And so the tomato season begins

[Siwsan]

Back story: I started a bunch of tomato plants but they just weren't going anywhere. So I started more. The 2nd batch took off so I planted them. Then the FIRST batch finally woke up and I planted them, too. I figured it was insurance. THEN some volunteer plants started showing up and I either left them in place, or moved them to a better location. I ran out of cages so I started staking and tying the plants with anything I could find.

The pepper plants (both sweet and hot (chili and scotch bonnet)) are doing the best I've ever experienced. So, it's time to buy more freezer bags and canning supplies. I intend to have lots of home made stewed tomatoes and pasta sauce on hand, this Winter, both to enjoy on my own, and to share. Now I'm waiting on the green beans. The plants look really healthy so I'm hopeful.

So, a couple of times per day I do a check for tomato worms or woodchuck intrusion (I saw one up the street, today. First one I've seen in 2 years. I credit the feral cats for protecting my garden because it's their favorite hangout.)

Anyway------ Here's a shot of both the plants and the produce. So far that's limited to Grape and Early Girl, but the Roma/San Marzano are blushing, the Golden Jubilee are glowing, and the Black Krim - well, I'm not sure how to tell when they are ripe so it will be a game of chance.

[magicarpet]

1. Nice job,... THX for sharing the photos and info.

[NRaleighLiberal]

2. kicked in here too! picking from 80 of my 132 varieties

Sizes and flavors have been extraordinary. Seed saving well underway, canned 14 quarts already.

I don't use a pic hosting service...many pics on instagram @nctomatoman

[Siwsan]

4. You come to mind every time I start my tomato garden planning.

Honestly, this is probably one of the best years, for tomatoes, I've ever had. More than enough for me, and plenty to share, which always makes me happy. The year totally sucks for squash, though. Both summer and winter.

Next year I want to put in more variety. In the past I've planted Cherokee Purple, Pineapple and Green Zebra tomatoes. This is my first year planting Black Krim.

I'll check out your instagram!

[NRaleighLiberal]

10. I love to share seeds and have thousands of varieties...just ask!

[Siwsan]

11. Thanks! I will!

[Grasswire2]

8. I tasted two Mexico midgets so far. Delicious!

And so cute. The plants you sent to me as starts are thriving. Thanks for doing the hard part! I'm not so good at germination.

[calguy]

3. Love this time of the year

My tomato plants give me enough to make spaghetti sauce for the entire year, Have three batches in the freezer right now and have to do another batch today. Can't remember the last time I had to buy tomato sauce from the store.

[Siwsan]

5. I remember the first time I made pasta sauce using fresh tomatoes. Hey, who needs a recipe!

Apparently I did because I didn't use anything to cut the acidity. BIG mistake!

One nice thing about freezing or canning stewed tomatoes - I use an immersion blender and blend until I reach the perfect texture - which for me is slightly chunky. Then since there's already onion, garlic and sweet pepper, I just toss in some herbs and maybe some mushrooms. And, BTW, I grow my own Garlic, Basil and Oregano, too.

[calguy]

15. I add sugar to my sauce until the acidity has gone away.

Only thing I put in other that is fresh basil and garlic. LOTS of it. Adding the herbs and sugar in small amounts along the way until it tastes "just right"!

[MLAA]

6. OMG! A bumper crop. They look delicious.

[2naSalit]

7. Nice!

We're about a week behind you! With about twenty plants, we'll be making sauce!

[Grasswire2]

9. I don't bother making sauce or canning this time of year for winter use. I just..

…..throw tomato after tomato into big ziplock freezer bags to use later in the year.

I especially like to have sungolds, green pear, and red cherry whole small tomatoes to throw into a pot of tortilla soup. So colorful and festive. I also freeze Green Zebra in chunks to make enchilada sauce later in the year.

Wish I had space for a stand-alone freezer! My space is already crowded with rhubarb, marionberries, boysenberries, raspberries and strawberries, peaches as they all come to market. Oh, and the sour pie cherries. Four pounds of those, pitted. Yum.

[Fix The Stupid]

12. I took 25 tomato worms off my 40 plants in the last week....grrrr.

They suck.

Only good thing was around 20 of the 25 were infected by the wasp...lots of little grains of rice coming off them...

I let those live, but relocated them to another part of the yard...

25 roma plants, 10 san marzano's and 5 beefsteaks...should be a good year...

And yes, nothing compares to home-made tomato sauce...

[Frasier Balzov]

13. Where are you located?

You know why I'm asking.

[Siwsan]

14. HAHA. Mid-Michigan.

I'm kicking myself for forgetting to pick up some corn meal because I've got plenty enough tomatoes to use some of them for Fried Green tomatoes.

I guess that's another excuse for an outing.

[Keth]

16. 'mators

We had a variety of tomato plants - various types - and yielded quite a bit in the past month. My favorite way to eat them is by themselves. Just slice and add a tad of salt and pepper. We've enjoyed them in salsa (where those in the picture are going to end up), pasta sauce, with cucumbers and onions and in my quick and easy rice and tomato with okra casserole. We've also froze quite a few bags which will be great for chili and stews this winter.

Best of luck with your tomatoes. It is a game a chance in the 'are they ripe?' challenge. It does get easier as you go.

Having a garden is a lot of work, but so worth it. Nothing says summer better than fresh garden tomatoes!

[Siwsan]

17. Beautiful!

I had my first "M&M" sandwich of the season, the other day (Matos and Mayo). It was my Dad's favorite so the first of the year is always special.

I like to pick a bunch of Grape tomatoes and make up a batch of salmon with angel hair pasta, and fresh Parmesan cheese, or lemon rice with spinach, dill and feta cheese.

[sarge43]

18. Canned some tomato sauce this afternoon - first harvest.

The scent of tomatoes: Smells like summer in the morning.