Growing a Garden During the Pandemic
It was never about the tomatoes.
During the pandemic, I grew tomatoes, lots of them. I had eight plants. They produced loads and loads of tomatoes. It was almost comical because I am the only one in my family of three that will eat them.
A Cornucopia
I was in hog heaven. I had fresh tomatoes with every meal, B.L.T. after B.L.T., homemade salsa, and even a tomato pie.
My neighbors stopped answering the door when I showed up with armloads of tomatoes to share; friends stopped responding to my texts, and my relatives made me swear to stop leaving tomatoes on their doorsteps.
Was it Worth the Effort?
It certainly begged the question, why was I growing them? Why did I spend so much time cultivating and watering them every night? I hadn’t grown a garden in decades. What compelled me to start again?
The most obvious answer was because it was during the pandemic and I had many hours of time stuck at home. Also, I enjoyed the hobby. But I also like reading, biking, movies, and playing my guitar. Why tomatoes?
The answer ended up being a little more complicated for me than just a way to pass the time.
The Journey from Hunting and Gathering
Growing our own food has always been an important part of the history of mankind. Until we were able to produce more food than we could eat, society could not specialize. Every person had to be involved in the gathering and production of food.
But once society produced more food than it could eat in one sitting, we had something to trade with. Someone not particularly good at gardening but excellent at thatching a roof could barter for his food.
Food surplus gave rise to builders, doctors, teachers, poets, and writers.
How Much is a Tomato Worth Anyway?
But, I don’t think that is what drove me to grow so many tomatoes. I couldn’t even give them away.
During the pandemic, there were unpredictable shortages in the market. This was new ground for most Americans. Toilet paper was hoarded. Shelves of canned food were emptied. The times were so uncertain.
Nobody knew where this was going. We were scared and at the mercy of events that were out of our control.
The World was Out of Control
Growing tomatoes gave me some power back. We were in a lockdown, and my family was being as safe as we could and isolating.
I couldn’t go to the farmer’s market and simply grab fresh vegetables. Going into the grocery store was out of the question.
So, I grew tomatoes myself. It was never about the tomatoes. I could go years without eating a tomato.
But, growing them myself gave me something that I could control. I also baked bread from scratch and made homemade wine and beer during that time.
Bygone Days
During those many summer nights during the pandemic, I found my thoughts wander as I watered my garden. My thoughts often went back to my grandfather, who died over twenty years ago.
He was a quiet man who thought actions spoke louder than words. He taught me by being the kind of person he wanted me to be.
Half of his backyard was always a garden. He had lived through the the Great Depression and gardening became a habit that just stuck. You grew your own vegetables. That is just what you did.
Why Did I Grow the Tomatoes?
So, why did I grow tomatoes? I am still not sure. The reasons were numerous and not at all conscious. But I enjoyed the project. And, I enjoyed eating them.
Part of me wanted to teach my young daughter something by doing rather than speaking. We spent many hours together tending to that garden.
I think my grandfather would have been proud of my eight tomato plants. I also know he would have helped me eat them. I picture him sitting across from me with a plate of fresh sliced tomatoes between us. We would eat them with a knife and fork and just a little salt. No words would be spoken. There would be no need for them.
