I’m 57 and have been gardening for more than 35 years. One of the most important things I have learned is that you can grow more quality vegetables when you keep the size of your garden within your capabilities at the season of life you’re in. It may change as a family grows, then change again when you’re empty nesters. The bottom line is that the garden feeds my family, my heart, and my soul. The Lord meets me in my garden and for that I’m thankful. 👩‍🌾🍅♥️

I'm using this year as a data gathering year; keeping good records of how much harvest I get from each variety, what I preserve and when we run out. While it's been a good year, I realized I need to simplify things. For example, I grew 5 varieties of cukes this year but learned which 2 are far and away the most productive and the ones I prefer - those are the only varieties I will grow next year. Each year of gardening is always a learning process for me. Never be afraid to try something different.

We started slow, then at year three (currently) we were hit with the overwhelm of it all. Working full time off the farm, adding meat birds and turkeys, doubling our garden space, keeping up with the garden in the midst of a drought, adopting a new dog who was doing really well until she ate a chicken (true story...she threw it up at the groomers!) it was and still is the hardest yet most rewarding season of our journey. Although I was upset about Todd saying no to bees and ducks this year, I am so glad he did! That may have pushed us over the edge of sanity! In these times I just have to keep saying STAY THE COURSE and remember our why! As always, thanks for sharing the good and the bad. 💚

Blacklight flashlight hornworm hunt at night. The kids have so much fun cause they glow! And it is lots easier to spot those horned buggers this way.

Thank you both so much for always being so real and truthful with us and for following the Lord’s leading. ❤

8b PNW This is my third year building my home garden. Each year spring is basically a flop. Beans come up and are eaten or they have to be replanted 3 times. Root crops don't root up. Nastursims I can throw in seeds and they grow great! Marigolds don't germinate! By the time the garden is taking hold it is July. Missed spring harvest all together. I keep adjusting because I am determined to find sucess. I have had great gardens in younger years! My flowers are blooming right and left!!!. Last year I started drip in most of the garden. This year I have started planting basil, onions, nastursims , rosemary in most my beds for pest control. And I am planting , growing seedlings outside in planter then trans planting. I can side by side compare older and newer seeds or saved seeds. Next year I won't even try brassicas! I am going to stick with very basic crops. I plan to conquer or die trying! And at 65 either could happen. 😉 why did I say all this, it's just nice to have someone to tell. Thanks for listening. 💚💙💜💛😎

Horn worms glow with a black light!!! Way faster than trying to spot them!

I’ve never commented until now; but I just want to say as a older lady - you both continue to grow and encourage others as you’ve done thus far. It’s very refreshing to see young folks be a mentor, and still stay grounded as your new chapters are written. I’ll close by saying - there is a lot of ugly out there, as a YT channel, it can be hard at times; but remember - that’s just a small group and the Love sent y’all’s way will always smother out the ugly. Keep on Growing you two. Many Blessings Y’all’s Way

We’re on 60 acres in Central Queensland, Australia. We have sheep, 7, 4 goats, 4 dogs, 2 cats and chickens, ducks and guinea fowl. The effort needed for fencing new spaces effectively sometime takes precedence over the growing of veg, herbs and fruit. It’s definitely a juggling act to make it work. I have the privilege of being at home while my husband works away 7 on 7 off. As long as the kids are fed, animals are fed, gardens are watered; every other project is a bonus.I’m also studying a herb course. Only so many hours in the day and only so many $ to spend. Be kind to yourself. Downsizing is not failure, it’s responsible and thoughtful, smart move. Really like your channel. Best wishes with your new venture ❤

Last year was a very discouraging time in gardening for us due to critters. I live with a cousin who retired in January and is gone all the time now enjoying camping and fishing. This has left me with doing everything myself, plus I work full time. I planted some stuff, but nowhere's near what I have in the past. I bought 2 greenstalks this year. I love growing herbs, which I grow in pots. I have been doing more foraging. I decided God is telling me to slow down and just do what you can. I even have flowers planted, which I have never done before. Yes, I can use the flowers in teas or salads. I have chickens. I also have a pond with about 10 plus Koi fish plus a couple of catfish. I have never done a fall garden before, but I was looking at things I wanted to try this year. All one can do is take one day at a time and do the best you can.

I hate humidity, but the plants in my gardens seem to love it. I feed birds during the winter (only sunflower seeds in case any sprout) and they’re flying in/out while I’m even steps away. They grab bugs off plants I’ve not even seen, which has kept my gardens lovely. I also hung bird houses all over the trees on our property to keep the birds nearby to help with summer pests. Just a thought for your future property. 😊

Seems like God has set you and Jess up to sometimes bear heartache in order to teach thousands of people how to watch out and maybe avoid it. Jess with last year's contaminated soil and now you with pigs and sheep! Thank you for your teaching.

Boy, are you preaching to the choir with me! The farm house is not even done being rehabbed, our house is going on the market this week, and I'm just afraid to look at the garden! I know there is lots growing, but when I go in, I think I will have to live there for weeks to get it under control! We will be staying at the farm house soon so I can spend the time and hope to have more time to get in there! Probably over did it this year, but thought the house would be done in June!

I am constantly fighting myself on this. I struggle with this with my chickens. I want ALL the breeds of chickens and to breed them. But I am trying to decide on a couple to focus on. I keep trying to remind myself “quality over quantity” but it’s so dang hard. I did vow to myself to stay small and produce quality with my new Boer goats. Just got my first buck and two does a few months ago. I am also reduced my horse herd from 4 to one. Which KILLED my heart, and I miss my horses so badly, but my stress level is worth it. I can be more present with my two young boys, and I don’t dread going outside anymore ❤❤

Thank you for your blessed honesty. As a family living on 130 acres with no animals and a small garden and no intention of ever getting animals or growing so much food that it would need to be canned, frozen or preserved. We love our dream property and enjoy all of it’s loveliness and are grateful not to be in a cramped neighborhood, but wise enough to know (for us) animals and a massive garden is a lot of work and time and would only be throwing money at a fantasy life we aren’t desiring to live.

It's a joy to see how you lovingly place your tomatoes in your container. It's disturbing to see folks throw their produce into containers.😊

Here in Cape Breton we are experiencing some challenging weather (flash floods right into heat waves). My intuition told me this year was the year to reevaluate, maintain and observe/brainstorm... Gosh, am I ever glad I listened. I started a small cottage garden, expanded on our lavender and added some pigs to cultivate land. Aside from that, my plans for spring and summer gardens plots are bare. Its a bummer but fall is around the corner and our soil is super healthy. I needed to hear this message. Thank you so much Jill and Nathan. Your words always find me when I need them the most. Much love from the north 🇨🇦

About the hornworms- this has been a bad year for them! I just posted a shorts video about them, I found 5- ive never found more than one at a time...

I appreciate you guys so much, I’m in Texas and though I’ve worked so hard and used the knowledge I’ve gleaned from you and others, I’ve had some things fail from the heat and pests, and it’s good to see and hear the real struggles that can go on along with the blessings. Keep going; you are loved and supported! I’ll keep on going too! 😊🥰

Little sister to me you aren’t harvesting a little. 😊 You are harvesting mega!!! I just wish I could harvest something. I just have a few green tomatoes. Not one has blushed yet. I’m in an apartment and trying to grow in buckets on the patio. So please realize that you are harvesting a whole bunch 😊😊. I think you do. It’s just when you said you were harvesting just a little bit it made my heart sink. I love y’all and I’m so glad you are going to create organic supplements for us. Yay! ❤😊😂

Always enjoy your videos. I always tend to go big instead of making a little bit, and then grow up in small steps. Thank you for the encouragement. God bless you all!!

Hey Jill, I was just reading about the Launch Your Winter Garden happening on July 16 - 20, 2023 at 7pm CDT hosted by Paul and his dad Edwin Dysinger including your's truly Jill Ragan, Eliot Coleman, Michael Kilpatrick, and Ray Tyler. I only follow a few homesteaders (Homestead Heart, Hollis & Nancy) because of their heart felt commitment towards God's Blessings and clarity of content that they willingly share. I started visiting y'all's sites to get familiar with you guys and consume some of the vast amount of knowledge and wisdom that I could retain for my homesteading journey that God is currently preparing the way for me to receive ~ my long awaiting Blessing. 🙏 Anywho, I got stuck by the title and was drawn in when you shared how devastating, yet insightful this experience (animal debacle~ I wonder who led the pack🤔) is for y'all. My take-a-way from this message is God's monitoring our actions, because He cares about everything that concerns us, and His Word confirms in Phil.4:5-15. I love how the brethren share their true compassion towards you. I'm thankful for your push-thru-this tenacity, because God has bigger and better plans (Jer. 29:11) in store for y'all. I'm rejoicing with you, for you shall reap a bountiful harvest. Perhaps, He allowed this to show you that little is much when God's in it, much love!

I’m in South Texas, and it has been an absolutely HORRIBLE gardening year. I am watering almost daily just to keep things alive. I had one small harvest of green beans, 3 cucumbers (from one plant), one small cantaloupe. I recently installed shade cloth over my raised beds and the plants are looking better but not much more production quite yet. I am in the process of putting some select vegetables in pots into a small pop-up greenhouse I have to effectively “start over” myself. Hoping I will get some harvest from that second chance garden.

Eewwwwwwwwwwwww......I agree with you Jill. Those horn worms are disgusting and scare the crap out of me. I'm trying my best to avoid them this year. I'm sorry that you have to start over ❤❤❤❤

We scaled back major this year. Starting over may not be easy but it has been much easier on us. Your viewers love and support you in all your endeavors! Sending Light and Love from our fam to yours!

Thank you for sharing. It’s been a hard season for my garden. Lots of rain and cloudy. Hot and humid also. 3 greenhouses and still got hit with bugs. Did not get my cabbages covered fast enough. Illness in the family. Looks like I’ll be ripping out and cleaning up for fall garden. Could not stay on it as I should 😢. That’s ok. Start over!

We have deer. So we are gonna have to do a greenhouse or multiple covers so I can get some produce. God Bless. Deborah.

Hornworms creep me out big time! So much so that I have to have someone else pick them off the plant. This year I incorporated borage in different areas of my yard and garden as I understand that it deters hornworms. I have had less hornworms this year, around 70%. We also have a different weather pattern this year. Whether borage works or not, I will allow it to self seed as I enjoy the flowers and the plant as a whole is quite impressive.

When planting tomato's, make every fifth plant either dill or basil and you will not have horn worms. Or at least I dont.

I left the farm the other day soaked head to toe! I was squee sweat out of my braid! It’s hot! Ya’ll stay safe!

Fun watching you and your family.

Bless you dear..Some times God works in mysterious ways to show us the things..

I enjoy how she's addressed us as their friends instead of saying oh I'm just shooting a video. 👍 Makes us feel more connected. I really enjoy yalls channel.

Just a note to say the last few videos had audio in just one of the speakers. I get both speakers on other KZfaq videos so I don't think it is my equipment.

The 4 legged animals have you given you run for your garden this year, but I love your honesty and that you listened to the message that God sent you. That is sometimes very hard to do. Jill I am so sorry you had to go through this, I am sure you lost your mind when you saw the damage, but here you are turning it around!❤ Thank you both for always speaking the truth.

Hi grand babies❤ great job grandma kail

I'm so sorry Jill!

I so needed to hear this today! It's been an absolutely dreadful season for us in Maine. It rained almost daily from April through June, we have been battling an invasion of slugs and snails, many of us are on our third or fourth planting after losing our crops to insects, rot (from the constant rain) or being eaten to the ground by the abundance of wild animals that we have. Our growing season is already very short, with frost until the beginning of June and then again sometime between the end of September and early October. They say misery loves company 😅 I just appreciate your honesty and encouragement to keep going 💓💓

I’m finally coming back around to gardening content because I just was feeling off and had a bunch of different adjustments earlier this year that landed us with no spring or summer garden. I’ve been feeling like a hot mess express and down about not even having fresh anything going, not even herbs. Your kind and gentle encouragement Jill really helped me today, and I’m gonna start getting my head around fall garden plans and think about trying to grow some stuff in some pots and green stalks on our sun porch over winter even. Some food is better than not trying at all, and continuing to feel crummy.

You need to have a black light hornworm hunt! Get your girls involved as spotters! I think they would enjoy it! I grew up on a farm. You definitely have to be adaptable! I remember one very wet harvest of navy beans after weeks of rain. It was too wet to get the combine onto the field. We were able to pull the beans, and the whole family went out with pitchforks and piled the beans up against stakes driven through pallets. Later, when the beans had dried, we hauled the piles out of the field, and fed them into the combine, again with pitchforks. It was similar to the way my grandfather had harvested beans when they used threshing machines. Thankfully, we never had to harvest beans that way again, but that knowledge was passed along to two more generations.

Thank you for sharing. I’m 54 started a csa business last year. It was stressful but I loved it. This year when I planted me garden I was so excited ready for this year. One day I got this weird feeling that I shouldn’t do my business. I didn’t understand Bc I was so proud of it and loved it. My garden is my God time. Crazy maybe but it is. The farmer I partnered with still grew produce but only a few items large scale. Cucumber, squash tomatoes and peppers. So I need mine to ad diversity. The garden had always been where I went when I couldn’t take anymore of life. I could step in that gate and the world disappeared. I started feeling like I had put a price tag on that and the comfort was leaving. Anyways it’s been rough summer one thing after another where I didn’t have the time I needed to properly take care of it. So now I call it my jungle. It still produces not nears as pretty. Worst tomato year I’ve ever had. But best squash. I have not regretted one time leaving the business behind. Even tho it’s a jungle now, it gives me that peace again that my heart, mind, and soul needed. Thank you for saying it’s ok to start over. Showing your struggles as well. ❤️

Thank you.

It seems a lot of us are having some kind of trouble, we have had a lot of wet weather which is bringing out loads of slugs that are eating the plants at night, i do set traps that are non toxix, but they it rains again and wash everthing away then I have to reapply. We also have had a explosion of rabbits, which are eating, my neigbors are complaining about them to. So its a constant battle this year.

Harvesting lessons ❤

100% Yes! We are facing having to downsize our sheep flock this year due to no hay because of the drought. The garden isn't growing that well either. But we are also moving to a new place in September. It has a green house which I plan to get some greens planted and some radishes and beets. We will start again come spring. But this year has been such a learning experience.

Thank You I needed to hear that!!!!!!

A gardener can't expect any one year to be productive for any one crop. If a crop is very important to have on hand, keep a 2 year supply.

Thank you for sharing.

I know that feeling when you lose most if not all of your garden. Lost mine to deer last year. Right when everything was coming on good. Didn't have time to replant being here in the north. But you do what you gotta do after a good cry and temper tantrum. Taller fence and lots of deer repellent this year! And so far so good. We all have to take the bad along with the good at times and move on. I keep it all small cause it's just me. Slow and easy on everything!!

Happy I'm not the only on with horn worm issues!! They creep me out.. but the chickens love them..

Girl thankfully this gave you a reason to see the lesson learned. I think this year we all were more motivated to grow more things, whether it was plants or animals. It is going to be ok. On our hard days we have to think about our good days. Like Jess always says, don't do as I do, do as I say do. 😂

Only had a few tomato plants last year and they were hit by those dang THWs. I read that they eat so much that they can double their size overnight! Yuck! I have an issue with squirrels eating out of the garden, so hopefully this year I can fix that issue. Those yellow tomatoes look so delicious. I've always loved the yellow pears as a kid. I think next year will finally make me feel great when all my newish fruit trees will do something. Only have a few peaches coming in this year, but I saw the high winds are again knocking the fruit off. Great news about scaling back. Too much too soon! I'm still timid about the heat and wind factor here in the high desert. From Nov of last year (when my hubby passed) to almost April, I couldn't even get into my greenhouse because of all the snow and ice not melting! What a mess, so I'm trying to make up for lost time. My onions, garlic, and garlic chives made it all winter and I had tree covers for the fruit trees. In the greenhouse with no water- the strawberries and lettuce were doing well.

HE works all things out for the good.....🌻❤

Wow 🐛🐛🐛they have been really eating 🌱glad you got them I no it’s probably more.

The one constant in this life is change! We all must adjust it does not stay the same. 🙏🙏💕💕🌻🌻

Thank you for sharing the realities of farm life.

Sorry this happened to you. You are an overachiever, and overachievers, like the rest of us, have occasional failures. You are doing the best you can do, but we can always do better. Keep up the great work you are doing. So excited for your new business, which is so needed in today's world. God bless you and your family!

I missed this video when it came out. Thank you for sharing. I feel you on having the animals eat all of your plants. I battle deer that get to my food before I do. It frustrating. You have an abundance of tomatoes! That's awesome. Your gardens always look so beautiful.

I'm always telling my son, "you did it once, you can do it again!" You have a lot to look fwd to

Yay for the Fall garden...sooo close. Sorry that you had you Spring garden crimped. Yes, we have huge horn-worms too !! Search and research each day to get rid of them and save your precious tomatoes. You grow girl !!, thanks for sharing to spare us all. I thought I had it bad with Pocket Gophers ! Next year will be better... live and learn !! Cats use my garden bed as a litter-box !!! I put sticks and debris all over to deter them. Your tomatoes are beautiful !! Good job keeping it growing on " !!

You guys got this!!!!

Well dang. Live and learn.

Squash bugs have hit me hard this year, but no hornworms...yet. Plants are like family members, tho, so it's hard to see destruction. You guys got this, though!! Youre doing a great job!! I always say that gardening is like a huge experiment, and, as long as you are learning something, it's never a failure. 🥰🥰🥰🥰

Thankyou for sharing your highs and low with us. Onward and upward friends xx

I wanted to come back to this video and tell y'all thank you so much for this video. I'm new to this and learning and I had never heard of these. Because of y'all, I found 2 in my tomatoes today. They were huge, so I'm guessing there's more. And I get it Jill, those things are CREEPY!! lol ~Kelly

The invasion of the greedy grasshoppers have absolutely wrecked havoc on us here in Texas. It’s been the worst year yet for them. Lost so much harvest. Worst tomato year. My early spring crops did well though. I am grateful we have a long growing season though and looking forward to your next video. So sorry that happened but we will be redeemed!!

Hornworms SPIT. It completely creeps me out!!!

last year was my worse garden year, we had terrible dought and heat, we took out almost all our grass, replaced with gravel not pretty. My tomatoes stopped growing in the heat pole beans wouldnt produce the ground wouldnt even take the water i gave it., i tried some new things and the learning curve was steep. This year is a dream year cool wet spring and even though i got a late start because we had so much snow. I have to say last year i learned more about the garden and how climate effects growing, yes it was tough to get almost nothing for my efforts. This year i put all that knowledge into action. I am still learning but there`s tomatoes and beans going strong, i had a very good harvest of peas and lettuces, there was lots of adjusting for this new season and we decided to add a green house that would withstand the snow. Then my husband was crazy busy with his business, lots happened !!!!! i was away for ten days. I think every season has its challenges, i love every little bit of growth i get, my first sunflower this year took my breath away. i didnt expect it and there it was as beautiful as it could be. Never give up on your dream, your efforts are never going to waste even if you only learn. i have pole beans again but got smart and have tons of bush beans every where. You two are right go small and enjoy your farm life. Starting over isnt so bad its time to put in that fall garden anyway......

You are such a inspiration!

I am so happy that you are doing this!! We need more herbalists in the marketplace !! Praying for an amazing success!! God is got this!! Anytime you start something that will be amazing will get some kind of backlash from the enemy.. no worries!! What the enemy means for evil GOD will turn around for good!! Blessings family❤

Your opening line, "Never, ever, have I ever seen so much poop. Look, its here, its over here....." reminded me of when my son was an infant and had a diaper blow out and I believe I had this same reaction 😂 Hornworms are the WORST

I hope you weren't too mad at Nathan this time. Maybe with the animal sales, he can finally get that side by side. 😂

I am truly heartbroken for you about the disaster that you had to clean up and the repairs you had to make and the damage to your crops. Yet I’m really proud of both of your attitudes and sharing a positive lesson that you’re taking from all this. I’m glad, you both didn’t let it squash you and interfere with your goals and loving your life. So I know it still hurts. I’m happy to hear you’re going to plant more tomatoes. Good luck❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️

Man is that one of the goats in the background or a sheep 🤣🤣 cracking me up 🤣🤣🤣

Chicken Treats!!!!!

Yes it's so hot 🔥 in Washington state...Nat is so funny 😆 🤣 Jill your tomatoes 🍅 are super fantastic you are the best gardener ever 😀 ❤

So happy for your new endeavors!❤

The stuff you were able to salvage are still amazing!!

Those worm are huge.

Your words were so encouraging. I needed that so bad today. It lifted a weight I have been carrying. I had one of those good cries 😊. Thank you for being so honest about your up’s and downs. God bless.

Sweetie, don't pay attention to the haters. You got this!

The ones that have black lines I think are called tobacco hornworms and wasps place their eggs on them. I use gloves and feed them to the chickens. I will be using your book to start my new homestead overseas. This year I planted a little of everything just to see what I liked growing.

That produce did not go to waste. You didn't get to enjoy it firsthand, but if you are growing some of those animals for meat, you will be enjoying that food that you grew. Don't come from the perspective of lack. See it as a perspective of abundance. This happened for the good, not for what you didn't get. You learned what you really needed to do.

Black light at night and those nasty tomato worms will glow. They are not fun to deal…Nathan will be like a kid in a candy store! Lol. Good luck with your endeavors and you do what you have to do for you and your family. Prayers and blessings!

Oh goodness! Hate hornworms. We plant a marigold and basil plant with each tomato plant we put in. It helps tons! We still got a few last year. Nothing like that though. Those we find go straight to the chickens. Yuck!! None this year yet. 😬

Scaling back is so freeing. Good for you. Do you have a blacklight flashlight? We sent our grandkids out to hunt hornworms at night and they had so much fun. Your girls might have fun at that too. Think of those nasty things as protein for your chickens. Gross, but good for them. I remember living in Arkansas and the humidity was so high that it dripped off the trees. Missouri isn't much better. Stay safe and hydrate!

Our weather was terrible. Lost so much from freeze then cold dry now wet not growing. It's depressing but we had 2 good years before plenty left in jars

Dear sweetest Jill, please Google "an old farmers advice " poem regarding pig fences, life and lessons ❤ we've all thought about what should have been done differently, praise and love to your family. BTW, LOVE LOVE your sourdough bread knife I purchased 😊

Could u share spaghetti sauce recipe? I have tried a few I saw on YT but haven’t found THE ONE yet. Best wishes on your new endeavor! Praying for success!

😢awe man so sorry for all the animal chaos and the loss of your garden plants. Love this talk …thank you for sharing. I needed to hear this.

Try planting an absurd amount of dill. I have had fewer horn worms this year because I scattered the dill packets like confetti! We love y’all!💖. Gods blessings in your new adventure!

I'm so sorry, Jill. 😭 You'll rise up and overcome!

Thanks for the honesty. Such wise advice! We have learned a few hard lessons ourselves 😉

We bought our 100 are farm in March after being under contract for ages (10 months) all I wanted to do was get my garden in and get some chickens, but we had so many other things we had to do just to move on the property my garden is behind. I'm just got my 1st tomato and some eggplant that will be ready soon. I hear you at not always meeting your hopeful expectations. I'm looking forward to what you're planting next because I've got room to get started with the fall garden.

I found this to be a very encouraging vlog. 😍 I feel your pain, and have struggled with dealing with massive crop loss due to pests. (Grasshpppers/locusts in my case here in North Texas). It feels like a failure and loss of so many resources(time/money/food), but I’m trying to see the good…I have actually had the best tomato year ever…apparently those bugs don’t care for tomatoes too much. So here I am trying to enjoy the extra time spent indoors on other projects, cooking, preserving, learning…while the hoppers enjoy what’s left of most of my plants and I eagerly await and plan for the Fall garden opportunities. Thank you for keeping it real. ❤✨👊🏼

It's never a failure if you learn from it.

Would love a vid of Nate making salsa. I have no idea how to do it. Tnx!

Thank you so much for sharing!! I just want to say Amen to EVERYTHING you said. Keep at it. You guys rock! So proud of you both. 😃

Yea the horn worms in my greenhouse have been HUGE this year!

Have a wonderful weekend