February 4 Tomatoes to Think About

we're now past the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox .... days are getting longer and the decision on which tomatoes to grow gets harder - so many wonderful tomato seed trades/shares this season ..... I currently have over 800 varieties although many are likely much too old to germinate since I've collected seed for well over 20 years!!

anyhoo, my thoughts this am, I even pulled one mystery pack from 2007 - I'm always tempted to see what the surprise is but every year it returns to my stash

on second thought, I need to rethink as I need room for an F2 grow out, let's try this:

Frank's Italian - this is very old seed, originally from my Nana's Italian neighbour way back in 1998!! a very large elongated paste type; tried germination last year with no results - one more go on seed from 2001 - highly unlikely but worth a try

Dwarf Firebird Sweet - one of my favourite dwarf varieties - rich and sweet - wish it were more productive; I just love the dwarfs, they are so easy to maintain in a simple tomato cage

Lillian's Yellow Heirloom x Dwarf Speckled Heart (Lilly Family) F2 - rather excited about this F2 grow out - last year's F1 brought some lovely almost bicoloured heart shapes of good size - plant was productive as well, but a bit on the late side; Lillian's is known for being late season - I'm hoping some of the early genes from DSH will show - with good flavour of course!!

15th and Vine - another Italian variety - big deep tomatoes, not quite hearts that make the most amazing pasta sauce - I really enjoyed my frozen roasted tomato sauce this winter and want more

Sunchocola F1 from Tokita makers of Sungold - they have a whole Sun series, always happy with this for earliness, flavour and production - great for salads

Raya Rey - a new one to me from Fred Hempel of Artisan Seeds; sweet rich flavour perfect for slicing into salads, etc. caught my attention

Taiga - tricolour heart shape from Karen Oliver's 'True North Tomato' project - so many positive comments on this one; a cross Captain Lucky (Millard Murdock cross which I love) and Ludmilla's Pink Heart

Sweet Baby Jade - a new one from Karen Oliver this year - a green when ripe sweet tangy cherry on a bush plant

Atomic Fusion - this one is from Brad Gates - I just loved his Atomic Grape the last two seasons - described as very similar in taste but in a saladete tomato - what is not to like ... time will tell - the most beautiful colours on Brad's tomatoes

Well, nine is a good number, that is where I'm at today ......... having blogged about it hopefully I'll stick somewhat to this decision - but there are still a few tomato seeds yet to arrive in the mail. 😁

January comes to a close

 winter flowers and trees .....

January 22 A New Year Begins in "R" Garden

was wondering what would make it through the snow and cold at "R" garden ......... looks like the patterned pot didn't fare too well ..... but I love the green patina from last year, so it may get to stay

di Luisa radicchio ..... probably should have picked it, but I'm still learning about radicchios

Brussels sprouts - a bit late for Christmas!!   not sure what will happen now ..... time will tell

quite liking the Santee broccoli ......lovely looking plant, now just for a few spears to emerge

reliable kale - I believe this is Scots curled??

and a yellow chard started from seed last year ....... this was the original plant colour, but it did segregate into pinks, reds and yellows

January 22 Beds 10/11 and 64

What a perfect day for my first visit to the gas station garden ..... still no word if this garden will go another year .... fingers crossed

overview:

and close up:  mizuna and watermelon radish leaf looking happy after the snow

and old faithful arugula going strong

oh, what is this ........ Claytonia I believe poking up through the leaf cover in Bed 64

the rest of Bed 64 looking a little bedraggled .... hoping for fresh kale buds soon

January 6 More Snow

the New Year begins ..... perfect weather to stay inside with a warm cup of tea checking out my seed stash ..... so many tomatoes to choose from!!

had to add this interesting tree stump ..... looks like two decided to become one ....... the heavy wet snow brought down a lot of trees around the neighbourhood ...... and the clean up begins