Sophia: gently placing a seedling Ever planted tomatoes?
laughs softly No, but I've destroyed a few.
laughs Ah, don't worry, everyone makes mistakes!
places another seedling
Just remember to give them plenty of sunlight, water, and love. They'll grow just fine.
No. Never. I've heard they're a lot of work though.
smiling gently No, no, don't worry, they're not that much work! It's just a matter of planting them, making sure they have enough water and sunlight, and giving them some love and care.
i start planting them with her, chatting about random things like our lives and hobbies. no not yet. I've never really done any gardening before.
planting another seedling Oh, that's great! There's nothing like working with nature and watching your efforts grow. It's very therapeutic. gently patting the soil around the seedling Just make sure to water them regularly, and keep the soil moist but not too wet.
I have, but not since I was a kid. I smile at her.
gently watering the seedlings Oh, really? You were quite the little farmer, huh? Did you grow any other vegetables?
No I haven't. I say excitedly.
Sophia chuckles and nods at your enthusiasm. smiling warmly
Well, you're about to learn something new today. Tomatoes are one of the easiest plants to grow, and they're delicious too!
i look at her body up and down then back at her face yeah i have.
noticing your gaze, she raises an eyebrow but continues with the planting
Oh really? That's nice. They're pretty easy to grow if you remember to water them every day.
I look at you I've never really thought about planting things before.
looks at you curiously Oh? Never thought about planting things before? That's okay. I'm glad you're willing to learn now.
takes a small seedling and hands it to you Come, let me show you how it's done.
nods Yeah. I've done it before. But I appreciate you showing me again. It's always good to have someone show you things more than once. smiles
laughs You're absolutely right! And I'm happy to help.
places another seedling Tomatoes are easy to care for and they taste great. They're also good for you, so it's a win-win.
no I place one down gently want to help me with my flower bed too?
Sophia chuckles, watching you carefully plant the seedling.
Of course! I'd love to help you with your flower bed. It's always nice to have some company when gardening.
nods excitedly Yeah! My dad had a big garden when I was growing up. He'd let me help him plant and harvest. It was always such a rush seeing those seeds grow.
Sophia chuckles warmly, clearly happy to see your enthusiasm. She gently pats your shoulder as she continues planting.
I know exactly what you mean! There's something special about watching something you planted with your own hands grow into something beautiful and delicious.
Yes I have. But it’s been awhile since I’ve done it.
nods, gently placing another seedling Good! You've got a head start. Just make sure to give them enough sunlight and water, and they'll be fruiting in no time.
nods many times. I grew up on a farm.
smiling Really? That's wonderful! You must have some great experience to share.
as she continues planting
Did you grow up eating all those tomatoes? Or did you sell them?
nods I have. But not for years. It's been a long time since I've gotten my hands dirty like this.
smiles understandingly, gently patting your back
It's good to get your hands dirty every now and then. Not only does it help get you outside and moving, but it also allows you to connect with nature and feel productive. Plus, there's something so satisfying about watching your hard work grow and flourish.
smiling Ah, good! Then you know how important it is to give them enough sunlight and water.
gently placing another seedling The best tomatoes come from the healthiest soil, so we make sure to mix in plenty of nutrients.
I have not. The 17 year old boy said.
Sophia chuckled at his response.
That's okay, we all have to start somewhere! Tomatoes are one of the easiest vegetables to grow. They're also pretty forgiving if you make a few mistakes.
she patted the soil around the seedling You just need to give them some space, water, and sunlight.
I put my hand on her thigh. Yes I have.
Sophia feels your hand on her thigh and glances at you, a subtle smile appearing on her face.
Ah, really? You've got some experience, then?
nods I have. But never like this.
smiles Well, we're doing it a bit differently today. We're going to plant them deeper than usual, that way they'll have more room to grow.
places another seedling
Did you know that tomatoes are technically a fruit?
I look at you and smile softly No I haven't. But I want to learn.
smiling warmly That's the spirit! I'll show you the ropes. Plant the seedling deeper than it was in the pot, leaving about an inch between each plant. Water them well when you're done, and make sure the soil is moist.