Plants Add Happiness

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JC explains the differences in the various tomato varieties he grows.

An Interview with John(JC)Schneider

"It's my mother's fault………..she's the one who took me out to the gardens with her when I was a little kid and gardening has been a part of my life ever since, " states JC. "I love vegetable plants, their variety, seeing how they grow and the bounty they produce."

Talking with JC is a delightful blend of enthusiasm, knowledge, science and practical experience. He is a scientist by training and understands plant physiology and botany. As a gardener with over 50 years of experience he has practical knowledge in growing numerous vegetable varieties. And as a Master Gardener he is patient and inspiring in helping new gardeners get their vegetables off to a good start.

Kalamazoo County Cooperative Extension Service launched their first Vegetable Gardening Course, this past Spring. The 6 week course, conceived, written and taught by JC and four other Master Gardeners (Phyllis Thayer, Bob Poel, Brenda Kolkman and Jim Cleary) was designed primarily for new gardeners, but was attended as well by more experienced gardeners who wanted to maybe learn something new. The course was so well received that two offerings are planned for 2009 to accommodate all those interested.

JC, who received his Master Gardener Certification in 2005 and Advanced Master Gardener certification in 2007 said," Working with people who were so interested in growing vegetables and so eager to learn was a pure pleasure, it was particularly gratifying to see so many young people in the class."

He tries to contain his excitement about introducing various vegetable varieties to gardeners. He grows 10 types of tomatoes, five types of peppers, two types of sweet corn and various greens, root crops and beans. Two of his more unique tomato varieties include a yellow tomato called Yellow Stuffer. It is different from other tomatoes in that it is hollow on the inside like a pepper but tastes like a tomato. The hollow center is filled with his wife's chicken salad and the combination is "absolutely delicious."

Health Kick is a tomato with similar characteristics to a Roma tomato except it has twice as much lycopene as other tomatoes. Lycopene is an antioxidant abundant in red tomatoes and processed tomato products, that may help prevent prostate cancer and some other forms of cancer, heart disease, and other serious diseases.

"I go through seed catalogs, visit with other gardeners and do my own growing and taste trials. If there's a new variety that I'm intrigued by, I'll give it a try and compare it to what I've grown in the past. However, there is only so much garden space." As JC smiles and surveys his property as to where his next garden might be built.

JC has a few simple suggestions for new gardeners who what to try growing vegetables.

•First, you don't need a lot of space, you do need an area that receives at least six hours of sun, preferably 8 hours.
•Second, grow vegetables that you and your family will eat. Start with some of the easier to grow vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, etc.
•Next have water readily available. Vegetables should be watered at soil level.
•Always mulch your vegetable garden. Most types of mulch will do.
•Pick your vegetables as they ripen.

"Getting started in vegetable gardening is a life long hobby that all people can enjoy to some extent. It is a rewarding hobby whether you have a couple of pots of tomatoes on your deck or a half acre or more of many vegetables. There's always so many new plant varieties and different ways to grow the plants that I can't imagine ever being bored with gardening," JC says with enthusiasm and excitement.