Neighborhood Garden Party: How to Grow Better Tomatoes

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

How to Grow Better Tomatoes

After weeks of planting countless tomatoes for myself, friends and clients I feel confident in saying that I have placed the last tomato in the ground for the season. Although I have not been able to implement all of the valuable advice that I gathered from Love Apple Farm, I thought some of you might be able to take advantage of Cynthia Sandburg’s remarkable, garden knowledge. Cynthia manages the kitchen gardens for Manresa Restaurant near San Jose, California. This woman is serious about her tomatoes! She starts with a two foot hole, adds a raw fish head, a couple of crushed egg shells for calcium, bone meal for a phosphorus source, and an aspirin to increase disease resistance. She then adds worm castings, an organic fertilizer and a root booster! Take a look at Love Apple Farm’s website to find more interesting details.

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NGP Journal

The idea came to me last spring. Our five year old peach tree was once again demonstrating what abundance really means. For two weeks, we picked, peeled, bottled and froze our luscious Desert Gold Peaches. In the meantime this ''new" organic movement was finally blossoming. I knew people would really appreciate fresh, homegrown peaches right in their own neighborhood! I know this is not a new idea, but you really don't see it very often these days.

Our first step was to make a sign. Then we bagged our peaches, set up a table, and asked for $3 a bag. I put four bags on the table and within an hour they were all gone. On Saturdays we offered a special treat that became a favorite, peach cobbler. Finally, my peach harvest was over. At the grocery store, later that week, neighbors would stop me and tell me how wonderful my peaches were!

Really, all gardeners could be doing this! Each neighborhood is like a small village. We should be able to share our gifts and talents whatever they may be. As gardeners, we can share planning and information. We can offer hands on experience, knowledge and support. We can sell, trade or exchange our harvest. I would like to think that one day this may even evolve into a neighborhood farmers market. So where do we start? In our own backyards. One seed at a time.

Where do we start?

This blog was created as a resource for local neighbors to connect and support one another. If you are a gardener, or are interested in becoming one, or if you are a neighbor that would like to have access to organic produce from around the corner, we invite you to join us.
We believe that this can be a fun experience, and although providing food for your family and possibly your community is not new, this generation is in the process of re-learning the age old art of gardening.
If you have a garden blog or would like to create one for others to view please contact or send your link to Jill@SweetLifeGarden.com

Victory Gardens

"Twenty million Americans answered the call to plant Victory gardens. 40% of all that consumed was produced in the backyards of America. Citizens considered their gardens a community effort and a national duty. Victory gardens were vegetable gardens planted during World War II to ensure an adequate food supply for civilians and troops. The goal was to produce enough fresh vegetables through the summer for the immediate family and neighbors. Any excess produce was canned and preserved for the winter and early spring until next years victory garden produce was ripe."

Revivevictorygarden.org

Neighborhood Garden Party

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

How to Grow Better Tomatoes

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