Maiden's Gold - 2015

ContainerTed · July 20, 2015

Here's the frist one out of the garden. For some reason, i am having a year of extra large tomatoes. This one is over 2 pounds. It'll take a few days on the counter for it to turn to its natural orange color.

HollyinNNV · July 20, 2015

Ted,
I've noticed that you are posting really big tomatoes and your screen name is "ContainerTed." Are you growing these in containers. If so, what kind of container?
Thanks
Holly

ContainerTed · July 20, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by HollyinNNV

Ted,
I've noticed that you are posting really big tomatoes and your screen name is "ContainerTed." Are you growing these in containers. If so, what kind of container?
Thanks
Holly

Holly, I selected my handle when I lived in Georgia. I raised everything in containers then, with as many as 80+ buckets, tubs, and whatevers. In 2010, I moved here to this 5 acre plot about 30 miles north of Knoxville, TN. Here, I can have as large an "in-ground" garden as I want. This year, my garden is 102' by 34'. And, I have 7 containers that are kept up next to the house.

But, the number of large tomatoes I'm encountering this year is quite unusual. Previous years found me harvesting average size fruit and wishing I could get some "big'uns". This year, everything is coming in large. I have 37 fruits in the house right now that are over a pound in weight. There are dozens of green ones still in the garden. Even the Loopy Dwarf that I just posted is nearly twice the size of the last fruit harvested.

I don't know why I'm getting so many big ones, but the smile on my face is also larger than normal, too.

**Lee** · July 20, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by ContainerTed

I don't know why I'm getting so many big ones, but the smile on my face is also larger than normal, too.

How much rain did you get in April/May/June?

I suspect, like us, a lot more than normal..... makes for big fruit, but it has also watered down mine to nearly tasteless orbs.....

Lee

ContainerTed · July 20, 2015

Lee, we had a VERY DRY (most of) June. And then, my brother did a rain dance and the monsoon arrived. It has been VERY WET for the last three weeks. While the flavors have been a little bit affected, about half have not. Any that have will wake up with a few grains of salt - a very few.

I will agree that the rain has helped with the fruit sizes, but my perception right now is that the whole garden is producing at a size gain of at least 20%. Even my cabbages are coming out at weights of 6-7 pounds fully dressed and trimmed. Normally, a 5 pounder gets bragging rights. My Clemson Spineless Okra is also noticeably larger. And the Loopy Dwarf that grew from seed saved from a 4.5 oz first fruit are over half a pound.

Only the Blue Lake Beans are the same size they usually are.

I don't know what it is, but I'm loving it so far.

stevenkh1 · July 20, 2015

Knoxville? I lived in Gray (outside Johnson City) about 20 years ago; back then it was a population of 400. Probly more now.

And what a nice fat tom!

greyghost · July 20, 2015

I'm having the same experience as Lee, Ted. Lots of rain and larger fruit
with somewhat diluted taste. And, like yours, a little salt brings the taste back!
Not as nice a year as '14 but we're fortunate not to have worse problems. I'm enjoying your photos!

clara · July 20, 2015

Ted, do you have a nuclear power station nearby? I hope you don't! Otherwise that could be the reason for your giants...

ContainerTed · July 20, 2015

Clara, the DW and I do a lot of shopping in beautiful downtown Oak Ridge, TN. It's only about a 25 minute trip to get there. BTW, they still don't let folks drill water wells anywhere close to that town. And, they strongly recommend folks not eat the fish from the river there.

clara · July 20, 2015

And there has never been a radioactive contaminated cloud? You know the stations don't always tell us about "incidents" that we ought to know.

HollyinNNV · July 21, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by ContainerTed

Holly, I selected my handle when I lived in Georgia. I raised everything in containers then, with as many as 80+ buckets, tubs, and whatevers. In 2010, I moved here to this 5 acre plot about 30 miles north of Knoxville, TN. Here, I can have as large an "in-ground" garden as I want. This year, my garden is 102' by 34'. And, I have 7 containers that are kept up next to the house.

But, the number of large tomatoes I'm encountering this year is quite unusual. Previous years found me harvesting average size fruit and wishing I could get some "big'uns". This year, everything is coming in large. I have 37 fruits in the house right now that are over a pound in weight. There are dozens of green ones still in the garden. Even the Loopy Dwarf that I just posted is nearly twice the size of the last fruit harvested.

I don't know why I'm getting so many big ones, but the smile on my face is also larger than normal, too.

Dear Ted,
Wow, you had a huge container garden!! I can't imagine keeping up with 80+ containers.

Sounds like your new garden is doing very well. Isn't it funny how so many of the tomatoes are large ones. I'm happy for you!
Holly

Cole_Robbie · July 21, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by greyghost

I'm having the same experience as Lee, Ted. Lots of rain and larger fruit
with somewhat diluted taste.

Same here.

July 20, 2015	#5
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Lee, we had a VERY DRY (most of) June. And then, my brother did a rain dance and the monsoon arrived. It has been VERY WET for the last three weeks. While the flavors have been a little bit affected, about half have not. Any that have will wake up with a few grains of salt - a very few. I will agree that the rain has helped with the fruit sizes, but my perception right now is that the whole garden is producing at a size gain of at least 20%. Even my cabbages are coming out at weights of 6-7 pounds fully dressed and trimmed. Normally, a 5 pounder gets bragging rights. My Clemson Spineless Okra is also noticeably larger. And the Loopy Dwarf that grew from seed saved from a 4.5 oz first fruit are over half a pound. Only the Blue Lake Beans are the same size they usually are. I don't know what it is, but I'm loving it so far. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch Last edited by ContainerTed; July 20, 2015 at 04:43 PM.

July 20, 2015	#9
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Clara, the DW and I do a lot of shopping in beautiful downtown Oak Ridge, TN. It's only about a 25 minute trip to get there. BTW, they still don't let folks drill water wells anywhere close to that town. And, they strongly recommend folks not eat the fish from the river there. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

July 20, 2015	#2
HollyinNNV Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 96	Ted, I've noticed that you are posting really big tomatoes and your screen name is "ContainerTed." Are you growing these in containers. If so, what kind of container? Thanks Holly

July 20, 2015	#6
stevenkh1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 172	Knoxville? I lived in Gray (outside Johnson City) about 20 years ago; back then it was a population of 400. Probly more now. And what a nice fat tom!

July 20, 2015	#7
greyghost Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: southeastern PA Posts: 760	I'm having the same experience as Lee, Ted. Lots of rain and larger fruit with somewhat diluted taste. And, like yours, a little salt brings the taste back! Not as nice a year as '14 but we're fortunate not to have worse problems. I'm enjoying your photos!

July 20, 2015	#8
clara Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 1,351	Ted, do you have a nuclear power station nearby? I hope you don't! Otherwise that could be the reason for your giants...