How It All Began/Planting Seeds

While I had always gardened, it became my true passion in 2003. My husband’s grandparents had a hobby farm near West Bend, Wisconsin and I loved visiting them and their farm. I was amazed to see all the vegetables lovingly grown in their garden; all kinds of vegetables including rows and rows of tomatoes. I never really enjoyed tomatoes because they are so acidic, but I tried these home-grown varieties and absolutely loved them! They had such a fresh taste with different subtleties that I couldn’t even begin to describe, though I can describe them AT LENGTH NOW. I learned that they only grew heirloom tomatoes (before they were cool) from seed, and from research learned that heirloom tomatoes have significantly less acid than other tomatoes. Grandma started her seeds in a southern facing window using a pie tin, garden soil and a loose fitting piece of kitchen wrap. My daughters loved helping her one year and we are grateful for the memory! I like to think that she & Grandpa are looking down upon me giggling about my transformation into a full-blown gardener! Who knows what they are thinking now as they are watching me blogging!!!

I decided to become a gardener in the Chicago suburbs and grow heirloom tomatoes from seed. I was a little hesitant because I knew that Grandma and Grandpa had “magic dirt”, and of course, green thumbs. I didn’t even have a garden yet, but I decided to take a chance, and so my journey began.

I didn’t have southern exposure, but that spring, I turned my craft room into a make-shift greenhouse. I purchased two adjustable grow lights on stands. The next year, my husband installed adjustable grow lights hanging from the ceiling so I could start more seeds. I did a lot of research about how to grow them including asking Grandma and other family members a lot of questions. I think they thought I was crazy, but they were extremely patient!

I bought and continue to purchase heirloom tomato seeds online from Burpee. I read and re-read its website for varieties that I thought we would love. I purchased Brandywine (Grandma’s favorite), Purple Cherokee, Mortgage Lifter and Big Rainbow varieties. I continue to purchase these every year. I read every review of every single heirloom seed Burpee sold. There were so many different kinds and that number continues to grow each year. I read all about these varieties to learn their histories, nicknames, etc. because I wanted to know it all. Yes, I even went to the library to read books because this is what you did back then! This was before the days of blogs, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. This was before garden centers sold heirloom tomato plants and before you could buy heirloom tomatoes in the grocery store. Not many people had even tasted an heirloom tomato. This was even before the days of farmers markets!

Each year I try another heirloom variety and always enjoy it, but not as much as my staples. This should tell you how ABSOLUTLEY DELICIOUS my tried-and-true varieties are. And yes, this is confirmed by my family and friends. This year I am trying Giant Pink Belgium. I have high hopes, but we will see…

I anxiously waited for St. Patrick’s Day to plant the seeds just like they do on the farm! I started my tomato seeds in a cell seed starting tray with a plastic dome cover using soil-less seed starting medium moistened with water. I fretted over decisions like how long should the grow light be on each day (ten hours and use a timer), how often should I remove the cover to see if they need to be watered (every afternoon), how much water to use (not too little and not too much), how far is 1/4 inch from the top (eyeball it), how many seeds to start (the whole tray of 72 in case some didn’t germinate), would the grow lights catch the plastic dome cover on fire (of course not), when should I take off the cover (when most of the seedlings touch the top), should I measure the distance between the grow light and the top of the tray for the appropriate amount of light (eyeball six inches). Just like a new mom, I was nervous every step of the way and had to trust that my instincts would take over. This is when I started calling my seedlings my “tomato babies”. I couldn’t believe that every single seed germinated just like they do today. I like to think it is because I have a green thumb, but I know in my heart it is because I purchase high quality seeds and purchase new seeds each year. I knew I could only grow 12 tomatoes in my suburban garden, but I would figure out what to do with the extra tomatoes later!

I included my daughters in the growing experience and we patiently and gently placed one seed in each cell and covered them with soil. We did this on the kitchen table so that I could vacuum all the dirt off the tile. That was a really good idea! We used to say, “Goodnight tomato seed. We will see you soon!”

Months later, my husband and daughters created my garden. I remember them finding worms and playing with them. I explained to them why worms are so important to a garden and that we were lucky to have so many. The garden wasn’t located or sized how I had envisioned, but I trusted my husband’s instincts. After all, he is the grandson of hobby farmers, so he probably knew more about it than I did. He was right and I never changed my garden one bit.

We own a lake house in Green Lake, Wisconsin and I secretly thought that maybe I could have a garden there too. Never did I realize that I would eventually grow over a hundred heirloom tomato plants in a dedicated tomato bed, grow tomatoes in homemade earth-tainers (before they were cool) can tomato soup (using Grandma’s recipe - because I can - get it?), sharing suburban community garden plots with my friends, growing leafy vegetables and root crops (from seed) and starting a Victory Garden with my dear friend/neighbor in Green Lake, Wisconsin.

Buckle up and I hope you enjoy sharing my garden adventure with all of its twists and turns. I hope you are inspired to either start a garden, expand your garden, start planting seeds, or grow a new variety in your garden. Chances are that you are quarantined anyways, so what else are you doing? So go play in the dirt, touch a worm, and bask in the sunshine! You will be glad you did!