A Competition Tomato Mistake (Parenting in the Garden) | VLOG | Roots and Refuge

[@jltillett]

When your children destroy something you have worked on and poured your heart into, it is a hard thing, but they have to know that you love them more. Good job! God bless your broken heart, but you'll grow a bigger and better tomato. That boy is the only one of him that there will be. :)

[@debbiemoore1561]

My husband told me to add: God gave you prize winning children too! ❤️

[@TamaraMansfieldbookworm]

You’re such an awesome mom!! And your little guy is the cutest thing! I hope I’m still around to see his gardens one day!! ❤️🌱🌿🍃💚

[@CarterSams]

I just found your channel today. I've been having a hard time and moments ago I wrote in my journal about disappointment before randomly clicking on this video and seeing the garden story with your son. This was perfect timing for me and I thank you for your perspective on disappointment and frustration. I think I'll treat myself how you treated your self and your son - reassurance and love. Thank you!!! ❤🍅

[@cathrinagroiss604]

What a beutifull lesson, and a line for your 'chalk board': "we make room for mistakes, in order to grow" or maybe just ''we grow from our mistakes'' 😉

[@huachi5]

idea for next time ~ tie red ribbon around the plants not to be touched!! Glad Ben loves working in the garden with you and that you didn't get upset!!! Love your sweet family & that you share so much with us!!

[@elkewheeler]

There is no better measure to parenting than having your child not hide the truth.

[@amyfrench8678]

Exactly my thought and you stated it beautifully.

[@lindalmiller429]

You’re a wise and wonderful mother. The largest tomato in the world cannot touch the value of a child’s confidence.

[@Mcfirefly2]

Amen!

[@loritanner4478]

I'm just so in awe of your kids. Them going around eating veggies and loving them so much. You would think they are eating chocolate cake and Twinkies!🍩 I love it.

[@christiburnette3381]

Thank you for not freaking out Mama!, love that sweet boy and his love of gardening, no prize is greater than that!

[@ginnysummers7018]

Great job, Jessica! Rearing kids is more important than raising tomatoes. Such a sweet spirit that Ben cried and admitted what he did. Y'all are doing a wonderful job. Choose joy...

[@LanaiDebbie]

What a wonderful testimony to being conscious and intentional about keeping your frustration in check and responding with love to Banks mistakes in the garden. You are such an inspiration to what it means to be a godly mother and woman.

[@gendeb9666]

Sounds like a book in the making - Life Lessons From The Garden: When Competition Tomatoes Get Cut Too Early & Other Things Learned (and Taught)

[@lindastrandquist2429]

"I'm sorry". Oh my heart.. Ben is so adorable. He knows you love him. If you were to get mad and upset at him he might loose that joy he has. bless you heart and love for him. Plants will give what they can and so should we.

[@wisewomanhealing]

This is my first year of ever growing a garden. My lettuce bolted, I over crowded my radish and they may not produce even though I have thinned them (may have been too late). Still, I have enjoyed learning and I plan not to give up. I have high hopes!

[@garden_geek]

Your children are so lucky to have you for a mom. Ben is just precious! My daughter is almost 4 and loves to garden with me. She also loves to pick immature fruit! 😂 It’s really teaching me to be a more patient and understanding person lol

[@wisewomanhealing]

Praying that an angel comes along and nudges another tomato to grow even bigger than this one to reward you for your patience and loving kindness toward, Ben.

[@fatjuniesfarmette6030]

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."

[@cynthiafisher9907]

I love this! I was just singing this song the other day in my garden. Thanks for reminding me.

[@cassandrab6519]

@@cynthiafisher9907 what song is it!??❤️

[@cynthiafisher9907]

@Cassandra Booz, It’s just the scripture itself set to music. I learned it from the church I was saved in in the early 70s. I’m not sure if someone in the church wrote the music or heard it from someone else.

[@cassandrab6519]

@@cynthiafisher9907 oh ok!, Thank you!

[@sharonpack4696]

I started watching your videos and live streams in March of 2019, I have never learned so much as with watching you and the Stivers. Thank the good Lord above he gave us people like you all to help us reap what we sow without failing so badly. I'm now sending my kids home with zucchini to eat, they love it.. Thank You. God Bless

[@laurabanks6340]

Your VLOG brings me such Joy. As soon as I saw the first words of your titling I thought, "Oh no Ben!" Good momma choices. Keep growing, in all the ways.

[@rosedowning6466]

Oh, Jess, I could hear your internal heartbreak, and I understand how it feels. But my heart just melted when looked at you with a sincere, shy smile and said "sorry". How could anyone be upset after an apology like that? You are a good mom, and you are raising good humans.

[@dawnculp8259]

I see that precious baby of yours being a master gardener one day. His passion for it shines in your videos. God bless!

[@badassmommy6527]

The "meh" face that he gave you when he handed back the tomato tells me that Ben agrees! I would love to plant a Ben approved garden next year. I want to plant everything that a dinosaur loves in hope that it will inspire my lil one to be more dino like. My son is 5 and has nonverbal autism. Due to severe sensory issues he is still on a liquid diet and refuses to even put most foods into his mouth. My dream is that I'll be able to grow a garden full of such yummy stuff that it will all be too irresistible to pass up even for the pickiest of eaters. I'd love to plant all of Ben's favorite things to eat in the garden that way it's a sure bet that they will be super yummy. A list on here or maybe even a video on all of Ben's most favorite varieties would be amazing!!! Just think people all over could be growing a Ben Garden next year!!! You could start a whole Ben Garden movement. Children will beg their parents "Please, please, PLEEEEASE can we grow a Ben Garden". It could be huge...I'm just sayin. 😘

[@kathygoodwin8360]

So true, we can 100% choose how we react to things. Hugs for both you & Ben. :)

[@rachelball1174]

You handled that beautifully. And your little ones will retain their love of gardening. When we think about it, there really are no big deals.

[@karenblack1205]

Your kids are going to look back on these videos of you and Jeremiah one day with such love and pride. 💕

[@HesedAcres]

Such a good heart and sweet mama. Teaching those littles what's important - love and grace.

[@shesgonecountryfarms6281]

This sure has been a tough year. Already have several things that are on my "well next year" list.

[@paulacothren3591]

Jess, I know you are not competitive, but you may still win the individual tomato challenge. And wouldn't that be wonderful for Benjamin!

[@tennesseegirl1215]

You are a great Mom, plants will come and go but you only have one opportunity with your children how you raise them effects them the rest of their lives. Letting Ben know it's ok, there will be more tomatoes down the road, but his experience and lessons are way worth more than anything else. Blessings

[@sheilahughes1014]

wow...I thought it was me and my lack of experience...but hearing it from you and other u tubers I'm finding out itl's most likely the crazy weather.. so thanks for the honest imput...much appreciated

[@helennelson3120]

Too sad for that little man. It would have weighed heavy on his little shoulders when realisation dawned. Big hugs for him and for you. How crushing for you. Your garden is beautiful. Such a big job. Your sunflowers are incredible. Your raising your boys brilliantly. Blessings Always to you and yours.

[@oneleggedduck]

When you create empathy in your children, you don’t have to respond to their mistakes with frustration because they will already feel remorse. Children MUST be given the grace and space to make mistakes. That is the healthiest way for them to learn life lessons. I love watching these videos and seeing your family grow.

[@throughmykitchenwindow198]

Oh Jess, I am confident that years down the road this moment will come to mind when Grown Ben has a similar moment. Maybe with his own child, a coworker or spouse something may happen that reminds him of how his mother handled this disappointment of the summer of 2019 tomato competition. I am betting God smiles upon you with a wonderful reward. Here's to bigger ones coming your way now.

[@amym.4280]

Your garden has grown so much more this year than you realize. Think of all the gardens that have been started this year because of it! I can not begin to tell you the blessings and gifts I have received from you and your garden. And you know by the size of your group and followers that I am not the only one. I can not thank you enough for your videos and sharing yourself and family with all of us. Your video "infinitely more" came at the perfect time for me. I've been fairly alone for the majority of this year. Your videos became my company. Especially towards the begining of summer. I had a falling out with an entire group of friends. My heart was broken. But I had reignited my passion for gardening and growing food. I began regrowing my desire to make a real difference and I began figuring out what that looked like for me and my life. I had previously given all to these friends and lost myself. The week after infinitely more my cousin lost her battle with leukemia. It was so hard through that time. But your messages and the reminder of god kept popping back in my head. I was raised in church but never pursued faith much myself. But the day I saw that video....I started praying again. Over the next few weeks, I got closer with my mom while she supported my aunt. I started feelings real joy and appreciation for my life again I started feeling I really was getting out of my depression I started trying to truly understand my sweet crazy son and not just let my emotions dictate how I react. My husband and I have been communicating better. He quit his job that underpaid him and didn't appreciate him. My mom got to quit her two jobs and received an amazing job at her church. I was offered her position at the churches day care(one of her two jobs) My son gets to go for free while I'm working My husband got hired at a new company making more than 10 dollars over his last job.......his boss told him "I'm sorry you're being paid so little. We didn't realize all you could do, you will have a review soon and we will be able to pay you appropriately" We have been together 7 years and we will finally be able to begin our lives together in or own home in less than a year. Now please help me figure out how to give thanks properly. 😅💞

[@barnyardinourbackyard3133]

What an awesome teaching moment! Thank you for sharing with us.

[@cynthiamullin661]

You're such an awesome Momma. Grace says it all. I am 60 years old & babysit my grandkids (2 of whom are 5 year old boys!). We have a pretty big garden that they have been raised in & they have done innocent things (like pulling out an entire plant when they wanted to pick one vegetable). When you said Ben burst into tears telling you I literally teared up. They are just babies that have our same love for the garden. God bless them all. :)

[@tammymann6292]

I have to tell a little story. When I was young my cousins and I would spend a week with our grandparents - the boy cousins one week and the girl cousins another week. My grandpa loved fresh produce but didn't grow a big garden. We went to the farmers market and bought a bunch of stuff one day and we all helped carry everything to the truck. On the way, I dropped the watermelon I was carrying and it cracked. I felt awful and didn't want to tell Grandpa. When we got home, I carried it in and had to confess. My grandpa said, "You know what this means?" I remember holding my breath a little and then he said with a wink and a grin, "We'll go ahead and eat this one now!" All these years later, I still remember how someone can make a kid feel better when they've made a mistake. :)

[@lisabruce5181]

I'm not at all surprised about the tomato. I have a niece that I was teaching about the garden that was just a couple of years older than Ben. Anyway, I was giving a young lady a baby shower and my niece asked if she could cut some flowers from the garden. When she came in from cutting flowers she walked in just as proud as could be holding my entire yellow rose plant full of blooms. My heart dropped but I had to hide my heartbreak from her. I felt like I deserved it for coveting the plant!

[@juanitawhitfield3354]

Jess, I love you hon. I can only imagine how bad you feel about your prize tomato. I am so proud of the way you handled it with Ben. You know we all love that little boy. It has been a bad summer to try for a garden, after three years of not having one. Not enough rain, Being to hot. All of my tomatoes growing very small. I was just about to give up. I watch the video about getting ready for the fall garden. All I can say is I'm in. Thank you for making my life better. May God bless you. .

[@anashomestead5919]

God bless you, you earned that Like! Everything you said about that was true.. My oldest son once looked at me & started crying. It was his first day of kindergarten. He had just gotten off of a school bus smiling, until he saw me. It turned out they had sent him home with duplicate enrollment forms, but he thought that they were a contract because he was bad while at school. Turned out he knew the sounds of every alphabet letter & could read a lot of words, but he didn't know the names of the letters... So every time he raised his hand that he knew an answer he was wrong. But he was the only child who could read! I got a note later from the teacher who said when he wrote Unicorn on the chalkboard he was surprised when my son was able to read it. lol In the eyes of a child.. Things can seem devastatingly bad.. So, you made a wonderfully loving call.

[@samantharedd329]

I petition a white tomato sauce (mozzarella) white pizza! Thatd be so neat!

[@VagabondAnne]

Hmm, I was thinking a white tomato/fish pepper soup! Not sure I'd devote any space to white tomatoes, but like many varieties of bland paste tomatoes, maybe the flavor opens up when cooked?

[@samantharedd329]

@@VagabondAnne that's what I'm thinking, or some salt n seasonings with heat, to bloom the flavor!!! Fish soup could be great too! With cod! Like Moqueca from Brazil!

[@robinmiller1783]

White chili .....interesting......

[@bethwatts6279]

I grew white Tomesol this year. Its kind of...meh. I won't take up space to grow more next year. Really loving the purple Russians though!

[@cindik8017]

I planted one plant of the purple Russian and the plant itself has looked pretty sad all season. Wilted and curled leaves, yet it continues to grow and produce fruit. The taste is pretty good, the texture seems to be like a paste variety. I’m waiting now for my Big Rainbow slicer. It’s just blushing and quite big. I also have some pink German slicers that are huge. Excited to try those too. My favorite so far has been the old stand by, classic beefsteak. Yum!!! My grandson helped me “prune” a poor calendula and basil plant. They ended up being little nubbins, but have grown into a couple of the prettiest plants in the whole garden! Ben will remember the “competition tomato story” forever. You’re reaction was beautiful Jess. It reminds me to enjoy just having the kids in the garden with me. None of us will go hungry if we lose a tomato or basil plant. Years from now, the stories and memories will be priceless! 😁

[@helenmarshall5705]

What a good mama you are. Your tomato is a winner in my book. I christen it the "Grace Tomato" and I bet it will taste especially sweet!

[@suehinson1629]

I LOVE YOU JESSICA!! You are definitely the "Grand Prize Winner" in this competition! Cause Ain't nobody else in it, got a 4 yr old garden partner! Ben just brought on a bounty of blessings, coming forth in response of "Mom's reaction" through love and grace she gave an explanation of his timely harvest not being so timely due to the circumstances, but ACCIDENTS happen no matter what the age. And the Greatest MOM award goes too.............Jess!! You can grow an awesome garden, ma'am. But I believe your speciality is CHILDREN! Much Love and Admiration, Have a great evening. God bless.

[@cateastbranch2125]

What a beautiful teaching moment for anyone, thank you for reminding me to show love and patience towards those who look to me for guidance.

[@rascalflattsgary38]

Love your videos Jess! By far my favorite channel!

[@Hookedonfaith-akasandramoody]

This was such a sweet video. You may not win for largest tomato but you could sure win for best mom/person video. Your children are very blessed to have you as a mom.

[@tubeagespank]

I instantly felt the urge to sneeze when you touched the amaranth and I'm a couple hundred miles away! Alergies, ain't they grand?!?

[@angelcooper711]

Please give Ben a hug from me - He i just precious!!!!! Heaven knows we all make mistakes - I made a big one in my garden by spraying for poison ivy and the plants have suffered some for it - and I didn't even spray in that area!

[@amyfrench8678]

You're a great mom! No need to be upset about a silly youtube competition we follow just for fun. There is no better fun than watching the pure joy Ben gets from gardening. Makes it all worthwhile! BTW, If I recall he did warn us in a previous video. Didn't he say the tomatoes were "my precious"? Everyone knows that means it was irresistible to him. Can't blame a child for that. :-D

[@johnwilson3557]

You are to funny. 4 yr old + competition tomato plant+ love = no big deal. Love you Jessica. You are a good mama. I wish God would allow me to find a good woman like you to find in Hemet. Ca. You are so smart have good organizational skills So hot here. 5pm and still 95 degrees. My garden still slow start up. Keep going Jessica. You are a still inspiration to me. I do need your prayers Jessica. Specifically for early morning energy to get things done.

[@601salsa]

Miah seems to be really handy...... you may want to look into a solar dehydrator, you can make kale chips and dehydrate a lot more for free.

[@christinaanderson27]

Talking about the kale...I plucked all mine and gave to rabbits and within 2 weeks new growth and even bigger leaves...it truly does grow back and I am in Georgia and this heat is killer...awe bless his heart...so glad your back missed you!!!

[@ralugator]

Same here! It's coming back beautifully.

[@dianemerimon4268]

Wish I liked to eat tomatoes straight out of the garden. I'm working on it.

[@nyamburasimiyu]

Today I have completed most of your videos since I discovered your channel,I have been watching over 5 videos a day.I love your channel,I love you Jess. With Love from Nairobi,Kenya.

[@jagoosw6368]

Missed You Jess, love you and your family, Sweet Miah is a treasure!

[@davenorthwater741]

What you lost in food for the stomach, you gained in food for the soul.Also a good reference for the testimonial of the 2020 Shindig

[@yukonjack8103]

Rejoice in the Lord always. And again, I say rejoice. - Phil. 4:4

[@jadestar1580]

You're such an inspiration, especially your outlook on life. Thank you, I really enjoyed this video.

[@CosmopolitanCornbread]

Oooohhh! Heartbreaking that it happened. But you really can’t be mad at them. Heartbroken, but not angry. Such is life

[@elliemay1229]

Bless you! I left the electric fence off and my 3 tomatoes were chicken pecked. They will probably not produce any more since the temperature is so high. It is disappointing. But we live and learn.

[@HiddenMeadowFarm]

The greatest exclamation point, make that baby a tomato sandwich out of that tomato. The perfect celebration for him being such a great gardener.

[@MakingLemonadeFromLemons]

Awwww Bless Ben's little heart. He loves to be helpful. I love how full of grace you are. ❤

[@yvonnebrasgalla4385]

God bless you, you definitely are blessed with the virtue of patience.

[@mudchuk]

I love this video so much. I work in a community garden, with inner city children. And making space for mistakes. I understand.

[@grandiesgarden175]

Awesome

[@BigBlessedNest]

Crying at the fact Jess is such a wonderful mother, not the fact that her tomato is no longer on the vine. The grace and mercy... ugh, the tears. All the tears.

[@debbiemoore1561]

Root Bound so glad to know that I'm not the only one who's heart is too close to the tear ducts. Don't feel so silly for crying.

[@washingtonlass]

Aaaww, little Benny is such a sweet little stinker. I'm sure you'll all get to laugh about this one day and enjoy it! Keep choosing joy, my friend!

[@stacyannwalker8637]

Ben is such a sweetheart you handled the situation well Jess.

[@TheNakidGardeners]

Awww I wanted to cry for you. 😭 Bless his little heart. CaliKim said that about kale on one of her videos. I was going to try it after the fall season. What purpose do you use the amaranth? Do you put salt on your tomatoes when eating them or just always eat them raw? #lovetheexperience

[@jm219723]

The tomato tree of knowledge. 🤔😏

[@ameliakat9982]

Now there's a t-shirt

[@GreenWitchHomestead]

Oh Benny!!! Sutch a sweet helper. If nothing else Jess now the rest of us have a shot lol. You are a great mom

[@debbiemoore1561]

Green Witch Homestead 😂 My husband said that Jess aught to send Ben to the competition to "help " in their tomatoes. 😂 He is such a precious kid. All of them are.

[@gcockrum1]

The wife and I are looking forward to seeing you at the Homesteading Life Conference in Hannibal Missouri.

[@lizparenzan4761]

Aww! Reminds me of the story my mom told of me: I was 4 years old and got a hold of her garden shears and cut off all her rosebuds right before bloom. I was a good helper😂😳

[@jamesirwin19]

I once sawed a cactus in half with a kitchen knife. Why? I have no idea. I was six. 😂

[@tottering-by-gently]

A friend of mine told me that when she was about 10, she and her brother decided to chop down a tree their parents had just planted, all because they wanted to yell “TIMBER!” 😳

[@SuesSecretGarden3]

Beautiful Tour love life lessons Ben is still the best gardener I know he can do no wrong loved everything you said. It is always good to be Thank for what God gives you just like single dad homestead says. God always have a ram in the Bush. Love you Ben keep up the Great work

[@2115virgo13]

Awww. Too bad. At least you’re kids want to help.

[@jentodd4413]

Name the vw-farms girl chickens The Clementines or maybe the Alouettes (al-lou-wet-tuhz). French-Canadian children's song about chickens...plucking...I think. I only know the chorus.

[@therusticranchgarden]

"You're a CHAMPION" in my eyes. And Little Ben is the cutest - the way he said "I'm sorry" is absolutely the cutest!!!!! At least you won't be under pressure anymore. But you're definitely the "WINNER". Being a mommy always comes first. Love you and your family. Thank you for all the inspiration. Bertha in TEXAS God Bless you.

[@pineyhavenhomestead8947]

Welcome home sweet pretty girl! **HUGS & PRAYERS** I love walking through your garden with you. God love your heart, and your little Ben. I would have cried with him. Thank you for sharing. Have a Blessed Day **HUGS & PRAYERS** from Kelly and critters at Piney Haven Homestead.

[@dontforgetthesunflowers8088]

We are not doing good with my garden. The heat is killing us here on the MS Gulf Coast!! With that said, next year I am investing in some good shade cloths! And better compost too!

[@Alternativesmallholding]

It has indeed been a difficult year, an odd one - our plants haven’t even really got started yet, I’m starting to worry :( Have you tried Great White Purple? We are doing it this year, and Duggin White too. I’m really glad you took some time out x Much love, Jaz X

[@Murphis55]

There’s always another tomato but not another kid. You did the most wonderful thing by not getting upset. It’s only a plant after all. It’s like cars people love them but one accident or theft and it’s gone. People are the only thing that matter. Love to you. May you grow a monster and be surprised. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🐾❤️❤️❤️🖖🏻💪🏻✌️🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅🍅

[@normalara1417]

So glad you had a well-rested trip with your sister. I also LOVED how you handled your prized-tomatoe situation with your little Cherub👼 Ben. By God's grace, that is going to teach many out there, "Choose to stop yelling and give lessons of LOVE instead." That was AMAZING! Thank you Jess. God bless your family.🤗💕🌹

[@deloresochoa6235]

Jess, at my age, late sixty's, I have a sign in my garden.....Do Not Weed, It Could Be a Veggie!......It happens all the time in my garden, lol. You're a good Mom, your flesh and blood comes first. And you will always have tomatoes!!! Love and Blessings from Texas.

[@emilyb4583]

It's so sweet how he helps in the garden (and you're a wonderful mom for not losing your temper over a mistake!). Maybe in future years, a cute (but large and obvious) sign that says "MOM'S COMPETITION TOMATOES" and either words or symbols for "no cutting" (depending on reading skills of your kids) might help to remind young garden helpers to snip elsewhere. And also absent-minded adults... I'd definitely have to put a sign up to remind myself not to get over-excited about harvesting, and I don't even have to worry about other humans getting into my crops.

[@MySGarden]

I have a 4 year old and SOMETIMES I forget just how little 4 year olds are. :) Poor little guy was trying to be helpful (perhaps a bit inquisitive). You are allowed to be upset with him though. Then we move on.....KIDS!!

[@dreyno64]

Oh yeah, Jessica Sowards: I just tasted my first Wapsipenicam (sp?) Peach....that I bought from you at the Shindig.....🤩- one of the best things I’ve ever tasted! It would make some awesome salsa!!

[@wildwildwombat]

I absolutely LOVE your channel! Inspiring me to start my own garden. This fall and winter. Wish me luck. I think I'm gonna need it! Having fun so far. Thank you for sharing. I am thoroughly enjoying watching your videos. 😁 Meggan, Mineral Wells Tx

[@Kight213]

I'm in North Florida. We are also having crazy rainy and hot weather. I've lost all my cukes, my buckets of corn and quite a few tomato plants. The Amelia tomatoes did outstanding though. However, the Hansel and Greta l eggplants have been the masters this year. It's 7:30pm EST 96 degrees real feel 105.

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

You have an amazing garden ,, but you are an even more wonderful Mom...Miah and your family are so blessed.........Stay Safe and God Bless......

[@ShaneJMcNair]

Drive Savers is a GREAT service for recovery of a crashed HD. Check and see if the cost is justifiable. You send bad HD & a new HD in to transfer the DATA to. I feel your pain,, having experienced similar drive failures... thanks for sharing a wonderful parenting tip... Godspeed

[@drawingwithdevan3791]

1:47 I’ve heard that before somewhere... 🤔 Where though? ... 🤭

[@mimiberry8971]

Handled with grace ❤️ I have to confess, I have a small crush on your Benjamin. I think it’s both his love of gardening and his happy eyes, not to mention those EYELASHES! (Swoon🥰) I have 7 daughters myself, and my only living son has just turned 1! He’s so handsome and already his all time favorite activity is watering the garden. I can’t keep him away! I hope he turns out like your little Benjamin. You can’t really teach them to love the garden like you do, they either have it or they don’t. Some of my kids do, some do not, you can’t force it, it just has to come naturally. Anyways, Much love from our garden to yours!

[@backyardmetalcasting]

Awesome parenting! We live in an HOA community so our garden is small. My five-year-old grandson who lives with us, wants us to buy a house where we can have chickens. Blessings 2 each of you

[@lucyo4124]

Oh, poor Ben....he must have been crushed...You're such an amazing Mum, Jess...it's disappointing, but his spirit and core mean so much more.... He work's so hard there with you and I love that he has his own little basket to bring stuff back in. Give him a big hug from me...I'm sure he's gotten lots already!! xo

[@HomesteadByBigfoot]

19.4 oz, very nice. some strange shaper on the other ones. Love the melons, was waiting to see how they would do growing up and hanging with the wight like that. Gonna try this for sure. Overall your garden is looking very full and beautiful. Think you're being too hard on your self about the struggle Jess. I love that you guys always Give it to God and are grateful for what you have and never miss what you don't. God Bless

[@sowingyourheart801]

Awe.... how could you not instantly forgive that ‘I’m Sorry’ request.... so freakin adorable 🥰

[@jolyndaj]

Love your Vlog. Question? I planted a Patty Pan Squash. It only produces female flowers...!! What do I do? I have planted these many times. I have never seen this before. Any suggestions?

[@Ratsinameatsuit]

You’re an awesome mama! I’m not sure I could’ve kept my cool. But you’re an inspiration in patience in parenting. Allowing mistakes is something I struggle with with my children so this was great to see! Your garden looks amazing and productive from here!

[@anniesadventures5133]

You light my soul on fire! You're such an amazing, gracious, humble, kind, and godly woman. You inspire me beyond word. Thank you for this lesson in grace. One day, I hope to cross paths with you. You're my kind of people. 💜 God bless!

[@misslissa17161]

Little Benjamin is just so adorable and he is blessed with a wonderful Mommy! You are both such a blessing and I am so grateful to be able to watch your videos Jess. In my eyes, you don't need the biggest tomato, you and your beautiful family are the greatest prize! 🍅🏆❤️😍😘👪💗💗💗