Why we Don’t Use Tomato Cages, and What we Now Use.

Code: Ruth

[marlenehod]

Two main things that you may or may not have thought of: 1.) By going to the state extension office, you have made the authorities aware of this problem for other farmers in the extension office's jurisdiction, so they can make other farmers aware of the possibility this may have happened to their plants. 2.) By informing us all on your video, we are aware that this could actually be the reason why our plants are not doing well in our area. I am in Minnesota, and never would have thought to look for spray from a neighbor's farm or known what to do about it. Thank you for the great videos.

[amandadunville]

My youngest son (10)is quite a bit younger than our older two children 21 & 16, and after watching your videos I began to focus on teaching him and requesting him to assist me in our garden. He is in charge of our fruit( strawberries and watermelons) and also our potatoe bags by choice at this point. He is even upset if I do too much in the early morning hours before he wakes up. 😂I’m amazed how fast he is learning and we have been studying garden tips together. Thank you for all your garden tips that are so helpful this first year gardening for me, but also giving me an example of how to include children in the garden. I love your channel so much!

[gqeodrq]

Please don’t apologize for doing gardening videos! My husband and I both enjoy immensely watching your garden grow! Thank you for sharing!

[pollen]

Love seeing their bare feet in dirt and being taught skills! You are a GREAT mom!!!

[kathleenpowers]

Handsome, strong young men helping their mom. Doesn't get any better!

[se]

Teaching life skills is literally the PARENT'S, not the school, not the church's job. Good job Mom! 👍🏻❤

[christinebryant]

I never get tired of seeing garden videos from you. I always learn something along the way.

[whitefeather]

It is wonderful to see the little guys helping! I have 4 grown children and you are correct in your assessment that they need structure and responsibility. More important than just nurturing the garden, you are growing capable children!❤

[carolswiedomstephens]

The idea of neighbors cooperating with each other is an old idea. I love that! We all help each other in my little neighborhood.

[melindawargowsky]

My husband farms, and I have a hobby greenhouse business. He is EXTREMELY careful to have crops sprayed when the wind is in the opposite direction whenever possible. I am so grateful for his support!

[moghqgo]

I also LOVE that you and the kids go barefoot! I always did as a kid and still try to as much as possible at 64 yo.

[johnbieller]

Amen, Sister! “ I don’t want his money, I want my garden”. Keep on keeping on. Appreciate y’all, God bless!

[laurietravis]

They look so happy to help. You have amazing children with amazing parents .

[galeharris]

Thank you for speaking out, Ruth. It takes courage to do so, and it is all our responsibility to do so, if we have proof that large farmers are using toxic chemicals near our land, and we are being affected by it. As Marlene below pointed out, you also are giving other farmers a heads-up that this is a very common problem.
Jess from Roots and Refuge had grazone drift in her high tunnel a few years ago, and it decimated everything in her high tunnel that year, and took quite a while to locate the source. She also spoke out, and I think the more small gardeners and farmers let the big guys know we do not appreciate their mistreatment of our soil (and theirs, truthfully), the sooner we can get serious action.
I am like you in that I COULD buy my food at a store, and do buy my corn at my local organic farmer down the road from me, but I just love how healthy and tasty my homegrown food is, and I am appalled at what is going on in the industrial food world. I don't want to support it. I also get great joy from just being in my garden!
Because I lease my front field to that same organic farmer I buy corn from, and he's growing his corn crop in my field this year, I will be able to have free corn this year! (Part of our deal!)
As always, your videos are thought-provoking and educational. I ALWAYS learn something new about gardening, even though I've been gardening for longer than I want to admit to, ha ha! Thank you, Gale from Vermont
🌻

[jenm]

I love love love cattle panels for trellising things. I do tomatoes and peas on cattle panels. They are the first things I plant in my garden every year and then I put the plants / seeds in along the panels. I couldn't homestead with out cattle panels, zip ties, and duct tape lol. I love your garden visits, never apologize for time spent in the garden. Your parenting advice regarding chores vs free time is spot on.

[WillowsGarden]

Hi RuthAnn and sweet family! Good job supporting and tying up your tomato plants. The boys are such wonderful helpers.
I always used a roll of concrete wire and made my tomato cages. They were so sturdy and I didn’t have to use any stakes for support. They lasted years and years.
I agree, the garden is more important than money especially for the health of your family. I’m glad no farmers close to me spray their fields.
Your cattle eats the grass that probably has over spray and I would check your pastures too.
I hope everyone has a very blessed weekend!

[Angelhugs]

Oh please do not ever apologize for taken us to your garden. I love your garden it’s always so beautiful, I love watching it grow, and you can ramble all you want, it’s great to hear you talk about the garden and all the love and care it takes to keep it growing. You three boys do an amazing job helping Mom and they are learning wonderful skills that will help them in life as they grow into adulthood. God Bless

[Joe-ewrt]

Often times having children help is more trouble than help. But, if you want to raise healthy children you need to keep allowing them to help, and positively encourage their efforts. You do a good job with both. Thank you for the lovely video. God bless.

[denzoez]

I love the way you are raising your family, I wish the world would do the same. If I could go back in time, my family would be so different, I love you channel

[jscasecase]

I love how patient you are while teaching your children how to help out. Teaching traditions is so important.