The seed’s first split—where earth and light begin the story.
Why I started Tomato Vine I was twenty-five, kneeling in a rented backyard in Portland with a shovel full of dirt that smelled like wet newspaper and defeat.
Founder & Editor
I’ve always had a green thumb—whether it’s coaxing tomatoes to ripen just right or reviving a struggling houseplant with nothing but a little patience. My parents grew up on a small farm in Georgia, and I spent my childhood sneaking seeds from their garden to plant in the cracks of our city sidewalk.
This site is where I share the lessons I’ve learned from dirt under my nails, seasons of failure, and the quiet joy of watching something grow from just a seed.
Here, you’ll find no-nonsense advice, practical tips, and a little bit of the wonder I still feel every time I see a sprout push through the soil.
More from Roland Kirchner
If you’ve ever wondered what size tomato cage do I need and ended up with a flimsy setup that barely supports your sprawling vines, you’re not alone. 🔍 A cage that’s too short leaves tomatoes rotting on the ground…
Yellow cherry tomato plants turn every inch of space into a sunlit harvest. 🌱 I remember the first time I grew them—tiny yellow orbs exploding from vines that seemed to grow overnight. These compact plants are perfect…
My adjustable tomato cage game changed how I grow vines—no more flopping plants or tangled messes by harvest time. 🌱 These sturdy supports let you train tomatoes vertically, saving space and making pruning a breeze…
A black light for tomato hornworms can be your secret weapon against these ravenous pests—if you choose the right one. 🔍 These nocturnal caterpillars are drawn like moths to a flame (literally), but not all UV lights…
Black worms on tomato plants mean your harvest is under attack—and they’re harder to spot than you think. 🌱 These sneaky larvae (often cutworms or hornworms) hide under leaves by day, chewing through stems and fruit by…
If you’ve ever watched your tomato plants wilt under blight-resistant tomato seeds—only to see leaves turn black and fruits rot before harvest—you know the frustration. 🌱 The right seeds can turn that disappointment…
Growing Celebrity hybrid tomatoes means giant, disease-resistant fruits that weigh in at 10 pounds each —and I’ve grown mine for three seasons straight without a single blight spot. 🌱 The secret isn’t just the plant…
💥 Quick Answer Yes, bunnies eat tomato plants, often going after leaves, stems, and occasionally fruits, which can severely stunt growth or even kill young plants. Their appetite depends on the tomato variety, with…
Tomato plants absolutely need sun to grow and produce fruit— 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight is the magic number for a thriving harvest. If your tomato plants aren’t producing fruit—or worse, they’re wilting before they…
💥 Quick Answer Yes, woodchucks eat tomato plants, particularly the leaves, stems, and fruit, though they'll first go for easier-to-access plants like clover or grasses when available. Protect your garden with fencing or…
