I'm a simple guy. I like things easy and simple. That's why I copy great ideas; like Nonno's tomato tower design over at the gas station. He is now 91-years-old and still gardens everyday in a huge garden that he takes care of all by himself. I've watched him over these past few years and every year he does his tomato towers the same way: four poles that come together at the top, like a mini-teepee all held together with lots of twine. It's a really good guy project.
So last year I started to copy his design and I must say I felt very good about it; secure in the fact that I was using a time tested, Italian go-to solution for supporting tomatoes (and it looks cool at the same time). This year I did my towers before he had a chance to do his and I thought I'd invite him over to see that I am a member of the cool guy tomato tower club also.
Imagine my surprise when I visited the gas station and realized he'd changed everything about his design. Gone are the teepees in favor of, as he refers to it (and I kid you not), a new innovation in tomato tower design. I will include some pictures of my "old" design and the new and improved design.
Well, I hope I can look that good and be that healthy at 91. There is no keeping up with a good "old" gardener. I use to have a neighbor, who, when we bought our house was in her 90's (so she said). She had a HUGE yard and a wonderful big veggie garden. Her whole yard was perfectly maintained and manicured. She put up probably 20 + bean poles (she is where we got our design), and she canned for her whole family. She grew everything you can imagine and her garden was perfect every year. We moved out 10 years later, she was still in her 90's (so she said, :) . I went back to visit a few years later and she was still going strong. Amazing what a garden can do for a person... it is great fun, great exercise, great food and just an all round great way of life. :)
@JMTKMS: Thanks Marcy, yes, let's hope we're all going strong at 91. Like I said on one of the photos, my Mom will be 98 (God bless her) this September so you never know if I'll be planting or planted at 91 :-) Hopefully it's the former!
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