We had a very successful tomato growing season last year on our little plot of land in the West End of Hartford. Not being one who likes to take steps backwards, I geared up for another year of productive tomato plants. Kyle even made a new garden bed just for this vegetable. Our hopes were high.
Three weeks ago we attended the seedling sale at Urban Oaks Organic Farm in New Britain. They have a large variety of heirloom tomato seedlings at their sale, both full size and cherry tomatoes. We stocked up and got several different kinds, leaving with 20 plants.
We planted them that weekend and interspersed them with some basil, just to give the appearance of not being too crazy. And then the waiting began. Have I mentioned before, I’m not really someone with a lot of patience?
Now three weeks in, our 20 plants appear to have grown very little, if at all. They also look sad. Some of the leaves are yellow, many of them have tiny holes in them. What is going on? Why aren’t these plants growing? Are we going to get tomatoes by late summer or are we going to end up empty handed? The lack of knowing what will happen is very troubling to me.
So I called the farmer at Urban Oaks. They tell me to be patient. The severe weather we’ve been having lately is wrecking some havoc and it’s still early. Give them time and they will grow. Thank you farmer.
Let me now consult another expert group, Facebook.
C’mon, I have several Facebook friends that garden. They’re a knowledgeable crowd too… The majority say hold off and be patient, don’t rip out the plants and start again. Except one friend. They get under my skin. They tell me I should rip out the plants and start again. They tell me their dog says so too. They say the plants are suffering and I should end it for them. Another friend now supports this view, as they feel the lone dissenter is usually a reasonable individual.
It’s too much for me to take. I go to Comstock, Ferre & Co. in Old Wethersfield to get more plants. I buy 10 more seedlings. But where are they going to go? Our new garden is already full with the original plants and basil. Planters. We have to transition to planters for the new seedlings. I can’t bear to pull out the original ones. There is still a chance they may make it.
So now we have 30 tomato plants. For 2 adults and a small child. I don’t know how many will survive, but clearly I wasn’t taking any chances. We’ll be happy to share our bounty if it actually materializes. We’ll keep you posted on our progress.
Is anyone else out there crazy like this when it comes to gardening?
