Aunt Molly's Husk Tomatoes, other Tomatoes, veggies and flowers 7/8/2012

It was 100 degrees F yesterday in the shade before lunch time yesterday. It is good weather for tomatoes, but surely not for humans. It is very dry in our area and I do need to water the tomatoes and other veggies every other day. I thought it was going to rain last evening, (with all the thunder and lightening) but it didn’t.


These are some of my tomato plants and the tomatoes that are now on the plants. Some are Italian. The San Marzano’s now have very small tomatoes on some of the plants.

This is the first year I planted the Aunt Molly’s Husk Tomato. What I find interesting about this tomato is it is enclosed in papery calyxes first, before the actual tomatoes appear. This heirloom is not actually a cherry, but rather a small ground tomato. The fruits were recorded in horticultural literature as early as 1837 in Pennsylvania and are still common today at roadside stands in late summer. This outstanding Polish variety is prized for its clean flavor, with hints of vanilla and pineapple. Because of their high pectin count, the Ground Cherries can be used for preserves, pies, over ice cream or in fresh fruit salads. This tomato is only harvested after the tomato drops to the ground. It is then ripe.


I picked my first cucumber this morning and also picked up a couple of the Aunt Molly’s Husk Tomatoes that were on the ground a little while ago.. I opened the husks and tasted the Aunt Molly’s Husk Tomatoes and they sure are good. This was the first time I tasted any Aunt Molly’s Husk Tomatoes. I wonder how I could use the Aunt Molly’s Husk Tomatoes on a pizza.

I love Tiger Lilies and am amazed at how beautiful they are. 

Norma

Outside gardening with tomatoes, veggies and flowers 6/28/2012

I was outside working for awhile yesterday and was weeding and taking care of my flowers. The cayenne pepper seems to be still working to keep the groundhogs away from my tomatoes and veggies. I also sprinkled some cayenne pepper on my basil plants because Japanese beetles were eating at the bail leaves. So far, the cayenne pepper seems to work for the basil plants too.


These are some pictures of my small gardens and flowers. Some of my tomatoes are starting to ripen.

Norma

Continuing Garden Adventures 6/23/2012

The tomatoes are growing in my garden and even the one small San Marzano tomato plant, (that seeds were dropped from last year) now has some flowers on it. There are also a few other Italian tomato plants that have small tomatoes on the stalks. A few tomatoes may soon be ripe, but not many. The cayenne pepper still seems to be doing the trick with the groundhogs. I found a few beetles on my basil plants in the last few days and just late this afternoon also put some cayenne pepper on the basil plants to see if it discourages the beetles.


Another member on pizzamaking.com posted a link to places in the US that might have problems with tomato blight this year. My county is listed on the chart, so I sure hope I don’t have problems with tomato blight, but will have to wait and see.

Norma

Gardening, Garage Sales, Sunrise and Working Outside 6/16/2012

I was working outside the last few days as much as I could. I was taking care of my garden and flowers. I got to go to garage sales this morning near where I live. I found a really neat old rain barrel, a wicker seat, old doilies, a bunch of old kitchen utensils and a few other things and only spent 15.00 for everything. I purchased a bale of straw from a farmer near me so I can put that down for bedding in my garden and where other tomatoes, herbs and veggies are. I did hoe, but only got some of the straw bedding down today. Tomorrow is another day and will get more work done outside. I really love outside flowers and trying to garden.



Where some of my tomato plants and some other veggies are there is a darn groundhog that was trying to eat or mow down my plants. I put some cayenne pepper on the leaves and so far in the last week the groundhog hasn’t eaten any more plants. The one groundhog hole can be seen right near one part of my garden. Hopefully he won’t want to eat anymore of my stuff.

Norma