Huge Tomato Time (DON'T GIVE UP!) | VLOG

[@carlyrobidoux6686]

My son was playing a game on my iPad and a notification popped up and he goes “Mommy the garden girl just posted a new vlog!” 😂

[@FancyTruth1]

So sweet 😁

[@nevleo]

My husband and friends have dubbed Jess (and me, recently) "crazy tomato lady" 😄 I just love it!

[@joanies6778]

Precious! 😍 I hope he's excited about gardening, too.

[@shadow_vr549]

Mine did the same exact thing!

[@melissabutts6694]

This is great 👍🏻 lol

[@janessaw89]

Ok that dress is amazing on you!

[@shadowedmoonlight2184]

Yes where did you get that dress

[@PamsMountainGarden]

Thank you, thank you for this one! I endure 6 months of winter in Maine (NC home for 50+ years) and dream and plan for the gardening year. Then the bugs go crazy, both insect pressure on the plants and the ones biting me until I’m practically bathing in bug spray. The humidity drives me to tears and there’s no air conditioning to escape to. And on and on my whining goes. So, you have reminded me of my pledge to just get out there everyday if only for an hour. XX Pam

[@GardenBandits]

Thanks for the pep talk, Jess. God bless.

[@jeaniepartridge6701]

It has been hard the last week because our temps have been high 90's and humidity 100% several mornings so I am just slowly plugging along doing what I can.

[@meyergirl1]

Needed that message while throwing out MANY tomatoes with blossom end rot. Very sporadic rain and no irrigation is the main issue. I'm working on solutions, but it's still maddening.

[@GinasBeautyReviews]

I just planted 8 varieties today. I can’t wait to try them all!

[@82froggielover]

I got started late (April in Phoenix, AZ) and it was dumb of me to not just wait till fall but i was optimistic and excited to finally start my own garden (we just bought our first house). The bees took forever to start pollinating my garden, female flowers just started to show the middle of last month. I'm battling white flies and this weekend we're looking to have temps well over 115. If anything survives I'll be amazed. I have shade cloth up that it only can do so much. Needless to say i haven't harvested anything from my garden. 😭

[@sylviabradley7355]

This year I decided to go out every morning and weed one 4 x 4 bed before it gets too hot. It works great. Some days I do more than one bed. Makes it manageable 💥

[@mistysmith9087]

Great video! Thank you for the inspiring talk! It is so true to just keep going. Remembering to take notes of the issues is my hardest thing so I can be prepared for the next year.

[@LorriesWorld]

God bless Mom. ♥

[@paulalatimer7286]

Yay. My tomatoes are finally blushing!!

[@dianehall5345]

Good morning Jess. Great video! I can almost taste those tomatoes, sliced on toast with mayo and fresh basil! Good morning Jess, I can almost taste those freshly picked tomatoes, sliced on toast with mayo and seasonings! Great job! Your heart to heart July garden chat was spot on. Try gardening in a woodland environment. Very challenging. We have one open area that gets 7-8 hrs of sun. My goal is to have a series of beds like yours. So far I have two. One is high fenced against deer and the other is a mini walk-in hoop green house. We are in N.H. Zone 4B and the green house is bursting with squash, pak choy, beans! Bed by raised bed, we will have an electric fenced productive garden by 2021. I am even happy to see the weeds, because it means WE HAVE A GARDEN!! At some point I can see us having a high tunnel. Would make life so much easier. Happy gardening everyone!

[@ashleydempsey-henshoney7583]

Gardening with chickens??!! BAHAHA! 🤣🤣🤣 who are those crazy people?

[@catherineanderson3393]

How could anyone give this a dislike?

[@sherrybacon8041]

Trolls!! They do it on all of the vlogs.😪

[@dreyno64]

Hot house toms don’t have the best taste....is there any diff in taste in a high tunnel? We are starting the process to get a high tunnel grant.

[@rebeccaofpollywogflatts8976]

Chickens in the garden may also spread salmonella.

[@alliestella97]

I'm having such a tough time growing tomatoes in fl does anyone have any advice I get flowers but that's it they just fall off

[@debinbc]

Q-tip one flower and then take it and rub gentlely another flower and then another to pollenate them might help 👍

[@frasersgirl4383]

My husband always says when I trudge back in after 15 minutes in the heat.....”you showed up”. “That’s what counts.”

[@shpuply]

Sounds like a good man. He's so right! Good for you just showing up. That's what most people forget. :)

[@kele1264]

bless that man

[@RoseThistleArtworks]

What a sweetheart, both of you.

[@jenniferspeers2453]

Love that. Sounds like you nabbed a good one.

[@iartistdotme]

Thanks, Jess! I needed that. It's so bloody hot down here in central Florida. I can think of a hundred reasons not to keep walking the paths morning and night but once I'm out there, I get busy and forget about the A/C and YT. Then when I go inside, I realize I'm actually doing this - at 74!!!! Yes. I feel great about it and while I'm doing stuff I'm happy and totally not worrying about the news, the bills, the aches, the rest of the world. I'm thinking about the magic in my garden. It is palpable. It is refreshing. It is exhausting It is so self validating. It smells so good. It has the music of nature all around. It isn't just hot, humid Florida but a tiny piece of growing earth and it feeds my soul. My bed feels delicious when I finally sleep. Cool, clean, and rewarding. I thank God for my garden.and for your sharing videos!

[@justpatty7328]

Mary, your words are just as encouraging as Jess's. Thank you from one gardening soul to another.

[@iartistdotme]

@@justpatty7328 And I thank God for other gardening souls that reach out and keep me hanging on to the trellis to catch the sunshine. Thank you Patty for taking that time for this comment. Jess has formed a delightful community that I appreciate so much.

[@kele1264]

So very well said. Exactly how I feel. About my small garden, and about other things. It's life.

[@cathyscroggins1420]

Mary, please continue to get out there and garden and keep moving. My mom passed away recently at 78 and she sat all day and did nothing and couldn’t walk very far at all without being out of breath. No matter how much all of us encouraged her. You have to keep moving. Trust me❤️

[@iartistdotme]

@@cathyscroggins1420 Thank you for your message of care. I'm very sorry to hear about your Mom and her difficulties. I'm so grateful that I am healthy, and living happily with my daughter and her family. I get to take care of the kids which does keep me younger LOL and love that I feel needed. The garden is so peaceful with tons of life lessons. My 5 yo grandson keeps me company and it's fun to be with him while he tastes new things fresh from the soil. He even likes okra and we munch together as we walk. He's learned the names of all the veg and he says he likes everything but his favorite is the stevia. Jess and her family are precious friends even if they are virtual and now I'm glad to meet you.

[@Greens5511]

Yes, not 2 pounds...BUT...u said yesterday that I were going to pick them before the rain so they don't split....I bet had u waited and they filled with more rain water, they would have been 2 pounds....u would have bragging rights....but who cares I bet the flavor is the best as u picked them before the rain 👍👍

[@petefellwock7778]

The last part of your video was OUTSTANDING! I needed that! My garden this year is not that bad since I'm using ground cover, but I have suffered through years where by this time the garden was nothing but 3' weeds. Truly an inspirational talk, yes yes yes were my answers. I've never had a Fall garden before. Never thought about it. With a little bit of care and concern, I'm going to have a Fall garden. Thank you!

[@ooohhitskaren63]

I am trying a fall garden for the first time this year.

[@lynnes6600]

Me, too!

[@kosmosjk]

Hi Jess, what a fantastic harvest of tomatoes. The pep talk was actually well timed. Although I am still at the beginning of the gardening season here (North West England) we have had rain rain rain for weeks, the peas have flopped away from their supports, the ground is a mud bath and the weeds - well, lets just not go there! Thanks for sharing another inspirational vlog :-)

[@unconventionalMi]

Thank you Both Jess and Julia - while Jess’ advise was just in time for me too, your comment Julia was hit the nail on the head. I’m in the English North-West too and it’s my first year of owning a tiny garden. I put so much effort and love into every plant and was starting to lose hope that anything would ever produce edible fruit. It’s comforting to know others are in the same boat and haven’t given up!

[@Hannah_jp_93]

Another person from North West England here! I’m just waiting, waiting, waiting for something to grow 😂

[@lydialee468]

So true！I was so eager when the seeds germinated, but these hot days just makes me think 🤣I don’t wanna go outside. Thanks Jess for the pep talk!

[@weirdheathersgarden]

I’m in Yorkshire, so not sure if it’s classed s North West or North East. Either way, that rain is getting a bit old now. My tomatoes and chillis need some sun!!!

[@ooohhitskaren63]

Go out after 4 pm. That's what I do when it's that got out. I am still building raised beds. So I build after 4pm. I may get 4 hours in. It's better than nothing. I had to water today...cucumbers and rhubarb were screaming for water. Checked the neighbors garden and he was finally home from his trip.

[@butterflybounty]

Well.... if the chicken had gotten the big ones you could have had chicken for dinner lol

[@Anna-tw1he]

My thought exactly! Lol

[@kellyestes5482]

Thought so , too 🍗

[@YT4Me57]

Oh yes indeed!!!

[@jacksaffell3981]

you made me laugh.

[@sunsetsky594]

Jess: "I rubberneck on gardens", LOL. So awesome.

[@nevleo]

I just found my first pea-sized tomato yesterday and all my plants have a lot of blossoms on them. I get so excited when I see your harvests😍

[@ooohhitskaren63]

Shake your tomato plants!!! It's helping mine pollinate better

[@marshagibson5899]

I get jealous lol. My garden had to be planted late and I've only got a few tiny little tomato balls and harvested only one zuchinni. So impatient!

[@angelalowe5987]

I am feeling the stress from my garden. I have lost a few tomato plants. However, I have a full kitchen table of potatoes, tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers. Thank you for the encouragement. ❤

[@Ehealey121]

I have 12 tomato plants that all have viral leaf curl and are not going to produce much due to getting it so young. I'm going to plant a few more tomatoes this week away from the others and see what happens.

[@Side-Quest-Workshop]

You know it’s about to get real when the kitchen scale gets tossed into the hob

[@melissabutts6694]

💯💯💯🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@PicklesFiona]

I call her the tomato lady!

[@crediblerebel8295]

Adam Savage says "Remember kids, the only difference between screwing around and science is writing it down!" I look forward to your scientific exploration.

[@vmorganbogart]

Jess, I remember when little Ben said, It’s hard. You told him, You can do hard things. We all have to remind ourselves of that sometimes. It will be interesting to see how your experiment in the high tunnel turns out. Blessings, Love & Hugs from Vicki in Ft. Worth, Texas 🇨🇱🇺🇸👍❤️🍅🥰🙏🙏🙏

[@cascadiagrove6367]

Yaay! Sittin stump pep talk 💚💚💚 Hope that tomato sandwich tastes like sunshine ☀️

[@alexachen996]

Well It definitely won’t taste like disappointment. 😉😂

[@deewinston5651]

Jess, thank you! I needed this pep talk. It’s 96 right now outside. I’ve been really trying and overall my small little garden has done really well. I think rats have been getting some of my tomatoes. Putting out traps, but being in Houston, I usually call it quits by August. Never had a fall garden but this year I’m going to try. I feel God uses you to encourage people to not give up, or beat themselves up, but to keep trying, to do your best. Blessings to you my sweet gardening friend.❤️🦋

[@takishasage-freebeautyzone]

Girl, you were just preaching to ME! I was getting so frustrated. It's my first time growing in this zone (8a). And my cucumbers just started getting so bitter they're inendible, the zucchini have stuff growing on them that I've never seen in other places that I've gardened, these tomato hornworms are the bane of my existence, and you're right...no matter how many green bean plants I grow it never seems to be enough. I LITERALLY just ran back in the house from spraying neem oil, only for it to start raining and washing it away😭😭😭. So I REALLY needed to hear that pep talk. I'm gonna go take a shower, have a cup of tea and try again this evening. Thanks Jess💚.

[@RoseThistleArtworks]

An old timer out here in rural Colorado told me when I was new out here to plant dill around the tomatoes because the horn worms love dill more, but don't damage the dill. That worked here. Maybe I can pass it on and it will help you, too?

[@iartistdotme]

You will think I'm insane but this is a true story. Fifty years ago I began gardening and raising animals without even visiting a farm before. I wanted it so badly. The first year the tomato horn worms were so horrible and overnight seemed to grow and were destroying all 100 tomato plants. I read Organic Gardening magazine faithfully for years before I even had 10 acres and it just happened that the main story that month was about a tobacco farmer. He said he was loosing ground until he tried a new method of ending the tobacco worms eating his harvest. He collected a hand full of them, blended them with water in an old blender then sprayed the solution all over his tobacco plants and no more worms So, since I knew nothing about farming at all, I decided to do the same. I grabbed a hand full of the green monsters and using a rock in a bucket of water (didn't have a blender) I mushed them up then walked the tomato plant rows and doused the leaves between two sponges. The worms were everywhere and I had no realistic hopes of anything but decided to give it the best I could. The next morning I went out and could not find a single tomato worm - none dead, just gone. I guess they smelled their dead relatives and left. All I know is it worked and from that year on I canned enough tomatoes to keep us in sauce for an entire year. Don't give up. That lesson taught me to keep going and count the losses as inexpensive schooling cheaper than college. No lost plant is a loss - just a lesson to be learned to make you wiser. Keep dreaming cause dreams do come true.

[@sydneykasmar]

Thanks for the encouragement. This can happen in so many areas of life and to follow through with whatever care we can provide is beneficial. I think of you, your family, the garden, the animals and then a kitchen reno. You not only talk a good talk Jess - you walk it. ❤❤❤

[@debrabray8855]

Oh Jess.... Thank you so much for the pep talk at the end! I was just teetering on the edge of throwing in the towel this morning, here in South Texas, even as I was researching pest control and fertilizer. But you are right...there is still harvest in there! BTW, you are going to have SO many sweet potatoes!! Enjoy your tomato sandwich with those gorgeous tomatoes 😋

[@itsbreellis]

Every year can bring different challenges but the harvest makes all that go away, even if it wasn't the harvest you expected! Way to not give up!

[@stacyannwalker8637]

Omg I really feel like you were taking to me cause last Saturday when I saw my kitchen garden completely covered in weeds I wanted to just call it a day. And honestly I wanted to cry and I can remember telling my husband that I feel like giving up. But what gave me a bit of motivation that day was my 11 years old son helping me to pull out some of those weeds. Even though we didn't finish the job completely but it's looking a bit better now and we are planning to build two new raise beds cause I have some scotch bonnet peppers and bells to transplant really soon. Thanks for always motivating us

[@kiprussell6102]

Thanks Jess the pep talk can be about life in general and not just the garden. After all God started his conversation with us in the garden. I have been struggling lately with my health and the health of my wife who has dementia and I care for her so thanks for your advice. Keep up the good work my wife loves watching you

[@iartistdotme]

I love the thought about God starting his conversation with us in the garden. One of my favorite old songs was about walking in the garden with Jesus while the due is still on the roses. It truly is a place to be closer to Him. I said a little prayer for you and your wife just now - He was listening.

[@kiprussell6102]

@@iartistdotme thank you so much I firmly believe in prayer

[@jackieskitchen2020]

My biggest tip from you has been to work in the garden early morning or in the evening. I'd say that is why my gardens have got away from me in the past. Too hot out to go work. This alone has helped me sooooooooo much! Thank you for inspiring me to keep trying!! ;)

[@AM-fn3hy]

My zucchini and summer squash are giving me a hard time this year... mostly every day I want to cry and give up on them, needed to hear this. ❤️

[@ooohhitskaren63]

My squash are not pollinating well. I have yet to get any. And I think my zucchini plants I bought were mismarked...looks like I have all yellow crookneck. We shall see what happens.

[@arios8121]

Mine are struggling too. I have ants stealing pollen out of flowers so they grow a few inches and die, fertilized with calcium too for blossom end rot. Consistantly watering,... Only 2 squash , have thrown many away... I hope you have better luck....

[@meadowsresources6274]

I just ripped mine out. I might try the vining variety next year. Other than that I am done with them. Four years in a row they have been such a disappoint.

[@Just-Nikki]

I haven’t successfully grown anything but cucs from that family since I moved to Missouri almost 4 years ago. The squash bugs are thugs here y’all! I make ant murder syrup ( my husband named it...don’t judge 😋 ) it’s borax white sugar and water and recipes are easily found doing a search. Hopefully we will all get some before seasons end 🤞

[@Nasharak]

I feel this ❤️ I tried to trellis mine and it was a pretty massive failure. I haven't harvested nearly as many as I expected from 3 plants, and I came out yesterday to a main stem snapped a few inches from the ground. I left it on the ground for 24 hrs, went out and pulled the rest out and I'm going to move a ground cherry in its place. ❤️ Hopefully it will have better luck growing there.

[@kittyflint5049]

I really needed to hear this today because I was getting so discouraged and your words nearly moved me to tears. Thank you jess❤ I'll keep showing up

[@sarahm5324]

Me too! I had a rough night in the garden and I felt less inspired and motivated than ever. I am happy to hear thats normal and I should just keep showing up!!

[@genellroder3616]

I built a huge walk in cage around my tomato bed this year because we've had problems with squirrels and birds in the past. This past week I went to pick my first ripe tomato and it and several others have been eaten. Was out on the porch at night and witnessed a rat climb up the chicken wire and get into the bed. Been so disappointed this week to find nothing but half eaten tomatoes but we are now dealing with the rat problem. Maybe I'll get some tomatoes in a week or so.

[@ranaisadoll]

I think CaliKim has a similar rat issue. She sometimes wraps her almost ripened tomatoes with old t-shirts to deter the rats

[@myrtleesther8855]

Apparently they don't like the smell of mint and human hair so I got some little organza bags on ebay to put mint tea bags in and human hair from my husbands home done dodgy haircuts during lockdown. Hope it helps but I live on the river so I have chickened out now and brought the 2 plants indoors into a conservatory , I can't stand rats and would not want to eat toms if they had been on them. It's amazing we get to harvest anything with all the pests that are intent on sharing the produce with us.

[@pillowsrocker]

I feel your pain! Ive been fighting squirrels all year. I finally built a massive 6 ft cage using some blue hawk multi purpose netting. It worked like a charm. My sweet corn couldn't be saved, though. Definitely a shock to a new gardener to walk outside and find an entire row of corn gone, stalk root and all. Hope you're able to find a clever solution to your rat troubles.

[@pillowsrocker]

@@ranaisadoll that is so clever!

[@jessicariddle74]

I feel your pain. I've been dealing with river rats in my garden also. Every night I try to out trick them with traps. Today my bucket trap came in the mail from shepsusa.com and I'm looking forward to seeing how successful it is.

[@sandracarter9675]

Beautiful dress!

[@raquelperez9655]

Thank you so much for your words Jess ❤ . I've been a bit sad on how my garden turn out. I've gardened before & had good success. But this year, the green beans, peppers & squash did not produce. But I'm pushing through it & enjoying my cucumbers & tomatoes & watching watermelons grow. I'll learn from my mistakes & apply what I've learned for next year! So now I'm dreaming of my fall garden & hoping for the future.

[@sherrysardi8928]

They must have those specially trained chickens that only scratch and peck where they're told. 🤦‍♀️ My chickens will put a hole in each and every tomato.

[@chelsiwagner4534]

I'm in MN so I am just staring at my tomatoes daily and living vicariously through you.

[@justpatty7328]

North-central Illinois here, it is taking so long! I'm guessing in the next week and half- I'm praying for ripe maters! I'm enjoying some other goodies from the garden already, quite thankful. Blessings to you all!

[@robinb3963]

Chelsi Wagner me too! I am happy to have baby tomatoes though

[@ooohhitskaren63]

East central Indiana. Garden didn't get planted until June because of the weather. My tomatoes are just setting fruit. Jess is right, shake your tomato plants. I shake the cages, now they are setting fruit. Now if I can get my squash to pollinate...life would be better.

[@mckennajandrey4016]

My chickens got into my garden once, destroyed multiple plants. Never again!

[@beautyforashes2230]

I grow most of my own produce, and sometimes it gets hard. Especially this year, where the weather in my region of Germany has been crazy; either too chilly, too hot, too wet, too dry and it goes up and down, up and down. But I know I spent all winter waiting for this season and missing the garden the way I'd miss a loved one. I grow a lot of winter crops, but it rains most of the winter and the garden mostly takes care of itself then anyway. We're right in the middle of the main growing season here, and it feels like just last week I was nursing the first seedlings into existence, and it'll go by so quickly. .

[@susan-almosta_farm8823]

You do it every time!!! YOU say the perfect words at the perfect time! I love how the Holy Spirit speaks to us through you. That's what I see. That's what I hear. God Bless!!!

[@RootsandRefugeFarm]

He is so faithful!!!!

[@Just-Nikki]

I’m gonna be a mom for a minute and remind everyone to apply sunscreen and reapply often. Don’t forget your eyebrows, hairline, ears and neck. There are inexpensive mineral options for your face like Australian gold and I believe Cerave is mineral as well. Thanks for coming to my Ted talk...those maters are lookin extra sexy Miss Jess!

[@TealStoneHomestead]

I know this is really sappy, but you made me cry when you started talking about not giving up. This year was the year where I wanted success in my garden, and I have been working so hard. Despite my efforts, I keep getting blossom end rot in my zucchinis, and my bell peppers and green beans won't produce despite having pretty good sized plants. Part of me thinks I'm just impatient because I'm in Indiana, and our harvest doesn't happen as soon as a lot of people in the south. But when I posted about this on IG I was surrounded by so much love and encouragement. And now I even get it from you 😭 Anyway... thank you so much ❤️

[@rosemcdonald5681]

My chickens got in my small garden and ate all my Swiss chard and all my carrots. So there ya go,now I know it’s not just me.

[@homehearthwithjules8596]

No chickens in the garden...mine almost ended up in the stew pot after hubby let them in my garden...him too🤣...I told him they would eat the plants and so they did🙄...they eat anything 😁

[@MyaC_TRAHR]

pigs with wings

[@brownsbackyardgardening651]

I cannot wait for my tomatoes to come in! Every single one I grew from seeds this year and all of them are one's you grew and suggest last year. Next year I am adding in a few more!🙌🏻😍🙌🏻😍🙌🏻 You have inspired me so much over the last few years to grow more! Thank you Jess!

[@liarossi123]

Same! Watching all of my tomatoes from seed put on fruit is so much more rewarding than I thought it would be!

[@brownsbackyardgardening651]

@@brightsidegirl thank you! I cannot wait for the reward from all this hard work! Lol

[@brownsbackyardgardening651]

@@liarossi123 isn't it! I'm amazed at the feeling I get from watching it start to finish. Last year only had 4 tomato plants. This year I did 26! Haha I know how much picking I did last year so I'm really going to be a busy woman this year!

[@heatherfoley4945]

I'm struggling with feeling defeated. I am no good in the heat. I lost 9 tomato plants to wilt. I did replace some with store bought plants but they have not taken off yet. My black cherry tomatoes are beautiful but have outgrown their stakes and are flopping all over. I'm trying to figure out some means of additional trellising to help them. I did plant too much and and learning to follow your example and am slowly changing my mindset of more more more! Anyway...Thank you for the pep talk. I dream off growing enough tomatoes to supply my needs for a year by canning. Same with peppers: drying and hot sauce etc. I am feeling more encouraged now...Enjoy your tomato sandwich!!!

[@LeafGreenLPs]

As a suggestion for the overgrown cherry tomato plants, let a few side shoots form and you can clip them off when they're 4-10 inches long, root them, and replace the gigantic plant with them. They will be about the same maturity and won't need a long time to develop before flowering (or might flower immediately), but will have much more room to grow. I lost all my peppers to bacterial wilt except for one plant, so I understand! It's too late in my area to replant peppers so I'm planting flowers into the gaps

[@ooohhitskaren63]

Keep your chin up!!! We all have failures. I am no master gardener...I am still learning even after all the years that I put gardens in. To me, it's always an experiment as to what will do well each year. I am always learning something new to try. And I like to grow stuff you can't find in the grocery store.

[@Just-Nikki]

Heather Foley have you tried some dwarf varieties, they are a game changer and they have a large variety of tomato taste profiles so canning is still an option. I have 37 indeterminate varieties and 7 dwarfs and I will be reversing that next year, they’re just so much easier and only get 2-3 feet tall. Don’t give up, you’ve got this 💪

[@sydneydbrooks]

I needed to hear that today! How did you know! My tomatoes are 11 feet tall, I’ve know I’ve tied and tied and tied until there is literally no more room and they are vining back down ! Yet I hate to give up on them because they have been the best producers I’ve EVER had!! Thanks for the pep talk!❤️🙏

[@yeevita]

I just keep adding sticks and keep tying them lol. I pick until frost. This year, no clue how my tomatoes will do. Spring was horrible and now it is so hot, they will likely do their main production in the fall. It has happened before where fall was amazing. Then again, sometimes it is just a bad tomato year. But the garden always gives something. I have already had meals of chard and beet greens and flavored with chives and green onions and got yummy garlic and onions and basketfuls of plums. And I am shaking a bowl of umeboshi that smell delicious. Oh and of course, sprouts and piles of seeds. So while it may be slightly unpredictable, a garden is wonderful and I would never be without.

[@Holly_at_gypsyhollergardens]

I think ducks do better in the garden..

[@marytymoshuk7176]

That's what I've heard. Never chickens.

[@BethWood01]

Do the people who’ve had 3 pound tomatoes stop watering before they harvest like you do? Water is pretty weighty.

[@Just-Nikki]

BethWood01 that’s a good question, I never thought of that 🤔

[@johnlangevin708]

Good point as the monster Toms I grew last year were in a wicking box with a reservoir..

[@danaqueen139]

Heck yes Jess!! “Just keep showing up” is my mantra! You can’t fail at making progress if you do a little everyday! 💚

[@SignsForSustenance]

I wanna know what they taste like 😩 I'm curious about why you can't eat those tomatoes that got pecked? I probably would have eaten those to not waste them. Haha but my garden is tiny so maybe that's why?

[@lindamartinez8557]

I would have cut away the area that was pecked on, and washed and eaten the rest of the tomato.

[@yeevita]

I would have eaten them lol. But she has tons, so her chickens got a treat.

[@SignsForSustenance]

@Hill Country Homesteading that's true! Bad word choice on my part. 😅

[@seedaholicgardens9085]

MY name is on the board!MY name is on the board!😁😁Watching you harvesting always inspires me to keep striving be patient, my time of harvest, too shall come. I am growing German Pink which are also a Beesteak , So I hope the cousins of your stiped German's do half so well as yours did! looks like tomato sandwiches for breakfast to me!YUM!Coffee and Jess harvesting and dropping wisdom.was My breakfast. What a lovely start to mt day ans I thank you for it!"Blessings of Bounty and May Your Gardens and your Life always Bring You Joy,Inspiration and Abundance!" - Hope & Mark!

[@cathyherring6424]

Thanks Jess.... the words of encouragement mean so much❤️❤️💕❤️❤️love your BIG tomatoes. Ummmmmm

[@allisoncowart2768]

Oh Jess!!! 😭 I needed to hear your message about not abandoning your garden! I am in SE Louisiana and it seemed to me that the garden was just “done” this year. But you reminded me to move on and look forward to the fall garden. Thank you!!

[@yeevita]

My tomatoes usually do better in the fall than in summer. Summer is much too hot and this year spring was more like winter/summer.

[@seedaholicgardens9085]

Dunny you shouls mention fall, bought 20 bags os soil -doing a full dozen soil bags for food production during winter. an i need to Milk Juf Sow right now to get cabbages and other brassicas in place for fall production!I love the lean and the season s where the garden is a beast as well!💜

[@firebranchfarm1615]

Just ate my first cherry tomato yesterday. Makes it all worth it ❤️

[@itsbreellis]

Always worth it!! ❤️

[@Pintsizequilts]

Yay! Tomato time!! I have lots of tomatoes on the vine. Can’t wait for them to be ready. I also had problems with my yellow pear and I live in 5b in a very humid area. I wonder if it just doesn’t like humidity. I had to pull it today as it looked diseased and I didn’t want it affecting the others.

[@ambers9463]

Thank you! This is my 1st year... Dealing with late cold snaps, crazy amounts of rain delaying start, working a new in ground plot with hard soil and a significant weed bank. Nevermind COVID-19. My squash are doing well, and my greens did great in the spring. But my other stuff is on the struggle bus with a promising start but are kind of petering out before reaching their peak. With everything I have found... Just don't give up. It's usually salvageable. And if not... You learned something.

[@marinigrey4913]

GREAT PEP TALK.. I have been inspired by you this year.. To go bigger then i have in the past. I've even started growing much more in container's to.. Thank you for your video's...

[@heartsfiregarden6352]

YEEESSSSSS!!! Thank you for that last tidbit of support and encouragement! That was me last year with my first garden. I just got to the point where I couldn’t go out anymore. It was SO much! This year I’m ready!! I’ve got my canning supplies to get started! And that excites me into going out everyday! I just need to keep showing up for her!! 💜

[@sharoncardenas5447]

I LOVE YOUR DRESS! I want it! That is definitely some Huge tomatoes. You can make 2 meals out of 1 fruit. I like your Hod. Did you get it from Old Farmer's Almanac? God Bless the Sowards!!! ❤😇🌹🌻

[@karen936]

Had our first meal from the garden last night, lovely yellow squash, having it again tonight. Love your garden.

[@SuzanneVoelker]

Awesome video. Thanks for the inspiration. Much appreciated.

[@missmartpants2269]

I needed the end of the video more than anything. Thanks Jess from one to another. God bless!

[@markie3394]

Thank you sooooo much for this encouragement! Getting up early and napping mid day. Wearing bug bracelets and back at it in the evening if not to hot. Picked berries and 🍒 in the heat putting up several pints/qts for just two of us while waiting on our garden to give us red tomatoes. First one half red, split out on two sides from rain and heat then nibbled by a critter 😢. More wait as we harvest our first dozen cukes and the spring plantings last beet eaten. We are older but press on. Our “back 40” of this small city lot needs weed whacked. We could easily be the ones with a garden filled with weeds as the “back 40” threatens to creep into our beds. Letting it and the grass go a bit but the garden is weeded. Priorities 😂. Can’t do both in this heat. Seeds trays started for fall planting but forgot to cover and the rain washed them out. Will start more. Pickle canning tomorrow and peaches by the weekend. Picked my best looking blushing tomato so it doesn’t fall to the same demise as the first and wait it’s ripening on the counter. Tonight exhausted, but grateful. Assessing already. Need more color. Add flowers less corn. Exhausted in the heat. Do we even need to be doing this? Then your words remind, soon it will be cooler and easier. It will be here before we know it. Thanks again!

[@happyheartgardening]

Thank you for that talk. I needed that. I am having issues with my tomatoes. I am so used to having lots of tomatoes when living in Illniois and now that I am living in Idaho, the conditions have changed, and I don't have but a few. I have noticed blossom drop, and maybe i pruned them too much? I was so used to watering all the time back there and here, it don't rain, but there is no humidity so maybe i need to water less? It is all a learning experience all over again and i am getting frustrated. I am dealing with something that keeps eating on my plants, too...aphids maybe. Something else i have never dealt with. I am trying...and you said, keep trying..and take notes. Thank you.

[@gabriellebooth7530]

I just wanted to say thank you! Myself and my family have so enjoyed watching your videos and learning SO much. You’re authentic, inspirational and motivating. I have a 7 year old and twin 4 year olds who are really getting into their veggie gardens which has been a total joy to see. Today they enjoyed their first yellow bush beans and summer squash. So fun to see kids get excited over homegrown veggies! Again, thank you!

[@dorisartman]

Thank you so much for all your encouragement, Jess!💜💕 It helps a lot!🙏

[@amywahl5644]

I have been watching Daniels videos and he is so inspirational to so many people , he sang songs and showed his garden, and I told him Thank you for this musical blessing , y'all a gift from our Heavenly Father

[@lindseysobczak5189]

I didn’t get a notification today 😒 but I’m glad that I refreshed and saw your video a minute after posting!

[@nevleo]

I got my notification after I started watching 😅

[@alexachen996]

My notifications are often slower than I am. 😂

[@gayeknight]

Thank you for the pep talk. I am a 5th grade teacher gearing up for my 30th year in the classroom (hopefully in the classroom), and I am so excited to plan my ”garden” for next years munchkins. I am always so excited to begin planning, getting the names of my next group of babies, setting up my classroom, and putting in the work for a great start. I will remember this ”little talkin’ to” when it gets tough. When it is easy to give up because you aren’t getting the fruit you planned to plant. Maybe, some years you mixed up your seed and munchkins aren’t showing as much progress in reading as you had hoped. Some years you see your babies learning to be kind and supportive of their classmates. Some years you see tech skills growing faster than math skills. It is great to remember that a harvest is worth celebration. Maybe what you tried to plant and cultivate is hibernating within the soil for another season. Thank you for all that you do. You are in my prayers.

[@PsychoPixie57]

"this is what the garden has garden did for me in her neglect..." This was so inspiring to me, for when I feel overwhelmed with my tiny garden.

[@susanne2416]

Blessings Jess! Missed Ben for the tomato harvest! Abundant blessings you & yours sweetie.

[@kellyestes5482]

1.84 is over 1 3/4 pounds. Closer to 2 lbs. They all look lovely.

[@rachelgrinnell]

My tomatoes are not ripening at all. Beginning to wonder how long it will be before the heat subsides so my tomatoes will grow.

[@theclosetmusician1945]

You could always make roast chicken. 😅😅

[@terrielvwl]

The heat of the summer can be so defeating. When you open the door at 6 am and the steam hits you in the face you just want to turn around go back in.

[@harvestenthusiast4519]

Homerun Jess!!🎉🎉 Your timing is great,I'm really glad that you mentioned about the process. Struggles turning into amazing harvests. And the reminder about the fall garden💖. When I'm out among my plants, I often think my cold weather garden seemed easier 🤔😂. The fall garden is totally worth doing. Thanks for your encouragement Jess.💖

[@jeffstewart7091]

You're awesome. Period. I've tripled my garden space this year and I keep thinking... what the bleep was I thinking. I've had a few fails but also some new wins. I just keep plucking away and am so happy with the results so far... ALL of them. Thanks for the pep talk and keeping us inspired!

[@alexismckenzie413]

I needed to hear this so badly. My tomatoes weren't coming in like I wanted and my bell peppers weren't producing. I wanted to try some pumpkins but had trouble planning. I didn't want anyone asking about my garden because I thought it was a failure. Then I started getting some cherry tomatoes and I looked and my bell pepper had four baby peppers on it! Really inspired me to keep my head up during that time because at least I was trying. Thank you so much!

[@brandialford6079]

Lol I rubberneck gardens too! I've even said to myself driving down the road in the car by myself while breaking my neck to take in someone's garden (and not wreck), I LOVE YOUR GARDEN!🤣 Glad its not just me... 🤔yet you did help water the garden seed within me!!

[@SteadfastTrailFarm]

I am beginning to think I really only planted green tomatoes....well, I have eaten a few of my Napa Chardonnay and Sun Gold tomatoes. Great Harvest! Always enjoy watching!

[@happysfamilywnc]

Beautiful, I can’t wait to harvest ours! The chickens help Carl with tilling before the garden is growing. The baby chicks escaped into the garden and ate our marigolds and luckily the kids got them before they got past the first row! Thanks for sharing!

[@Stephroh2]

Thank you so much for the encouragement, Jess. ♥️

[@itsbreellis]

Congrats on the first big tomatoes!! How exciting! Loved your talk at the end, its my 3rd year in and every year has a different lesson!!

[@Citystead]

I really needed some encouragement today. I'm planting a lot of stuff for the third time this year. This is the second year in a row that groubdhogs have devastated my garden, bit I'm not giving up.

[@mattsara2802]

I am not at the point of that overwhelm but know that it will come! Thank you for sharing your perspective! So encouraging!

[@SKJEAN3107]

So, for me, first timer here. Everything is just growing like a jungle. I have a watermelon and a cucumber plant that decided to grow through my tomatoes cages. I may have to much on my cattle panels. Ahhhhhhhhhh

[@Nasharak]

First year Gardner, too! I planted EIGHT cucumbers in pots on my fence, and they've taken over about 40 ft worth of fence. Now they're merging with the butternut squash and pumpkins I fool heartedly thought could share the space 🤣 LOTS of lessons this year

[@MagdaRantanplan]

My grandpa's tip: keep some scissors at the chicken fence, each chicken you catch out of bounds, clip the wing befor throwing back in. :) But awesome tomatoes, the look so tasty.

[@talkandeattv]

can you PLEASE do a canning video for salsa when you have enough tomatoes

[@kenringold]

Yea know, chicken tastes pretty good with tomatoes. Here chic chic chic chic chicken!

[@Cindy-ng6sx]

Needed that pep talk was feeling sad my corn I planted for the first time keeps falling over dead one by one or two by two and I have done everything research wise to protect it , mulch it keep it watered and was ready to toss my hands up. But I’m just going to move forward and try to save what’s left