In August, which is late for this project, I was bitten by the bug to grow my own tomatoes. I already have a lovely herb garden on my patio that is so productive I probably throw away $40 worth of fresh herbs a month keeping my plants trimmed. But my space to grow food is limited to the patio so I thought that tomatoes were out of my reach.
This summer I suffered extreme tomato frustration. The tomatoes available at my supermarket were tasteless. The final straw was when we left for a two week vacation and I forgot about the tomato I left on the counter. I was certain it was going to dissolve into an acidic ooze that would eat the decoration off my hand painted Italian pottery.  To my surprise we came home to what looked like a fresh tomato sitting proudly in the bowl. I have no idea what chemicals that poor tomato was gassed with, but I know that’s not natural and can’t be healthy. I swore off grocery store tomatoes.
On a trip to Home Depot to buy some of new herbs I discovered a “Patio ” tomato plant. I bought it knowing exactly nothing about growing tomatoes, but how hard could it be? I planted it in organic potting soil and forgot to stake it. Another trip to home depot. Then, it attracted ants, another trip to Home Depot. Then, the aphids came and yes, another trip to Home Depot. In Home Depot trips, supplies and time $40 may be a conservative estimate.
Yesterday — I spotted this little gem shining up at me from the plant. It was so pretty I had to photograph it. It tastes like sunshine. And today I spotted another tomato turning from green to red. Maybe that will bring the investment down to $20 per tomato. As it’s finally starting to turn cool here, I don’t expect to get many more tomatoes off this plant (though there are several adorable little baby tomatoes sprouting up). I did however get the inspiration to grow them again next summer and to add a zucchini plant so I can finally know the joy of zucchini blossoms!
Tomato Plant:Â $4.95
Pot:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $7.95
Potting Soil:Â Â Â Â Â Â $4.95
Stake:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $1.95
Pest Remedies: Â $10.00
Gas: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $12.00
Total: Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â $41.80
Learning Experience — Priceless!
As you say, priceless!
There’s something about growing your own food that I find really intriguing. I wish I could one day learn to live entirely off of the land … unfortunately, right now, I have nowhere to grow anything and I have absolutely no idea how to even pot a plant… I guess I have a long way to go!
Cheers!
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well when you put it like that i guess our home tomato crops were kind ofexpensive after all! they are so pretty and so worth it though- i love that you present the concept of thinking about the sort of moral issue of growing our own…
You are right, expensive but worth it. Did you ever calculate the cost of your salt?
I still think that’s the coolest project ever.
Nothing like experience to make you appreciative of everything else! Great story!
They say there’s no price for awesomeness and I believe it’s true!