The first tomato of the season
Right about now, folks all over the country are enjoying their first homegrown tomato of the season. I’ll bet most folks would like to have that magical first date be a little earlier next year too… How do you do it?
In 2007, my first tomato date was July 15th, which is absolutely pitiful for my Northern California climate (I received my seeds from a mail order company, before I knew of PV, a little late, oh, in about MARCH!). This year we had a ripe tomato on June 4th, and next year I hope to break the June barrier by having a ripe tomato over Memorial Day weekend. I’ll push it a little further by saying I hope to have salsa over Memorial Day weekend!
How did I shave off a month from my tomatoes? Simple really.
First, I started my tomatoes inside from seed in late January, eight weeks before my last frost date. I prefer to start my tomatoes from seed rather than buy transplants because there is so much more variety this way, and you’re not forced to choose from the 6 or so types that are usually offered in nurseries.
Second, about four weeks later, I moved them outside into Wall O’Waters. Peaceful Valley carries a whole line of season extenders, including the fabulous Wall O’Waters. I will never grow tomatoes without using these again!
Third, I removed the Wall O’Waters when it was warm enough outside overnight that I wouldn’t have to worry about scrambling to cover my tomatoes in case of a late frost (which we indeed had this year!)
If everyone followed this recipe, we could all have wonderful ripe tomatoes earlier each year!
Maybe instead of salsa, I’ll settle for the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich, with local cheddar, and my homegrown onions and tomatoes. Mmmmmm.
Tags: first tomato date, gardening, season extenders, tomato, tomatoes, vegetables, warm weather vegetables
July 13th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Hi, Katie! Wow, you’re blogging for PVFS! Cool! I too use Wall O’ Waters when I want to get my tomatoes in early. I also really like my soil thermometer (which I think I ordered through PVFS) for gauging the best time to plant my summer veggies.
Which tomato varieties are you growing this year? I’m looking for a good black tomato for the Valley (Carmichael, to be exact). I’ve grown ‘Black’, ‘Black from Tula’, and ‘Purple Calabash”. I found them all to be delicious, but productivity hasn’t been too impressive. Any PVFS people know of any productive, heat-tolerant black tomato varieties? Thanks!
July 14th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Great post! Maybe I’ll have some memorial day salsa too!!
July 14th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Angela – I will never grow tomatoes without Wall O’Waters again! It was nice to know they were protected through our bizarre spring. I have a soil thermometer too, now that I think about it. I must go find it now. I’m in the process of cleaning our house, top to bottom (we moved in two years ago and unpacked about 1/2 our “stuff”, so we’re giving the rest of it away). Tomorrow I work on the garage!
I’ve heard Black Krim does well, and I plan to try it next year. This year I’m growing Green Zebras, San Marzanos, and Romas. We started a Brandywine, but it didn’t do well, and my Abranham Lincoln seed started late and died off, so those 3 varieties will have to do this year. I have BIG tomato plans for next year!
Mike – I challenge you to Memorial Day salsa, 2009!