GROWING UP IN A GARDEN DOESN’T MAKE YOU AN EXPERT
I grew up on a beautiful farm surrounded by vegetable gardens, corn fields, hay fields and rolling hills where happy cattle and horses roamed. On our 80 acres we canned, froze fresh vegetables, and produced our own beef. It was a great way to spend a childhood.
Anyone knowing this fact about my past would logically conclude that I would already know a lot about gardening. However, that isn’t’ the case. My Dad did all of those things. I didn’t soak in much of that very valuable information. I simply reaped the benefits of what it produced. It seemed that I was always too busy being a kid and learning how to grow up.
Looking back from where I stand today; I wish I had asked more questions. These days I realize it would have been great to have learned a lot more about how to grow good, nutritional and healthy foods.
It is never too late though! I make that statement a lot these days and most of the time it leaves my family members shaking their heads and wondering what I will decide to try next.
Gardening seems to be a great choice.
Tomatoes just seem like the most logical starting place. Don’t take my word for it though; here is some advice from Sean Deitrich that will convince you more than I could ever persuade you that tomatoes are just the way to go. https://seandietrich.com/homegrown-tomatoes-2/.
Anything this guys says is golden. I hope you enjoyed his refreshing take on tomatoes. Maybe my gardening will be at least partially that entertaining. I especially enjoyed his next to last line: “Words will be forgotten. Friends will come and go. Civilizations will turn to dust. Heaven and Earth will pass away. But a brown paper sack of homegrown tomatoes will last for a thousand tomorrows, and then some. Because a tomato is tangible proof that God loves us.”
I have to agree with Sean!
WHEN YOU AREN’T AT THE FARM ANYMORE
My intentions for the past few springs have been to start some box and/or planter gardens on the back deck of our home and in the sunny areas of our back yard. It seems that baby-steps always pave the way for bigger and better things in my life.
The decision right now is to start small and simple and grow as we go.
In the past, I haven’t followed through with these plans very well. For all of my good intentions I have let several springs come and go without the little gardens of my dreams.
I am determined to plant me some vegetables this summer. My logic is that the climate where we live stays pretty warm well into the fall. I’m going to take a chance.
I am going to give this gardening thing a TRY.
BEGINNING FROM SCRATCH
I know nothing.
Zilch.
I’m a total idiot when it comes to gardening. For this reason, I’m going to take this whole new process of learning slow and easy.
We no longer live in those green rolling hillsides of the country. Like much of America, my family and I are dwelling right in the middle of suburbia. I think we can work around that though. Many suburban people seem to be accomplishing little gardens in some form or fashion, even inside the city’s neighborhoods.
My next-door neighbors even have chickens! They bring me fresh eggs on occasion, which is a blessing I’m not used to receiving in this neighborhood of paved roads and streetlights. Hearing their rooster crow reminds me of growing up on the farm.
That old familiar sound of long ago makes me want to get started on that gardening!
STARTING OUT SMALL
So where do you start when you do not know one thing about gardening?
From time-to-time I’ve found that when it comes to logic, I’m not typical. My logic may not be completely sound at first. I’ll be the first to admit the fact that I sometimes have to prove things to myself and learn the hard way.
Instead of looking at what I could grow well inside this particular growing season in the area where we live; I began thinking instead about what my family actually consumes. Tomatoes, squash, onions, lettuce, cabbage, peppers, lady peas and green beans.
These are the vegetables that I know would not go to waste at my house. I like that old saying “waste not; want not.” It certainly applies to planting a garden.
Beginning this new adventure might be costly during these less than economic days. There is definitely no need to be wasteful by venturing into areas that would only waste money, time and effort. My gardening list stuck with the most basic types of produce I knew my family needed and would enjoy eating.
CONTAINERS – ONE STEP AT A TIME
With all the patience I could muster; I began to look up any advice from trusty sources on how to begin to grow veggies in containers and boxes.
I’m going to learn this gardening thing one group of vegetables at a time; and I want to start with tomatoes.
I did a little research. I’m pretty picky about my tomatoes.
STARTING WITH HEIRLOOM TOMATOES
Who doesn’t love a great tomato sandwich?
We all have our favorite ways to eat them. Some people must eat their sandwiches with toast. Others prefer soft white bread.
Many are the praises of a good BLT with all of the ingredients. Some will add other items too, like cheese, cream cheese or cucumbers; etc.
Some people love a lot of salt on their sandwich. Others prefer lots of freshly ground black pepper.
A few people are not going to add the bacon, and some would leave off the lettuce; but the point is:
WE ALL LOVE OUR TOMATO SANDWICHES
Do you have your own pet peeves regarding the making of tomato sandwiches?
One semi-important fact from the past used to be the rule that you needed to use Hellman’s mayonnaise and white bread. That rule abruptly ended though once we found out our Hellman’s mayo was coming to us straight from China. Duke’s quickly became the mayonnaise of choice at our house.
The MOST important tomato sandwich fact of all is the rule that says you must use Sand Mountain Grown tomatoes. Otherwise, the best BLT on earth is just another old sandwich.
Hence my dilemma; I don’t live in Sand Mountain, Alabama.
How will I get the tomatoes that I really crave?
LEARNING HOW SAND MOUNTAIN GROWS TOMATOES
The place in Alabama that grows the BEST, and the TASTIEST tomatoes, is definitely an interesting little area. We locals call this region of the mountainous land by the name of Sand Mountain.
It is going to be very hard to try to duplicate the best of the best!
I’m well aware that the mountain soil is special. I know the dirt in my little pots will fail miserably in trying to imitate that soil; but I’m going to come as close as humanly possible.
This summer is going to be my first attempt at growing tomatoes in my yard. If I’m going to put forth the work and the energy required to plant tomatoes myself, I’m determined that they MUST taste as good as those Sand Mountain tomatoes which I grew up eating as a child.
This is a HUGE challenge; but I’m just determined to figure it out this summer.
So off I go to check into the details of how and why Sand Mountain Tomatoes are the best. I want to find out exactly how they are grown. It is my goal to try to duplicate that effort in some form or fashion right outside my dining room window on the back deck of our house.
I may be a novice who has a lot to learn; but my ambitions are high!
WHERE TO START?
Like anything else that you want to do well; the place to start is with a good education. Sand Mountain farmers are not speaking out very loud about all of their secrets; except for a few of them which I recently stumbled upon by accident.
I’m about to let you in on one of Sand Mountain’s best kept secrets. They are named Dove Stackhouse and Charlotte Hagood. These two have worked diligently together to establish the Sand Mountain Seed Bank.
These two, along with Dove’s husband, Russell, have been cataloging, growing, saving and propagating heirloom tomatoes for a long, long time. They know so much about what they are doing. Their knowledge and experiences are vast. With the expertise they have gained over the years, they have become so very good at growing vegetables that they now offer classes to teach others.
The fine people I’ve mentioned are trying to preserve the heritage and integrity of all those wonderful Sand Mountain seeds; not just the tomatoes; but all of them.
My hat is off to these conscientious Americans.
I would love to go to Geraldine, Alabama and learn a few of the tricks from their famous gardeners. However, that is physically impossible for me at the moment. That little trip is on my bucket list though. It would be delightful to meet and greet them one day. Maybe we could even share a tomato sandwich with them!
One thing I gleaned from my research on Sand Mountain tomatoes is the fact that most of the heirloom tomatoes I love are of the Jeff Davis variety. For this reason, I decided to use that type of heirloom seeds for my brave new gardening endeavors.
ORDERING MY SEEDS
I ordered my seeds from Gary Ibsen and Dagma Lacey’s on-line Tomato Seed Store. This was the best place I could find to order organic, heirloom seed collections.
Also, I received some great e-mail instructions from their newsletters when I signed up at their website. Those newsletters helped me a lot; since I’ve already mentioned; I known NOTHING!
The tiny little seeds came a few weeks ago. I planted them very tenderly and carefully. Determined to grow a great crop of tomatoes, I carefully followed all of the best instructions I could find.
I’m pleased to say I’ve enjoyed wonderful results so far.
This was the very first time I’ve ever been able to grow anything from seeds. Peeking inside the bag I was so thrilled to see tiny little green plants sprouting up!
HOW TOMATOES GOT STARTED AT OUR HOUSE
In a little trip to the nearest hardware store, I gathered some organic planting soil, some vermiculite organic soil mix and some organic perlite soil mixture.
Next, I mixed them together (1/3 vermiculite, 1/4 perlite and the rest just organic potting soil.)
Following my instructions; I added just enough water to keep the soil mixture damp, but not soaking. I took the mix and transferred it into little cardboard containers.
The seeds were placed about one-quarter of an inch into the soil mix and covered over with dirt.
COVERING THE SEEDS
I took all of the little pots and covered them up with a black garbage bag. Preparing carefully, I left the ends of this bag loosely open so the plants could get a little air. Next, I set the little plants just inside my kitchen window for a few weeks. My instructions said to leave them there for four to five weeks to sprout while keeping them covered. Later I was astounded to find that my healthy little seeds sprouted after only a week and one-half!
NURTURING BY WATER AND SUNLIGHT
I removed the covering and watered them by soaking. I’m told in my instructions never to water directly on the tomato plant. Good gardeners learn to water tomatoes by soaking the soil they are rooted in.
Then I sat them uncovered in the shade to allow them time to slowly adjust to the new addition of sunshine into their lives.
This is the state we are at right now – so far so good.
I’m hoping for a little weather cooperation and a long, warm spring.
I can’t wait to tell you what is going to happen next.
PRAYER AND PATIENCE REQUIRED
Please pray for these little plants to do well. Lots of prayer is needed because I’ve NEVER had good luck with plants.
I’m so happy and excited just to see these baby tomato plants begin to grow.
LOVING WATCHING NEW LIFE HAPPEN
There is something truly wonderful about making new life happen. This applies even if it is only tomato seeds!
Once I get these underway and I’m feeling more comfortable in my gardening gloves; I’m going to look into planting some squash inside containers.
Again, it will all be new to me. Still, I think I’m liking this gardening thing!
Keep reading all summer to see if we can come anywhere close to those awesome Sand Mountain tomatoes. I’m hoping to post a few more good articles for rookie gardeners like me. I want to learn along with those who wish to know how to grow and can their own vegetables.
If you enjoyed this post; you might want to get on the e-mail mailing list for The IN SEASON Lifestyle. You will find our articles about seasonal things, healthy things and godly things, (not necessarily in that order,) but especially religious seasonal things. We are always coming up with new ideas and simply love sharing the days with you. Just fill out this form to receive our monthly news: