200+ Baby Tomatoes

Between seeds that I saved from last year's harvest, and those from a seed exchange and a massive round robin, I ended up with over 40 tomato varieties in my greedy little hands. So for this year, I decided to plant 30 varieties and save the remaining ten or so for next year (or so). Such admirable restraint, no?

But then, I wanted to play safe. To guarantee that I have at least one thriving plant of each variety, I started six or nine seeds of each kind. I ended up with over 200 healthy seedlings.

TOMATO EMPIRE!

Okay, just kidding...But starting some kind of gardening venture did cross my mind as I scanned craigslist and saw seedlings going for $5 each. Why not? Two craigslists posts later, I was able to sell enough to cover the cost of starting the seedlings, the two raised beds I built in anticipation of more plants. Some of the proceeds also went towards the vertical shed where my gardening stuff now reside. So I did make a small profit, but, more importantly, I made a few friends. Nice people, those tomato grower types.

The raised boxes temping as tomato seedling nurseries.

Tomato seedlings surrounded by their future companion plants,

borage, marigold and basil.

One last group shot before they go off to their new homes ...Such healthy plants! At the front, left side, are three natural fatalities (two other seedlings were eaten by hookworms)--they didn't grow beyond their cotyledons and the stems got impressively big, but still no leaves.