Gratifying Moment

zabby17 · July 22, 2012

So, last night I was on the side porch barbecuing some burgers when I heard someone calling, "Excuse me?" from the sidewalk.

A young couple I didn't recognize was standing there.

"I'm so sorry to bother you," said the woman, "Do you mind if I ask you somethign?"

I figured they were lost or looking for a recommendation for dinner or something. (This is a small town and my street is off the beaten path, so people I don't recognize at least by sight are usually tourists going for a walk.)

"Sure," I said.

"Those plants growing up your teepees," she said---my garden beds are in the back yard; most are hidden behind the house & workshop but you can see a couple of them from the street---"What are they?"

"Tomatoes," I said.

"THat's what I thought," she said, "But my husband said there was no way because they are too tall!"

"IT's true," he admitted. "I grow tomatoes, and I've never SEEN any that grew that big. What do you do to get them to grow so well?"

Now, I know there are a lot of folk here who have plants a heck of a lot bigger, healthier, and more productive than mine. And I also know that, as they say, size isn't everything! ;-p But I have to admit, it flattered me to have my tomato babies noticed and commented on by strangers literally on the street.

I told them I thought the most important factor was good soil, as well as of course the variety, and explained the difference between determinate and indeterminate. I answered a few questions about seed-starting basics.

We exchanged friendly farewells. And I couldn't help being a little smug as I thought, "They didn't even see the TALL plants!" (The cherries are behind the workshop.)

Such success as I do have I owe in large part to advice and help (including starter seeds and encouragement) from other gardeners, whom I found to be fantastically helpful (mostly on GardenWeb when I started out), many of whom are in TOmatoville now, so a heartfelt thanks to you all.

Z

July 22, 2012

Taking people through my garden is my second greatest pleasure as a gardener. My greatest pleasure is giving bags of tomatoes and other veggies away. I love to escort people through my garden and watch their eyes and faces as I encourage them to harvest tomatoes and other things and try them right in the garden. Black Cherry and Sungold had some wide eyed moments this year. It's interesting how people don't want to impose on me by taking my time when I really want them to. I want them to enjoy what I enjoy and appreciate the wonders I see in a garden.

Ted

zabby17 · July 26, 2012

Ted,
Sounds like this kind of thing happens to you a lot! I can see why it's a pleasure.

I wish I'd offered to show these folks the rest of the garden---if only because there were some even taller cherry tomato plants behind the workshop. I'm a little embarrassed because my paths are still so weedy (my woodchip project remaining only partially completed).

I too look forward to giving away lots of tomatoes!

Z

July 22, 2012	#1
zabby17 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 211	Gratifying Moment So, last night I was on the side porch barbecuing some burgers when I heard someone calling, "Excuse me?" from the sidewalk. A young couple I didn't recognize was standing there. "I'm so sorry to bother you," said the woman, "Do you mind if I ask you somethign?" I figured they were lost or looking for a recommendation for dinner or something. (This is a small town and my street is off the beaten path, so people I don't recognize at least by sight are usually tourists going for a walk.) "Sure," I said. "Those plants growing up your teepees," she said---my garden beds are in the back yard; most are hidden behind the house & workshop but you can see a couple of them from the street---"What are they?" "Tomatoes," I said. "THat's what I thought," she said, "But my husband said there was no way because they are too tall!" "IT's true," he admitted. "I grow tomatoes, and I've never SEEN any that grew that big. What do you do to get them to grow so well?" Now, I know there are a lot of folk here who have plants a heck of a lot bigger, healthier, and more productive than mine. And I also know that, as they say, size isn't everything! ;-p But I have to admit, it flattered me to have my tomato babies noticed and commented on by strangers literally on the street. I told them I thought the most important factor was good soil, as well as of course the variety, and explained the difference between determinate and indeterminate. I answered a few questions about seed-starting basics. We exchanged friendly farewells. And I couldn't help being a little smug as I thought, "They didn't even see the TALL plants!" (The cherries are behind the workshop.) Such success as I do have I owe in large part to advice and help (including starter seeds and encouragement) from other gardeners, whom I found to be fantastically helpful (mostly on GardenWeb when I started out), many of whom are in TOmatoville now, so a heartfelt thanks to you all. Z

July 22, 2012	#2
tedln Guest Posts: n/a	Taking people through my garden is my second greatest pleasure as a gardener. My greatest pleasure is giving bags of tomatoes and other veggies away. I love to escort people through my garden and watch their eyes and faces as I encourage them to harvest tomatoes and other things and try them right in the garden. Black Cherry and Sungold had some wide eyed moments this year. It's interesting how people don't want to impose on me by taking my time when I really want them to. I want them to enjoy what I enjoy and appreciate the wonders I see in a garden. Ted

July 26, 2012	#3
zabby17 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 211	Ted, Sounds like this kind of thing happens to you a lot! I can see why it's a pleasure. I wish I'd offered to show these folks the rest of the garden---if only because there were some even taller cherry tomato plants behind the workshop. I'm a little embarrassed because my paths are still so weedy (my woodchip project remaining only partially completed). I too look forward to giving away lots of tomatoes! Z