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.”