Wonder who that kid was straddling the back fender of a 1965 Ranchero, big smile across his face, looking like he has a secret?
Why, it’s Alexander Peterson-Gasperik of Brookside, selling heirloom tomato seedlings he’s grown from seed in his backyard on Mullen Ave. “My dad and I always loved growing tomatoes,” Alexander told the Buzz on Sunday parked on the boulevard not far from the Farmer’s Market. ” We finally had so many growing we decided it was time to start selling them,” he quipped. “This is my second season selling. Last year I made enough money to buy an iPod Touch all on my own. This year I’ve already bought myself a Dell laptop.”
Alexander started off this season with 3oo seedlings, carefully nurtured in decomposable pots that buyers snip a bit, then place right in the garden or in a larger container. His crop comes from Gary Ibsen’s Certified Organic Seeds and include names such as Black Zebra, Carmello, Clint Eastwood’s Rowdy Red, Czech’s Bush, and Nebraska Wedding. He’s sold all but two dozen of the $3 tomato seedlings – so if you want one of his last available plants you’ll have to email him, and fast.
The Tomato Kid no doubt gets some assistance from his dad, David Gasperik, who was seated nearby but let Alexander work the business. There was a hint that perhaps the boys justified the recent purchase of the matte black Ranchero was to “display” the tomato crop easily to buyers, but the Buzz couldn’t confirm this conspiratorial secret if it was one.
Alexander is a student at the Renaissance Arts Academy and a frequent fixture on Larchmont Boulevard.
great story, keep ’em coming Buzz
So cool — and inspiring. I’m showing this to my children! I only wish I’d gotten some tomato plants!
thx buzz for th interviw!
Im sorry the email thing isn’t working email me at [email protected] for info about tomatoes. We have sold out of them but we’ll sell again next year!