heirloom, or doom!

 "These resources stand between us and catastrophic starvation on a scale we cannot imagine. In a very real sense, the future of the human race rides on these materials. The line between abundance and disaster is becoming thinner and thinner, and the public is unaware and unconcerned. Must we wait for disaster to be real before we are heard? Will people listen only after it is too late."

- (The late) Jack Harlan, Professor of Plant Genetics at University of Illinois at Urbana + Author of "Crops and Man"

PROGRESS REPORT: Heirloom Tomatoes

As an attempt to give my husbands and animals a break, I decided to mother something else instead: 72 baby tomato plants. There are 4 heirloom varieties. 
I have equal numbers of Yellow Pineapple, Brandywine, Purple Cherokee and Red Zebra.  The first 3 varieties were from seeds I saved in the fall, from McGrath Family Farms.  You can find my how to post here.

DAY FOUR

90% of the seeds have sprouted!
Maybe it's the magical combination of light, water, warmth.  Is it the thoughtfully mixed soil?  Is it my constant concern?  Maybe.  And just maybe it's the 24 hour jazz.

DAY THIRTEEN

Only 2 seeds didn't sprout- not bad since I started with 72!

The 2nd set of leaves have come in on all of the seedlings.

  We're moving right along. 

Please stand by.