My daughter who’s been away at college just returned home, staking claim to the best indoor growing spot in the house. Yes, it’s her room. But the light is perfect, the room as cozy and warm as an indoor nursery.

I mention to her that I may be setting up my wheat grass growing operation in her window soon. She gives me a blank stare, pauses, then says, “No.”

“But your room gets all the sun and there’s no where else to put it,” I whine. She’s not swayed.

What she doesn’t realize is that I’ve been using her room as a nursery for months, sprouting basil, and growing tomato plants eight varieties of black heirloom tomatoes from seed sent to me by the Monterey Tomato Festival.

If you’re thinking that eight varieties of black tomatoes is overkill, consider this: Gary Ibsen at the Tomato Fest (who sent me the seeds) is growing 350 kinds of tomatoes this year. Good thing he’s planning to share his crop at the 17th annual NatureSweet Carmel TomatoFest in September. If you want to sink your teeth into some of his tomatoes, now is the time to get tickets — they’re $85 until May 16, $95 after that. Go to www.tomatofest.com or call (800) 965-4827.

The one thing I will admit is that I just may have overplanted a tad: I ended up with about 60 plants. I planted a dozen in my own yard, then begged friends and relatives to become foster parents for my plants. I now have baby tomato plants taking root in seven other gardens around the area. I have resisted the urge to go visit them, but I expect to get full reports on their well being throughout the summer.

Back to the wheatgrass. I figure I’ll wait a week then set up shop. With any luck she will be too busy enjoying her vacation to really notice or care.