Lou: One of Chicago's Heirloom Tomato Groupies

From Conservatory Tomato Plant Sale 2009

At 3:40 on May 27th, an entirely new class of food lover came to my attention: The Heirloom Tomato Groupie. This is a picture of Lou, waiting patiently for us to set up the 150 + plants that we brought to the Garfield Park Conservatory. Never in a million years did I suspect that we would have people waiting to buy the plants. What were we selling. Pearl Jam tickets?

With specific directions from his wife encouraging him to "buy as many varieties as possible" Lou was our first customer. He snagged about 12 plants, including Black Brandywine, Tess's Land Race Currant, Mortgage Lifter, and Paul Robeson. I hope they have room. Thanks Lou, and best of luck this season.

Within minutes after we opened, we were swamped. Here is the scene at 4:15:

From Conservatory Tomato Plant Sale 2009

What this does not show is that included in the customers where young women with kids in tow, older couples, younger couples, kids, serious gardeners, serious Garden Bloggers (that's you, Mr. BrownThumb) and people who were just walking by at the right time. Great stuff. All told, we sold nearly $500 worth of plants that was split 50/50 between the Garfield Park Conservatory and Slow Food Chicago.

If you are among the people who were shut out, I apologize. We will have more plants for on June 5th at Uncommon Ground on Devon and June 6th at the Green City Market. For more, please follow this link.

Finally, a big thanks to our co-conspirators, Michael Thompson of The Chicago Honey Coop, and Leslie Swibes and Kassia Perpich of Slow Food Chicago. Robin Cline of the GPC is not pictured, but she made the space available. To see all my pictures from the event, visit the album here.

From Conservatory Tomato Plant Sale 2009