Report on ma-in-law's SFG

Some of you may remember that my husband built a couple of small SFG boxes for his mother for Mother's Day. She uses a walker, so he made the 1' x 4' box TT style, and he placed a 1' x 2' box on the ground to hold indeterminate tomatoes which he staked. Her grandkids help her keep them tied to the stake. (Never thought about planting determinate tomatoes on a TT, Boffer. We'll suggest that to her next year.)

In the TT box we planted two squares of bush snap beans, one square of brite lites chard, and one square of Thumbelina zinnias. She has been enjoying the zinnias for quite a while now, but she said the chard finally died. She said a heat wave did them in. But she is excited because her bush beans are blooming now.

Of the two tomatoes which bloom and bloom, only one has set a single tomato, but she said all of her neighbors who grow tomatoes in their gardens are having the same problem. I suspect the heat wave is again to blame. She said she is waiting for her single tomato to ripen so she can have tomatoes and gravy.

Her other kids who live near her tell us it's the best gift we could have given her because she goes out every day and waters her garden, and she gives us all frequent progress reports. We had all been so worried about her because she no longer seemed interested in doing anything and didn't want to get any exercise. Now she has a reason to get out of the house each day to take care of her plant babies.

Thank you, Mel.

Ander,

Her other kids who live near her tell us it's the best gift we could
have given her because she goes out every day and waters her garden, and
she gives us all frequent progress reports. We had all been so worried
about her because she no longer seemed interested in doing anything and
didn't want to get any exercise. Now she has a reason to get out of the
house each day to take care of her plant babies.

Im such a baby, I saw the last part and just cried. My father in law needs tomatoes and Ive yet to get that done for him. They live on our property. I like the idea of table tops for him too, maybe that's why Ive waited. I love our people and want them to be happy all the time. Life gets to be a struggle sometimes for them and I want life as simple as possible. I love hearing about success !! You have had success
Ha-v-v

What a sweet story. I'm so glad she is enjoying it.

It's never too late, Ha-v-v. If it's too late for tomatoes, at least he could have a few fall crops.

I'm thinking TT boxes would be a great idea for nursing homes, too. I could see it as a good project for scouts or church youth groups to take on, making the boxes and setting them up, and getting donations to purchase the Mel's Mix ingredients. Activity directors are always looking for new ideas to keep residents motivated. A daily garden hour would have to be a good thing.

I could make his table tops with pine trees for the "pedestals" well we have the base of the pine trees what wont be used in the walls of our home and those would make a nice start. My husband is so good about making sure Dad has activities. Jeff is set to leave for work from Sept to Oct out of the country. I need something I like to keep up with Dad's activities. The wheels are turning Anders, thank you so much. Boy so many ideas just slammed in !! It will be faster to get a good tomato plant by taking a cutting from the existing plants I have. I will get the plants in my head, he really only wants tomatoes and maybe carrots and radishes he said, but will wait to plant those for a fall planting. Its hot here now. I will be in my garden thinking for sure
Happy Gardening :-D
Ha-v-v

He's lucky to have such a nice and caring daughter-in-law.

Good luck.

ander217 wrote:It's never too late, Ha-v-v. If it's too late for tomatoes, at least he could have a few fall crops.

I'm thinking TT boxes would be a great idea for nursing homes, too. I could see it as a good project for scouts or church youth groups to take on, making the boxes and setting them up, and getting donations to purchase the Mel's Mix ingredients. Activity directors are always looking for new ideas to keep residents motivated. A daily garden hour would have to be a good thing.

I just passed that idea on to my husband, who is a Scoutmaster. Thanks!

elliephant wrote:I just passed that idea on to my husband, who is a Scoutmaster. Thanks!

Oh yes. It would make an excellent Eagle project.

I drove past the living center/nursing home that my inlaws were at and saw that they had several TT gardens!