Tomato Thyme was founded on the concept of growing to sell at the market, and provide enough food for a family on one small plot of land . I read enough about permaculture gardening to know this was possible, no monocrop concepts, this was things like the basil providing a blanket under the tomatoes so the soil retains moisture, herbs among flowers, zucchini used as a ground cover for beans, cucumbers, and other climbing veggies. In the shade of the zucchini carrots grow, and the herbs that prefer shade to the blazing sun. Berries grow everywhere along with grapes and fruit trees. So far in this concept I have 8 fruit trees, goodness knows how many tomatoes, more being planted every day, cucumber seedlings poping out everywhere, my blanket of basil and cilantro grow and block out the weeds and provide a cooling, moist enviornment. This means several things, I water less, and everything compliments everything else in some fashon, providing shade, defense against insects and so much more. We have only begun to understand the marriage of plants when left to grow in any fashon that suits them. The Native Americans practiced this long ago. This is nothing recent. They had something called the three sisters. Corn was planted in the center of a mound, beans planted would vine up the corn stalks, and squash or some low lying plant protected the earth and conserved and captured water. It just took a few decades for this perfect concept to become "mainstream".

This concept could end monocultures as we know it. We no longer need pesticides, we no longer have rows of neatly planted veggies, what this does mean is every person can grow their own food. A neighborhood can grow so many different types of vegetables. We could resurrect that old tradition of barter. I have extra eggs, and my you have an abundance of heirloom tomatoes. What a trade for everyone! Schools can have gardens so children would eat better, community gardens would be planted around the city so even the folks in apartments could help out. It would cause a revolution of massive proportions. Now we solve the obesity issue, we solve the hunger issue, we solve the nutrition issue, we meet our neighbors. We are less stressed because putting your hands in soil, watching your hard work pay off is immensly satisying. It is healthy. It is proven it lowers stress. We dont need a study to prove that chemical free vegetables are good for us, Oh my... less toxins in our body. It is perfect every way you look at it.

Tomato Thyme has a goal. It is a rather large one for such a small person, but here it is. I want to talk to schools, every school in the city needs a garden. I want to talk to the community planners, we need community gardens, more of them. Did you know we already have community gardens? Lets let everyone know about them! Lets have every low income family, short on money, and short on food, learn to garden. I offer to anyone my services to show them how to plant something and grow. I invite you to visit my small plot of land and see how much I packed in a small space. I just moved here so everything is in its baby stage, perfect to see now... and we can watch together as we make a garden of eden. When I have the funds I will get a digital camera, or I will borrow one, so I can post pictures of the gardens in every stage. I invite people to come spend a day with me working the soil. I would love to teach you all I know. I will send you home with a baby plant, or some seeds. You armed with your newfound knowledge, and your seeds will grow your own little garden space. We can all plant a row for the food bank, the homeless will never run out of fresh food. I invite them to come help me in the gardens so they can earn food and feel good about working and making a change. .

Tomato Thyme isnt currently partnering with Mia Bella to raise funds for awareness, we ended up taking on a much larger role. We are working on creating self sufficent communities. So in addition to assisting our current communities we will be supporting an ongoing project to create these communities all over the globe. Several countries are already interested, it is a growing experience and a wonderful one at that. The people we have had the chance to meet along this adventure has been wonderful. Should you have a talent you would like to share that would assist the communities feel free to contact me. We are building a team of talent to solve many many issues around the globe. You need not be a scientist or a Mensa qualified person to help, we have so many projects from agriculture to medical. If you are interested in learning more contact me, also watch this page for more details! I will soon have the website up for the new group :o)