Early Summer Garden HARVEST (So much food!) | 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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[@marissashelley2362]

Jess...Don't know if it matters but my Gramps was a farmer who fed 16 people for over 80 years. He agreed with you that you MUST leave some stem on the cukes so they will last a bit longer after harvesting. The smaller kids weren't allowed to harvest because we didn't do it properly!!! He also insisted on adding some ice to the water they were soaking in because he believed that helped to bring out the crispy for longer. 😊 Thanks for the memories!!! ❤

[@evalinawarne1337]

My mom did too add ice. Specially, when she prepared our dinner salad ahead of time. A couple ice cubes in the bag. Nice and crispy. Fond memories. Thank you for sharing. It is Important. GOD BLESS YOU.

[@katherineb6102]

A garden also can teach us how to accept "failure", learn from it and try again.

[@misstrcarter]

When you make your ratatouille, the best thing you can ever make to accompany it (besides a nice crusty bread) is an Afghani cilantro chutney to drizzle over top of the individual bowls. It takes that dish to 5 star levels. There are tons of recipes out there, but I typically use cilantro, jalapeno, walnuts, garlic cloves, pepper, salt and vinegar. It is bright, acidic and spicy if you use a lot of jalapeno and makes you wonder how you have ever eaten ratatouille without it before. I don't measure but it should be the consistency of pesto or chimichurri and I make it to taste. It stores for a long time so I make it when cilantro is in season and it is waiting for us when the ratatouille ingredients are ready to harvest.

[@mrs.lady.bird2]

I am a relatively new gardener and Jess's talk about buying it verses growing it and the cost difference reminds me of something I say every year as I plant. I'm doing it even if it isn't perfect and as long as I get 1 piece of food from a plant, I call it a win!

[@jackcsaffell5641]

Hi Ms. Jessica. Leaving the tails on the Silver Slicers totally makes sense to me. As a crazy rose person it's popular to re-cut a rose stem under water to prevent an air bubble in the stem. We do this especially when we are showing our roses and need them to keep their form throughout the day. So keeping the cut tails on the slicers and giving the water a "straw" to get back into the cucumber sounds, to me, brilliant. God bless this homestead.

[@pamelab.4731]

Awesome 👏🏻 PLEASE include some of your squash recipes, that you’re making for dinner, on the Farmers Table. THANKS!! 🙏🏻

[@Silver-ursa]

Your basil plants are so wonderful and it made me smile to see the eggplants

[@gardenstatesowandsew]

Beautiful and I’m glad you can share too ❤ nothing beats home grown. Nothing beats the peaceful feeling of the garden

[@karincope3019]

I add a fresh grape leaf in my pickles and they help keep them crunchy, I also nip off the blossom end . I put up 100 plus pound of Dills and 50 pound of sweet mixed . I just pickled 11 pints of Asparagus this am and last night put up 30:jars of Strawberry jam .

[@Apothikerry]

Wow! You’re a machine… that’s amazing! 👏🏻

[@stephanieganas6872]

What a harvest! I love to make squash pancakes with yellow or zucchini squash, I grate the squash, add one egg per squash grated, some salt and a little pepper and about 1/4 cup flour and mix. Fry in a combo of a pat of butter and some oil. My grandma would eat them on buttered toast. In Greece they add feta cheese to the mix . They are so yummy, enjoy.

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

Mmmm yum! We do something similar but call them fritters

[@Sara-gz7fm]

Yes! Zucchini fritters are delicious. My kids love them too!

[@cindy-ki8ex]

I am gardening this year but am having a knee replacement so it is slow going. I put in 6 raise beds 3 years ago and i have 3 greenstocks. I put a chair in the garden this year so i could take brakes and stay there longer. Should have green beans soon. One of my gerrnstalks has nothing but green beans and i can sit on my chair to pick them. Thanks for your gardening videos. They keep me wanting to garden.

[@elizabethlink3993]

💚 What a beautiful harvest, Jess! The garden looks so lush. 💚

[@shamancarmichael5305]

So nice to see the abundance flowing from the garden once again! 🌱🍆🌶🍓

[@johnhansen8272]

By the way, thanks for returning to producing videos! I try to watch all of your videos because I still pick up interesting things even after gardening for many years myself. We can all always learn something right? Today I learned my peppers have completely failed, and that my fanatic soaking of my harvest has been the right thing to do and I have probably been harvesting my cucumbers wrong. So thanks again! We are in it now!

[@bhavens9149]

woo hoo! thank you for posting today, needed a garden vid.

[@dawnwilliams8766]

Me too! Yay!

[@barbaramix1683]

Gardening is such great cheap entertainment. It is great exercise. I lost 20 pounds last year without changing anything else. Having fresh food without the trip to the grocery store is so awesome. It cuts the cost of my grocery store visits too. My husband can pick strawberries every morning for his breakfast. I had tried to get him to eat more fruit for 18 years. Fresh fruit just tastes better. I can't believe that three year ago, I didn't even garden. Thanks for introducing me to gardening. I bless you.

[@RachelTsTime]

I agree for the most part except I gained with after gardening haha That was the goal for me, though. I learned to cook delicious food with great ingredients

[@kayleenvanderhorst]

Got to meet you all Sunday (6/30) at Murray Fest Midwest! It was amazing! Thank you for all you do! Love you both so much and sending you so much positivity! Safe travels home! ❤

[@debsenritchedrefuge603]

Always such a joy to hang out with you in your glorious garden, Jess! Looking forward to special time with you this coming week!

[@mariezafonte6473]

Jess, we stuff the baby eggplants with garlic and pieces of cheese and cook in a tomato sauce. I picked my first basil today and am enjoying how devine it smells.

[@msmaddox2918]

Hi Jess! What an amazing harvest! Now I wish I had grown some eggplant this year! I love Spicy Laotian Eggplant with sticky rice or jasmine rice. It is so good!

[@WelcometomyCapeCodlife]

A beautiful harvest!❤

[@celestethomas8091]

Something I loved to cook is a groton, but using eggplant, tomato, zucchini, squash, onion and garlic with plenty of olive oil and herbs. Let it roast for a long time in the oven till the veggies are silky.

[@donnamays24]

I would be putting up pesto with all that gorgeous basil! Great haul!

[@karenm5681]

Thanks for this,Jess. I enjoyed it.

[@anasimental9791]

The light green zucchini is very popular in the north of Mexico 🇲🇽, I grew those every year here in central Kansas and I like to pick them up when they are small , they are delicious.

[@huertamipequenoeden9425]

All I could Say is woooow.

[@dhansonranch]

Great harvest!!! I leave my zucchini get very large because they will keep on the shelf longer - and besides, you can do more baking with them...plus Zucchini Marmelade...so good and it's really good on vanilla ice cream too! LOL. I also pickled some zucchini spears last year and they turned out quite nice. Last year, I did a full monetary analysis of what I harvested from the garden - it confirmed what I thought - saves big money....added benefits aside. Great video Ma'am!

[@claudiaschneider357]

Made your basil tea yesterday's. Amazingly cooling.. Can't thank you enough. Can't believe I never thought if that.

[@deannarooff6031]

After your basil tea video I made a jar of basil mint tea. I have never done this and it is so wonderful!

[@hollyu48]

Jess try freeze drying grated squash it’s an easy add to baking , meatloaf, soup, chili etc. gets some extra nutrients into every day foods

[@francestaylor9156]

Yah I gotta do that with my basil plants. Some of them are getting pretty tall. Picked a bunch of cucumbers today and yesterday. Mostly because I keep wanting the cucumber plant to produce. Been super busy with taking care of kids. I need to process the cucumbers asap.

[@LuvBritTV]

Love this video, in Canada we have a fairly short growing season, and basil is an annual. I am new to gardening, last year only did sweet peppers and green beans, but they were a success. Learned how to make pesto, it was great but I tried to grow it inside as it got colder and brought in these white flies I think you call them... what a disaster trying to get rid. So this year is my experiment year, learning that radishes don't like rich soil, and no you can't let your carrots go un-thinned! Also found out onions can stunt a bean's growth if grown too close... what a learning curve! Got beets and parsnips going too, and lettuce, Three or four Roma tomato plants and a dwarf Tiny Tim but I planted 3 of them in a window box type container, so far they look good, but I hope they'll survive this way!? Got some hot peppers started but not sure with our cold then hot then cool, then hot weather of late if they'll just never produce fruit. But I'm loving it and I'm 70 and alone so it keeps me moving! I plan to try learning to can with the tomatoes, bought the jars and kit and pray for me I don't give myself botulism! I did buy a book on it, and will follow the rules. Going to look at your other channel which I didn't know you had... you are an amazing young woman, and I love your accent! ♥

[@pedepy]

When you’re wondering if new roots and refuge has dropped

[@HorseyGal4ever]

Your farm and gardens are so beautiful, you guy's have done a phenomenal job at building it up. Impressive, dear Jess and Miah!😍

[@WillowsDream]

Eggplant is great in ratatouille and you can also make fritters with them.

[@janenichols3880]

I’m in awe of your harvest! Wish I had such success here in Tucson! I will do better in my fall garden season. 110 degrees is challenging!❤Blessings!❤

[@emilygardner]

love these videos!

[@thegrowinggardener]

Have you ever preserved your basil as pesto? That’s my favorite thing to use it for. I’ve made a years batch of pesto and frozen it in ice cubes to use when I need. We love it on chicken, fish, pasta, pizza, BLTs chicken sandwiches 😋

[@robingreany899]

Love watching you in your garden. ❤️

[@JB-ks2wh]

Jess you are "out of this world" great, smart, sweet etc.... You hit right on que to what I need answers to & pretty much you always do and have 😊 be careful in this heat ❤️💜🙏

[@kristinem9171]

It wont be less pricey after dehydrated, a ounce dried go for around $5 in the spice aisle of the grocerys store! Spices and herbs really stack up when you cook all your own food and season everything!

[@D4ni3773]

Great video!

[@elisabethmellinger5106]

You can add the eggplants to your ratatouille as well 😊.

[@karencoyle3011]

I used to love harvesting with my wheelbarrow or my 4-wheeled garden cart, even for relatively small amounts. Those darn baskets get so heavy!

[@GrandmaSandy]

Oh my God it is so hot. I can bring Breeze here in Southern California. Get out of the car yet so far. I love watching you get out there and get it all done. You are amazing.

[@TheCleverlibrarian]

I love ratatouille !!! I wait till the summer every year

[@karincope3019]

My mom would grate and freeze zucchini on sheet trays then bag up , it went into everything to help bulk it up, make a pound of burger feed our family of 6, went j to cakes/squats and cookies we never knew , could you Grate squash and either freeze or freeze dry and add to everything ?

[@escapingtinman]

I love this ! So helpful as the abundance comes in 😍

[@debbevasquez9945]

Just ordered your 2 books. I look forward to reading through them.

[@southernyankeebeauty15]

So I had several squash plants self seed this year no clue what kind and I just saw the first baby fruit and it’s yellow and green and I noticed that is what you have as well. So I’m excited to know it’s something have way normal.

[@Junkinsally]

Love the garden haul videos! I grew the long white eggplant a couple of years ago and made pickled eggplant and it’s fantastic. The recipe is on the Ball Canning recipe website.

[@bridgetmcgowan4584]

I’ve got a small pot of beans and greens cooking. Even if it’s 500* outside doesn’t bother me in the slightest. Sometimes I’ll make polenta and plop some in the center of a bowl. Today I’m going to add cooked pasta to a bowl. Your cucumbers look so beautiful. Enjoy all deliciousness from your harvests.

[@lisamaria5867]

The light green zucchini is called Turkish zucchini here in Germany ❤

[@jessicacross4268]

Love your channel and fun garden. I'm in the Columbia area. Would love it if you did more "what to plant when" videos... Or seasonal garden task videos for this area.

[@vvbbvvbb2595]

Harvest timeeee🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@marianweber831]

Thank you Jess. I have these cucumbers growing now and I had hip replacement so I can't tend to them so have husband harvesting . My daughter came over to get some cucumbers and wanted to know how to pickle them. I must say I have never done it. Can you tell me where I can find one of your recipes? I told her she can buy pickling spices but they want to stay organic too. Thank you for this great video.

[@Gardeningandstuffwithholly]

You’re going to have to share the results and recipe for the picked eggplant!

[@artistikitty]

💚.... that’s all. 🙂

[@gelwood99]

Girl, my favorite is Silver Slicer! The tree rats, and squirrels, dug up my cukes and left the Chinese Jade plants and only one silver slicer. I think I am going to pull up a few of the China Jade so I have room to plant more Silver Slicers!!!

[@growjoyfullyhomestead]

I'm so sad I'm not going to be able to see you in northern Idaho even though I will be in town up there! I just don't have the money! I was really looking forward to it but sometimes we don't get what we want.

[@foragingandurbanfarmingatt4745]

Hey Jess, I was pickling all day Sunday, I have a recipe for pickled squash, hot water bath. Have you or anyone else tried that? I was wondering... 😊 Love your videos!

[@Homestead-ish]

Lol so makes sense 😂 7:20

[@francestaylor9156]

14:00 - I ALWAYS DO THAT TOO! XD I always try to calculate how much it would cost to buy everything I picked. And it's all organic too.

[@offmyrockerretreat]

I just went and watched your Basil Tea video you mentioned. I am going to make it now. Thank you.

[@tessaelly3567]

The light green squash is a Lebanese zucchini 😊

[@jeaniegobin1375]

Thank you for the video and sharing. Have you tried putting the basil in jars of salt to preserve it?

[@katiea.584]

1 min 4 comments and almost 100 views. 💯 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽❣️

[@TraciesLocalLearnings]

Blessings

[@toniatalley1977]

The one squash you held up and said you didn't know what it was I'm pretty sure that's a gray zucchini. I'm also growing them too. They're tasty

[@techs120project]

Hey!

[@karenruise9275]

The Farmer's Table is not linked in the description. You might also want to add it to the links in the main R&R KZbin page. I need more videos on how to harvest without things going bad. I've harvested lits of produce that looks sad and rubbery after a day in the fridge. Sometimes even when I soak them.

[@karincope3019]

My Dill from last year I didn’t pull it out fast enough and this year I have 8 gazzillion plants . I have done 3 dehydrator full 10 trays , and still a tin out there .

[@clucktowerarkansas8172]

My Armenian White cucumbers cross pollinated with my Japanese Climbing cucumbers and I got franken fruit. Next year...only one type at a time.

[@johnhansen8272]

I would love a video at some point on your opening comment. What do you actually do with all the food you produce? And I am asking about ALL the food. I spend as much time processing my produce as I do doing anything in my garden and my garden is large, but not nearly as large as yours. Just a humble ask.

[@cheyennemckoy2160]

Has anyone seen an update on Jess’s dad lately? His health or his move to the farm? I know it had been a minute since I heard about him in a video and he crossed my mind today. ❤

[@gardeninggal249]

Could you do a video on your cooking channel for squash casseroles?

[@melissadeegan6981]

Throw the squash in the freezer and add it to spaghetti/ pasta sauce!

[@zinnialoveci6634]

❤❤❤

[@kimjensen1217]

Do you have to wash the basil for fresh eating, freezing or drying? Love watching your practical ideas!

[@CatherineRamos-c7k]

Growing some pretty nice bugs this year personally

[@JaniceBouldin]

❤

[@harvestenthusiast4519]

I buy a freeze-dried basil that costs me nearly $6 for like 5 oz

[@EmilyAnn634571]

Yep, every time my husband asks for herbs when he’s cooking I think “that’s $4 towards the garden paying for itself”

[@annakaymccaleb6570]

❤❤❤😮

[@HarvestingFaithHomestead]

I wonder if you could can the eggplants in a light brine so that it could be made into baba ganoush later on

[@katrinagarland5219]

Where did you get that wooden harvest basket? I would love to have one. Thanks!

[@RIIG]

Hi jess! Long time viewer here. Any advice on growing better cucumbers? It seems to be the only thing so far, that i struggle with. My leaves are never dark green, and also never get large. As far as the color, i would imagine comes from lack of nitrogen, or over/under watering maybe? You rock btw =)

[@jennikennedy7364]

Every year, I look for the infamous silver slicer cucumber seeds. I unfortunately can not find them for sale. Where do you get your seeds?? If i had to guess, I bet you've saved the seeds for years 😊

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

Those are from Hudson Valley Seed Co originally

[@accidentalcountrygirl]

Quick question. What type of shears are you using to harvest your cucumbers? I'm looking for a pair that will last. Thanks. ✂

[@amandawalls8731]

Question: how do you know what to blanch before freezing?

[@jenipiechocki6925]

Omg i wonder if pill bugs are eating some of my seedlings, somerandom flower seeds, cinn basil, chamomile....

[@trudybauchery9003]

This is not about gardening but I can’t help but ask, where did you get those brown summer slip-ons. I’ve been searching all over for shoes like that!

[@KentuckyNaNasLife]

Hey 👋🏻👋🏻 Jess 🤗🤤 What a Great harvest Sweet Lady 😍👍🏻, NaNas here for the Veggies yummy 😋❣️ Makes Total sense to give the veggies a "Straw" to Drink from n 🚫 Thought 😉💭 that give the crispiness we Wanting 😮😅❣️.... I just ❤ your rationale 😊😅So now I know 🌱🌞🌱 at 52 yrs of Age 😅😂❤❣️... I am cooking up some Zucchini n Squash, With terriaki Chicken, n Lettuce Kale I Got, it's smaller n tender like lettuce 🥬 so I'm excited to have It 🤤😋❣️... I'm going to the community Harvest again Tuesday evening ❤😊 n I'm just finishing up my fresh eating veggies I have, I'm growing cilantro, Basil, n onions n tomatoes 🍅🤤 for salsa n some fresh Salads n eating on taco's 🌮🌯 Meals 🤞🏻😍❣️... I ❤the tase of Summer n the smells, I have chives n butter 🧈 for new potatoes 🥔🌱🌞🌱🥔, n corn 🌽 too, so much goodness 🤤😋❣️ Thankful for you n the garden tips, It's Life ❤😅, Bunches of 💞💖💞 Love n Blessings 🙏🏻to ya Beautiful Jess 💫😇💫❣️...

[@marianweber831]

Jess how do you make your pickle spices.

[@klbennef]

I dont have a freeze dryer. Can I dehydrate my basil and it turn out as good??

[@DzzzASMR]

Does anyone here happen to know the night of Jess’s Farmers Market? Trying to plan a trip down (early July) from Canada but cannot remember which Thursday nights she said it would happen. Tia!!!

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 4-8 pm

[@kristyhale9195]

Hi Jess, NY fan here!!! You mentioned a NY seed company... can you please share who that is??? Was that pale squash a kousa squash ? P.S. I love your content and live for your videos here and the Farmers Table.❤ Many blessings to you and your family.

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

Hudson Valley Seed Co!

[@karleewernsman8012]

I’ve been watching you for awhile now and i know you’ve mentioned this but forgot. Could you please tell me who you purchase your handmade coffee mugs from.

[@l.dschick-inn-palacecrafts6174]

I’m having trouble getting parsley to grow 😅 zone 8a any tips?

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

Grow it during your coldest time. It doesn’t like it super hot

[@susanturner1171]

Does fertilizing negate organic status?

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

Not if you use an organic fertilizer