Tomato Planting

We spent Saturday afternoon in the garden at Seth's parents' house.  Our main agenda would be to get the tomatoes in the ground.  

Planting tomatoes is a process.  First we had to til the ground and then we rake it smooth.  Next, we lay down a layer of paper.  Then we dig through the paper and make a hole for the tomato plant.

Before we can put the tomato cages in the garden, we have to have a bit of fun with them first.  The kids enjoyed using them as a tunnel.  These cages are larger and handmade, perfect for kids crawling through them.

Twelve cages in all!

Once the tomatoes were planted, we staked the cages around them.  Then the cages are wrapped in plastic.

Our little helper.  When we said "scissors" she was right there handing them to us.  When we said "Stapler" she gave it to us.  Just like a surgeon with his nurse.  While the other kids were running through the garden, Eliza stuck with us.  She sure helped the process go a bit quicker.

Whew!  It is quite the process but it is worth it.  Last year we had a lot of tomatoes and were able to put up enough salsa and sauces to last us all year.  We're hoping we have that good of a year again.  We planted 14 plants and then I'll have an additional 4 or more plants at my house.  Now we just need some good tomato weather!