My most FAVORITE Garden Job (Plucking Potatoes) | VLOG

[@sharonrickards3297]

When you said the word "treasure" whilst digging your taters, your boys came to mind. When you plant the next crop of taters, place a small, waterproof container or two somewhere along a new row. Place some cash in them (what you feel is appropriate for their chores). And at the next harvest time, let them know that they are going on a treasure hunt for cold, hard cash. Might get them a little more motivated! Two birds with one stone.

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

What a fun idea!!

[@sandradelvecchio6894]

I’m going to do that with my granddaughter!

[@carlagarrett8584]

Hilarious! I wish I'd had that.

[@susanmartin870]

What a great idea

[@Detmold1965]

Awesome idea👍

[@bluebirdhomestead]

I have to agree with you that anytime I can harvest something that is buried beneath the surface it is always so much fun! I love the surprise that it brings. 😀

[@davegilford1257]

I know you'll think this is pretty dumb but I'm new to gardening at the ripe old age of 68! I don't have a big area but was very much inspired by you and a few others to grow some of my own food. Today I took one of the raised beds my mate and I built and I made hoops for it. No big deal, you may say, but I feel like I just built the fern house in Kew Gardens!!! Thanks so much for all your support and encouragement 👍👍👍

[@kellybergeron5526]

I made my first ever batch of refrigerator pickles with the cucumbers from my own garden. Using your gardening guidance and your pickle recipe, I am having great success! Thank you Jess, for teaching and inspiring me!!

[@grammi-d]

Congratulations!

[@kristinturner2812]

Where did you find her pickle recipe?

[@kellybergeron5526]

@@kristinturner2812Hi. This recipe is from her previous video called "Easy Fridge Pickles".

[@skyangel6336]

Are they sweet or Dill?

[@kellybergeron5526]

@@skyangel6336 I put dill which was optional and left out sugar, because I wanted dill pickles. I think, depending on your chosen spices and sugar, they can be made to be either dill or sweet pickles.

[@catherinefoster1481]

This vlog brought back so many memories of my mom and I digging up her potatoes. She's 97 now and because of her dementia doesn't remember - but I do. We'd laugh the entire time just enjoying the time together. Too many tears flowing right now! Thank you Jess! ❤

[@deborahlawing2728]

I ,too, have pleasant memories of my mom at age 92 pulling weeds in my garden. No chop and drop for her. She made sure to get the roots out by golly.

[@grammi-d]

If you are planning to plant more, it sounds like I can start now 😁 I had a fan girl moment a couple of weeks ago, when I was driving through South Carolina and realized, "oh Jess is here" ~ I kid you not, the very next exit was yours! The fan girl said, "turn turn turn!", hahaha, but the practical grandma said, "and do what?" You keep on keeping on." Happy 4th!

[@maimaz2910]

This was so cute to read ❤️ you seem like a wonderful person! Making me miss my grandma ❤️❤️ may God bless you endlessly with so much love and joy

[@riamcnabb3133]

Just had to pause your video and say I loved how you were talking to your son about the bugs. You are such a great and patient mom. !!! I love watching and learning from your family.

[@taylorkettler5884]

I love that Miah whistled at you, My Fiance does the same to me in public and I adore it! lol Your parenting is something to look up to, such a good mamma!

[@dianaderoche9312]

My earliest memory as a child was pulling potatoes with my Grandmother and Great Grandmother, I may have been 3 years old and yet I remember it with such clarity. 50 years later I still enjoy plucking potatoes and think of my Grandmother's every time and of course wishing they could share more wisdom with me. I grew up in the garden and still follow my Grandmother's advice. I'd like to think she's looking down on me with joy while I'm in the garden and happy that I am still doing what she taught me.

[@Detmold1965]

Dug up some volunteer potatoes today. You're right. It feels like finding treasure. Very excited to be growing food 😊

[@amandahatfield5902]

@Jess hubby and I planted our garden over the weekend. It was alot of work and very tiring,but alot of gratification also knowing we are one step closer to not relying on the broken food chain... I love watching your videos. Bless you and the family.

[@twistedponies7480]

I loved the lesson for Ezra today. I have seen that look when doing icky chores….it changes over time or did with my son. He could run this farm by himself and has when his Gma was in the hospital 500 miles away. He’s 21 next month 😊 You’re a great example of a mom who thinks of her children always. Love love love ❤️ ❤️❤️

[@Rebecca.Robbins]

I love digging potatoes as well! Although I'm 51 years old, and every garden I have ever planted has had potatoes in it, it ALWAYS reminds me of helping my grandparents dig them. They used to sell their potatoes on the farm, so there were a lot of potatoes to dig. So much of my love of gardening relates directly back to my grandparents, who I desperately miss to this day. Growing up next door to them was such a gift. Now that I'm a grandmother myself, I am sure to get my grandchildren in the garden every chance I get! They love it!

[@cheriekreusel3756]

My joy for the day is meeting my grand daughter for the very first time! 3 sons and 3 grandsons and a then this little beautiful blessing arrived. I can't wait! Happy Independence Day!

[@Sonshine1038]

Back in the 1970's when I was a kid my grandfather grew potatoes commercially. He would load us up in the back of his truck and haul us to the fields. We picked up potatoes and got paid 10 cents per bushel. We worked hard but it was satisfying getting paid at the end of the day. We packed a lunch but If we got hungry we could help ourselves to fresh warm tomatoes on the vine or a raw potato or two. Hard work but good memories. He grew for Conn's Potato Chips of Zanesville for one. He grew along the river in Stockport, Ohio.

[@amandablalock3191]

I grew potatoes for the first time last year and we (my husband, myself, and our 3 young kids) had a blast digging them up! We also said it was like digging for treasure! I planted about triple what I did last year mainly because of how much fun we had.

[@judydrouhard2651]

I use to dig potatoes with my dad. It was one my favorite things to do also🥰

[@wendybautista2526]

Ms. Jess i just happened to find you on utube accidentally while recovering from covid. I am 55 yrs old live in miami and cannot wait to retire and find a few acres to live the life youre living (on a smaller scale”. You really apoke to me and everything you said is exactly what my husband and i have been doing we have 5 chickens we adore them. We have a small garden and have been practicing for a few years getting ready for a big change from city life we absokutely hate. We are staying in florida but want to move to central FL where theres farm land. Thank you for all of your advice!!

[@Kight213]

I sure wish I could have been digging with you. That is my absolute favorite job in the garden. Thanks for letting us go with you.

[@alisharhc]

My joy for the day was my first little harvest of tomatoes (Napa Rose Blush cherry tomatoes are delish!!!) and watching my kids play in the sprinkler they snagged from the garden. Sweet 4th even though I am battling this nasty cold.

[@julidalton9914]

Wow your space is REALLY coming together nicely! I love planting potatoes each year, just to find the treasures too-it is a fun job! This is a great way to plant potatoes- you continue to teach us so much Jess, THANK YOU!

[@laurenloertscher1319]

See, this is why I like this channel. Wholesome lady with sweet kids dorking out about digging potatoes. What could be more fun than that??

[@Grubby4894]

I just came in house from working in the garden, milked goats@ 5 am then garden time! Then I have roots and refuge video a wonderful way to start July 4, thank you as always🌻

[@meemkaplan4315]

Right? It's like a present every time I see there's a new vlog!!!

[@miss_mish]

I really love how you spoke to your son about the bugs and the benefits of them.

[@laurielyon1892]

I understand how you feel harvesting them. I feel that way about sweet potatoes. Last year was the first year I grew them. Now this year I’m growing them again, but this year from slips I grew from my own sweet potato.

[@DjChelan]

Good morning! I just love when you giggle with excitement! So warms my heart! Seeing these potatoes harvested is such a miracle to me! God Bless America!

[@paulblankenship7865]

Watering them good the day before makes the soil easier to work with. Digging taters with little people is one of the most wonderful things this side of heaven.

[@wheretheashwoodsgrow]

I had no idea they made small greenstalks. Thank you, for sharing!

[@lynzysconstitutionalcrashc7836]

I planted 9 seed potatoes in 3 large pots, they all currently have flowers. (Potato flowers are so pretty!!!) Can't wait to see what's been going on in those pots!!

[@bethgaither1214]

I would love to do this! How large is your pot and what type soil/dirt do you use? Thanks!

[@Jaynes-Path]

I'm trying for the first time too. I used potting soil to have soft soil. I have lots of green and a few buds are starting to form. I can't wait to see the flowers and hopefully a bunch of potatoes underneath when they die back.

[@Junkinsally]

@@bethgaither1214 -Potting soil with added compost will work and the bigger the pot the bigger.

[@nicolelarson988]

Digging potatoes is like opening up a present on Christmas Day. Sure, you have an idea of what you’ll find, but nature always has a way of surprising you.

[@debiebrumley3104]

I got so many onions this year, I fermented and put some in the freezer. I thank you for teaching me !

[@sydneykasmar]

Your potato crops are doing amazing and thank you so much for posting on a holiday!

[@melissasullivan1658]

My favorite garden activity is hand pollinating tomatoes with an electric toothbrush while I listen to my favorite shows on Netflix like one of those old radio theater programs. Pure bliss!

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

Once you get started growing potatoes you can't stop. Not only do you always miss some that end up sprouting later but when a stored potato starts to sprout it's just begging to be planted in an empty spot. And harvesting is like treasure hunting!

[@beckyblack601]

Jess, I started watching your videos during the shutdown. You have taught and inspired me so much. Although I live in a condo and have a very small area in my courtyard that I can plant, I'm able to grow 5 indeterminate tomatoes, 4 red pepper plants, and 12 herbs along with some flowers. It has been such a joy to learn from your tomato video and grow tomatoes vertically. I've also changed my clay and rock soil to great black soil full of worms by composting from my kitchen. I wanted to share a tip I found for keeping predators away from my basil (since you mentioned your basil was being eaten). I noticed my basil was getting a lot of holes in the leaves. When I cut an onion, I put the top and bottom slice on the dirt near the basil and covered it with mulch. It's been two weeks and there are no new holes in the basil. These onion pieces were just scrap so there was no cost and of course no chemicals. Thanks for all you share with us. I love watching your farm and family grow. ~ Becky

[@happyheartgardening]

I love how you explain everything to the kids... You explain in such a way that they learn to respect the earth.

[@mountaincreekhomestead]

I've been picking my first potatoes the past two weeks. I planted mine in a 100 Gallon raised Fabric bed, I'm loving it🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔😁👍

[@lisahenry1467]

I so enjoy pulling potatoes! I bought a small bag of organic Yukon gold from Aldi and planted them once they sprouted. We hilled them up with homemade compost and worm castings. That 24 oz bag yielded a 4 gallon bucket full! They came out mostly clean and dry. So satisfying! God gives us joy in our work. ❤️🌱

[@happypappy]

Jess, you’re the best! I am growing potatoes for the first time ever in my life in my 62 years! I am growing them this year in 15 gallon grow bags. I bought 10 of them, blue and green, cuz my garden always have to have a colorful artistic twist, kind of like yours. I planted my year in zone 6B March 26, in Independence Missouri. And they are ready to harvest bag by bag. My first four harvests a bag at a time have been really good between three and 5 pounds of potatoes in each bag. I really liked adding the soil as they grew in the grow bags! And I have five GreenStalks because of you and Gardner Scott! Thank you with all your beautiful large and expanding Homestead farming you’re still just remembering us ordinary backyard gardeners and you teach us so much!

[@lauragarmon6969]

This is my second year growing potatoes thanks to one of Jess’ earlier potato growing videos. My family and I love the results. Who knew potatoes could be this delicious?!

[@hidawayhomestead524]

Sometimes I just have to watch your videos more the once! Stay safe and God bless you my friends. 🌱 🐇🐄🐐🐖🐓🌱 Lisa

[@naturallawhealth9272]

The gentle way you speak to your son brings me joy. thank you~

[@idahohoosier8989]

Y'all's joy warms my heart. Y'all are a special lady, great mom, wife and human. Keep up the great life. Blessings, julie

[@citizenoftheninthdivision]

You have such an infectious smile Jess. You always brighten up our day in this house. 💙

[@chasingmoonlightfarm]

We planted 2, 3x30ft rows of red pontiac(determinate variety..so no hilling), and got 240lbs!! We are blown away. First time growing potatoes. Eeeeekkkk! SO fun! Now to can them and make all the things. 😂

[@lispottable]

I love your sons face when you explained the benefit of bugs in your garden.

[@susanprice3454]

I love digging potatoes too! It's like a grown up Easter egg hunt. And those fresh dug potatoes and almost as sweet as candy. Fresh english peas or green beans and fresh potatoes are my favorites.

[@Junkinsally]

I’ve always enjoy digging potatoes as well! I have a gigantic volunteer potato plant in my compost pile! I have resisted digging in to check on the bounty, but hoping it makes me proud with lots of yummy potatoes!

[@rachelfrees1268]

Digging potatoes was my favorite. Your way of planting them yielded so many more than tilling etc.💕

[@WildOrchardOasisFarm]

My 4 year old granddaughter and I harvested half of our potatoes yesterday and it was so satisfying. Should have heard her squeal with joy when she found the "pink" and purple ones. Now she knows where french fries come from. LOL We got a bushel and found enough sprouting to plant more. Our first frost is usually in December. 🤠🙏🥰

[@OrganicMommaGA]

Thank you for sharing your lovely potato digging with us! We planted 3 old grocery store Yukon Golds several months ago (in a large container) and though we did not get a "giant harvest", we more than doubled what we planted. It was our first time growing the nightshade variety of potatoes (I have grown sweet potatoes before) and we feel blessed to have had some success growing potatoes in containers. We live in the northern third of Georgia, so we weren't sure how nightshade potatoes would do here. Because of limited space and working through some mobility issues, we opted to grow most of our root crops in containers and it is a delight to be able to harvest without fear that any got left behind. :)

[@michelestarkey5564]

I went out to do some work on my tomatoes on Saturday and found that I had enough green beans ready to have with dinner that night. So of course, I had to hit up one of my grow bags of potatoes where the leaves were starting to die back and I got enough new potatoes to have with the beans:)!! And I went down to where a neighbor let me plant corn this season and my corn is starting to tassle!!! I am soooooo excited!!!!!!!

[@dianecharles881]

Oh I loved seeing you pull up all the potatoes, what an awesome harvest. If I get a break in the heat I’m going to grow them the way suggest, a friend gave me hay last year and I’m looking forward to doing the way you just did ! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. Happy 4th ❤️

[@rainmomad1103]

We are so grateful for you and your content. We were inspired to plant ground cherries based on your videos, and were blessed to have volunteer ground cherries this year (which we refer to as the blessing bushes). It has been a goal of ours to make salsa from ingredients in our garden. We have dedicated a plastic swimming pool raised bed to this dream, but have had trouble getting our tomatillos to fruit. Based on inspiration from your videos, we found a basic recipe for salsa using ground cherries as the main ingredient (instead of tomatillos). We experimented with this recipe tonight to GREAT SUCCESS! It was Heavenly. We wanted to share our blessing bush story with you because it's because of you that we grow everything we do in our suburban back yard. Much love to you, sweet lady!

[@imahappygal1]

I fully understand your joy in digging….potatoes.😁👏🏻

[@blueheronfarm3818]

Listening to you give Ezra the “bug speech” and remembering your squeals at last seasons bug and worm encounters really gave me a giggle.

[@DeconstructionBarbie91]

Was that Miah whistling 😉. My hubby does this to me when walking around the farm and it makes me smile every time. Love getting to see those sweet moments between loving people ❤️

[@Thetimecapsuletx]

When I was a kid, I use to love to eat the tiny pea sized taters. We lived across the street from a big potato field when they use to grow them on Long Island. The farmer would till them up and leave the tiny ones. We would rub the dirt off and eat them raw. Such a treat!

[@laurapote2254]

I have just harvested my first potatoes (from six pots) and while the quantity wasn't amazing it really was like digging for buried treasure!! now I know I can grow potatoes!! the next batch is hitting as I type!! thank you jess for being such an encouraging teacher...

[@jennenegludovatz3364]

Jess I love how you teach kindness and respect for insects and wildlife to your children. I have grown potatoes for years and never heard of this method of planting potatoes definitely will be trying this method next time💕🙏🏻🇨🇦

[@debbiep7419]

Just finished processing my second batch of pickles in as many days (and did some quick fridge radish pickles, too). It gives me such joy and a feeling of satisfaction. Digging potatoes looks like hunting for buried treasure!

[@emdorris3319]

Happy 4th of July! I’ve been growing my potatoes in buckets. It is very satisfying to dump those buckets and see the harvest.

[@meledmondson9020]

Jess! I can't express the impact you have had in my fams lives. I'm from New England & moved to the Midlands SC in 2020. From the city to the country. From tiny yard to 5 acres of transitioning, learning (mostly by mistake) from public school to now home schooling my kiddos & most importantly growing & maintaining a closer relationship with the Boss above. Thank you & Miah for y'all's dedication to making change. Xo BlessYall

[@meledmondson9020]

Incidentally, not sure how you wear summer clothes down here. Ugh. The fire ants would be feasting on my tootsies if I wore sandals. From the insects, I feel like I wear more layers down yonder than I did in a snow storm up North 🥵

[@jackcsaffell5641]

Happy Fourth of July Ms. Jessica. I noticed that you have some red, white, and blue potatoes. Wonder if a patriotic potato salad is in order? I grow a lower carb potato called Nicola. It is yellow and delish. Hope you guys have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July. God Bless America and the Sowards Homestead.

[@GetToTheFarm]

we use Huckleberry gold - which is also a lower carb yellow flesh variety- it has a rich purple skin and is very tasty!!!

[@margaretdale7186]

Perfect time for the sale. I've been wanting another and got one for my daughter-in-law for her birthday.

[@krislange1186]

Planting potatoes is one of my favorite things. It's like a "grab bag" - you never know what you are going to get.

[@karen_james]

My area here in Canada has had so much rain, which is nice for my water bill, but I’ve had enough of the rain. My potatoes are just starting to flower and I’m getting so excited for harvest. Can wait! ❤️😊

[@trishiatripp8871]

Thanks for helping me with more stackers. My rabbit eats so much out of the one I currently have but the strawberry runners are being bullies... So awesome to watch nature.

[@NanaP217]

Potato’s are my favorite vegetable to plant now. This was my first year to plant potatoes. I planted 9 seed potatoes and got about 30lbs. I planted mine in a raised bed and left like I was digging for gold it was so exciting. I have canned some and now have them in a box covered with newspaper to dry out. Hoping to plant a fall crop. Can you show us how you store your potatoes????

[@susieclark1498]

Jess, you need a scale in the greenhouse. I love harvesting potatoes even from bags. It's always a surprise.

[@diannasills217]

My favorite thing to harvest also. It’s like hunting for Easter Eggs. Take care Jess

[@cargold7597]

Love your smile and joy with your potato harvests. I have planted 3 15 gal grow bags. Flowers are just starting, but got pelted with rain last night. Excited to one day see how many I grew.

[@deannewilliams3321]

You read my mind about using green stalks for those in a seated position and only stacking 3 high. I’m also loving all those paths around your greenhouse! I had my second run in with a snake a couple of days ago, be careful out there! Mine were both king snakes, non venomous, good to keep around, but still… ew lol. Good to see your son wearing proper socks & shoes 👍🏻

[@gardeninjake]

I just came in from the garden from digging my Kennebec potatoes and out of a 10 foot by 2 foot bed I got 36 pounds of taters. My Red Pontiacs got a disease of some sort a couple months ago and I went ahead and dug them up. Same size bed and I didn't weigh them but only had 4 or 5 pounds of new potatoes. But that was more than what I planted so it was still a win.

[@susanclark7872]

My great joy today was having a cookout with my childhood friend, Robin and our new neighbors Alicia and Bill. Alicia and I have bonded over our gardens. Alicia and I in our separate gardens are growing an incredible variety of vegetables. We are also helping each other troubleshoot gardening issues. Happy July 4th.

[@sueglovan8344]

You are such a sweet momma. Love your relationship with them.

[@vonniemerriam974]

My favorite thing to grow and harvest too! Like Christmas in July....never know what you're gonna get til you unwrap (pull off the straw) those puppies!!!

[@lustraveller717]

This is my first try at growing potatoes and it definitely won't be my last. They are so easy to grow and so tasty. I harvested some Yukon gold potatoes early and made mashed potatoes last night and they were so creamy. I also harvested some silver slicer cucumbers and want to thank you for recommending them. They are so good. Thanks so much for all you do for the gardening/homesteading community. Enjoy your day and happy 4th!

[@ROCKPILEOffgridHomestead]

Ah… the bliss of a good audiobook and an enjoyable job out in the garden ahead of you ❤️

[@jamesbrown8718]

I love watching you in the garden Jess you get so excited and the smile on your face just tells how much you enjoy being in your realm of choice. You have gotten some really nice potatoes from that style of gardening. I have never tried them this way but I think for fall I am going to give this a try and just see how many potatoes I can get out of my little raised bed. Happy Fourth of July to you and your family. Can’t wait to see how many potatoes you actually got out of the garden when you are finished.

[@8thcelisabeth]

Mine too! I did a video of my dig I'll post later today, but the camera is on the digging potatoes itself. Something special about catching sight of those first taters. I'll post it late today. Digging potatoes is meaningful for me, it's a task I did with my grandfather and my first gardening love. I treasure my grandparents so much. Thanks for this video. I could watch people dig taters all day lol.

[@Beecozz7]

I too love digging potatoes, never gets old, each plant is a new mound of treasure!!! TY Jess !

[@MyHumbleNest]

Potatoes are life! They add such loveliness to nearly every meal and they are king when it comes to filling the bellies of boys! Much love and Happy Independence Day 🇺🇲 from Idaho! 🥔🥔🥔

[@mlee7037]

I have only grown potatoes twice, but I love harvesting them and carrots. The mystery of what you will find is so enticing!❤️

[@Kristen_2319]

Maya whistling at Jess just made my day 😂❤️

[@ktd3166]

I grew in bags.. BUT, I get so much satisfaction in digging potatoes even out of a bag. It's like a treasure hunt.

[@gatherandshare]

Potatoes are easily one of my favorites to harvest. The uniqueness of the shapes and sizes never cease to amaze. Happy Independence Day!

[@GeekWaresASMR]

Jess your joy is infectious 🥰

[@debwiley3914]

My sons were here to celebrate the 4th - my town does a huge fireworks display. As it was getting on for evening, I told them we had some chores to do before we left the house. One of those was watering the garden. My son (whose favorite vegetable is zucchini) chose to water the garden. He did not do a good job on the peppers, so I'm hopeful that God will do a better job this morning. We are expecting thunderstorms all morning, and my budget could stand the break. The same son also cooked the blueberry pie filling we used for cobbler for supper last night. Given that my sons have fairly significant autism, he was proud of his accomplishments. He ran into the woman who cut his hair, and told her he made the cobbler. I love fostering that level of independence and growth.

[@dancnluc1]

We always grow alot of potatoes. This year we cut back. I love going out and digging them up.

[@LyndseyMacPherson]

I so love that you love digging potatoes. So there with you. It's like finding treasure!

[@TheRuckFarm]

This is SO satisfying! I had to take advantage of the GreenStalk sale and order what will be my #3 & #4 GreenStalk planters. I love them so so much even though I have a decent size in-ground vegetable garden. My potatoes just flowered and I’m patiently waiting to harvest them. It’s my first year growing them! 🥔

[@poetryandpower263]

I'm with you on digging potatoes, so reminiscent of childhood Easter egg hunts, similar shapes, an outside thing in spring, finding joy in an edible treasure mixed with magic...

[@lindamurns1245]

Who doesn't just love this girls attitude!

[@WickedAwesomeGardening]

I should be picking potatoes in a couple weeks and I can’t wait!!!!! It’s always such a surprise! :)

[@KathysTube]

My first attempt at taters in pots... can't wait to see if I did it right... looking good for now. Happy 4th 🇺🇸❤️

[@mmegraham]

Taters, precious taters! Your potato digging joy is almost palpable. Yay!!!

[@scandimama]

Such a great way to grow potatoes. One of my favorite crops to grow and store! Thanks for sharing your joy, Jess!

[@jaimebudzynski1131]

This video made me all the more excited about planting potatoes later this year, thanks for sharing!

[@tytheplantguy]

The excitement in your face while picking those potatoes makes me so eager to plant mines. I loved this video.❤