This is from last year but I am hoping that this year will be better! |
I grow mostly heirloom varieties and start them all from seed. It never fails to amaze me that from one tiny seed, well nourished and taken care of, so many tomatoes can be picked!
Be nice and talk to them! |
Tomatoes will develop a lot of side shoots, little suckers than need to be clipped off giving more strength to the main vine. Heirlooms will get tall, over seven feet tall if they are supported and I have ornamental iron all over my garden, very strong supports indeed!
My garden is organic, pesticide and herbacide free and I don't use chemical fertilizers which is sort of like meth for plants. I add lime every year to get a proper balance in the ph of the soil. Organic soils are almost always a little on the acid side. I also add bone meal, blood meal (tomatoes are carnivors!), kelp meal, coffee grounds and egg shells and most anything else I can find at a reasonable price. Forty years in the same place creates wonderful soil.
About to go into the dryer! |
Two years ago it was the perfect season! I dry more tomatoes than I preserve in jars and I sent them as gifts all over the world.
Keep your fingers crossed, maybe this year you will get some!
More of my garden is HERE
4 comments:
Jerry, you have this down to a science I already knew that, and that your after that 'perfect tomato'
I think your well on your way.. Let's hope so .. and we want pictures..
I have never grown veggies myself (you know I'm a flower woman myself ) !! good luck with the 'maters' as my girlfriend calls them..
All I can say is WOW, you are a tomato connoisseur to the max. A lot of varieties there that you are drying. Looks yummy. I love the earth friendly way you garden.
I have my fingers crossed and I am waiting for your tomatoes to come my way all the way to India.
Happy 4th of July to you and all Americans!
Me too, Rama! all the way to India
that would be such fun!
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