Life finds a way
Every year I do the work of collecting seeds from my tomato plants, storing them, then planting them indoors the following year, growing them with a heat pad, and then finally putting them outside in the spring. It's a process of love that I typically really enjoy.
With my mom's passing last year I didn't even get around to tidying the old plants off the balcony until this spring. Didn't raise any new little tomatoes, decided it's not worth the effort and I'd take the year off gardening.
My husband and I finally did a tidy a few weeks ago, took out the old plants, gave the dirt a stir, and set it in the sun to dry out. Was still trying to figure out whether to toss it or store it for next year.
Low and behold, we have tomato plants this year anyway! There's some chili soil in there too so we'll see what happens.
Thanks little tomatoes for bringing me back to my hobby despite my efforts to be too sad for it.