As part of the Boston Blooms program Mayor Thomas M. Menino is partnering with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and Mahoney’s Garden Centers of Brighton to offer 2,012 free tomato plants to encourage Boston residents to take up urban gardening.
The tomato plants, affectionately named ‘TOM-ato’ in honor of Mayor Menino, were specifically grown by Mahoney’s Garden centers for the Boston Blooms tomato giveaway, and reportedly suitable for container and in-ground cultivation.
The tomato give away will be held on Sunday, May 12, from 10 a.m to 12 p.m. at the Fenway Victory Gardens in the Back Bay Fens.
Tomatoes are often humorously referred to as gateway plants to gardening. Cities looking to encourage urban greening on a neighborhood level like Boston is attempting should replicate this idea.
Not in Boston but want to do your part to expand urban gardening in your city? Check out Colleen’s recommendations for tomatoes you can plant in containers.