Spring is fast approaching which means vegetable and tomato planting season. I’m a novice when it comes to vegetable gardening but I do have a few tricks to share. These tomatoes are from last year’s garden. It was a horrible year for tomatoes in Portland in 2010. Hopefully, this year will be much improved! Here’s how I’m preparing for tomato season.
I’m collecting fish scraps and egg shells. I keep these in the freezer, clearly marked. Usually, I compost my egg shells but at this time of year, we put them into a separate container and save them for tomato planting day. The fish scraps came from the grocery store and were free. Check with your seafood department to see if they’ll give you some fish scraps. Most are happy to share these. Also, if you’re buying a whole fish, ask for your scraps (head and bones) to be placed in a separate package. You’re paying for the whole fish, you may as well put the scraps to good use.
I know this may not look very appetizing to you but your little tomato plants will be so happy!
Are you putting in a vegetable garden this year? What is your favorite food to grow? What is the easiest vegetable to grow? What tricks do you have?
Go Gingham related links:
I also like to save seeds and re-use those in my garden!
How to stake tomato plants – a very stylishly frugal method!
Why my tomato plants are happy – what I plant with them
My non-gardener-gardening-strategy – yes, non gardeners can fake it
Three easy herbs to grow – you won’t be able to kill these, I promise!
How to build a raised vegetable bed
Growing vegetables in small spaces – I call it “sky gardening”
Thank you for this, Sara! Tomatoes are on my to-do list this year… and it will be my first attempt. At pretty much any kind of gardening. Ever. So I can use all the help I can get!
Love your recs.
Thanks Suzie! So glad growing food is on your to-do list. It is so satisfying (and tasty) to eat the food you’ve grown!
Hey Sara! Informative post…thanks. Last year, we had some large plastic containers that we got from a garage sale. They were the type that sauces come in which restaurants use. I believe many restaurants throw them out! We had only two containers with a plant each. They did well and weed control was no problem. I will definitely be saving the fish heads and egg shells.
Cheryl, that is a great idea! I don’t have much gardening space either so I may have to check into the these containers. Thanks!!
I’ve heard of using egg shells for vegetable gardening so I started to save them, but we don’t have much in the way of a yard for gardening. I think I still have some in a container that I guess I should just compost. I’ve never heard of fish scraps, though! I’ll have some of those as I got quite a bit of fish from family. Unfortunately, that can’t be composted – would be nice to give it to someone instead!
I must admit that I was a little nervous about burying the fish scraps because I don’t compost them and we have lots of city “wild life” around (raccoons, squirrels, etc.) but since these were down so deep in the soil, they were fine. You could try making fish broth with your scraps. This is a nice addition to clam chowder! Thanks for the comment Lane’.
Very teachable student here. Have any tips for bolstering raspberry production????
Hmmmm….I don’t have raspberries but I’d imagine some nice compost would be probably be welcomed by your raspberries. The library system has some great books on gardening and berries, in particular.
Sara ~
Wondering when I should plant my tomatoes? I plan on buying starts, not starting with seeds. Can’t wait to get started!