Tomato Variety Gained

I am exchanging some of my tomatoes and other things I have started for some tomatoes from a co-worker I also carpool with.  This guy's family has been saving a particular yellow tomato they've named Carlson Gold for years.  As you can see from the paper towel in the picture, they use the paper towel method.  This is a method I totally forgot about.  I remember seeing it when I was younger.  An older gardener I knew would spot a fantastically large and beautiful tomato he thought an excellent specimen for its variety and simply squeeze out as many of its seeds as he thought necessary on a paper towel and then put it someplace to dry and then store it until next year.  He then ate the rest of the excellent tomato.

For years I've tried fermenting and had some luck, but my over-busy lifestyle for a time and the fact that I lived in a very hot climate, led to many problems--mostly that I would forget about the seeds and they'd go past the ideal time frame to remove that gel stuff that inhibits sprouting and go into actual sprouting or simply disintegrate, or that they would just get too hot even though the Arizona house's air conditioner was set for about 80*--the South Dakota houses never had air and would often heat up too.  This would make the whole process speed up and then I would lose the seeds sometimes or loose part of them anyways if I wasn't very diligent.  Then there was also the fact that in Arizona my growing conditions didn't give me the best quality fruit and I didn't feel that they were save worthy many times.  Seed saving isn't that complicated.  I used to be more uptight and worry that I was doing it right with tomatoes over any other variety for some reason.  Maybe age is making me even more laid back...but I'm ready to not be worried about this whole tomato thing--to just do it and chill about hot jars and mess ups and just save seeds already.

A lot of the seeds I have now were saved with the help of a friend who had a much colder home a few years ago.  Tomato seeds have a long shelf life, but I am running on the fridges of that long life right now and decided it was time to get some fresh seeds for my favorite varieties, so I've socked all of my seeds into the soil.  When it comes time to save I'm going to do a few things.  It seems that fermenting doesn't have to be as drawn out as I originally learned...so I'm going to just do a short soak and then rinse and dry--doing things this way will allow for long term storage.  I'm also going to do a few paper towels for quick gifting and to do a germination comparison with the seeds saved the other more old fashioned way.  These on the paper towel won't have a huge shelf life, but will serve the purpose.

On top of getting a few awesome tomato seeds to try out, co-worker also threw in some peppers...pretty awesome.

It has been an interesting {I was very surprised to get Teacher of the Year after only being at the school almost two years--I thought there was some rule against that or something...}, busy {class plays and projects and whatnot}, and overall pleasant enough week {good weather, and also classroom fun} and gaining a few plants topped it off nicely.

Tomatoes of 2013

The tomatoes in the community garden were just a hodge podge this year.  My starts of heirloom varieties didn't survive the move {one of the dogs flattened them}, so whatever I could round up from some of the local greenhouses became what was on the menu.  At the community garden there were several beefsteak varieties, one "low acid" orangish one I decided to give a whirl, and a few red brandywines.  Then, there were the little orange and yellow pear shaped cherries that I planted way too many of.  At the the cabin I put in a black krim and some romas.


There were issues with ripening this year and holding out for vine ripened would have meant a lot less of a crop.  It became much more effective to pick green and ripen at the house...although that was even a slow process.  That was fine with me though.  I must admit I appreciate them in their tart green state too, and there were plenty of fried {and baked} green tomatoes and green ones used in salads this summer.  It has me thinking that I might try to food save some ready to use sliced green tomatoes next year....

But, then suddenly there were a lot of red tomatoes hanging around and finally ripe ones on the plants.  And the school year started making me put off doing something with them.  I ate a bunch and then my sister and I decided it was critical I do something with the rest.  Twenty pounds of tomatoes went into the pot to boil down and make two quarts of basil tomato sauce.  The whole experience has resulted in direction for next year's tomato "program".

It's kind of a must to have those large red ones for saucing and stewing, but then there is the reality that I love to devour tomatoes fresh and love comparing varieties for their unique flavors.  Of course it is very important to then have a plan as to how all those tomatoes are going to be used.  I don't think that will be a problem though.  They are quickly becoming a favorite in the garden for me and I can't wait to have more to do salads with, ketchup, can and freeze, and just eat fresh.  They required very little care this year and were only fertilized once before putting out a bumper crop with no illnesses in sight.  I'm already analyzing my seed catalogs for the varieties I'm going to put in for 2014 of course.

Some Tomato Recipes I'm Liking {from The Splendid Table}

Big Tomato Sweet-Sour Salad {probably my favorite tomato recipe}, Tomato Bruschetta, Last of the Tomatoes Sandwich, Salad of Green and Red Tomatoes, Ketchup, Roasted Cherry Tomatoes with Ricotta, Oven Candied Tomatoes, and Tomato Tasting {this year the Black Krim was the winner here}.

Big Tomato Sweet and Sour Salad...the brown sugar and dill {in the salad pictured I used seeds vs. leaves} really make this something. This is a 19th century recipe that suits those heirlooms pretty well and of course you don't really have to use just red ones.  I've tried it with bacon grease, olive oil and a 1/2 and 1/2 blend.  All are great!

Appreciating Green Tomatoes

Here is a small "appetizer" batch of fried green tomatoes.  Green tomatoes are in abundance around here--the tomatoes have been very slow to ripen this year.  But those green tomatoes are tasty though {I can't help it and am not apologetic for craving them in the least...too many Southern genes!}.

Growing up all we ate was fried green and I love their tangy taste, but I'm discovering there are some fresh ways I like them...almost prefer them--I'm surprised it took me until this season to start delving into this other world of the green ones. And did you know that baking green tomatoes works quite well?  I feel like a wonderful discovery has been made.

Finally Some Tomatoes

The tomatoes are finally turning red.  The cabin garden has a few black krim and romas ready {as well as a few peas and a bowl full of lettuce}.  At the community garden a few more we've been able to pick.  After the higher temperatures this weekend I'm sure we'll have more than we can count.  I'm already starting to dream of putting them away in spaghetti sauce and canning some stewed tomatoes that will be delicious all through the fall and winter.  Then of course there will be all that fresh eating!

I'm also hopefull my small patch of ground cherries decide to produce something.  There are certainly enough little "lanterns" hanging out on my plants.

Damage Control

I'm down to one little plant light which you can see below doesn't quite do the job.  This week I'm going to try to rectify this seed starting tragedy.   Tomatoes are actually starting to sprout quite decently despite my bungling, but not the peppers.  Remembering something I saw a while ago posted on Daphne's Dandelions I put some pepper seeds in some ziplock bags on a wet paper towel.  We'll see what comes of that--I would like to have a few pepper plants of some certain varieties available this summer.  Due to the neglect of seedlings last fall I have no pepper plants of those varieties right now and am lucky to have two tomatoes.  I ended up breaking down and buying one at Lowe's.  This one I believe is a sweet gypsy pepper.

As you can see from the picture above Jewel almost insured that they would not be planted.  On my way outside to harden these guys off I got distracted and set them down.  Luckily I came back in the room before she tackled them, but it was close.  To say Jewel has been excited to see me out in the garden again would be an understatement.  Although she is terrific at destroying plants, there has not been a time in the last three years that I've gardened that Jewel has not also been outside with me. She was so thrilled to see me grab my sandals and straw hat that she could not contain herself.  I'll have to try to capture some more Jewel gardening pictures this year.

This guy needs to be hung with probably another on just like it to effectively do the job...usually I don't use the plastic "greenhouse" lids, bit it has been a lazy way of keeping my seeds warm and laying the light on top--my bigger light has finally burnt out its "bulbs" and it has proven hard to find replacements in my area, but this little guy was available for $10.  I would love to set something up like my sister's on a large shop light. 

I'm hopeful this will get these guys going...

but the tomatoes are starting to do well, lots of new one's trying to peek up as well as some others well on their way to sprouting...tomatoes are my favorite thing to start from seed

Just Two Tomatoes

This spring I'm just planting two tomatoes...the two who decided to actually grow despite some major neglect.  There's just enough time to actually get something out of them before it gets too hot.  The other tomatoes I have getting started are just little sprouts and will go up north in June.

One is a Granny Cantrell German Red which I can't wait to try.  Baker Creek says..."This meaty, beefsteak-type tomato is named after Lettie Cantrell, who received seeds from a soldier returning from Germany during World War II.  She grew this tomato in the hills of eastern Kentucky for many years.  This was her favorite tomato and the only one she grew. Each year she saved seeds from the largest tomatoes, some of which reached 2 1/2 lbs.  Our growers find it to be quite productive."

The other is the infamous Cherokee Purple so of course I don't need to say anything more.

I'm so glad these two brave tomatoes decided to carry on without me through December and January!

Granny Cantrell and Cherokee Purple getting adjusted to things outside

Starting the Fall Tomatoes

Jewel found a snug place between the back of the couch and plant bench while visiting the Johnson's

I took advantage of Sharna's plant light while visiting.  I wish I had started them sooner, but time got away with me.  However, I was impressed with how fast the plants started poking through the soil...about 3 days, and it has given me a jump on the season.  I have six varieties planted:  {reds}  Brandywine Red, Granny Cantrell German Red, Grandfather Ashlock, {purple} Cherokee Purple, {yellow} TC Jones, {cherries}  Mexico Midget.

These rode back to Arizona in high style in a moving greenhouse and are looking marvelous.

wedged in among all our other stuff on the trip home

Microclimate

This is one dead tomato {I'd like to disclose that I provided everything this tomato needed, except a cooler climate and it looked great until yesterday's 109* and today's 114*}...remember that I had my doubts about my tomatoes surviving in the heat or surviving and just not being able to pollinate.  But they're not all this way.  The one's by the cinder block walls are doing respectable.  It's noticeably cooler by the wall space-a good 10 degrees or more so that even the soil feels cool to the touch after watering.  So from now on that's where the tomatoes go.  I might have tomatoes yet {pictures of happy tomatoes to come later...it was getting dark}.

Over the Weekend

It's been busy, busy around here.  This is a little of what I've been up to over the weekend.  I must admit the garden and everything else took a back burner to Sophia!

enjoying my new sunflowers

picking squash

wishing the onions were ready

enjoying more sunflowers

encouraging my tomatoes and keeping my fingers crossed they don't burn up in the heat

watching Jewel get jealous....

...while Sophia visited for the weekend

An Experiment

This morning I put a starter pot of Cherokee Purples out to acclimate to the sunshine.  It will not be hard to acclimate plants here.  In fact today I'll be in the low 80's.  I can't wait to get these and the other tomatoes in the ground.  This pot is an experiment.  I'm going to plant these-bury the stem style-in the garden.  Nights have been in the upper 40's lately.  If these fair well going right into the garden I will not shift the other starts into larger pots inside before moving to the garden-they'll just be moved right into the garden too.  I'm curious to see how these take root and adapt.

They're Up...

Last weekend I planted some peppers and tomatoes in peat pots and put them in the window to start.  I don't have a fancy system for inside seedlings and the grow light I do have is a very small one.  Lately I've found the window light just as effective.  Keeping the seedlings moist takes daily work here in the desert climate and I've been watering and watching every morning.  I really didn't expect anything for another few days, so I was excited to see the Cherokee purples have sprouted as of this morning!

Green Zebras Spotted in the Garden

To start 2012 off I have been convinced to start a blog mostly about gardening, but I'm sure about some other "stuff" too.  Anyone who knows me well knows that gardening is something I live and breath.  Blogging is something a little new though.  I'm sure just like gardening there will be a learning curve.  

Right now the garden occupies a stretch of backyard in a newer subdivision near Phoenix and Luke Air Force Base on the edge of the White Tank Mountains.  Some pedigreed show rabbits also occupy part of this space.  During the day August through May I spend the day teaching, and many evenings are spent in this backyard space.  Usually I garden at night and it makes my heart sing to see the sun set over the mountains and the stars come out while I work away caring for the plants in the garden--toiling in it brings great solace, joy, and revelation.  This will be a space mostly about the life story a garden and its gardener.