Late May Rainy GARDEN TOUR | 2023 Garden

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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#rootsandrefuge

[@alexishumphrey7568]

“Don’t give me the hot peppers until I’ve woken up” next tshirt please! 8:50

[@kcmckillip8115]

I appreciate knowing about the things that aren't "perfect" about your garden because it gives me courage to keep going when things aren't "perfect" in my garden, which is often!

[@PureAah]

Hey there, we have had Roly pollies & slugs really bad this year... more so than previous and a friend suggested I roughly crush up eggs shells and sprinkle around my seedling transplants And it had made a HUGE difference for me so passing the good advice along :)

[@littlecountrykitchen]

Hey Jess 🌻 which was is north on your property?

[@lauraslavney2864]

Great idea. I’m having a roly Polly problem too.

[@milliethemillinator3154]

Oooo! Good idea! Diatomaceous earth might work too.

[@The_Remnant86]

I'm having the same issue!! An absolute Roly poly explosion! Thanks for the tip

[@integsignatures2107]

For slugs sit out bowls of beer or wine.

[@zuzauramek9850]

A messy garden is a healthy and happy garden 🌻

[@walkbyfaithfamily9177]

Yes!! Rollie Pollies eat seedlings! They are my fight every spring. They eat my green beans before they even come out of the ground. 😢 They also eat cucumber seedlings overnight.

[@Elsa-it9ct]

Your garden is the epitome of beautiful peace. I find gardening a challenge and it’s hard work. But it’s also my place to relax and enjoy all the nature. Also it’s a joy to reap the benefits.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Never fails: I start one of your videos and I itch to to go outside into my garden!❤❤

[@gardengirl1191]

I'm a fan of your garden tours. I wonder how many things you're growing this year? Over the past 20 years I've grown green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, basil, parsley, lettuce, corn, strawberries all things we eat throughout the summer and can or freeze for the fall. I live on 1/3 of an acre but we make it work. Gardening is a skill to do it well and provide for yourself and your family. Thank you for sharing. I continue to connect w so much of what you do. Can't wait to see all the food you've grown. ❤

[@rainwaterrefugehomestead2267]

The Carolina Reaper is like...2 million Scoville. I love growing them! It's purely for conversation sake and "bragging" rights 😂🌱

[@caroleknott4121]

Hey Jess. So those okra.... You can slice them in 4th's long way, and then put them on a sheet pan with some oil and salt, in the oven on like 400 degrees. Cook until they are just brown and crunchy. It's like popcorn only so much better! We love them, it's a recipe my mother taught me and I think of her every year when we make them. And it's not bad for your diet either. Hope you give it a try. Note it doesn't work unless you gut them length wise. :)

[@umiluv]

Thank you for this!

[@victorkishter1379]

I do the same only we put them on the grill. Excellent with a little char.

[@jackiecole948]

I have been using beer as a solution for slugs this year (little Yogurt containers at dirt level all over my garden) having huge success and pill bugs are finding them too. Finally, my seedlings are surviving after two tough years of disappointment. I am in Canada and our season is so short replanting isn’t really an option.

[@trishbowring726]

Here in Australia I don’t have a garden right now. But it is always such a joy to take a walk with you through your wonder-filled garden with you Jess. Thank you for sharing your walks and encouraging gardeners, aspiring gardeners and non-gardeners to just try and keep trying. 🌱❤

[@denisebrady6858]

Trish what part of Australia as I am in Brisbane Queensland & have been growing for 10yrs now 😃😃

[@trishbowring726]

@@denisebrady6858 I am way down in Victoria. 🙂 I hope to get a garden going again some day but for now I have pots 😊

[@melaniethomson7908]

I totally agree Trish! ... Im a bit further west of you Denise, near Kingaroy 😃

[@denisebrady6858]

@@melaniethomson7908 I have an amazing backyard raised bed garden that I grow in - exceptionally tidy- I give most of my produce to Family/ Neighbors & friends but have learnt from homesteading shows how to preserve with Ball Canning. I grow all from my own seeds. 😃😃

[@erin2535]

Hi Guys! - I only just saw this comment, I'm over in Perth, Western Australia, started growing food in my tiny garden and lots of pots a couple of years ago ,still going strong ❤❤❤ to you all over east

[@lindamckeown2830]

I live about an hour north of you and we have had very little rain. I'm watering every other day. Stop hogging the rain. LOL

[@d14551]

That area around the green house, with the fountain and flagstone path and flowers is truly gorgeous.

[@denisebrady6858]

Jess I am so excited as I found some Paul Robeson Tomato plants & they are growing like you wouldn't believe. Of course I have all my Autumn vegetables in my raised gardens & our weather has actually cooled so they are growing beautifully too. Cheers Denise- Australia

[@debrathompson1780]

Ryan Hall Y'all is AWESOME! Found them in Jan 2022. I quickly earned his team knows their stuff. His forecast videos are amazing. As Jess has learned to count on his predictions. They only go LIVE if weather goes severe, anywhere in the U.S. Recently during Miss outbreak, seeing the damage, his followers raised $120K (in less than an hour!) for tornado/flood victims. In many events the money raised is delivered. They load trailers of supplies & deliver directly to the effected. $$Checks too. No red tape just here you need this! But they're fun & goofy too! I highly recommend Ryan, Andy and all their storm chasers. You see it on radar & the chasers (all EMT's) show you the storms in real time. Many times they are the 1st on scene and go into search & rescue. Check it out for yourself.

[@FieldsOfGold149]

Highly recommend them, they save lives and help afterwards thru the money donated. They go right to the source

[@kimkerley4218]

I’m sorry dear but not EMTs but meteorologists. They are great. 😊❤

[@FieldsOfGold149]

@@kimkerley4218 wow! Didn’t think I used that word CANT find it if I , helping out means what ever they can not medical we all know who have followed for some time know exactly what they the buy supplies and give funds to those who needs. Sorry you may have misunderstood. They live near me!!!

[@patchurch1677]

Well said Debra! I found myself staying up till midnight to watch at times. I remenber that night and how the money kept flowing in. It was amazing. People helping strangers in need. They gave out everything from diapers to food and gift cards, to gas generators, tarps, even cars. The tornado coverage is amazing. They are good at forecasting winter storms earlier here in New England, too. :-)

[@jamesbrown8718]

No doubt they are the best I have found. His weather is spot on and he knows so much about the weather and if he says it’s coming look out cause it is going to happen.

[@SuzGrows]

Raw okra is delicious if you aren’t able to enjoy fried!! I munch on it straight from the garden or sliced open with a little everything bagel seasoning, yummm

[@ProvidenceFarmstead]

Thank you Jess! You know just how to make a rough day have something beautiful in it. I definitely needed a garden tour video today.

[@AddieMorris]

Rollie Pollies definitely eat seedlings. This is the first year I have ever had an issue. Everything I planted in one particular bed never stood a chance 😞 but I’ve used Sluggo and also hand picked them out. Seems to be working. Thank you for sharing your garden with us!

[@janenichols3880]

Licorice basil is lovely also. Wonderful for pollinators. I just love basil! Blessings!

[@carolsgardenjournal8326]

Your garden looks amazing already! Cuteness alert: Chicken&chicks metal art, Bears eye level view of greenhouse, and those Cranberry Red Rain Boots! I appreciated the pep talk encouraging us thru all the challenges. I just learned that "Flax" makes beautiful, flowing blooms in a perennial garden. Trying new things, per your suggestion. Thanks as always for sharing.

[@pyewacket60]

From what I’ve read, in small numbers, it can actually be useful for your backyard, thanks to its great composting skills; however, when present in large numbers, they have been known to feed on seedlings, new roots, lower leaves, and fruits or vegetables laying directly on the soil.

[@agardengrowsinbrooklyn141]

I'm sooo glad I watched this video! I'm growing tomatillos for the 1st time this year and had no idea they had to be planted next to eachother. I have 4 plants and they are all seperated. Gonna go down to the garden and plant them together, thanks for the info! Oh and you are 100% right about the rollie pollies/pill bugs, they do eat seedlings because they have been going to town on my little guys. I tried putting citrus slices at the base of my plants to stop them and it seems to have been keeping them away.

[@garynorcal4269]

I love seeing hummingbirds in my yard (Loved your hummingbird moment) and I am glad to say that they come for my flowers and bushes rather than sugar water in a feeder.

[@virginiaallisonpeck2517]

💞💕💞💕💓

[@umiluv]

I’m relatively new here and I just love your videos. They’re very soothing. Very nice contrast to everything in the news. I’m preggers and can’t do as much in the garden as I like so it’s nice to watch sometimes when I’m having a very tired day. Also, learn loads and your comments section is very helpful too. Just wanted to say thanks! God bless. =)

[@user-gq5nk9pd6j]

Hi Jess! Found this about Rolly polly bugs: Rolly pollies are decomposers that mostly eat dying or dead organic material. They are detritivores that eat both decaying plant and animal matter. That said, rolly pollies also eat live organic matter such as living plants, particularly when the weather is wet. Due to their penchant for eating domestic crops, some farmers and gardeners consider them pests. However, most environmentalists consider rolly pollies to be contributors to a healthy ecosystem. Given their penchant for recycling dying material, they help to temporarily remove toxins and heavy metals from the soil. Rolly pollies eat many different types of plant and animal matter. For the purposes of this article, we’ve gathered a list of 10 foods that they typically eat. 10 foods that rolly pollies like to eat include: Leaves Stems Shoots Roots Tubers Fruit Vegetables Animal feces Carrion Shed animal skin

[@channing7]

They eat every single seedling i plant.. including some of the stalks of the live plants I’ve placed in the garden.. they are 100% a pest

[@user-gq5nk9pd6j]

@@channing7 I agree. But what can you do about them. You don't want to poison your garden. Then that leads to other problems. sigh...

[@channing7]

@@user-gq5nk9pd6j I use Sluggo for now and pick them out when i can.. I only use organic solutions so that’s the best I’ve got thus far.. I’d love a stronger or more aggressive option to really knock them back but so far I haven’t heard anything else that can help..

[@MissBetsyLu]

@@channing7 try regular flour or table salt. Many blessings everyone.

[@petersoos498]

@@channing7 Working shellfish/crab-meal into your top layers of garden soil will provide a good source of organic fertilizer for your plants while also growing bacteria that breaks down the outer exoskeleton of invading rolly pollies, snails, ants etc. This is not a quick fix. Added regularly to soil it encourages the maintenance of "Chitin" eating bacteria. Hope this gives you another option. Happy Gardening from the left coast.

[@jacqibelle]

I'm growing yellow pear tomatoes for the first time in Ohio! Fingers crossed 🤞 they do well! Also trying to grow several other small tomatoes!

[@chrisward4224]

I grow them every year and I've found that you need to leave them on the vine till they turn a deep deep yellow almost orange to get the sweetness!!

[@joanthorington3593]

Lived on Charleston AFB in the mid to late 50's and absolutely love S.C. congratulations on you ,your family and garden and 4 legged children,what an amazing and knowledgeable site,thank you!

[@homesteadlove]

Yes I also watch Ryan, the biggest thing I caught from his last update. In my area a fall garden is a must this year. 😉 It's so fun to have awesome people and resources in our lives, blessed! Your garden is shaping up nicely this season. ❤

[@fendi5319]

This channel is my happy place. I’m 67 and growing my very first garden after starting to watch you over the winter. We made 2 trellises from cattle panels per your video (panels & T stakes from Tractor Supply $112 for both trellises.). Coolest thing ever. I’ve got tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and luffa all grown from seed for the trellis. I’m still in awe my seeds germinated and survived my clumsy transplanting, but the cucumbers and zucchini are just about ready to latch onto the trellis and I’m so thrilled. 🌱 🫣 😅 🥰

[@BradfordHomestead]

When you said peppers, like to hold hands, I took that much to literally, lol! I have my peppers in two to one hole. I’m not sure if I should dig them up now, or they may have become rooted together

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

I bet they will grow fine

[@ArtByKarenEHaley]

Last year my garden had lots of 12 foot sunflowers covered in purple green beans. they made a stunning combo!

[@gayleclaytor8210]

Cottage garden is gorgeous 🩷🐝🐝🐝

[@magdawind13]

This word of encouragement came at the perfect moment for me. I just had Curly Top Virus wipe out several of my tomato plants - and it was devastating to me as a first time gardener. But my sweet mother gifted me some plants to replace the ones I lost, so even though it was extremely disheartening at first, I have learned lessons and built character. It's nice to hear that perfection is not something to expect in an organic garden - because BOY mine is far from it!

[@erin2535]

Hi Magda, sorry to hear that! I had similar experiences my first couple of seasons down here in Perth, western Australia (California type climate / SoCal I think?). I had a lot of character moments too 😂 and remember the heartbreak❤. Plus I learned the value of starting seeds, at least 200%-300% of what I think I'll need. Then there's plenty to give away too - that's one definition of abundance I heard once: "Plenty for me, and enough to give away," 🎉💚🌿🎉💚🌿🎉

[@andrewhammill6148]

Happy Birthday to your son. Garden's coming along nice.

[@susanparker-heitel702]

Use corn starch instead or flour for fried okra- I actually like it better

[@wyldwuchs]

Can't wait to take a walk around your garden. Our's getting greener by the minute, too. Just had the chance to plant everything out, after our last frost finally passed in Germany. Greetings 💚

[@WillowPixi]

I love that we get to come along for the journey of your new land and your beautiful gardens. thank you Jess 😊

[@restoredhopediy]

Jess, we have Pill bugs and believe it or not mine eat my marigolds. Try putting a cut orange by the area overnight and they’ll be attracted to that and then you can wipe them off the next morning and reuse the orange. Disclaimer: This suggestion is from Angela from “Growing in the Garden” ☺️

[@alyssaspalding8005]

Crushed pork rinds as breading!! We make “fried” chicken with a pork rinds and an egg dredge while I was on carnivore, and it is amazing!! May have to crush down to a powder more than we did for smaller bites, but see if it works!!

[@amyharris7337]

Everything is beautiful! Thst cottage garden makes me swoon. Serious goals. Happy birthday, Asher!

[@fatgirlfarmsteader4824]

I'm having the pest pressure on my Holy Basil. I planted seeds on each end of my tomato bed this year. I'm glad I decided to leave it, it's growing new leaves and pushing past the pests! Also I noticed one of my peppers that was all but butchered, now producing new leaves. Thank you again for sharing your experiences. It helps me to know I'm not alone in my experiences and what I can best do about them when they happen lol Bless you! I was so excited to see a garden tour!

[@debihuntsman9314]

Jess, your gardens are stunning! I am learning so much from you. ❤❤

[@oliviagiles]

You and your family are just a big bubble of joy for me, been watching forever, love you!!!!

[@tamararobinson2069]

You made my morning Again Jess!! Thank you!💚 You’re looking Fabulous & So Healthy. QUESTION - I wonder if you’d share your health journey more in depth - I believe like 90% of us who are growing our own food are led to it because of food health issues. Without the medical community catching up - so we are in a scattered limbo of confusion on how to deal with it - seeing your recovery & respecting you so much - makes me want to pick your noggin’ for knowledge - understanding you’re not the end all - but any experience helps & honey the proof is in the pudding (prob can’t eat that😁) again I see such a difference in you❤

[@resaunders26]

Your kids are so fortunate to be able to wander out in the garden and get fresh snacks. Sweet summer melons are such a treat!

[@rainfalls2964]

💜

[@EmilyTerpening]

A year ago I watched this video and now I have Brandywine, Dr Wyche's and Aunt Molly's because of your suggestion. I can't wait to see how they produce. Thank you Jess!!!

[@jAnEl1111]

Girl thank you!!! YoUr gardening journey has been lifting my whole journey lately ❣️ thanks for sharing your light🐉🥨🐉

[@steveegbert7429]

It's always a pleasure going on a garden tour with you Jess, no matter the conditions. That's gardening! Everything looks great. We are still having nights too cool here in Oregon to plant out tomatoes and peppers but they are getting hardened off on the sunny porch. 38° F last night so a bit too cold for comfort to plant yet.

[@libbywiseman9471]

I was gifted that same sweet chicken garden ornament. Aw, my heart is so happy that we share a piece of the garden 🫶🏻

[@jo-annjewett198]

Rollie pollies ate all my green bean seedlings twice. The third planting I used Sluggo Plus and put plastic cups with the bottom cut out around each plant.

[@Hayilegna13]

At the beginning of the video I was sitting there thinking about my ONE tomatillo plant sitting in my no dig 😂 and then at the end you blew my mind with the artichoke fact ❤️‍🔥

[@dawndolinski768]

once again, what a Beautiful garden!

[@jacqibelle]

Love your coffee mug!

[@lesliesmith7312]

Collard flowers are super tasty

[@tinabloomfield7228]

Your gardens are absolutely banging right now!!! Love seeing the progress ❤

[@brendacastilow7334]

Jess you can use crushed fried pork rinds as a "flour" to fry okra. Dip in an egg wash and then into the pork rinds. Of course it's not the same as corn meal but it's a good substitute and it's carnivore.

[@monarchkitty]

I do chicken and pork chops like that...I hadn't thought to try okra.

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

Sounds fantastic!!!

[@JessieC777]

I'm excited to see the next garden tour! I think there was a hummingbird sighting in the video around 10:26 or so while you were talking about the yellow pear tomatoes 😊

[@iartistdotme]

I ADORE that you chatter on dropping tidbits of information the whole time. I always learn new things - which tomatoes need more than one plant to produce, what faciated tomatoes are, on and on, just rambling and richly spiced with info I need but didn't know I needed. Especially what you intend to use the plants for in the kitchen. That information is priceless for those that didn't grow up on a farm - a whole new way of cooking and using the harvest. Peppers are my area of least knowledge - except the bells which I grew up with. THANK YOU for chatting and sharing - you da best!

[@shannaking5176]

Love your garden. I love that you have so much variety from in ground, raised beds, high tunnels and I am loving the dwarf tomatoes. I absolutely love my dwarfs, bush varieties. Some of my previous favorite tubers have moved to all production and only grow in high tunnels. I completely understand and like seeing the high tunnels but I just love the outside gardens.

[@nanablue3748]

💚💚💚

[@danidollface20]

I have planted my green beans 4 times. The ones I started in the green house are my lone survivors. I just direct sowed my red long beans praying they leave them alone. ❤

[@michelewhite1150]

You are always so inspiring, so honest and I look for your videos every single day!!! Thank you and bless you for just being you xx

[@FairyRosee_]

Last year the pests were so horrific that I quit all gardening August - Jan. I can pick off the big ones like squash bugs and cabbage worms but the cucumber beetles, earwigs, and flea beetles will be the death of my crops! They seem immune to diatomaceous dustings too ugh!

[@deannewilliams3321]

The way I cook my artichoke is stuffed with Italian breadcrumbs … first I cut the tips/thorns off the tops of the leaves, with scissors, making it all pretty. I’ll skip the stuffing recipe this time, and get to the steaming part. You stand them up on the bottom of your Dutch oven, covered with a lid. You only want about a 3/4 - 1 inch of water in the bottom of the pot. You usually only have enough room for about 4 artichokes. Sometimes I’ll put the ends of a lemon in the water. Anyway, I steam them, covered, on low heat simmer, about 45 minutes to an hour ish… until you can easily pull off a bottom leaf. Don’t let the bottoms scorch. After they cool a bit, eat by peeling off the leaves, flip over like an upside down spoon and eat the tender bottom of the leaves. When all the leaves have been eaten, with or without stuffing, you scrape out the purple choke with a spoon and discard. The bottom you’re left with, where the leaves were attached, is the edible prize that you’ve been working towards. It’s round. Enjoy!!

[@ionlythoughtit2890]

I also eat grain free. I make a breading mix of one part each light buckwheat and tapioca with 2 parts potato flakes. I add herbs and spices. Baking sheet with oil go into a cold oven, it's then heated to 400f. Veggies go on hot sheet then sprayed with spray oil. Baked until done. Turning once.

[@farmgirl1561]

❤

[@luielulu39]

Okra is awesome grilled or even broiled in the oven.. wash & dry (do not put anything on it) grill/broil till carmelized/ little char..then after cooking hit it with salt/pepper and stuff you like..olive oil/pepper flakes/Parmesan cheese/finally graded garlic etc..& when grilling use a fish basket or use two shish kabob skewers.. thread them tip and stem for easy fast flipping!

[@lillianrushton7387]

Your garden is beautiful you do have a green I am 67 years old and still when I referred you to Rose Red Homestead she is a retired university professor in science she's amazing she has her own channel and I've learned so much from her and I trust her judgment learn so much from her and trust her judgment 100%❤

[@HeatherNaturaly]

I am actually quite jealous of your rain. I'm probably around 100 miles north of you and am pretty much under drought conditions. It has rained one day in the last 2 weeks, for about 2 hours. The weather forecast promises us rain, but it literally divides and goes around my place. My garden is surviving because it is heavily mulched in woodchips, so it retains the little moisture that we have been getting. The problem with that is pill bugs and snails...

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

11:55 We have many complaints about the issues with store bought food, but: The current food distribution system requires preventative measures to get the produce to the consumer in good condition. Those preventative measures results in lack of flavor, lack of nutrients, imbedded poisons, ect. I have to avoid store bought produce as much as possible, but I do realize why it is the way it is and don't blame the producers. We need small local farms producing to get healthy food.

[@ammorales1524]

Hi Jessie. I have started following you from your old homestead in Arkansas until your move. I did enjoy your old gardens but as I can see, you have accomplished so much development and real progress in your new home and garden in South Carolina! Congratulations! I am loving everything and I am excited to see the continuing progress of your endeavors and expertise.

[@johnowen7648]

2 million Scoville units on the Carolina Reapers. I have 20 of them growing now along with 45 different types of peppers to make ground pepper blends. This is my first year actually growing food as well. Your garden is unbelievable! I'm about 100 miles north of you and since April we've only had a half inch of rain so everyone here is struggling big time.

[@gardenhoe1000]

One thing good about no rain and heat in central Illinois zone 5 is no rain and no early blight. Thanks for the content. Be well!

[@PipMiister]

🌸

[@jessicabowen2760]

I’d love some close ups of all the perennials in the cottage garden next tour! Also maybe to see the orchard and pond iris/asparagus area you planted out there

[@marysurbanchickengarden]

Jess there are people who use uncoated aspirin dissolved in water to spray their tomatoes to treat and prevent disease. Since aspirin is made from willow it would be considered organic. I'll just take a spray bottle around with me when I'm looking around the garden. Hmmm I wonder would it work on other nightshades like potatoes and egg plants.

[@HoeIngandSowIngGardening]

I was missing the tours. Your garden and homestead are coming along so nicely. I really appreciate you sharing. - Liz🌻🌴🌸🦩🌱👍😄

[@virginiaallisonpeck2517]

Me too 🎉❤

[@wandaramirez3156]

We’ve had rain pretty much daily here in FL. I’m super new to gardening- first season. This video is inspiring and informative. Loving your content. Thank you!

[@dianaanderson6448]

I, too, would never have imagined rollie pollies were eating my new sunflower and bush bean sprouts if I hadn't witnessed them doing it. All I did was add bolting spinach leaves every few days to my bed to give them something that would decompose for food. Now they aren't touching my baby sprouts. I want them in my garden. I know they are good for my soil. It's a hot topic debate with other gardeners! 😂

[@ldpetchell]

For your fried okra use a combination of pork panko and the powdered parm cheese ( you can add spices, etc). Use it like breading. I use it for chicken nuggets and fried zucchini. After an egg wash first.

[@littlebitfarm37]

Jess, I watch your channel fairly regularly. I wanted to comment about Yellow Pear Tomato. First of all, Yellow Pear IS sensitive to differences in soil, and weather. That being said, These tomatoes are often picked when not ripe enough. A truly ripe yellow pear is deep golden yellow with no green at all. I do not mean light yellow. I mean almost orange. These tomatoes develop their sweetness late in their ripening process. They DO tend to split. However, the biggest benefit of yellow pear is that the sound tomatoes will sit on a counter for an unbelievable length of time! They also ripen very well on the counter. Even if picked green at the end of the season, they will sit on the counter, and ripen, and amazingly, sweeten to almost summer dead ripe flavor! You can find yourself eating them in January, and maybe longer. They never make it longer here! Hope this helps. Now I am headed back to the garden!

[@jcus300]

I remember growing them in southern California in the 90s with little issues, so maybe they don't like excess water and humidity?

[@DebbieC624]

I love the garden tours and the information you provide about pests. I am growing Mexican Sour Gherkins this year and wanted to know how big they should be before picking them. Pictures I’ve seen they have stripes and are way darker green than mine are. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Happy Birthday to Asher. Have a blessed day 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️💕👩🏻‍🌾

[@veggiesnblooms]

I’ve grown them for 4 yrs. I’d really recommend trying them at different sizes. They’re edible at all sizes but the tenderness and flavor changes. I like them smaller than a grape, closer to a large blueberry sized.

[@psalms125selah]

I have a protective plant method that I do for seedlings for me here in Florida, I cut a sleeve of a toilet paper roll and cut a 1/3 off and discard that and use the 2/3 section of the paper roll, and bury half in the ground and half above it, and plant zucchini's for example in the middle of it, by gently using a chopstick to place the roots down in it, and lightly pack the soil around the outer edge of the tube, and around the inside surrounding the plant, making sure to leave an inch uncovered on the inside and outside edge of the rim, It worked for keeping roley poleys from eating my seedlings in South Florida and now that I live in North Florida, I don't have roley poley issues, but cutworm issues instead, but this method works great for both and the paper will break down after many watering's after the plants have a good chance of getting up and growing! Hope this helps ya Jess and anybody else! It's cheap, nontoxic and it works! Give it a try! P.S. after the plants stalks are good and established growing, I then mulch up over the rims of the paper roll and around the plant to keep the weeds out! This same concept can be used with using paper cups with the bottoms cut out of them and placed upside down in the soil for larger seedling planter pot size, it's the same principle, your protecting the main bulk of the root masses with a paper outer structure creating a protective wall underground around the root balls till the plant establishes by putting out new feeder roots!

[@cindyfrick4860]

Sitting here in Maggie Valley enjoying these beautiful mountains. We made the short trip with Glen's Uncle. Missing my garden. This helps! Thanks Jess!!!❤❤❤

[@reallygraceful]

gorgeous gorgeous garden

[@NanaSuze77]

Love your tours Jess! ❤ It’s always a look ahead to what my little garden will soon be growing into. Inspiration for the folks up north 😊

[@amywert8088]

It's mid-June, still cold and rainy here. I'm about to go walk through my garden this evening and I can hear thunder in the distance!

[@tess5564]

Been feeling incredibly sad lately and all the beauty and life in your garden is just the medicine my heart needs.

[@alanroot9825]

Please if possible, keep me updated on your dwarf Tomato project tomatoes. I’m doing them for the first year. I’m not growing any micro dwarfs, but some of the same varieties you mentioned earlier on. Bless you you’re always such a enjoyment.

[@lonimitchell6519]

RYAN HALL YALL IS SAVING LIVES!!!!LOVE HIM

[@rooted_vine]

I haven't been able to watch your blog since January. Had a moment this morning and rather than going back, started watching this one. I saw the episode about the rollie-pollies and admittedly, I also questioned your comment about them eating seedlings. I'd never experienced that before and they're so beneficial for removing heavy metals from the soil. Last year was the first year that I used hay as mulch. Not sure if that's what contributed to the influx of rollies but they are everywhere. And because our soil is loose and organic, they are even in the soil. I've never seen that before...usually they're under and around cover. Anyway, they are devouring my seedlings before they even come up. I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it for myself. I went out one night with a flashlight to figure out what was going on and they were all over my seedlings along with slugs. I've been gardening this property with my few small raised beds for years and never had a slug issue either. This year, we're inundated with both. The slugs are all babies...no full grown slugs. It's so odd. We are in town so I can't get ducks. I'm using coffee grounds and crushed egg shells to try to deter both but the slugs just cross the shells and the rollies don't care. It's maddening. I still don't have squash, cukes, or beans and they're annihilating my tomato starts. Looking forward to future episodes and what you might discover regarding how to address this issue! For now, I'm going to put out sand and see if that helps.

[@janiceboling]

I keep thinking about those ant traps you talked about the other day. I just put them on my "supplies" list. BTW, you cottage garden is wonderful!!!! You designed it perfectly.

[@lauragillespie189]

Being middle Georgia, I feel you on the rain! I grew one tomatillo, marveled at how many blossoms I had, and never got a fruit. Then I learned I needed 2. You'd think they would put that on the tag.

[@karionhawkins3091]

❤️😃

[@erikas974]

Jess it is unbelievable within 2 years your garden is so lush. I moved to my "mini farm" 5 years ago but it is very slow to catch up with yours. Of course I do everything by myself maybe that's why. Looking forward to spend time in your garden. 🌻🌻🌻

[@kirstenleah84]

Thank you jess..❤

[@lisamaria5867]

I jus love ya Jess sister u make me laugh out loud 😂 thank you for all your time and teachings they are changing my life ❤

[@FieldsOfGold149]

Congratulations you have grown tremendously since I first watched you four years ago down in Arkansas. It was nice then when you and Miah chatted quit a lot in a live chat it was fun to watch a little more personal back then , you know me by another name .. went to School I first grade in Ward. ??? Take care . I was glad to see Miah starting his own channel! Wise he does very well on instructional videos.keep going and keep growing! 🥦🥥🍈🍌🍏🍎🍉🍒🥝🥬🌽🥕🫒🥒🍅🍑🍇🍐🍊🍓🥭🍆🧄🧅🫑🥑🍍🫐🍋💙

[@sabina2903]

Yellow pear tomatos were allways the first to get sick at our place. But last year we planted them in high tunel and they were a hugh success 🥰