Sick young tomato plant in new compost pile...

[Chris_NH]

5 weeks ago I had a sick, young Oregon Spring tomato plant in a raised bed. I pulled it up and replaced it with a backup specimen. I took the tomato plant to the newly created compost pile that was almost full to the top from some recent weeding. I was going to just throw it in, but after pulling it up I noticed I got most of the roots, so I thought 'what the heck' and burried the roots in the pile. There was a clump of grass I had pulled up with a half gallon or so of roots and dirt attached, so I put the tomato plants up against that clod of dirt and pulled a bunch of grass clippings around it. I gave it a handful of bone meal and a good watering with a mixture of Neptune's Harvest and water. I then forgot about it because I've started other compost piles. The sick little yellow seedling has grown into one of my better looking tomato plants with no further maintenance.

Quite a nice surprise. I can't figure out how it's grown so well with almost no soil and just green compost and no more fertilizer after planting. Has anyone had a similar experience?

[travis]

Tuna Noodle Casserole Gardening: A less structured form of lasagna gardening.

[Zana]

About four years ago one of the hardiest/healthiest plants I had was growing out of the side of one of my composters. Not sure exactly which variety it was....but it was a beefsteak. I've also had cherry and grape tomato plants grow out of the composters in the past....also without any real care....no watering or fertilising, etc...and no stacking...I just let them sprawl. Even so I remember the one beefsteak getting about 4 foot high without any supports at all.

Good luck with yours....it obviously is a "survivor".

Zana