Growing And Sharing Tomatoes – New Form Of Social Media?

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” padding=”undefined” dimension_margin=”undefined” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text]The results from this years tomato seeds has been excellent, with around a 96% yield!

This means that I have successfully fulfilled my planned platings and have quite a few healthy seedlings to share with friends, family and neighbours.

I took a quick trip to the local hardware store last Saturday and whilst stocking up on a few items, I visited the green goods area to see what prices they were charging for their seedlings.

Depending on size and curiosity value, they ranged between $2-10, and to be honest, these were not the greatest of specimens! They looked somewhat spindly and twisted, and you could tell they had been forced to grow in unnatural conditions.

This is a timely reminder of why growing from seed gives the best quality. Like any process, Quality up front leads to superior results later on!

So what to do with those extra plants?

My next door neighbour took 6 this year, this is an annual barter as we were on the receiving end of some delicious oranges and limes this winter.

My Dad is lined up for a further 6, this weekend I will transport the specifically grown varietals to his garden, so Mum can get on with her chutney making later in the season.

My wife takes a few into her school, again for those her are looking for the green gold and it’s one way to keep the staff happy.

We also share with our dog’s friend too, with a few plants heading over to Zak’s place, as long as he promises not to dig them up like he did last year!

I also had a visit from my friend Raechel and Her daughter Emma last weekend, who took a couple of boxes full for their own plantation and another friend. I added 10 of my best tomato canes to this deal, highly superior to the matchstick thin ones found at most garden centres.

I obtained my bamboo from my friend Elliot, who imports them for his tree plantation in the Taranaki.

Elliot and I have a special supply agreement in the summer, I’m trading the canes in exchange for fruit, which I deliver when in season.

So I think I have good homes for all my tomatoes and of course, I’m sure that everyone will take good care of them and return the pots ready for next year!

So this just goes to show just how “social” growing & sharing tomatoes can be![/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]