Blood, Sweat & Tomato Tears
By Michael Nolan
A chat with my father the other day reminded me that I am almost 36 (August 22nd, if you are curious).
That means that I’ve been growing tomatoes for over 25 years!
Okay, so in the grand scheme of things that isn’t all that long – especially if you consider the case of Tomato Casual’s favorite Dad – but still, I’ve been doing this for well over half of my life. For the record, I am well aware that some of you probably have underwear that is older than I am, but to me that’s a big deal.
Over the years people have asked me why I put so much time and effort into tomato plants when it is so easy to go to the local farmer’s market and get whatever you want every Saturday morning, without the blood, sweat or tears. I don’t blame them, I just tilt my head to one side and look on those folks with sympathy because it is obvious that they will never understand.
For a tomato gardener, those tomato plants represent more than the delicious, fresh fruits that will appear in a few weeks. Those plants represent a passion for life, and for nurturing and encouraging something that will help to sustain you.
That blood, sweat and those tears are the very reason I started on this lifestyle path in the first place. I have learned to appreciate the value of what I can produce with my own two hands in ways that go far beyond the financial benefit.
Even if I only were to focus on the money, those tomato plants produce enough fruit throughout the season that I am able to eat tomatoes that I grew myself year round. Not only do I have enough for myself and my own home, but I have more than enough to share with others as well.
I figured one year that I saved over $500 by growing my own tomatoes. I also ate very well that year, got to know my neighbors better, and even helped to feed hundreds of less fortunate people in my community by bringing boxes full of fresh tomatoes and other veggies to a local shelter two or three times a year.
When I share my tomatoes with others, I get the sense that I am giving them a part of myself. It was my blood, sweat and tears that fed those tomatoes that will in turn feed the people I give them to.
So why do I put so much time and effort into tomato plants? Because I am blessed in so many ways I don’t feel that I have any other choice.
June 21st, 2008 at 5:46 am
Hi Michael.
Now that is what Dad calls a good post, I agree with all of it and I hope that everyone reads it today, I am glad to have you as a friend. DAD.
June 21st, 2008 at 7:41 am
Dad,
You are a true inspiration to all of us and I am proud to know you. I will be sure that I am headed north one day soon to have that cup of coffee with you!
Thanks for all of your decades of blood, sweat and tomato tears. We love you!
Michael
June 21st, 2008 at 9:04 am
Wonderful post that captures the biggest reason why we grow anything! To watch something emerge from nothing but a tiny seed and dirt still completely, utterly fascinates me.
June 21st, 2008 at 9:17 am
Karma.
Wonderful post.
June 21st, 2008 at 9:41 am
Nothing beats the security of growing your own food supply, or the pleasure of knowing you’ve selected each and every type of tomato you’re growing for qualities that appeal to you, or the delight in sampling the freshest, ripest produce from your own plants. For years, non-gardeners who just don’t get it have derided home veggie gardening on a cost-per-veggie basis. But in these days of rising gas (and thus transport and chemical fertilizer) prices, I think we “Victory gardeners” will finally have the last laugh! But, er, Micahel, please tell me you don’t really know anyone with 25-year-old underwear. Please…
June 21st, 2008 at 9:43 am
Very inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
June 21st, 2008 at 1:11 pm
ofB: you mean you don’t have any that old? my bad!