We grow tomatoes in Maine, but we do not put the seeds directly into the ground.  We put the seed in a little container, we control the soil, we control the water, we control the sunlight, and we control the heat.  We control all of the elements that produce growth and we do not leave these to chance.

 

As the tomato plant grows, we watch and discern its survivability. When the roots grow deep enough and the stem grows thick enough, we decide the time is right to move it along.

 

Then we look outside and we decide when the time is right to put that tomato plant outside of our all-controlled environment.

 

Could it be that some people care more for their tomato plants than they do for their small children?  It seems that too many families place their tender “plants” into the uncontrollable outside way too early.