First Cherry Tomato

It was four months ago that I embarked on My Great Canadian Tomato Experiment. The journey was inspired by Seeds of Diversity which was encouraging Canadians to grow Canadian tomatoes. During a visit to Seedy Saturday in March I picked up a packet of Petitebec seeds and set forth with great determination to grown my own tomatoes. I never thought I would get this far (ie. fruit on the vine, ready to be picked.) After months of nurturing and several transplants, I had succeeded in growing thirteen very respectable plants. I gave five away to friends and family. I planted eight in my own garden but lost one. My seven remaining plants are doing great and promising a bountiful summer for the cherry tomato.

Tonight, I plucked the first tomato from the vine. It looked great: just the perfect shade of red. It smelled great: just like a tomato should. It felt great: plump but firm. I would love to tell you what it tasted like but I didn't get a taste. That honour went to my five-year-old who signalled her taste-test approval with a thumbs up (it's hard to speak with a mouth full of juicy tomato). I could get my first taste as early as tomorrow. This is the only tomato I am growing this year (I am a cherry tomato fanatic). I will try to save some seed and grow it again next year. After such great success, though, Petitebec may have to share some garden space with a few new varieties of tomato that I'll try to grow from seed.