” If my pigs can grow a garden with their poop, we can grow one with our best efforts.” – Jessica Soward
Discovering Jessica Sowards on YouTube
Those of you who have read any of my blogs are aware that I am a huge YouTube fan. I have found so many valuable tips, suggestions, and ideas on YouTube, not only for gardening, but for almost anything. Four years ago there was a video that popped up in the suggestions of things I might like. This pic for the video showed a young lady in her early 30s standing in front of an arched trellis that was covered in beans.
I thought the pic was interesting and wondered to myself how difficult it would be to build a similar structure in my own garden. The step-by-step instructions were easy to follow and I enjoyed the young lady’s presentation on the video. Her enthusiasm for her garden captured my attention. On further inspection, I found several videos on tomatoes. The girl loves her some tomatoes. She talks about tomato sandwiches with a sparkle in her eye.
I was hooked and ‘liked’ the videos and subscribed to the channel. The presenter on the video was Jessica Sowards and she with her husband, Miah, are the owners of Roots and Refuge Farm which turned out to be about 2 1/2 hours away from where I live. I’m always a cheerleader for fellow Arkansans who are moving forward in a positive direction for themselves and others.
The First Book
“Build a garden that won’t overwhelm you.” – Jessica Sowards
In 2020, Jessica published what I’m sure will be the first of many books. Her first is directed toward first time gardeners. It even states so in the name, “The First-Time Gardener: Growing Vegetables. Although I’m not a first-time gardener, I wanted to support Jessica and the vision she and Miah have for helping others become successful gardeners and homesteaders.
When I found out she would be having a book signing at a public library in the city of Conway, Arkansas, I made plans to attend, buy a book, and meet Jessica and Miah.
As shown above, I did meet Jessica and Miah, bought the book, got it signed and since then have read the book. Yes, the book’s main focus is for first time gardeners but I am happy to have it in my personal library as a reference book. Gardeners are lifetime learners and I place myself in that category. I’m always on the lookout for valuable garden resources. Jessica’s book definitely fits that description and more.
Jessica’s book provides easy to understand instructions for creating a garden of your own. She starts from how to plant seeds, moves in to maintaining and providing for the needs of the plants, gives detailed advice on pests and diseases you might run into, and the best way to determine when the fruits of your labor are ready to harvest. But let’s be clear, this is not just a ‘how to’ instruction manual. Jessica’s personality and passion for gardening burst from every page.
Sound Advice For All Gardeners
“Don’t look for the ‘right way.’ Instead, search for the best way for your circumstances, region, budget, time availability, and physical needs.” – Jessica Sowards
I recommend that every gardener place Jessica’s book in a place for quick reference. You’ll want to refer to it through the gardening season for tips and suggestions for successful gardening.
By following the wisdom that Jessica has gained from her gardening experience, you can save both money and time from her mistakes and many gardening successes.
Topics Covered In The Book Include The Following:
Basic Needs Of Plants: Sunlight, Water, Soil
How To Determine What Crops You Should Grow
Different Types of Gardening: Container, In-ground, Raised Beds, Vertical
Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter Gardening
Seeds: Direct Sowing Or Transplants
Buying Plants
Designing YOUR garden
Organic gardening
Pest and Disease Control
How To Know When To Harvest Your Vegetables,Herbs and Fruits
Jessica’s Influence On My Gardening Life
After four years, I am finally building that cattle panel trellis in my garden. I’ll document the process in a blog and link to it here once completed. Please take a few minutes and check out the Roots and Refuge Farm YouTube channel. Click here to go there. I’m sure you’ll find a tip, suggestion, or advice that will help or inspire you in your garden.
Another valuable thing that I learned from Jessica Sowards on the Roots and Refuge Farm YouTube channel, is roasted radishes. I had never heard of it. I am ok with radishes being buried in my salads but not a fan of eating them out right. However, roasting them was a game changer. I would never have guessed that I would start growing radishes so I could roast them.
On one or more of the tomato videos, Jessica talks about the different types of tomatoes she has grown. As a result, I have added different ones to my garden over the past 3 seasons. At least one is still a favorite, Amish Paste. I successfully grow this tomato every year.
Due to her garden tours, I have added new varieties of basil and other herbs to my garden. As she commented doing, I dried the various basils at the end of last season and mixed them together. I used them in cooking throughout this past winter.
It was bittersweet this past Autumn when Jessica and Miah announced they were moving to South Carolina. I hated to see them leave Arkansas but support their desire to move to the next chapter in their journey. I am still a fan and want to see them enjoy further success as they give to others from what they have been blessed with.
Order Jessica’s Book
You can get your copy of The First-Time Gardener: Growing Vegetables by Jessica Sowards at Amazon. Click this link to get there.
This blog post was sent to me and I so enjoyed reading your perspective of this journey! I hope your garden is fruitful this year and all the years to come!
Thank you for your kind words Jess. I look forward to the unfolding of your South Carolina vision. And also thank you for the instruction and inspiration to all of us ever-learning gardeners out here.