"Gardens are not just about plants—they are an extension of our lives, our memories, and our creativity. A garden that reflects personal stories, like Julie's, creates a deeper connection between the space and its gardener. It transforms the garden into a living narrative, one that evolves with each season, just like the people who tend it."— Dr. Emma Greenfield, Horticultural Expert and Author of Gardens of the Heart*

Growing Independence: Matt Jaremko’s Backyard Mini Farm  By Rooted in Kaufman Step into Matt Jaremko’s backyard and you’re instantly transported to something between a homestead and a living classroom. Tucked into a quiet corner near Kaufman County, Matt has transformed his one-third-acre lot into a thriving, food-producing backyard farm—complete with vegetables, herbs, blackberries, and yes, even chickens. This isn’t just gardening—it’s a full-on mission for self-sufficiency. 🥬 From Lettuce to Livestock: A Backyard Tour Matt’s garden is carefully laid out in zones, with crops growing directly in the ground, in raised beds, grow bags, and even repurposed containers. It’s organized, productive, and deeply intentional. “We’ve got lettuce, spinach, kale, collard greens, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, tomatoes, hot peppers, squash, zucchini, cucumbers… the list goes on,” Matt says. “And the sweet potatoes? Those might be the easiest thing out here.” His tomato beds are especially impressive, featuring both classic and cherry varieties for quicker harvests. Bell peppers and hot peppers are growing side by side, while squash and corn mingle in what he proudly calls his “Three Sisters” bed—a time-tested companion planting method used by Indigenous farmers where squash, beans, and corn grow together and help one another thrive. 🍓 Soil, Seeds, and Smart Strategy Matt doesn’t just dump soil into boxes. “I’ve worked the actual soil underneath the beds,” he says. “Manure, compost, additives—every plant wants something different.” He’s done his homework, tailoring the soil composition to match each plant’s nutritional needs. He starts many crops from seed—beans, onions, corn—while others come from starter plants. “I’ve got a mix,” he explains. “The goal is always to keep things growing and rotate with the seasons.” He’s even growing blackberries from a plant he put in the ground five years ago. “It went crazy,” he laughs. “We had to take down the old fence because the vines took it over.” 🌞 Water, Bugs & Texas Heat: Real-Life Garden Lessons Texas gardeners know water is everything, and Matt’s no exception. He installed a drip irrigation system and supplements it with hand watering. “The system helps, but I still like to water by hand so I know it’s getting where it needs to,” he says. “And in the summer, I’ll put up a 20-by-26 foot shade cloth to protect the more tender crops.” For pest control? It’s essential oils. “I use rosemary oil, mint oil—natural stuff that works.” And yes, there are marigolds and rosemary planted throughout the garden to deter pests, especially around his tomatoes. 🐔 Beyond Veggies: Chickens & Big Plans The backyard also hosts chickens—just another step in Matt’s journey toward sustainable living. “Eventually I want a greenhouse. Maybe even a small farm,” he says with a grin. The greenhouse is already in the works: a 20-by-15-foot structure where he’ll start seedlings in the early spring. “I started a bunch indoors this year, but I need more room. The greenhouse will be a game changer.” 🥗 Taste the Difference When asked what tastes the best fresh from the garden, Matt doesn’t hesitate: “The lettuce. Hands down. It’s not bitter like the store stuff. And the herbs—we’ve already cut enough cilantro to make back what we spent.” His wife takes fresh lettuce to work weekly, and with multiple harvests already behind them, the garden’s paying off in more ways than one. 🌱 Garden Wisdom from a Backyard Farmer So what’s Matt’s advice for someone starting their own backyard farm? “Water. That’s the biggest thing. In Texas, if you can’t keep it watered, it won’t grow.” His second tip? Don’t be afraid to experiment. Raised beds, grow bags, direct planting—it’s all on display in his backyard, and each method has its place. Most of all, Matt says it’s about learning as you go, and not getting discouraged. “Some stuff works, some doesn’t. You figure it out.” From romaine to rosemary, Matt’s backyard is proof that with a little land, a lot of effort, and a bit of research, anyone can grow a slice of independence. And in a world of rising grocery bills and disappearing connection to our food—his message couldn’t come at a better time.

Backyard Abundance: A Family Garden Full of Heart By Rooted in Kaufman If you ever find yourself daydreaming about a peaceful, productive backyard that brings generations together, Chris and Chelsea Jaremko’s garden is what that dream looks like. Nestled in their backyard, this edible oasis is more than just a patch of plants—it’s a place where strawberries are treasures, peach trees are milestones, and the grandkids always know where to find something sweet. 🌱 Growing Runs in the Family Chris traces his gardening roots back to childhood, when his dad would till up a backyard plot for peppers, tomatoes, green beans, and okra. “It’s like it’s embedded in my DNA,” he says. That early exposure laid the foundation for what he and Chelsea are now cultivating—literally and figuratively—with their own family. Chelsea’s first brush with gardening started when they bought their home and brought in a trailing vine plant that quickly took over the patio. “It was stressful,” she laughs, “but now it’s like, we can’t imagine not having plants.” 🍓 Why Peach Trees and Strawberries? The couple’s current favorites? Strawberries and a peach tree. The strawberries have been a journey—early plants didn’t thrive, but with improved soil, better fertilizer, and a lot of trial and error, they’re now harvesting the best crop yet. Chelsea picked out the peach tree for its beauty and resilience. “Peach trees can handle our winters,” Chris adds. “We love the idea of having homegrown fruit that sticks around year after year.” 🧒 A Garden Built for Grandkids While the garden started with the couple’s own passions, it has naturally evolved into a haven for their grandkids. “We definitely had them in mind,” says Chelsea. Strawberries are a favorite snack, and the kids love discovering new things—sometimes a bit too early. “Our grandson called a tomato an apple,” Chris laughs. “And they love picking lemons even if they’re not quite ready.” Their oldest grandchild has even helped plant and water the blueberries, and there's talk of a native wildflower section just for pollinators. “We’re planning a part of the yard we don’t mow for a while—just let the wildflowers take over,” Chris explains. 🌸 Lessons in Soil, Patience, and Surprise Dill They’ve had their fair share of wins and setbacks. Dill, surprisingly, has thrived. “That thing went crazy,” Chris says. “I found fish fertilizer at Walmart and it changed the game.” Strawberries, on the other hand, remain their trickiest plant. They’ve gotten better each year, but they’re still chasing that dream crop. The couple has learned to research each plant’s soil needs and stay away from generic mixes. “Everything is unique,” says Chelsea. “You’ve gotta give each plant what it wants.” 🌼 What’s Next? Native Plants and Pollinators Looking forward, Chris and Chelsea are excited to integrate more native wildflowers, both for the bees and for the Blackland Prairie ecosystem their yard sits on. “We want to use what naturally thrives here,” Chris says. “And if we can build soil with our own earthworms and compost, even better.” They hope to eventually turn part of the yard into a native pollinator garden and line their back fence with flowers. “I want it to be full of blooms,” Chelsea says. 🪨 A Garden with a Sparkle It’s not just plants that grow in Chelsea’s garden—her love of rocks and crystals brings another layer of beauty and personality to the space. A dedicated rockhound, she’s built a small rock garden using treasures collected from her travels, including crystals from Arkansas and Oklahoma and even geodes she found herself in the Oklahoma hills. The sparkling stones are nestled into flower beds and corners of the yard, catching the light and adding a touch of magic among the greenery. It’s a reflection of Chelsea’s curiosity and connection to the earth—and yet another reason their backyard feels so personal and one-of-a-kind. 💡 Advice for Families Starting Their Garden When asked what advice they’d give someone wanting to build a small, kid-friendly garden, their answer is simple:Start with fruits and flowers.“Choose plants you can eat and see grow. There’s nothing like that feeling when something starts thriving.” Chris adds, “When you’ve been struggling with a plant and it finally starts to take off—that’s the best feeling in the world.”