Homegrown Tomatoes

I am the Tiny Tim of gardening, enthusiastic but unskilled.

This year I planted six tomato plants in three different venues. One is an upside-down variety that hangs from a hook on the back deck. Two more were planted in my own special soil mix, made up of topsoil removed when we built a brick step landing and the compost I've lovingly created from my own potato peelings and coffee grounds. They live in large pots in a sunny spot in the back yard. The other three are the ugly stepchildren planted at the edge of a thriving local community garden.

So far the results are underwhelming. The topsy-turvy variety has produced one harvestable tomato, the size of a large golf ball. The "special" soil mix turned out to have the special consistency of concrete. These two plants are struggling just to survive and not giving much attention to potential offspring. The community garden plants have produced lovely foliage but no fruit.

I estimate my investment in plants, soil, fertilizer, and time, has been about $30.

Fortunately, my friends are much better gardeners than I, and keep me and my BLT habit fixed with lovely, luscious vine-ripened beauties.

I guess the country song is right: You can't buy love or homegrown tomatoes.