The ONE tomato seed that germinated was this, the trusty Stupice (pronounced Stu-peach-ka) tomato. Most of my seeds have entered their 3rd year in my kitchen cabinet and so I can conveniently blame their age for lack of successful seed sprouting this spring, having nothing to do with my 30 hour work week which I’ve never had since beginning my edible quest some 4 years ago. And it’s no big deal that this tomato plant is about a month behind the tomato curve because Stupice is one tomato that is a lover of the fall, a welcomer of the sudden cool days that can sneak up in early autumn when we’re still passing them off as summer. In 2012 I was still harvesting these medium sized red Czechoslovakian heirlooms in January. Yes, that’s right.
Refreshed soil in the raised bed is now home to a white heirloom cuke, butternut squash, yellow crookneck squash, pattypan squash, basil and rosemary. To my surprise the basil is getting DEVOURED by some rodent, perhaps with an Italian parentage.
My daughter and I had a “decorate grow bags” afternoon using felt shapes and water-proof fabric glue. They grow my best tomatoes ever.
My daughter’s design, now home to a cherry tomato.
For such a small thing, Eva’s Pride peach has an impressive crop. Supportive stakes in my future?
Honestly, I’m unsure what the deal is with my Snow Queen Nectarine. The bottom half is growing some healthy, strong new branches but the top half is only now meekly blooming with no leaves. I’m hoping the two ends can meet somewhere in the middle and soon.
Pole beans making their presence known. These WERE grown from seed (one of the easiest veggies to do so in my opinion). I just save a few over-ripe pods each year and let them dry out on the kitchen window sill.
And last but not least, the red seedless Thompson grape. This may be one of the most exciting things happening this season for me. This vine fruiting is a first and I’m enjoying seeing the flowers give way to tiny grapes…
Bountiful Backyard 