Projo Garden Blog

What’s all this about 47 kinds of tomatoes at URI’s East Farm Spring Festival on Saturday?

How do you get to 47 different kinds of tomatoes?

(To that I, the tomato hater, would add why would you want to, but I’m often told I should just shut the heck up.)

The sensible answer is: Some are red and some are yellow and some are big and some are tiny and some are red striped and some are yellow striped and some are green striped and some are round and some are lumpy and some are plum shaped and … suddenly we are at 46 already.

The 47th, of course, is the coveted San Marzano. Which the Master Gardeners were snapping up pretty fast at the pre-sale, because, apparently, they are great. Really.

If you like that sort of thing.

Which brings me to my point. Slugabeds are not rewarded in plant sale season.

Good stuff goes early.

But that doesn’t mean if you had a hair appointment or Physics-palooza! ran long that it’s not worth going.

If something you want is sold out, give something new a try. A freckled lettuce or a Lime Frisson coleus is hardly a lifetime commitment. Give it a go.

(Don’t ask me what the freckles taste like. It’s lettuce, Bunny-bun. You’ll love it. I swear.)

There are many plant sales coming up. East Farm on Saturday, Casey Farm on Saturday and Sunday, Southside Community Land Trust next weekend and many others (check the calendars on projo.com for details, and for the latest events).

The appeal is good, often unusual plants, expert advice on-site, and often entertainment and a scenic setting. If the proceeds support a great group, all the better.

I’ll be at East Farm on Saturday. If you come, dress for any weather so you can take a stroll around the farm in between enjoying the activities, which are under tents.

Just put everything in a sheltered spot when you get home, particularly very tender things like basil. It's still a little chilly.

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