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So. Cal. 15 May 2009 - 41 Tomato Plants; 40 Varieties

Dot’s Thot: “Of the tomato or love apple, I know very little. It is chiefly employed as a sauce or condiment. No one, it is believed, regards it as very nutritious; and it belongs, like the mushroom and the potatoe, to a family of plants, some of the individuals of which are extremely poisonous. Some persons are even injured, more or less, by the acid of the tomato.”
‘The Young House-keeper’ by William Andrus Alcott (1846)

15 May 2009 — The tomato plants have been in-ground for a few weeks:

Looking at the plants in the ground, before any fruit, before any colorful globes, and not knowing better, this old comment from the mid-1800’s might be plausible. The reference to poison is because tomatoes, like eggplants, belong to the nightshade family.  Thank goodness for the learning  — now we embrace lycopene and its benefits.

The photo above shows the tomato plants at about 6-7 weeks after purchase and planting in the ground.  We had followed the “old geezer” advice about planting tomato seedlings in the ground.  Pinch off the leaves on 80% of the stem, leaving 20% of the leaves on the seedling.  Bury the stalk deep with some organic fertilizer.  Plants on the right were bought a week ahead of the ones on the left.  In addition, that area has had amendments added for several years.

The plants on the far right are in soil recaptured from the lawn this year and is not as well worked.  The soaker hoses lie on top of seed mats laid over the tilled soil and share some space with three pepper plants.  Those are aloe plants in the pot (using for burns and even a little in juices and smoothies).

Seedlings were bought in March and shown here in May.  In the next posting, we’ll start journaling the tomatoes and varieties as these plants fruit.  I doubt I will write about all the plants, but hope to record as many as I can.

Related Posts:

Grow Tomatoes Review:  Orange Santa

First Tomato of 2009 — Pink Thai Egg

See Christy K.’s Beautiful Brandywine Tomato — two hands needed

Tomato Gardening is So Satisfying

First Tomato of 2009 -- Pink Thai Egg

Dot’s Thot: “Distance makes the heart grow fonder, and familiarity breeds contempt. According to this my soul mate should be in Thailand.“ — Jason Zebehazy

Maybe not our soul mate, but for me, I have grown fonder of this variety as the first tomato of 2009 came from a volunteer from a Pink Thai Egg tomato plant which seeded itself from last year’s crop in the pot. I had not bought another one (did not see it) and neglected to pay attention. However, when the volunteer appeared, I did stake up the branches. Here it is — the very first tomato for me for the year. I picked it 3 June 2009. I put a standard mint next to it so you can tell how big it is — sort of like a big grape tomato. If I take better care of this volunteer, the tomatoes will probably grow close to the size of a small egg. Just wanted to share — it is the most modest of harvests, but a harvest, no less. Aloha, Dot

Take a look at this whopper of a Brandywine tomato.  Brandywines are among my very favorite tomatoes and @Christyku. from the Midwest twittered me this beauty, which a friend gave her.  Wow, I can’t believe she ate the whole thing!!!!

Christy K's Brandywine Tomato -- a Whopper!!

Companion Planting
By Chip Phelan

If you look closely at the natural landscape, you’ll never see a large area populated by a single species. Why then would it make sense to plant a single crop in a field or in a section of your garden? It doesn’t. Companion planting makes a lot of sense.

Single crops may be easier to harvest, especially for commercial purposes, but the plants and the land both suffer for it. Farmers have learned that rotating their crops and allowing fields to “rest” with plants that can be turned back into the soil can lessen their dependence on fertilizers. That is only part of the solution to a healthy ecosystem and successful crop production.

In nature plants constantly seek out symbiotic relationships with other plants and animals around them. We are only beginning to understand the workings of these relationships. Companion planting attempts to provide a more natural environment that will help your plants thrive.

Native Americans throughout the western hemisphere were practicing companion planting when the Europeans landed. Maize (corn), squash and beans were referred to as “The Three Sisters” among many of the eastern nations when the first colonists arrived. In this situation the corn provides support for the beans and the squash suppresses weeds and keeps the soil cool and moist by virtue of it’s large leaves. This was the elementary school explanation and probably the first and last time most people gave companion planting much thought.

Besides shade and structure companion planting provides much more remarkable benefits. My experience has found companion planting to be an effective means of organic pest control as well. Combining vegetables with herbs and flowers in the same growing vicinity accomplishes a few things, which I can attest to with relative certainty.

By always having something in bloom in your garden you have a better chance of attracting beneficial insects into your garden. Herbs, flowers and even some weeds can deter some pests or act as trap plants to give pest insects something else to eat besides your vegetables. In some cases, companion plants are even thought to improve the flavor of their neighbors.

Some companion plants that we have had good luck with in our gardens

Radishes: Whether or not you like the taste of radishes they make good companions for many vegetables. They are a deterrent to most pest insects. We have had particular luck growing radishes with beans, cucumbers and members of the squash family. They seem to deter the various beetles that can decimate these crops. Radishes do not do well with members of the cabbage family.

Onions: Members of the onion family also tend to benefit a variety plants. Carrots, beets, members of the cabbage family, lettuce and tomatoes all do well with onions. Peas and beans however are not so compatible with onions.

Annual Herbs: Dill and basil seem to help our tomatoes. Basil is said to repel white fly and aphids. Dill seems to be one of many herbs and flowers to attract parasitic wasps. Parasitic wasps help control tomato hornworms by laying their eggs in the hornworms. The wasp larvae feed on the hornworms and kill them before they can do much damage.

In general the more diversity in your garden, the more successful your efforts will be. By creating a garden in harmony with the natural environment you will benefit all the inhabitants living nearby, including yourself and your family. Try companion planting this season and watch your garden grow.

Chip Phelan, a contributing editor for Organic Gardening Review, is an
organic gardener living in Rhode Island. Organic Gardening Review is a resource
center for organic gardening enthusiast. Find us on the web: http://www.organic-gardening-review.com

Looking for a place to share organic gardening info? Visit our Organic
Gardening Discussion Forum at: Organic
Gardening Forum.

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