Those hot days of summer are here again, and while were all complaining about our excess perspiration, lack of precipitation, and all kinds of heat related aggravation – good things are growing. Take the terrific tomato for example! Botanically speaking the tomato is known as Lycopersicon esculentum but I’ll just stick with tomato — or as those here in the south call it ‘mater!
Some of this heat is actually good for the tomato plants, they seem to enjoy it – I’m glad something does. But once the temperatures get too high, like in the upper 90’s, flowering production shuts down and the tomatoes wait around for temperatures to cool off a bit. We had a heat spell last year where our tomatoes stopped producing but eventually came back to make more ‘maters.
What I’m excited about today is the first tomato blooms of the season! It won’t be long until the first fruits begin to show. While all that is very exciting it really doesn’t mean a thing until that first fresh tomato from the garden is enjoyed. That’s what we’re all waiting for, the result of our hard work, the culmination of all the bloodmeal, sweat, and tears!
These particular blooms belong to a ‘Sungold’ orange cherry tomato. I’ve staked the tomato up to a “U” post figuring that the coated metal posts won’t rot and are pretty sturdy. I considered using the steel concrete reinforcement wire but I really don’t want a rusty metal object around ares where my children are likely to be. For now I’ll just tie up the tomatoes.
Hi Dave, Believe it or not? I have NO tomato plant as yet. Should have… just haven't been home and unable to be in the garden! We got home last night and found a few things growing! Two varieties of beans look great – peas are marginal. Carrots are beginning to show themselves and the lettuce and spinach are also just babies! Hopeful these things do okay in the sunniest part of the raised beds – which have almost enough sun! 😉
Finally we have small tomatoes on our plants that I started from seed….this heat may do them in before we harvest any though…sigh or we will just have fried green tomatoes!
Yours are ahead of mine for sure but it won't be long!
My tomatoes are in pots this year, but they seem to be doing great on my little patio! I'm still picking the blooms so they have time to become large sturdy plants. Each time I pick a bloom I think of the tomatoes that will never be, and it makes me sad. I'm in zone 7a, so I think this weekend will be my last weekend to pick them back.
Happy Gardening!!
SG,
You'd better get those tomatoes growing soon! Ah the thought of delaying too long on tomatoes just scares me! 😉
Darla,
I hope the temperatures drop some although I'm not expecting it. This coming week here doesn't have anything less than the 90's. Way too hot for the beginning of June.
Tina,
They grow fast, one day they are little plants then the next they are all grown up…hmm sounds like somethings else doesn't it?
Emily,
Tomatoes can grow great in pots! I used to garden on the patio of our apartment with tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, etc. Anything I could! I'm glad I have dirt now to grow in by the tomatoes we had then were delicious!
It's absolutely amazing to me how fast tomato plants grow! I have a few staked just like yours, except I use those velcro ties. I got Renee's three-varieties-in-one packet of cherry tomatoes in my media kit. One of the varieties is 'Sungold.' My mom has grown 'Sungold' for years, and they are really tasty! Starting in July she has always has a bowl of cherry tomatoes on the kitchen counter for snacking. Last year she even brought in a 'Sungold' cutting, rooted it, put it in south-facing window, and enjoyed tomatoes all winter. Then she took cuttings of the plant to put back out in the garden.
Your tomato plants look fantastic Dave!
I planted my seeds kind of late, but they have grown dramatically in the last couple of weeks – I think they do love the heat!!!
Also, I took your advice and planted my basil seeds the same weekend you did, and already have little sprouts – so exciting!
Perhaps you could share your pesto recipe with all of us 🙂
My 'maters seem to get ripe in 3's. Patio brand very good. Skin a bit tough. I have plants anywhere I can stick one. Already lost one {in ground} to some kind of virus. Looked like hot water had been poured on it. Afraid another {better boy} will be lost to same plight. It's in a pot so go figure.