Paying it forward

[mensplace]

It did me a WORLD of good to find that our resident saint, "Ginny", did such an outstanding work of distributing what was left of my seed collection. This year, I did try to plant a small garden, but after a few months I very quickly found that planning and planting is one thing, but at some point one has to accept that even with the very extensively amended soil developed last year, the heat and efforts at bending, etc., meant that I had to find new outlets and endeavors to keep life interesting. I DO hope that those of you who planted some of those seeds were able to produce some novel varieties they could enjoy.

Here in GA the heat has been overwhelming for me to get outside much and the tomatoes I purchased at a local market were NOT the overwhelmingly delicious varieties you wonderful folks provided seed for last year, but I was at least able to make a semblance of a tomato sandwich. Seems going out for even an hour in this heat QUICKLY brings on the very warning signs that take me right back indoors to working on my new book and my oil painting. Meanwhile, I still get calls from folks who produced fruits on my plants last year, so maybe at least a few were educated as to the pleasures to be had with heirlooms and maybe they too will pay it forward.

Right here on this forum are some of the finest, most helpful, and most generous folks I ever met! Life CAN be very good no matter what! GOD bless all of you...
Clarence Walker

[barefootgardener]

Clarence, Been wondering how you were! Glad you checked in to let us know what you've been up to! You will have to keep us updated on your book, and glad you have the chance to paint again!

(I got a giggle when I read you called me a saint! Thank you..You were the saint for passing them on to me! )

It was my extreme pleasure to distribute your wonderful collection of the seeds you sent ... You were very generous to pass them on to me..I hope everyone is having a better year w/their tomato plants and gardens than I am...

The heat has been wearing on everybody all around the country! Even in our neck of the woods..My main garden where I planted around 78 different varieties of heirlooms is not doing real well..The tomato plants are only half the size they usually are this time of year. We have battled some extreme weather this side of the country, and something got through my fencing and ate part of the tops of my plants! Also the tops of my potato plants..

Now in my GH that is a diffrent story, some of the tomato plants are topping six feet, and I have already picked some ripe sandwich tomatoes and cherries..I have one African Queen growing from some seed you sent and it blossomed for over a month before I finally got some fruit set..Cant wait to try that one..I picked a ripe Bear Creek yesterday and it was very good. The GH is a lot hotter this year and despite shaking my plants daily, some are slow at setting fruit ...

I am having a hard time taking care of my gardens this year (3)..The heat, which makes me very tired, babysitting the grandson a lot, and having family staying w/us down from N. Carolina for a few weeks..remodeling..I have little time to take as good of care of it as I should..Next year I will be cutting way back!! (That's what I said last year...and the year before...and the year before..hehe)

I hope to get some more seeds saved to pass on for next year, but I have a feeling it wont be much!..I will be lucky to get much for canning!

Take care of yourself, and hope you stay in touch!

Ginny

[ScottinAtlanta]

Where in Georgia are you, sir?