You Say Tomato, He Says Tomauto, I Say Dead, Dead, Dead

When one of my plants dies, I die a little inside, too.

Linda Solegato

I know I won't gather much sympathy from this post. That living in Zone 8 brings me a mild winter with a temp dip below 32 an occasional occurrence. That the majority of the country looks like frozen tundra and even the orange groves are at risk this evening. But I do want some advice, as I so want to grow tomatoes.

You may recall this photo from last summer when the temps surpassed 100 for weeks in a row. Where trying to keep my plants alive became the name of the game. With no hope for the fruit to set when the temp rises above 90, I had missed the window by a few weeks. My plants succumbed to dry, shriveled, ugly, ugly death. Note to self - For summer crop, plant earlier - like March.

In October, I purchased new seedlings from the store. Fresh hope. Varied varieties named Early Girl, Brandywine, Celebrity, Yellow Pear. Planted three in the garden, three in pots. Experimenting.
Results: Cold weather blows in and although plants grow large and the fruit sets, even colder weather visits bringing vicious, frigid winds. Note to Self - For winter crop, plant earlier - like September 1.


Nothing sadder than seeing a thriving plant, die, die, die. A green thumb does not live at my house when it comes to tomatoes. I know people who just stick tomato plants in the ground and they produce so much the planter can't figure out what to do with them all. I want a harvest like that. Perhaps in more things that just tomato growing.This is the big harvest for the season. With the Arctic blast coming at us like a steam engine, I covered the plants for days. Unfortunately, 16 degrees is the limit. I gave in and picked all they wrote. Think I'll eat those baby plum tomatoes tomorrow.

Meanwhile - there are sad hearts around my house tonight. The Green Bay Packer game didn't leave us in good moods. Had to go eat Mexican food to feel better. We love the Pack. Until next year.


And that there in my dining room? That's the Fragrant Liar. Click here to visit her most informational blogsite. Don't go, however, if you don't like to laugh.

My computer is operating way too slow. Signing off for now.

Note to Self

Dear Julie,

When writing a quick post, seek better examples. For instance, your kitchen table. As a long time advocate of nightly family dinners, your kitchen table contents have easily been shuffled to the side desk*** to accomodate many a family meal. Therefore, it does get washed daily.

***Don't show desk.


Let your friends know that it is always safe to use your bathrooms and eat in your kitchen. That your husband is a master at cleaning a kitchen. That with so many boys in the house, you have learned to check the toilets for errant sprays on a daily basis. Hand towel changed frequently. The dust may be a little thick in your living room, but the health inspector will gladly eat at your table or poop in your bathroom.

Mention that clean sheets are provided for all night visitors, unless you're a teenage boy sleeping in a bed where a middle-aged woman has spent one night.

Consider that even though he hasn't said anything, your husband might worry that everyone now thinks he has to live in a pig sty. Hmmm. Figure out if that really bothers you.

Gather the names of all those offering to organize your bookshelves and set the date. Don't show them the other six book shelves in the house until they arrive.

Probably 5000 more notes to improve self, but all for today.

Love,
Julie

P.S. HelenaHalme of the United Kingdom has awarded me one of the most beautiful awards - One Lovely Blog. Helena, I thank you. Please visit her site. As she says, she "writes about Finland, Sweden, fathers, daughters, spies, love, betrayal, trust, loneliness." Great stories and essays.

Helena, I thank you.