First Garden, 2008

The transplants live and some seeds have sprouted, so if we get anything at all out of this first-year experiment, I'll be elated.

I tried umpteen different plans on graph paper and in the end, just threw it all in the ground with total disregard for spacing recommendations. I read not to plant dill next to tomatoes--dill attracts hornworms--but other than that, it's a mess. We planted marigolds around the perimeter to deter pests and encourage pollination.

There's a walnut tree nearby (a no-no for tomatoes) so some tomatoes are in the ground and others are in pots--insurance tomatoes. All non-hybrids: Prudence Purple, Brandywine (an Amish heirloom), and Gardeners' Delight Cherries. I ended up with more tomatoes than ever before, so if they all produce, I may need to take up canning.