Toma (long A)to/Toma (short a)to OR Adventures in Gardening

I'll be the first to admit that I don't really have a green thumb.  It's surprising because MANY people in my family are full blown gardeners that speak in the gardening vernacular...growing, planting, tilling, composting, mulch, cold crop, bed...So, I figured that I need to tap into the gardening genes and utilize my backyard. 

With the late freezes this winter in the south, tomatoes from Florida will be at least triple the cost from last year!  Some may bitch say that I'm a little cheap thrifty, so paying that much for tomatoes won't fit my grocery planning. 

Anyway, to prepare myself and further my knowledge, I took an intense vegetable gardening class and have been reading as much as possible about organic gardening, composting, full sun/partial sun, manure (blech), and water ratios.  I know, I know, boooooorrrrrrriiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnng.  I bit the proverbial bullet and bought six different tomato plants and two tomatillo plants.  I know what you're thinking - salsa and FRESH tomato/basil salad!  Funny, that's what I was thinking! 

I'm actually trying to do the tomatoes and tomatillos in containers instead of a bed.  Mainly because my raised bed isn't finished yet.  My needy husband Someone likes to eat dinner and have clean clothes to wear.  Compromises, compromises. 

I am optimistic because all of the plants have grown in the past week that they've been in their new homes and some already have flowers.  (hoping that's a good sign)  Watch next week for growth updates (definitely exciting blog fodder) and flower status. 

Before their new homes

Only the best for my little tomatoes! (This was before I found some cheaper organic stuff at Houston Garden Center)

All in a row...taken on 3/13 (much bigger already)!

My helper (LOVE the gloves) - so took me twice as long to plant

Stay tuned for the next entry about composting!  Fun stuff indeed!