I picked 4 ripe tomatoes off my Early Girl plants this morning. They aren't all that pretty, but I'm sure they will be tasty. They are the first full-sized tomatoes of the year. The first ones always taste much better than store-bought, even if they aren't perfect.
There are a couple of Jet Star tomatoes that are also showing some blush. Sweet Million and Sungold cherries are both in full production. Sophie's Choice have been disappointing...not many tomatoes showing and none at all ripening--it was supposed to be my earliest variety! The other early variety I have is Bush Beefsteak. It has quite a bit of fruit, but nothing turning on it, either.
These were planted the 1st weekend of March, using "season starters" or wall-o-water. The rest of the tomatoes were started the 1st weekend of April. I could have planted the main season about a week earlier, but had scheduling conflicts.
I am having a major zone envy! Sophie's Choice is a Canadian variety which was bred just north of here so it may be more suitable for cold climates. I have a few started and will see how they do. The tomato plants have been outside to harden for a few days. They will be planted into large
outdoor pots this week.
Just think about us in Texas while you are picking tomatoes all through July and August. Here in central Texas, the tomato season is just about finished by the end of June. If I'm lucky I will get some into mid July. We are already having temperatures in the high 90's. Only 96 degrees today!
Picked first "Sophie's Choice", "Bush Beefsteak", and an early-planted "Phoenix" today. Also picked several more "Early Girls" and 2-3 pounds of Sweet Million and Sungold. A tomato sandwich is in my immediate future! The Bush Beefsteak plants are suffering from the heat...leaves are crisping in the +90-degree weather.
Name: Arlene Marshall Twin Lakes, IA & Orange, CA Zone 4B
The little seedling I grow don't do well in this planter so this year I bought some at the greenhouse that are a little larger.
The Sungold hanging down under has bloomed and is setting tomatoes. I guess if I want tomatoes earlier in the summer, I am going to have to buy some more mature plants at the nursery.
Yum Yum Divas ~ ~ \"Most recipes are not invention . . . but evolutions\"
Name: Linda SE Houston, Tx. (Hobby) (Zone 9a) "Godspeed, & Good Harvest!"
My coworker brought this in Wednesday. She grew it from a seedling that I grew from seeds. I have several co-workers growing seedlings I started.
It's "the Dutchman."
Tried to convince her to let it ripen on the vine. But, her DH had shown it to every visitor, and they got scared someone would double back and pick it! Or, some animal would mangle it. So, they had fried green tomato!
June 7 I harvested these tomatoes, etc., and yesterday a few more to make some salsa.
David, do the plants just wither and die in the heat, or just stop setting fruit?
The tomatoes in this are Black Cherry, Isis Candy, Wild Cherry, and Roma.
yep...but it's REALLY REALLY HOT! I roasted it, then dehydrated it - just a small batch. I figure I can add it to more tomatoes for regular salsa, or soup or beans or whatever...but what I was hoping would happen is that I'd be able to grind it up somehow and make a powdered seasoning for table use. I've got work to do on that concept. The finished product seems too leathery to grind up.
Maybe longer in the dehydrator.
That texture was good for dehyrated tomato sauce, and good if for just salsa/seasoning. Maybe I'll just dry the chilies fresh and coarsly chopped (with other stuff) and skip the tomatoes next time to get the seasoning.
All this talk of tomatoes..I just picked and ate one, warm and yummy.
NO FAIR I know that it looks like the little guy is rolling on the floor laughing, but in this instance it represents me rolling on the floor crying and throwing a fit because I don't have tomatoes YET!
I really don't blame you, and there should be a little guy crying is eyes out on all things plants....I'm sorry. I was gloating just a little. I'm pleased and hoping it's not beginner's luck.
I'm having the best luck with Jet Star, Big Beef, and the cherries Sweet Million and Sungold so far. I'm having some trouble with blossom-end rot on some of the early tomatoes on other plants. I guess the water wasn't consistent enough. Still waiting for my first Black from Tula and first Kellogg's Breakfast.
I know that it looks like the little guy is rolling on the floor laughing, but in this instance it represents me rolling on the floor crying and throwing a fit because I don't have tomatoes YET!
