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"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.