Wednesday, March 14, 2012

they are getting bigger

tomatoes continue to do well, really looking forward to getting them into the ground.

Friday, March 2, 2012

2012 tomato seedlings sneak peak

they have sprouted!  2012's tomato dream-team is working hard to be ready for planting in early may.  flatlanders know official tomato planting day is april 28 - but at 1800 foot elevation, its a crap-shoot even in may.



this year will see 14 tomato plants.



what?!?

yep, remember when i had 41 in the ground.  well that has dwindled over the past 3 years, as i found out more isnt necessarily better.  i have 12 raised beds and used 6 for the tomatoes - and i did cram in 41 plants.  year 2 saw 36, last year was 25.  i found cramped plants, rotting tomatoes i couldnt get to fast enough - and really, i think i will have more than enough with this number. and to top it off, water isnt cheap and i need to be a better steward of it.

its going to be 14 going forward.  here is the list of 2012 varieties i will be planting:

cherokee purple - a great heirloom, in my garden every year

first prize - new variety i am trying - hybrid

black pear - new variety i am trying - heirloom

Japanese black trifele - first tried in 2011 and was great, should be planted every year - heirloom

black prince - new variety i am trying - heirloom

boxcar willie - new variety i am trying - heirloom

carbon - new variety i am trying - heirloom

early girl - my usual go-to for an early variety, some years isnt as early as planned - hybrid

sun gold - no garden is complete with out this cherry variety, its sweet like candy, a must have - hybrid

black zebra - my all time favorite. - hybrid

black zebra - so good its the only one i have two of in my garden - hybrid

super fantastic - good consistent producer, planted every year - hybrid

champion 2 - good consistent producer, planted every year - hybrid

Frontyard Freebee - variety for 2012 unknown, but this comes from my favorite local nursery and who doesnt like a freebee?