"The Mexican Grow Out"

brokenbar · May 13, 2011

Well, I have ripe tomatoes! Mine went out February 10th. My earliest to ripen were Chinese, Amish Paste and my Venice Marketplace I was trialing (YEAH!) And to think, I would not have even planted out yet in Wyoming!!! A great year so far..no bugs to speak of and no disease(s) knock on wood. I noticed my plants all got a lot taller and bushier and perhaps that is from the average 80 degree days and 65-70 degree nights. I have had a few problems with parrots and some other birds snacking but nothing real terrible.

When I grew out my seedlings, I handed out nearly 2000 plants. I had a little booklet that had pictures of each variety. My Handyman told everyone and I had a line at my gate starting at 6 in the morning. They knew nothing of black or purple or yellow tomatoes. I now have lots of folks coming by each day to tell me about their plants and to look at mine. They seem to be absolutely thrilled to have access to so many other varieties. I am seeing some of my varieties (and my husbands' who grows all the weird colored ones!) showing up in the market place. I have had several men bring me shawls and table coverings that their wives made and embroidered (what the heck will I do with them???) as thanks for their plants.

They were also really interested in my large variety tomatillos. They said they had no idea they came bigger than the standard "jaw breaker"size.

I am officially the "Señora jardinero de tomate" (The lady tomato gardener)
and my Handyman said soon it will be just the "Dama Tomate" (The tomato lady.) Dama Tomate sure beats other names I have been called over the years! (

)

My Handyman tells me that everyone pulls their plants about the first of July, before the higher humidity sets in. Heck, I will be done drying and canning before then. I think I will talk to the Parish priest about donating extra vegies we have. Like all of Mexico, there is some real poverty here and the Church does more than anyone else to help.

I hope everyone here has a wonderful gardening year. I know many of you are struggling with ugly weather and it brings back all my growing years in Wyoming and all of Mother Natures dirty, nasty little tricks!

We are off the end of June to Turkey and Morocco and then Italy in November. I long to go back to Egypt but have no idea when that will again be possible.
Somewhere at the end of Summer I need to fit in a week in Scotland to see my globe trotting Brother that I have not seen face-to-face for 16 years. He is a photo journalist for Reuters (European Press) and is always "chasing that next picture" in places to dangerous to contemplate. He is my only living family beyond my Son and I worry about him all the time. He always tells me "you will know if I am dead when you get the insurance check"...men...

I will check in now and then and hope to see everyone having a bountiful harvest!

May 13, 2011	#1
brokenbar Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Of The Border Posts: 1,169	"The Mexican Grow Out" Well, I have ripe tomatoes! Mine went out February 10th. My earliest to ripen were Chinese, Amish Paste and my Venice Marketplace I was trialing (YEAH!) And to think, I would not have even planted out yet in Wyoming!!! A great year so far..no bugs to speak of and no disease(s) knock on wood. I noticed my plants all got a lot taller and bushier and perhaps that is from the average 80 degree days and 65-70 degree nights. I have had a few problems with parrots and some other birds snacking but nothing real terrible. When I grew out my seedlings, I handed out nearly 2000 plants. I had a little booklet that had pictures of each variety. My Handyman told everyone and I had a line at my gate starting at 6 in the morning. They knew nothing of black or purple or yellow tomatoes. I now have lots of folks coming by each day to tell me about their plants and to look at mine. They seem to be absolutely thrilled to have access to so many other varieties. I am seeing some of my varieties (and my husbands' who grows all the weird colored ones!) showing up in the market place. I have had several men bring me shawls and table coverings that their wives made and embroidered (what the heck will I do with them???) as thanks for their plants. They were also really interested in my large variety tomatillos. They said they had no idea they came bigger than the standard "jaw breaker"size. I am officially the "Señora jardinero de tomate" (The lady tomato gardener) and my Handyman said soon it will be just the "Dama Tomate" (The tomato lady.) Dama Tomate sure beats other names I have been called over the years! () My Handyman tells me that everyone pulls their plants about the first of July, before the higher humidity sets in. Heck, I will be done drying and canning before then. I think I will talk to the Parish priest about donating extra vegies we have. Like all of Mexico, there is some real poverty here and the Church does more than anyone else to help. I hope everyone here has a wonderful gardening year. I know many of you are struggling with ugly weather and it brings back all my growing years in Wyoming and all of Mother Natures dirty, nasty little tricks! We are off the end of June to Turkey and Morocco and then Italy in November. I long to go back to Egypt but have no idea when that will again be possible. Somewhere at the end of Summer I need to fit in a week in Scotland to see my globe trotting Brother that I have not seen face-to-face for 16 years. He is a photo journalist for Reuters (European Press) and is always "chasing that next picture" in places to dangerous to contemplate. He is my only living family beyond my Son and I worry about him all the time. He always tells me "you will know if I am dead when you get the insurance check"...men... I will check in now and then and hope to see everyone having a bountiful harvest! __________________ "If I'm not getting dirty, I'm not having a good time."