What’s Tomater with You?

I suppose there are jobs where tomato growing prowess is prized. I’m not sure what they are. Perhaps in a greenhouse or at a restaurant with a good farm to table chef or as a farm worker. Unfortunately, I don’t have this skill or at least I haven’t yet developed it. So, it’s a good thing that it isn’t a job requirement where I work. In fact, in all my years of hiring, I’ve never asked about one’s ability to grow tomatoes. Despite this void in my work life, I was completely delighted when someone in our office asked me this question:

Do you grow tomatoes and other important interview questions

Do you grow tomatoes and other important interview questions

“Would you like some homegrown tomatoes?” (more…)

Note from a Friend

Hi Tammy:  

I am on vacation and want you to know there are people

tearing up lawns to grow food up here!  

Love your blog,

Jill

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The Volunteers Seem to Thrive

My husband and I were working in the area around our front patio this weekend. Over the last year, we changed out some of the plants and added some new ones. There’s a lovely new agave that we’ve planted and artfully swirled around it, a flowering vine has grown. I mentioned the vine to him, impressed that it had grown on it own. “We didn’t even plant this yellow microdot.”  His comment back, “yeah, the volunteers always seem to thrive.”

In surveying our yard, I quickly decide this is a truth. Some of the things I’ve purchased at nurseries didn’t make it but many of the plants that were taken as cuttings from others or that have come up on their own – aka volunteered, are thriving.

flickr.creativecommons/photos/heraklit/169568227

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Close Up on a Community Garden

I was surprised to hear the words coming from his mouth only because they were so similar to words that I had used a week earlier in blogging about my community. “There is so much bad news in the world, that it’s great to have this garden – this is good.” Here I was in Miami Beach, FL seeking a good story and here was a good story and someone who feels exactly as I do telling it.

Victory Garden

 

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One Girl’s Trash is Agrigirl’s Treasure

My neighbor stopped by with a gift. Upon examination, it was a sack of grass clippings, a side of watermelon rinds and a couple apple cores. Odd? Maybe but absolutely appreciated. She was making a contribution to our compost pile.

The Compost Pile

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Bindweed, Creeping Spurge and Crabgrass

“I can see white flowers blooming on the tops of the evergreens.”

The observation came from my 92 year old Grandmother. Last weekend was my turn to visit her as I attempt to do with some regularity despite the 800 miles between us.  It’s a wonderful bonding experience and I try to accomplish a few chores like cleaning a closet shelf that’s hard for her to reach or stocking up on grocery items. Friday night when my son and I arrived, she greeted us with fresh sweet corn and Colorado’s Palisade peaches.

flickr cc Muffet

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