Gardening Experiment: Growing Tomatoes from a Sandwich

Introduction

• Concept: Grow tomato plants from seeds obtained from a sandwich to create a profitable venture.
• Objective: Save money by using free tomatoes from sandwiches to cultivate tomato plants and sell them.

Phase 1: Acquiring Tomatoes

• Action: Buy a sandwich with extra free tomatoes.
• Observation: Extra free tomatoes were successfully obtained.

Phase 2: Planting the Seeds

• Materials: Seed starting soil, water, and a plastic container as a mini greenhouse.
• **Process: **
  • Add seed starting soil to the container and soak with water.
  • Extract seeds from tomatoes and plant them in the soil.
  • Realized the container needed drainage holes, added them post soil addition.
• Day 1: Seeds planted, no visible changes.
• Day 2: No changes but greenhouse effect observed with condensation.

Phase 3: Sprouting and Growth

• Day 5: Seeds sprouted much faster than expected.
• Observation: At least 10 sprouts were seen, turned part of sandwich into plants.
  • Shared excitement with time-lapse of a generic seed sprouting.

Phase 4: Addressing Laggy Seedlings

• Day 20: Plant issues observed: thin stems and pale leaves – identified as “laggy seedlings”.
• Solution: Followed advice from Jason (gardening article):
  • Repotted seedlings in larger containers, buried stems to promote root growth.
  • Selected 18 strongest plants.

Phase 5: Road Trip and Survival

• Duration: 3-week road trip.
• Care: Plants monitored and cared for by the user's mom.
• Update after 15 days: Plants seen thriving better than before.

Phase 6: Final Transplant

• Action: Transplanted grown plants into the garden.
• Emotion: Pride in progress and new plant status.
• Support: Added wooden supports to plants.

Phase 7: Challenges and Setbacks

• Observation: After a few weeks, plants not thriving, some shriveled.
• **Possible Issues: **
  • User error or environmental factors (e.g., windstorm).
• Reflection: Despite care and effort, the infinite tomato hack failed this season.

Conclusion and Future Plans

• Encouragement: Advised by Master Gardener Jason to try again next year.
• Potential Adjustments: Consider experimenting with other vegetables like cucumbers.