Posted: February 22, 2022
Last winter and early spring I was flabbergasted to find that the seeds of many of my favorite varieties of cucumbers, squashes, and especially tomatoes were "Out of Stock" at online suppliers, and very difficult to find at gardening stores.
Heirloom Tomatoes
I was lucky enough to discover some of these precious gems on a rack in the back of a local hardware store, and I vowed to never again wait until the last minute when planning out my garden and shopping for seeds.
I don't remember this much enthusiasm for gardening in the past. Many sources are reporting that the isolation and uncertainty of the pandemic have resulted in a return to self-reliance and "getting back to the basics," as illustrated by the renewed popularity of artisan baking, knitting, gardening, and food preservation. It was also almost impossible to find canning jar lids last summer!
I can't think of a healthier way than gardening to connect back to nature, cut our food bills, get some sunshine and fresh air, and experience some science, patience, adversity, and hope all at the same time. Plus, as Guy Clark sang in 1981, "There's only two things that money can't buy - that's true love and homegrown tomatoes." I love a thick slice of a beefsteak tomato with a little mayo and salt on chewy sourdough bread. Heavenly!
If you are new to gardening and want to dive in, there is no better way than to go through the training program with the Washington County Master Gardeners, which begins every October. You will learn the how, what, where, and why of every gardening subject, and you'll meet some wonderful people along the way. You'll soon be working elbow-to-elbow with other volunteers at one of their many rewarding community projects. If you are interested, just explore their website and chime in.
And if, like me, your gardening goal this year includes plenty of beautiful, juicy, flavorful tomatoes, join the upcoming Spring Gardening Seminar via Zoom with tomato expert Craig LeHoullier, hosted by the Washington County Master Gardeners on March 19 from 10:30 am to noon. Craig authored the books Epic Tomatoes and Growing Vegetables in Straw Bales, and is the co-host of Tomatopalooza, an annual heirloom tomato tasting event held each year near Raleigh, NC. He actually named the Cherokee purple heirloom variety in 1990, and is a co-leader of the Dwarf Tomato Breeding Project. The cost to join in is $10. Event/registration link. Happy planning, and even happier gardening!
