Why tomatoes don’t like fire

Back in March we had a bit of a disaster.

Before you get worried, on the grand disaster scale it was a minor one. But still, a disaster all the same.

You see, every year, we hold a competition between my Grandma (who the kids call Grandee) and ourselves to race to the first red tomato.

I had seeds, pots, soil and spades at the ready…and the seedling sowing season started with a bang – the Wee Man and Bubby D happily flung soil about, poked little holes in the pot tops with their fingers, and then sprinkled seeds about…

…and shoots grew…

….and little seedling raised their leafy heads…

….and then the cat came along. Or, we forgot about them. Or something.

I’m not really sure, but this year in any case for the first year in many OUR SEEDLINGS ARE NO MORE.

: sobs :

Still, at least in the children’s eyes we have been presented with a chance for redemption – in the form of a gardening kit. Complete with little spade, fork, watering can and three types of seeds it promises a whole host of gardening delights.

And, having been learning all about sunflowers in preschool, the Wee Man assures me that this time round our seedlings will become tall, proud and beautiful plants of joy.

‘You need to give them AIR, mummy’ he proclaims. ‘And the SUN’ (we may well be doomed on that score, given the usual sporadic summers) ‘and SOME SOIL’.

‘Hmm’ I mutter ‘it’s all beginning to sound a bit like the fire triangle…’

‘NOOOO silly sausage mummy, you don’t give them FIRE’ the Wee Man squeals in outrage ‘cos then they will be all burned up! Seeds want water NOT fire’

Well, that’s me told.

Looks like the Wee Man knows what he’s talking about. Perhaps we will have some seedling success this year after all…

Oh, and we’ll let Grandee bask in her victory graciously this year – after all she did have the ‘nettle tea super tomato food’ disaster LAST year. But that’s a whole other story.

 

This post is an entry for BritMums’ #KidsGrowWild Challenge. We were sent a lovely gardening kit courtesy of MoneySupermarket.com and I for one am very appreciative that it has dug me out of a wilted tomatoes hole.