Spring Things

It is April- mid April, in fact- and high time to be enjoying the world around us, even if we've recently been hibernating a little more than we ought to!

What better way than starting a garden? (OK, peanut-gallery, no suggestions, just hear me out.)
Whether you live on a farm or in an apartment, gardening on some scale is an option for you, and it can help your four year old learn to eat tomatoes. Or your husband. Or you, if that's a problem!

I'm starting a garden this year in my tiny backyard where I'll be planting beans and carrots, and hoping that our local rabbit population won't get to them first. Because I'm so limited on garden space, I'm also sprouting some "Bloody Butcher" tomatoes that I'll transfer to large pots on my patio as they get bigger. I chose them because they mature relatively quickly (8 weeks!), and because I've eaten them before, and they're delicious! Also, the name alone may help parents of prepubescent boys to get them involved: just imagine, "Hey, son, want to help me with some Bloody Butchers?" Do you really think they'll say no?

Some of my fondest memories as a child are of watching vegetables grow from seeds into plants that I was able to eat from, and I never cease to be amazed by this process. Growing your own veggies is an inexpensive and easy way to enjoy nature just a little bit more. But do look out: it can be addictive!

Here's what you'll need to start a similar project:

Seeds: You can even find packets at most grocery stores!

Cups for sprouting: Peat pots are a great choice, but you can use plastic ones, or anything you can put a drainage hole in. The main advantage of the peat is that you can plant it directly into the soil when you're ready.

Soil: Seed-starting or regular potting soil are fine choices, but do check the label to be sure it's safe to grow food in! You can also use soil from your yard, if it's good quality, or mix it with potting soil to save a little $.

Pots: These should be fairly large, with good drainage holes.

Stakes or cages: This will vary on what variety of tomato you choose, but most good potted choices will need to be staked once they start growing.

Sun: I hope this is self-explanatory.

Water: This should be too, but keep in mind that potted tomatoes will need lots of it!

Getting started:

Follow the directions on your seed packet, and make shallow holes in the center of each sprouting pot. Put several seeds in each hole, cover, water them well, and place in a sunny location. If you have a nice glass cake-stand topper or large clear Pyrex bowl it is helpful to place over the pots to give a "greenhouse effect" to the sprouting.

Most varieties should sprout withing 1-2 weeks. After the sprouts have been up for a few days and have a couple of leaves, thin out the sprouts, leaving just one in each pot. Pull the extra sprouts up very gently so as not to disturb the roots of the sprout you'll leave growing. This may feel a little barbaric, but they can't all grow in there. Such is life.


Transplant the seedlings into large pots when they're beginning to outgrow the cups. Be sure not to put the pots outdoors until after the last frost of the season. Also, it is a good idea to give the plants a chance to adjust to outdoor temperatures by putting them out for short periods of time when it is sunny and warm. This will help them survive their outdoor transition.

After they're outdoors for the summer, be sure to give them lots of water and to provide support with stakes and/or cages as necessary. Keep an eye out for ripening tomatoes, and enjoy!