#21 Start a Vegetable Garden

Tomato baby

For many years I avoided raw tomatoes. I’d watch in disgust as my mother and grandmother would slap a thick slice of tomato on two slices of bread (slathered with mayonnaise, salt and pepper, of course) and just eat away likes it’s the best thing since well, sliced bread. I would even order a BLT, hold the T. I just didn’t see the magic in tomatoes, unless of course they were processed into ketchup or spaghetti sauce. A few years ago I let my guard down and tried a caprese salad. I guess the tomato stars were in alignment that day because the combination was like a gravitational pull that wouldn’t let go.

Baby lettuces

So it only makes sense that growing tomatoes be a part of the 30x30 adventure. And for good measure, I  threw in some herbs and mixed lettuces as well. If you’ve never grown lettuce might I suggest that you try. My little plants are only a few weeks old and are several inches tall. Plus if you have purchased one of those $3-$4 bags of mixed greens lately, you can definitely appreciate the cost savings.

If only they made a bacon tree then I’d have the perfect garden. I just don’t think I’m quite ready for my house to become a complete pig sty, despite how it may look from time-to-time.

My favorite ways to eat a tomato:

Absolutely delicious

•  Straight up BLT with lots of mayo
•  Caprese on a baguette: toasted baguette slices topped with buffalo mozzarella, heirloom tomato, basil and a mix of salt, pepper, olive oil and balsamic vinegar
•  And yes, a Tomato Sandwich: tomato, mayo, salt and pepper

Snap dragons, lettuce, tomatoes,
herbs and morning glories (eventually)

By the way, special thanks to Mom and Dad for their help on the new garden. It was our special project during their visit last month.