On my travels last week, I ran across a few people who are starting with one tomato plant. Above are my two tomato plants from last year. I had fresh tomatoes all summer into fall with those. I hadn't had a vegetable garden for 15 years! In my previous gardening life, I had two in-ground garden patches. By far, the largest and most prolific was the 15' x 15' garden I planted in North Pole, Alaska. With all the sunlight in the long summer days, you could practically see the growth before your very eyes. I had a smaller one in California that was very satisfying, though not as big. And then, there was that one tomato plant...

On a long-ago trip to my Aunt Alma's farm in London, Ontario, Canada, I tasted peas for the first time in my life! I'd had peas, lots of peas, before but never had I gone out and picked them fresh from the garden. To have them pop in my mouth like that was a revelation! As a newly married young woman, that weekend visit set me on a path to fresh vegetables as opposed to the smoooshie canned peas of my youth. Even the dog didn't like those things! I came away that weekend with Aunt Alma's love of gardening and one tomato plant from her garden to my window sill. While that particular project didn't end well, everywhere I've lived since, I've tried my hand at a garden as space allowed. So, I recommend beginning with one tomato plant.

Lars has a good point! Start with one pot, why not! And, besides he made me laugh.

What do you need to start your garden?

A plant.
A container.
Some soil.
Some sun.
Some water.
Some time.
Some space.

Yes, its just that easy!

A Plant
I suggest tomatoes because they have a nice payload with not too much work or time. Right now in stores everywhere you can pick one up for $3-5 each in 3 -6 inch sizes. You'll have the best luck going to your local nursery because they can help you decide which variety of tomato is best for your area's growing season.

Be sure to ask them when the last frost date is your area. For instance, mine is June 15th. That means that we can have a hard frost, or 32 degrees or below, up until usually June 15th. This also means I have a short growing season so I'd want to select a plant variety such as "Early Girl", which is what I have in the photos.

For frost protection, I had a small plastic greenhouse for my plants that I got a few years ago at a drug store for $18. Another option is this "Portable Greenhouse", or possibly a clear storage bin would work as well. You could construct your own with clear visqueen or painter's plastic for an even more economical version. These all extend the growing season and protect the plants during the risky frost season. Bringing the plant in at night worked perfectly as well since it was in a container. Just take care until the threat of frost has passed.

A Container
For the tomato plant, a very large container will be necessary as they need about 10-12 inches of soil space. I don't recommend the clay or ceramic pots because you may need to move them inside for cold nights or to an optimal sunlight location as other trees leaf out and obscure what originally had adequate sunlight. Another option is the hanging tomato planter, Topsy Turvy. I ordered mine last year but they came too late in the season so I will be trying those out this year. Even better is to make your own hanging tomato planter. And finally, use the soil bag as the container. It could work!

Some Sunshine
The recommended sun bathing for your tomato plant is 8 hours of full sun per day. If your yard or location allows that , you'll get some great tomatoes! Don't be discouraged if that's not possible. I can tell you that my tomatoes did not receive the optimum of sunlight for the full season. I have a rather small space and rather large trees that obscure the direct sun once they leaf out. I also have a fence that cuts that time short by about an hour. I'll be hanging mine fairly high this year to mitigate that. Placing the container on a table could help as well.

Some Soil
Well, some good soil will make a huge difference. For the first time out, get a large bag of some good organic mix. Again, here's where the nursery staff can help you make a selection. My nursery has a local organic mixture that works well so I'm sure other local nurseries do too. Now we water!

Some Water
Hand watering for one container is the most effective. Keep your plant well watered and make sure the container has good drainage holes. I like to water in the early morning so it lasts through the heat of the day.

Some Time
Not that much time really! Though this element seems to be the the most often cited reason for not attempting a garden. No time. But, time expands and contracts as to how much is needed so there is enough time. Time is an investment when it comes to gardening in that the return is not only fresh vegetables for your table, a savings in your budget, but a calm moment taken out of the day that pays off continuously throughout the rest of your busy day. Everyone needs to take a calm moment to manage their hectic schedule and there's nothing more calming than nurturing your garden or plant. There is enough time.

Some Space

The final frontier. I have a small space, but it is outdoor space just the same. A patio, a deck, a balcony, a window box, a window sill; all can work for one tomato plant. Yes, even a sunny indoor window could work. Though if that window is the energy efficient LowE type, you may have to supplement with a fluorescent indoor light. Just any flourescent light bulb works just fine regardless of all the "grow light" products on the market. I'm using an general utility clamp on light with a spiral fluorescent bulb to keep my seedlings and small plants going until I can get them outdoors. They love it!

So, try one tomato plant. This is how to start gardening to supplement your family budget and your family's healthy eating. Besides, its just plain fun!

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