TOMATO SURPRISE (Continued)
Leaving no leaf unturned, the mysterious green-thumbed stranger included a printed instruction sheet on how to plant the young tomatoes correctly.
“Buy a 1 cubic foot bag of steer manure – about $1.00 at your local nursery or home improvement store … Dig a hole the width and depth of the head of a shovel … put one shovel of steer manure in the hole, then put your dirt back in the hole … Mix the manure and your dirt to taste … Plant your tomato, and give it a drink of water … Stand back, and watch your tomato grow, like Jack’s bean stalk!”
Due to the quest for anonymity by the Johnny Appleseed of the tomato world, there are no names associated with this little story. Let’s just say the tomato surprises are carried out by a multi-talented, witty gentleman and his spry 94-year old father.
The tomato propagation wizard is not content to leave just any variety of tomato. This is a discerning gardener who gifts each recipient with particularly tasty varieties – San Marzano, Momotaro, Jubilee Orange/Yellow, and Yellow Cherry.
He notes his success with his planting ritual for all of his many vegetables in his own garden, including bell peppers, summer squash, winter squash, brocolli, and cabbage. Planting instructions state, “Probably, the most important part of this ritual is to provide your plant with a large hole of loose dirt, so the roots can spread easily. The manure is simply the frosting on the cake.”
A toast to the phantom tomato plant gifter and all the delicious varieties that will be enjoyed throughout summer and fall.
Leaving no leaf unturned, the mysterious green-thumbed stranger included a printed instruction sheet on how to plant the young tomatoes correctly.
“Buy a 1 cubic foot bag of steer manure – about $1.00 at your local nursery or home improvement store … Dig a hole the width and depth of the head of a shovel … put one shovel of steer manure in the hole, then put your dirt back in the hole … Mix the manure and your dirt to taste … Plant your tomato, and give it a drink of water … Stand back, and watch your tomato grow, like Jack’s bean stalk!”
Due to the quest for anonymity by the Johnny Appleseed of the tomato world, there are no names associated with this little story. Let’s just say the tomato surprises are carried out by a multi-talented, witty gentleman and his spry 94-year old father.
The tomato propagation wizard is not content to leave just any variety of tomato. This is a discerning gardener who gifts each recipient with particularly tasty varieties – San Marzano, Momotaro, Jubilee Orange/Yellow, and Yellow Cherry.
He notes his success with his planting ritual for all of his many vegetables in his own garden, including bell peppers, summer squash, winter squash, brocolli, and cabbage. Planting instructions state, “Probably, the most important part of this ritual is to provide your plant with a large hole of loose dirt, so the roots can spread easily. The manure is simply the frosting on the cake.”
A toast to the phantom tomato plant gifter and all the delicious varieties that will be enjoyed throughout summer and fall.