EXPERIMENT: Growing Tomatoes in Compost

EXPERIMENT: Growing Tomatoes in Compost


A few years ago we noticed that we had a "volunteer" tomato plant in one of our compost piles (by "volunteer" I mean that the tomato plant grew on it's own - I did NOT plant any tomato seeds in the pile).  My husband and I realized rather early on in the season that this tomato plant was very special.  Not only were the leaves larger and healthier than a regularly planted tomato but the tomatoes were not affected by any of the common tomato diseases or bugs.  This volunteer compost tomato plant also produced fruit for about 1 month longer than our tomato plants that were planted in the ground - amazing!
We had been growing potatoes in compost for years (click HERE to read how) but we never thought of growing tomatoes solely in compost (we always spread our broken down compost all around our garden but I am talking about only using unbroken-down-compost & no soil).  Growing tomatoes in compost is a success!



The picture below shows what our regular tomato plants (planted in soil) look like near the end of September (specifically on 9/29/2016). - There are very few tomatoes left to ripen and the plants have almost totally withered (this is normally the time of they year when tomato season ends in my part of Michigan).



The picture below shows our tomato plants planted in compost  - this is how they looked on 9/29/2016


The compost tomatoes still show many weeks of tomato harvesting and ripening yet to come (see picture below)


There are even still some blossoms on these compost tomatoes (see picture below) - I'm just not sure if there will still be any pollinators around at this time of the year.

These compost tomatoes are still showing many green tomatoes and perfectly unblemished ripe tomatoes (see middle of picture below).



Happy compost growing!

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Linked to:
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Tuesdays with a Twist

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(Checkout this month's wonderful Sponsor!) 

Cynthia from "ShorelineDesigned"
Handmade one-of-a-kind jewelry & beads made from beautiful beach stones from the Great Lakes Shoreline.
Travel along the shoreline with Cynthia
(click HERE to view her blog)

(Please click on the ad above to view her shop)

Weekly Thankfulness & Growth Report #33

#33 - Weekly Thankfulness & Growth Report

If you were following this blog in 2015 then you will be familiar with my "365 Days of Being Thankful" challenge.  I have missed reporting on my thankfulness since I finished my challenge back in November, so I decided to at least give a weekly Thankfulness Report & include a Growth Report also.  Growth in our Christian walk, growth in the garden & growth on this blog.  Finally, I am also including a "Posts From the Past" feature - ENJOY!


This week I have been joyously thankful for a delightful visit with my parents and my cousin.  I am also thankful for cool crisp Fall evenings and for a fixed plumbing problem.  As always, I am mostly thankful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command.  I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business.  Instead, I have called you friends , for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."  John 15: 13, 14 & 15
This post was the seventh of an eight part series that I wrote on John 15 (the wonderful passage about the vine).  Please click on the link below to read the entire post & then scroll down to view each link for all 8 parts in this series.
Read: A Friend's Love


Fall kale is looking great and we are still a few weeks away from harvesting our sweet potatoes.  I'm not sure if we will have enough warm weather left this year for the second flow of Goji berries to ripen.

- Here are my Follower stats:

GFC (Google Friends Connect) - 2,270
Bloglovin - 4,160
Twitter - 6,148

Pinterest - 5,539
Google+ - 2,296
Facebook - 4,392
Linky Followers - 108
Networked Blog - 1,213
Activate - 574
That's a grand total of 26,700 followers in some form or another (that's up 30 from last week!).

(click on the title to view the entire post)
I originally shared the following recipe with you 5 years ago!  Making your own croutons for salad or French onion soup is so easy:
The Basics - Making Croutons from Scratch








This week is FAMILY feature week - click HERE to LINK UP & to see who was featured!



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Take Up The THANKFULNESS Challenge!

I challenge you to thank God for something everyday for one year!  Either write it down in a diary OR share with us on a blog.  If you have a blog & would like to share your THANKFULNESS posts with us, then please fill out this form: 365 Days of Being THANKFUL form - click HERE and you will be added to the THANKFULNESS page.

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Time To Link Up! Tuesdays with a Twist #181

Welcome to Tuesdays with a Twist #181!
Checkout the many great giveaways going on right now!

Click the button below to enter each Giveaway!!:

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Good Morning and Welcome to another No Rules Party!

We're your hosts & co-hosts 

Mary @ Back to the Basics and Mary's Kitchen
Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Angie @ God's Growing Garden
Joyce @ Heavenly Bodies

Checkout my amazing "Featured" Pinterest Board

(click HERE to view & follow)

Features!

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured. Be sure to check all of our blogs to see if you were featured! 

My Features this Week are:

1. "Homemade Soap Making Using Garden Herbs" by Eccentricities by JVG

2. "How To Create Super Easy Garden Art" by Brandi Raae

3.  "Little Bitta Fall Goin' On"  by This Green Life

If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

<a href="http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/" rel="”nofollow”" target="_blank"><img alt="Tuesdays with a Twist Featured" src="http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o501/AngieOuelletteTower/Title%20Pages%20or%20Buttons/TWTfeatured_zpsxgfhxhtk.jpg" /></a> 

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Saturday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features.   And now for the party!

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Your monthly ad could be here!

Click the button to see how

"You're the STAR" Blog Hop - HOME (September 2016)

I am so thrilled that there are so many wonderful Bloggers linking up - Thank you all!
If you are interested in becoming a cohost or participating in our GIVEAWAY - please fill out the appropriate form below.
There are many ways to follow me:
Angie @ God's Growing Garden
blog  |  facebook  |  pinterest  |  twitter  |  bloglovin  |  google+  |  etsy
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WELCOME to Week#4 of the September
"You're the STAR" blog hop!
This is a month long Linky party featuring YOU!
There will be 4 different features each week and 4 different feature categories. 
(Just to be clear - this is NOT a themed party - you may link up ANY family-friendly blog posts any day of each month.) 
The "theme" only occurs during our weekly features:
WEEK#1 GARDEN - gardening, homesteading, recycling &/or preserving (this can include any type of green living,  while remaining family friendly),
WEEK#2 CREATIVE - arts & crafts, music, writing &/or dramatic arts (this can include sewing, dance, art history, handmade jewelry, computer art, fashion etc - anything creative while remaining family friendly)
WEEK#3 FAMILY - parenting, fitness, finances & inspirational (this can include anything about children like: education ideas for children, also self help etc -  anything family friendly)
WEEK#4 HOME - recipes, home décor, antique/DIY &/or travel (this can include anything about your home - even history posts - all while remaining family friendly)
Below is a graphic showing our weekly feature categories:




This week is HOME feature week
Swing by the Home Cohosting Team's blogs to see who is being featured:
Bev @ Eclectic Red Barn
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We are in need of more Cohosts (click HERE to view a list of our current hosts/cohosts)
If you are interested in joining us as a Cohost then please click HERE & fill out the form.

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All Hosts/CoHosts will post this blog hop on every Monday of each week.
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BLOGGER OPP
Next month (October) we will be adding a "You're the STAR" GIVEAWAY - if you are interested in being a Giveaway Cohost and in contributing to this Giveaway then please click HERE to fill out the form (sign-ups end 9/29/16) (Giveaway is totally separate from the Blog Hop)
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Please link up your family friendly blog posts below!
It wouldn't be a linky party with YOU!
(IMPORTANT NOTE: by linking up you understand that you might be featured next month and if so, we will use some of your photos from your post - rest assured - we will always link back to your lovely blog.  We might also share your fantastic posts on social media.  Also, you may link up as many family-friendly posts as you like & YES - other blog hops &/or giveaways are welcome {giveaways and blog hops will NOT be featured though}  Thank You & ENJOY! )

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(Checkout this month's wonderful Sponsor!) 

Cynthia from "ShorelineDesigned"
Handmade one-of-a-kind jewelry & beads made from beautiful beach stones from the Great Lakes Shoreline.
Travel along the shoreline with Cynthia
(click HERE to view her blog)

(Please click on the ad above to view her shop)

The Art of Accepting an Apology

The Art of Accepting an Apology

Nobody ever talks about how to accept an apology.  After all, forgiveness goes both ways: asking for forgiveness and actually forgiving.  Most of us know how to ask for forgiveness - first you have to admit that you have sinned or done something wrong, and then go to the person/people you've wronged and ask for forgiveness.  People rarely talk about how to accept an apology.
The most important thing is that we MUST forgive (see verse below):

"For if you forgive man when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.  Matthew 6:14 & 15
  
The following are three common mistakes that many of us make when somebody apologizes:


1.  Limiters
This is the kind of person that puts a limit on an offense, even if it's just a mistake and not an intentional sin.  The "three strikes and your out" mentality.  If we are to truly forgive as the Lord has forgiven us then that means there is no limit.  When someone apologizes say: "I forgive you" or "No problem" and then when that exact offense happens again say:  "I forgive you" or "No problem" - say this again and again and again........
"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?'  Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.' " 
Matthew 18:21 & 22

2.  Grudgers
This type of "apology accepter" says that they forgive the offense at first but then they remember the wrong and use it in the future.  They use your past offense as ammunition in future situations.  Of course, we are not going to be able to totally forget the past and what has been done to us but NOT using this wrongdoing against the offender in the future is basically the same thing as forgetting the sin.  God has forgotten our sins and we must do the same when we are wronged.
"For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."  Hebrews 8:12

3.  Mockers
This is the type of person that makes fun of you first.  They might say things like: "are you really that clumsy?" or "What a big baby" or "Just think before doing" (well, if it's a mistake there is no thinking first - it's not intentional, it's just a mistake and we all make them).  This type of forgiveness is not sincere - it's not from the heart.  God never belittles. 
"......forgive your brother from your heart." 
Matthew 18:35

When accepting an apology always be sincere, don't keep track of the offenses and never hold the wrongdoing against the offender in the future.

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Shared on:
Tuesdays with a Twist
You're the STAR Blog Hop
LouLou Girls
Turn It Up Tuesday
Happiness is Homemade

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"Prayer Warriors United" is a google+ Community where Christians come together in prayer. 

Click HERE to view or join this community

If you need prayer please fill out this

Prayer Request form

BLOGGER OPP - You're the Star Monthly GIVEAWAY!

As many of you know we started a new blog hop in September called: "You're the Star"
Well, starting in October we will also have a "You're the Star" GIVEAWAY.   Even though there will be a link and mention to this giveaway in the "You're the STAR" BLOG HOP - this Giveaway will be a totally separate post/event.

* This will be the first "You're the STAR" Giveaway. 
* It will be open for entries all month long - beginning on Saturday October 1st and ending on Monday October 31st, 2016.  *
* All Cohosts will have a link to their blog within the Giveaway post
*To become a Cohost you must contribute a prize valued at $5 minimum (see prize/link schedule below)

Prize/Link Schedule/Options (whatever your prize contribution is worth will determine how many links in the raffle):

a) total prize value totaling $5        =   2 links in the rafflecopter (& a link to your blog within the Giveaway post)

b) total prize value totaling $10       =   4 links in the rafflecopter (& a link to your blog within the Giveaway post)

c) total prize value totaling $15       =   6 links in the rafflecopter (& a link to your blog within the Giveaway post)

d) total prize value totaling $20       =   8 links in the rafflecopter (& a link to your blog within the Giveaway post)

For options a, b & c you may choose from: twitter follow, Pinterest follow, facebook visit, Bloglovin follow, Instagram follow, Networked Blogs follow, Tumblr (Google+ is NOT allowed)
For option d: on top of all mentioned above you may also add an Etsy (or other shop) like/follow, or a comment on one of your blog posts (you choose which family-friendly post) &/or a tweet about one of your blog posts (you choose which family-friendly post)

*All Cohosts agree to:
1.  Post this GIVEAWAY on your blog by 8am eastern time on October 1st, 2016 (I will be providing you with the code for this Giveaway).
2.  Promote this GIVEAWAY on your social media sites at least twice a week for the entire month.
3.  You will be responsible for delivering any prizes that you contribute to the Giveaway (except for cash/PayPal prize - that will be delivered by me)
4.  Prize contributions may include: Paypal cash, Ad space on your blog, gift card (e.g. Amazon, Starbucks etc.) , other prizes (e.g. items from your online shop, ebook or handmade items etc)
5.  (Cohosts will not be allowed to enter this Giveaway)

If you are interested in becoming a GIVEAWAY Cohost then please click HERE to fill out the FORM.  (Please note - there will be a new Giveaway each month)

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Sparkle & Shine because "You're the STAR" blog hop! 
Link up today!

Click HERE to share your amazing posts

The Deformed Produce Hall of Fame - 2016

Tomato Heart

 

"Deformed Produce" HALL OF FAME - 2016

Every year I look forward to finding unusual veggie & fruit formations but in the past it seems like I have only been able to do this every other year.  However, this year we have changed from that cycle.
Please click on past HALL OF FAME posts below:
2011 Deformed Produce
Deformed Produce of 2013
2015 Deformed Produce


Harvest always brings beautiful, abundant and sometimes deformed produce.  Everyone sees something different in misshapen veggies and fruit.  Seeing images in unusual garden produce is just like looking at a spectacular cloud filled sky and creating what you see in each cloud.

 

All pictures were taken by Angie Ouellette-Tower and all produce was grown in my garden.
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Blue Potato Snowman
This little guy was just staring up at me from my compost potato bed (click HERE to read about my blue potato patch).  If you look closely you will see that he is smiling.
 

 Green Pepper with a Tongue
This one is my favorite for this year - it looks like this green pepper is sticking it's tongue out at us.

Enjoy!

  

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Linked to:
Turn It Up Tuesday
LouLou Girls

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(Checkout this month's wonderful Sponsor!) 

Cynthia from "ShorelineDesigned"
Handmade one-of-a-kind jewelry & beads made from beautiful beach stones from the Great Lakes Shoreline.
Travel along the shoreline with Cynthia
(click HERE to view her blog)

(Please click on the ad above to view her shop)

Weekly Thankfulness & Growth Report #32

#32 - Weekly Thankfulness & Growth Report

If you were following this blog in 2015 then you will be familiar with my "365 Days of Being Thankful" challenge.  I have missed reporting on my thankfulness since I finished my challenge back in November so I decided to at least give a weekly Thankfulness Report & include a Growth Report also.  Growth in our Christian walk, growth in the garden & growth on this blog.  Finally, I am also including a "Posts From the Past" feature - ENJOY!


This week I have been thankful for the last summer heat and humidity (well, I think it is the last heat wave) and I am just as thankful for the beginning of Autumn.  Most importantly I am thankful for God's healing touch.


"Do not love the world or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever."  1 John 2:15 - 17
"The world" can be very tempting and as technology grows, the world seems to ignore God more and more.  Technology will pass away as we read in the scripture passage above and most importantly - technology can NEVER give you eternal life.
Read: Love The Father NOT the World


Almost everything has been harvested - we still have two of our potato patches to dig up and of course in a few more weeks we will be harvesting our sweet potatoes.

- Here are my Follower stats:

GFC (Google Friends Connect) - 2,270
Bloglovin - 4,157
Twitter - 6,121

Pinterest - 5,533
Google+ - 2,299
Facebook - 4,396
Linky Followers - 108
Networked Blog - 1,212
Activate - 574
That's a grand total of 26,670 followers in some form or another (that's up 45 from last week!).

(click on the title to view the entire post)
Four years ago I had a weekly series called "Frank's Flowers".  This series featured some of my dad's beautiful roses that he starts from a rose cutting.  Please enjoy the "Rolly" Rose:
Frank's Flowers - The "Rolly" Rose










This week is FAMILY feature week - click HERE to LINK UP & to see who was featured!





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Linked to:
You're the STAR Blog Hop
Tuesdays with a Twist
________________________________________________

Take Up The THANKFULNESS Challenge!

I challenge you to thank God for something everyday for one year!  Either write it down in a diary OR share with us on a blog.  If you have a blog & would like to share your THANKFULNESS posts with us, then please fill out this form: 365 Days of Being THANKFUL form - click HERE and you will be added to the THANKFULNESS page.

<a href="http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/p/thankfulness-challenge-365-days-of.html" rel="”nofollow”" target="_blank"><img alt="THANKFULNESS Challenge" src="http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o501/AngieOuelletteTower/Title%20Pages%20or%20Buttons/THANKFULNESSchallengeButton_zpsievqkttd.jpg" /></a>