Guess Which Tomato I Grew?
Normally a lunchtime stroll through the weekly Farmer’s Market in Portland is a pleasant diversion and a chance to glean growing tips from the pros. But last week’s trip left me feeling a bit inadequate and conflicted. You see, like many other New Englanders, I started a few crops from seed under grow lights this spring and managed to keep them alive and relatively healthy. Then, I saw the mammoth seedlings being offered by my local farmers. Not only were they gorgeous, they were cheap– a mere buck or two for the promise of a month’s worth of mouth watering tomatoes. And I’m not talking Beefsteaks and Early Girls here. These friendly farmers had many hard-to-find heirloom varieties.
The conflict stems from my commitment to the Just Add Water project. On the one hand, the pro-grown seedlings are hardy and photogenic and they’d help make my 10′ by 10′ garden successful. But the more virtuous gardener sitting on my other shoulder tells me that there’s no room for conceit in this demonstration garden. The Just Add Water project is supposed to be about doing it yourself. If I hadn’t started the darn seedlings, there would be no conflict, but there’s no denying my tray of small floppy seedlings.
So, what did I decide? Pisces that I am, I’m doing a little of both. The basil and flower seedlings are mine and two of my three tomato seedlings are home grown. The third is from the market.
Note To Self: Stop Taking Photos W/ Portapotty In Shot. Garden Looks OK!
In addition to transplanting the seedlings, plenty of seeds went in the ground over the weekend. I planted a row of basil seeds next to the seedlings to ensure a continuous supply. Half my bush bean seeds are in. With a 50 day growing season, I figure I can wait a few weeks, plant a second bean crop, and still have plenty of time before frost concerns. I could have bought cuke seedlings, (because I didn’t plant any myself), but after discussing the matter with other gardeners at my community garden, I decided to start them from seed. If the cukes don’t take off in the next two weeks, I may rethink that. Finally, all my squashes, two winter and one summer, went in. Even though the Just Add Water design calls for 4 varieties, I decided to knock it back to three hills to allow for spread. I’m using seaweed mulch in between the rows because some nice gardener left a few boxes in the Children’s Garden. Gotta love Maine! I’d love to hear what the rest of you use for mulch in your gardens.
