Tomatastic!

Tomatastic!

March 11, 2009 Duration: 0:00
The tomato hype has begun! I've never seen so many tomatomania events going on. CSUF's mother of all manias, the Monster Tomato and Pepper Sale, is being held on March 19-22 with over 200 tomato plants on sale. If you would rather hob knob with bourgie tomatoes there's a tomatomania event in Beverly Hills. And if you want to avoid the mania altogether, Armstrong Garden Centers is offering 3 inch tomatoes at $0.97 and buy 3, get the 4th free 1 gallon tomatoes. Ah what?

I have a bin full of madness in the refrigerator. I don't have 200 varieties of tomatoes but rather 20ish different types; enough for a small farm. I grow 99% of my seedlings from seed. The other 1% is seedling impulse buys.

It's blitzkrieg bop in the greenhouse with two flats full of tomato and pepper seedlings and more to be sown this weekend. The tomatoes pictured are from last season's crop. I had tomatoes well into December. If you want your own freakish tomatoes I'll be posting my favorite watering method soon!



And if you don't already know, Fern at Life On The Balcony is having a contest. You have until March 20th to share your smartiest container gardening tip for a six pack of seeds from Botanical Interests (one of my faves). Your choice and shipped directly to you. Go enter!

There's a certain kind of satisfaction that comes from getting your hands dirty, from the quiet rebellion of nurturing something yourself. Victory Home & Garden is rooted in that feeling. This isn't about pristine lawns or perfect decor; it's about the practical, often messy, reality of creating a life that's more self-sufficient and connected to the ground beneath your feet. Each episode digs into what it truly means to cultivate your own space, whether that's turning a patch of earth into a vegetable plot, finding creative ways to repair and reuse what you have, or simply learning to see your home as a place of tangible creation. The guiding idea here is about reclaiming a bit of independence, or as the show puts it, keeping it punk by growing our own. You'll hear straightforward conversations, personal stories from the trenches of DIY projects, and honest advice that skips the glossy magazine perfection. Tune into this podcast for a dose of grounded inspiration that celebrates the small, hard-won victories of building a home and tending a garden on your own terms.
Episodes: 25

Podcast Episodes
[not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
The Associated Press recently asked for my opinion regarding recession gardening. Between the vegetables I’m growing in the garden and the fruits and vegetables I exchange with my neighbors our grocery bill has been sign…
[not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
I know it’s hard to believe that Victory Home & Garden exists and grows in only two 4’ by 8’ raised beds. This is where the legend of the seven foot tomato plants live and where a bonanza of vegetables are harvested from…
[not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
What a difference a month makes. The first picture was taken on January 26. The second picture was taken on February 27.Ok, not the exact angle but do compare the wimpy seedlings in the first picture to the robust seedli…
[not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
We're fortunate enough to live near pizza dynasty Buono’s. We used to frequent this establishment a least once a week. Before I became vegan their Buona Lisa was one of my favorite pizzas. Buono’s was still a commonplace…