First tomato to blush

[duajones]

This year it is Gregori's Altai, fused fruit that is just beginning to blush at the 58 day mark. That will put it at around 62 days. Gonna be an ugly one but I will savor it nonetheless

[kath]

Yum! I'm growing one of those this year for the 1st time and can't wait to taste its fruit! Actually, I took a rather big chance and planted it today, along with some other "early" varieties, as our 10-day forecast calls for some really warm weather. The plants spent nearly every day outside hardening off because it's been so unseasonably mild.
Anyway, do you remember what has been the 1st for you in years past?

[duajones]

Last year was Break O'Day and the year before was Monomakh's Hat I believe

[MargeH]

So, the tomato eating season begins. I will be savoring my first - Bloody Butcher - in a salad tomorrow. I have had cherries from two different plants, but this is the first tomato.
I grew Gregori's last year and it was one of my first then. I think that Momotaro may be next. One has that look they get just before they start to blush.

Marjorie

[duajones]

I am so looking forward to this tomato. My fall crop was a failure last year so it has been awhile since I have had a decent tomato. This one is sandwiched between two others and I hope to not pull one of the others while trying to harvest this one.

[Duh_Vinci]

Oh, I hear you, it has been since mid December that I've had home grown tomato (fresh)

Gregori's Altai is first time growing for me this year, just set it in the garden this morning, so many refer to it being early, tasty and productive, so I had to try. So the count down begins!!!

As for the first for me - I'm guessing about 2 weeks maybe, a race between Kalinka, Taxi and Bursztyn, these were among 7 others planted first in the containers on the South side of the garage, so I could bring them in in case of frost (3 times this month).

Happy growing all!

Regards,
D

[kath]

Thanks for the feedback. I love the threads about others' likes, dislikes, firsts, results, etc. Very interesting and gives 'food for thought' while waiting for this year's tomatoes. I find it interesting that many don't "count" cherries as tomatoes...for me, anything counts! I used to grow 4th of July because it was my 1st one year, but am using the space to try others this year in hopes that the flavor will be better. Didn't know that Momotaro could be early-so I haven't planted that yet, and the others mentioned are all new to me and not on my grow list- at least this year!

[bigbubbacain]

My first was Sweet Quartz, a cherry from TGS. Had it this past Wed. Mighty tasty too.

[duajones]

Well the mockingbirds were actually on the plant when I got home from work today. Decided to pull it and darned it if I didnt just about split it in half. Looks like I may have to wait a while longer for that first taste.

[bigbubbacain]

Sorry to hear that. Cherries don't really count in my book 'cuz they're always early. How do you handle mockingbirds? I've got the netting, but I hate the looks of it.

Originally Posted by bigbubbacain

Sorry to hear that. Cherries don't really count in my book 'cuz they're always early. How do you handle mockingbirds? I've got the netting, but I hate the looks of it.

Bubba, I don't have a lot of problems with birds where I live in North Texas, but I have used the netting and will try offering them water this year. The Cardinals are the only bird that present a problem for me. I've never seen a Mockingbird here. Lived in Louisiana for many years and had problems with lots of birds and lots of squirrels. I tried a lot of things including fake owls on my tomato cages. Other than netting, the only thing I found that worked was a bunch of big rubber snakes draped all through the tomato plants. No more bird problems and the squirrles abandoned my entire neighborhood. Course the wife wouldn't go in the back yard either. Had to move those snakes around every few days. Those birds are smart.

Ted

[duajones]

I have to put temporary fencing around all of my beds because of a large dog that would trample things. Plastic mesh with rebar is what I use. I always have pieces of the plastic mesh laying around and use pieces of it with clothespins usually. I move pieces around as I have tomatoes blushing on different plants. It has worked ok for the most part. My best weapon is one of my brothers cats that likes to hang out underneath the plants when it is hot outside. She is a great deterrent but hasnt started doing that this year as of yet. She follows me around in the afternoons as I am tending my garden and has seemed to respond to me cussing at the birds when they have caused damage. Sounds crazy but its like she understands that I dont want them darned birds near my stuff. Hopefully she will continue with the help

[bigbubbacain]

Originally Posted by duajones

I have to put temporary fencing around all of my beds because of a large dog that would trample things. Plastic mesh with rebar is what I use. I always have pieces of the plastic mesh laying around and use pieces of it with clothespins usually. I move pieces around as I have tomatoes blushing on different plants. It has worked ok for the most part. My best weapon is one of my brothers cats that likes to hang out underneath the plants when it is hot outside. She is a great deterrent but hasnt started doing that this year as of yet. She follows me around in the afternoons as I am tending my garden and has seemed to respond to me cussing at the birds when they have caused damage. Sounds crazy but its like she understands that I dont want them darned birds near my stuff. Hopefully she will continue with the help

Duane, could you possibly put up a photo of the plastic mesh? I'm trying to get the picture here. Sound like this could be easier to live with than buying 25' x 50' bird netting to drape over my whole bed.

[duajones]

Found 2 Azoychka tomatoes this afternoon that have good color. They were hiding from me

[duajones]

Not a great pic of the mesh. I have it surrounding my beds and attached to rebar with zip ties. I buy it in rolls of 50 foot from Lowes in either 36 or 48 inch height. I always have pieces left over and use it with clothespins strategically around plants or fruit that is close.