Friday, July 5, 2024

Deck Gardening 2024: Heirloom Tomatoes from Seed

  

 Have you priced seeds recently? I was shocked when I went shopping for them this spring. The prices have doubled and, in some cases, tripled over what I paid last year. Generally speaking, I don’t plant a lot of things by seed because it takes longer to get to the harvest. But I also find that unless I want to pay top dollar for specific seeds because plants aren't readily available at local garden centers, I need to come up with a better alternative…and I have. Harvest my own!

 Case in point, these beautiful heirloom tomatoes. I love heirloom tomatoes, not just for taste, but also visual appeal, and I love that there’s a history behind them. These beautiful tomatoes pictured came from Melissa’s Produce. I used them in this salad. While I was slicing them for that salad, I pulled out some of the seeds and set them aside to dry. Two days later, I planted them, and within a week they had sprouted, and with great gusto, I might add. (I'm still kicking myself for failing to harvest seeds from the yellow tomato.).
 
I cannot tell you how happy I was to see these little tomato plants coming up in the pots on my deck. Will they reach fruition this year? Who knows, but I will certainly have a wonderful time growing them, and I will keep you posted as to what happens.

Since that time I have planted seeds from an all red heirloom tomato, as well as a charentais melon that I also got from Melissa’s Produce. All of these are organically grown, so I know the seeds are going to be free of toxins, and these are the most comfortable I feel growing and eating.

Alstroemeria update.
They are thriving! A fuchsia petunia self-seeded beneath them, so it is quite a lovely display.

  “Who plants a seed beneath the sod and waits to see believes in God.” 

-- Anonymous

4 comments:

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

Pattie,
What a fabulous idea to save the seeds and plant your own. They look like they are doing really well. If prices keep going up the way they are , we are all going to have to become little homesteaders and re-learn how to fend for ourselves. Yesterday I shopped at Trader Joes and was really shocked at how much their prices have gone up. A bag of brown rice pasta ( their brand) that I've paid $1.99 last year is now $3.49 and the same with a bag of rolled oats -doubled!! Also, their apples used to be $3.99/bag ( organic) are now $5.99-- Good luck with the tomato plants!

Marie Smith said...

Love the heirlooms! Growing your own must be great!

Gina said...

You have quite the green thumb, I am impressed! One of my favorite things to do with heirloom tomatoes is slice them onto bread with a thick layer of mayo. Salt and pepper it, then get the napkins ready. So good!

Linda said...

And plants! Great idea to harvest seeds on the heirloom. Those plants look very healthy, and I am looking forward to seeing your harvest. I love the alstroemeria/petunia pot! Where will you plant your melon if it sprouts?

I planted tomatoes from Burpee that were half the price of the Bonnie's plants at Home Depot, and they do just as well as the more expensive. I used to sprout my own tomatoes but like you I am aghast at the price of seeds. I had not planned to go to the trouble to sprout seeds anymore, but I you have inspired me to spring for a packet of heirloom Black Krim tomatoes for next spring. The beefsteak tomatoes I planted are doing well and they taste just fine, but Black Krim is my favorite!