When you're baking in the heat of summer it's hard to remember how difficult it is to keep a greenhouse hot in the depths of winter. That's my excuse for what I did the other day.
These are Tye Dye tomato seedlings. I found them this week sprouting up beneath a tangle of tomato vines that I was trying to straighten up, and I felt sorry for the little sprouts.
It wasn't their fault that I neglectfully let a mama tomato fall to the ground and rot beneath the vine. Her seeds spilled out on the fertile soil and with all the sun and rain, the little fellas came to life. Their eagerness to survive tugged at my heartstrings. Yes, I have heartstrings.
It wasn't their fault that I neglectfully let a mama tomato fall to the ground and rot beneath the vine. Her seeds spilled out on the fertile soil and with all the sun and rain, the little fellas came to life. Their eagerness to survive tugged at my heartstrings. Yes, I have heartstrings.
And then I found these. Marigold seedlings sprouting right out of the seedhead! It was an amazing discovery that also tugged those strings of mine. Yanked is probably a better word.
But with the arrival of fall imminent, and with it the first frosty morning, I knew these seedlings wouldn't reach adulthood. My fellow gardeners know what I'm talking about when I say, "I just can't kill a plant on purpose!", so I decided I'd do my best to give them a better shot at life. I scooped them all up, transplanted them into pots, and set them in the greenhouse.
Right now they're really happy. When it's the middle of December and freezing and I have to keep the fire burning in the barrel stove 24 hours a day just to keep them alive, I won't be happy.
But, I'm having visions of picking a fresh tomato on Christmas morning.....so, here's the deal: I'll do the best I can. If it's just too difficult to complete my task, I'll surrender. I'll let myself off the hook. I'll stay inside my warm and cozy house while the frigid winds rush past my window on their way to freeze my precious plants to death. I'll survive, even if they don't.
But, if by chance I succeed in my mission, you will hear about it. Literally. I'll be squealing with delight at the top of my lungs Christmas morning when I pick that juicy ripe tomato and snip a marigold bloom to decorate the table.
Listen for it. You'll be up early, I know.
I just hope I can keep Santa away from them...he's more of a cookie guy though, isn't he?
But, I'm having visions of picking a fresh tomato on Christmas morning.....so, here's the deal: I'll do the best I can. If it's just too difficult to complete my task, I'll surrender. I'll let myself off the hook. I'll stay inside my warm and cozy house while the frigid winds rush past my window on their way to freeze my precious plants to death. I'll survive, even if they don't.
But, if by chance I succeed in my mission, you will hear about it. Literally. I'll be squealing with delight at the top of my lungs Christmas morning when I pick that juicy ripe tomato and snip a marigold bloom to decorate the table.
Listen for it. You'll be up early, I know.
I just hope I can keep Santa away from them...he's more of a cookie guy though, isn't he?
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