Bonjour Tomates

I have regular conversations with my tomatoes.

Today they complained about the week’s winds. I shared their concern as the plants were overly dry and the wind burn was showing.

With this small recognition of woe, they directed me to their offering of 4 fully-ripened,cherry tomatoes  hiding deep within the leaf jungle. First of the season! One taste and you will never go back. This is the true meaning of fresh.

I continued our chat and suggested they prepare to hunker down for the brutal, desert, heat season about to happen. They thanked me after I promised to be vigilant about watering.

This kind of relationship requires only 3 things of a gardener. First, you must be perfectly fine with not caring what the neighbors think. Second, it is critical that you slow down …even though you are horribly behind in all the yard tasks. Third, you have to have keen listening and observational skills. Never forget they will answer questions and ask for what they need.

Actually, after further consideration, I think there is a final requirement and that is that you prove yourself to be genuine in your messages of care. They will be watching… because they have acutely refined shit detectors developed over years of exposure to scam gardeners.

As I was hearing sounds of satisfaction, I said my goodbyes and started walking away when something shifted and a small voice asked, “Anyone else hungry?”

Tomorrow, I fertilize.