Finally! Success With Tomatoes

there are over fifteen tomatoes on this one compact plant

 
This is the first time in twenty years of gardening that I have had an abundance of fruit appear  on a tomato plant.  As the joke goes, I was one of those hopeful gardeners that grew a single, $14.00 tomato.  It always depressed me, and I didn't know why I had such a difficult time with this popular plant. 

After a few attempts, I stopped trying.  I stuck to growing things that  did well: hollyhocks, pumpkins, citrus, zucchini and herbs.  Deep down, though, I still really longed to grow tomatoes, like the ones in Italy.  I don't even know the name of this variety.  I threw away the tag after planting it, assuming I would fail again.  I bought it at the Tractor Supply shop, right after the virus hit.  This, a single pepper plant, several packets of organic Seeds of Change vegetable seeds and seven more fruit trees. 

I think part of the reason my three rose bushes  and lone tomato plant did well this year is that I piled  straw mulch on the soil before the rain.  It attracted loads of red wiggler worms.  I have fed the plants compost tea once a week, and reapplied the straw mulch after it decreased.  It keeps the soil cool and moist. 

healthy green leaves and sunlight

Sometimes when you least expect it, what you've wanted will creep up on you, unexpected.  It took me years and years to break into some of the shows that I really had a desire to do.  I continued to audition, and didn't give up.  When the timing is right, things happen easily.   Your heart's desire can come true.  Sometimes it's the little things that bring us the most contentment and sense of reward.  Do you grow tomatoes?

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