All for Tomato Love

Many, many rules of thumb exist for gardening. In this area, one is "plant your tomatoes on Mother's Day". May 11 this year. For the last several years, I have been on a quest to find Beefmaster tomatoes. My father grew this variety for years from seed. It's a large, lucscious tomato, perfect for BLTs or just slicing. Since I don't grow my own seedlings, I need to rely on the local nurseries.


The first year, none.

The second year, began looking too late.

Last year, I just missed them. The helpful garden lady, similar to my friend Rechelle, explained that they were sold out of Beefmaster tomatoes. "What??? But I'm here at just the right time!" She calmly explained that, yes, I was there at the right time, but sadly everyone had purchased and planted the Beefmaster tomatoes too early and were returning to buy new ones to replace the ones killed by the last late frost. She was having to give the heart-breaking news that none remain each and every day!

So this year I have outwitted them all! I found Beefmaster at the wonderful, hidden treasure of a garden store less than a mile from my house - 5H greenhouse.








Here they wait. Can we make it? I try to water just the right amount (I don't know how I'm doing on that count...I see the slight yellowing). I walk them outside during the day and inside during the night. I talk to them soothingly and keep them out of the way of my boys.



We're going out of town this weekend...the horror! Rechelle doesn't know it yet, but I plan to beg, plead and throw myself at her feet so that I may bring these babies over for her to water while I'm gone. All because of a predicted in the 30s temp for Sat. evening.



The forecast for next week looks excellent - overnights in the 50s! Maybe, just maybe, I can sneak them in a few days early...