Start Day 3/31/2012

This year the weather has been really out of the ordinary.  I broke ground and planted on March 31, 2012.  (Although this post is 4/24/12).

This year I have set out 8 plants in 1 box and 4 in the other.  The other half has some zucchini, squash, cucumbers, and beans.  I have planted about 5 more tomatoes outside of the box.

Here are some pics of my setup.

These were mid growth, after seedling stage moved into garage with fluorescent light on timer with a fan.

This year I am using newspaper in lieu of the black landscape fabric.  I had to tear up the fabric to till the dirt.  It was very easy to shred.  I want to see how the newspaper works.  I did wet it for like 3 days constant to form a paper mache type bond.

This is my potato bin.  Yes. I used a long pallet (10' x 4') and ripped it up and cut the long beams in 2.  Then attached the bottom ones around.  Its a bit wobbly so I used another board up top to assist.

3/31/12 - Begin to plant in the ground.  I was lazy this year and did not pay attention to what went where, so it will be a fun harvest when I see the fruits of my labor.  I planted, Brandywine from Croatia, Rutgers, Yellow Gooseberry, Yellow Pear, Oxheart, and some big red round tomato I do not know what it is so I call it Big Red Round.  If you see previous posts it was the gigantic tomato that weighed over a 1lb.

My little helper.

Planted some on the outside of the box again as well

Planted some veggies on the outside of the bins (Cucumber and Squash)

Season 2 (really 3) Start 2/12/12

I started my seed germination 2/12/12.  I was able to find peat pellet replacements at Walmart for both the Tomato Kit (larger pellet) and smaller ones for my regular trays.  I really don't understand how Jiffy sells the larger tomato peat pellet in groups of 16 but the Tomato tray has 36 slots.  The math does not work.

This year I am starting with the following:

12 x Rutgers (seeds bought from WalMart, read Organic Heirloom) ---we will see

8 x Brandywine from Croatia (seed thanks to one of my fellow online tomato peeps)

8 x Oxhearts (seeds from tomatoes I saved last year)

8 x Big Red Round (yes, these are seeds from the tomato that produced that monster last year.  I don't know what they are, but they are red, they are big, and round.)  I will most likely seek help in identifying what it is.

12 x Hartmanns Yellow Gooseberry (seeds from tomatoes last season.)  Originally bought seeds from Tomatobobs.

12 x Black Krimm (seeds from tomatoes last season.)  Originally bought seeds from TomatoBobs.  These are the tomatoes that OT'd me last year Best producer for me.

12 x Yellow Pear (seeds from tomatoes last season.  Originally bought seeds from TomatoBobs.)

I place the trays on top of the dryer.  I figure the warmth and vibration will expedite the germination process.  Worked for me last year.

Here are pics of the initial setup.

Cold Season Approaching!

Just some final notes on the season. I would chalk this growing season as a success on both the learning side and production side.

I had many varieties this year which attributed to a nice group of colors in my tomato garden.  I do not think I will grow green tomatoes again as I did not get many that I enjoyed.  The Black Krim produced the best.  Next season I will try out Brandywine, as a member of Tomatoville sent me some seeds.

Looking forward to next growing season.

The Frog Protector of my Garden

I went to the garden today and checked on my incoming tomatoes.  I thought this guy was some bird poop or something mushy.  He sure was mushy.  He has eyes too.  Froggy Froggy, Guardian of the Tomato.

Mema's Picking and Tomato Pie

Mema came to visit and requested to do the tomato picking.  Here is what she and Chaney picked.

Tomato Pie (Round 2)

This time I used the following:

• Approx 6-8 tomatoes (varied sizes)
• 1/3 of a Vidalia Onion
• 2 Yellow Summer Squash
• 4 cloves of garlic pressed
• 1 block cream cheese
• 1 redi made pie crust
• basil & oregano
• 1 package of shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• Bread Crumbs
• Feta Cheese crumbles

This one turned out real nice.  Very good flavor.  Not as Garlicky as last time.  I did forget the spinach from the store.

Next one I will try fresh basil, maybe even Ricotta cheese.

On a side note, my seed saving is underway and doing well.

Tomato Pie...Mmmm Mmmmm Good!

Tomato Pie is one of the best ways to enjoy your tomatoes in bulk.

Ingredients:
Tomatoes (Black Krim, Green Zebra, Anna Russian, Borgo Cellano)
1 Vidalia Onion
1 Block frozen chopped Spinach (can use fresh)
1 Block of Cream Cheese
1 head of garlic (peeled and crushed)
1 redi made pie crust
Feta Cheese
bread crumbs
shredded mozzarella cheese

Place pie shell in tin
Soften or melt cream cheese and mix with garlic
Spread cream cheese mixture into bottom of crust
add layer of tomatoes (sliced)
layer of spinach
sprinkle feta
another layer of tomato
layer of onion
sprinkle feta
another tomato layer
sprinkle top with mozzarella shreds and bread crumbs.

Bake 350 for 45-60 minutes.

Very good.  Very garlicy.  Add basil less garlic.  Give it a whirl.  You cannot go wrong.

Starting to Save Seeds for Next Year

Here is a pic of my most bountiful harvest.  Finally was able to get a couple 

Amish Paste (top right oval shape), only have had 2 ripen from this plant.

As to the title of the post, Its Seed Saving time.  I am saving as many as I can, but will probably only plant 4 types next year (so I say :) ).  

Starting from left to right:

Black Krim: This has been one of my most producing plants with large fruit too.  Very pleased and I enjoy the flavor too.  Very natural tasting and not scary although people question dark tomatoes.

MYSTERY: Yes this one is a mystery.  I had planted Mortgage Lifter and Ace 55 in my garden.  I pulled one ACE 55 for issues with growth (see earlier posts about shriveled mini plant), and the other that I thought was ACE 55 has turned out to be Green Zebra. (Labeling is very important, I should heed my own advice).

Hartmans Yellow Gooseberry:  So far this guy has to be #1 on my list.  Its produced so many tomatoes and is very healthy.  I have 3 of these guys growing currently.  I will definitely do this one again.  Yum Yum!

(Pink) Oxheart:  I think this is a hold over from last years plants I got from Perry.  It is an oxheart shape but more red than pink.  The only other possibility is Anna Russian.