to chat the time away with!!!

[@trinapellegrino621]

🙋🏼‍♀️🕊. Did you ever think of lining the walkway with seashells. Go to the seafood places and ask for the shells clams oysters scallops etc.💞🕊💞🕊🕊🕊🕊 . Blessings 🕊🕊

[@Gardeningandstuffwithholly]

How much I wish we had the space for a high tunnel in my garden… Trying to persuade my Momma into one though. 😊

[@elaineekberg113]

Good point on keeping grass in the walkways to be able to be barefoot!

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

That's kind of the message I'm trying to promote. We fight with nature and fight with nature and recieve disappointment after disappointment. But when we are just a guiding hand, it's not intant gratification but, eventually the land turns to abundance in our favor.

[@BradfordHomestead]

It’s looking like transition time on the farm! Before we know it cooler temps will be here!

[@joanneganon7157]

Hey Jess and Will, of all the years of eating and loving Rutabaga. I've never seen a yellow one. Does it have the same bite as the orange type? Ya'll did a great job

[@diannabaggett1372]

The audio on the video is perfect. Thank you for the nature sounds and gentle guitar while you work your tail off. It’s both inspiring and relaxing.

[@janohdegroot989]

Mow the walkways and use the mowed grass for mulch.. so natural..!!

[@carollyn8885]

I saw your willow tree in the background!! it looks nice!!!

[@reneemorlan1855]

Appreciate Will and Mia they do 95% of the work ❤️😊

[@kidstryingtosavetheworld]

I do believe 95% is a very far stretch.

[@julescaru8591]

Ambient chicken noises ahhh some of my favourite things , in the beauty of the garden, does it get any better? Thanks Jess and Will 💕 All the best Jules