How to go from 20 to 5 plants?

[spyfferoni]

I'm trying to plan my garden and it is torture. I will be having a baby in August probably around the 5th or so and am trying to realistic about what I can handle. I'll also be having a c-section which will make my recovery time unpredictable. I'm thinking of planting one big juicy slicer(Earl's Faux), an early(Kimberly), a cherry (Galinas), and a couple or roma and paste types just in case I get around to canning---that can handle some time on the counter(Aker's Pink Plum and Heidi). This is so hard, but my husband isn't much on gardening and I can't see him canning. I don't have my kids quite trained yet either. I'll probably plant one or 2 cucmbers, a summer squash, a few peppers, and then let my kids go crazy growing pumpkins and watermelons to take up the extra space. I may even plant corn. I have a drip system so I won't have to worry much about watering once I get everything planted. I have planted 20-25 varieties of tomatoes for the past few years, so this is going to be weird. Not to mention that I usually supply half the neighborhood with a plethora of tomato seedlings in the Spring.
I can't complain though because it is such a blessing to have a baby and we've wanted another one for a couple of years. My sister and sister-in-law are struggling with infertility so it would be selfish and insensitive of me to complain about the adjustments we'll have to make. I am truly thankful to be expecting.

Tyffanie

[Lee]

Two schools of thought here.

1. Plant only what you can handle.
2. Plant what you normally put in, and only attend to what you can handle.

Personally, I'd choose 2, as you could always use the extras
to give to the people that will come "watch the kids" for an
hour so you can get some afternoon rest.
Also, it might be a lousy year, in which case the extra plants
will allow you to get a decent crop.

Just my .02.....

Lee

BTW. Aug. 4th is a good day for a c-section.... that's my oldest's birthday!

[DeanRIowa]

I would also, plant the normal amount, your husband, neighbors and others can help you with the plants after your baby is born.

Congrats!

Dean

[stormymater]

Are you on social enough terms with neighbors to ask for help with the garden? We are very lucky to have some really cool folks who are glad to help out when we are out of town (not too often but what a great relief not to worry about garden, semi-feral cat, etc.). If so I'd go with Lee's recommendation - it's so hard to scale back & then wish you had planted more. If worse came to worse you could offer maters for the picking....

[Thawley]

x4

Worst case if things get out of control, you post on Craig's list or the local farm supply or university horticulture dept to trade toms for a little labor. You belong to a church? I've been blown away by how helpful a church secretary can be as a match-maker for this sort of thing...

[Deer Park]

Sounds like you just need to plant a few containers with dwarfs close to the house so as you walk by you can pinch a yellow leaf, pick a few, and monitor the soil moisture.

Michael

[spyfferoni]

I have a couple of friends that live in apartments that would probably be willing to help out in exchange for a share of the harvest. I'm sure there are neighbors that could help some and people from church, I guess I just need to be better about asking for help. I am always willing to help, but sometimes have a hard time asking for help, plus I'm a little picky about my garden---I guess I'll just have to do what I can do and let others step in. I know I won't want to be out in the heat much 9 months pregnant, not to mention I won't be able to bend over! Maybe I'll plant at least 10 tomato plants and see what some of my friends would want to have if they are helping out. I have another friend who doesn't have the space for a garden and would like to learn how to can. I bet she would do some canning for me if I would give her some of the finished product---even if I just show her how to do whole tomatoes it would be better than nothing! Thanks everyone for the input. I guess I'll be talking to a few friends in the next couple of weeks. I don't know why I didn't think of this before. I guess the thought of my normal garden and being pregnant and having a new baby just seems overwhelming. I haven't had a baby for more than 5 yrs. The toddler in my profile is now 5 yrs old. I'm finding that being pregnant in my mid 30s is a lot different that being pregnant in my 20s.

Tyffanie

[Tomstrees]

CONGRATS ON HAVING A BABY !!!

Just plant 5 plants:

1. San Marzano (paste)

2. Thessaloniki (productive heat resistant round red)

3. Toms Yellow Wonder (oh you know

4. Black Cherry (productive & tastey!

5. Eva Purple Ball (Pinkish Purple - productive disease tolerant)

Cut and paste as you see fit - but this should be plenty !

Hope all is well, ~ Tom

[bigcheef]

Hey Spiff,

I'm cutting back a bit myself this year though not quite as much as you. I think you're on the right track wit splitting the difference and growing 10 plants. I've been growing 50+ for the past two years and I'm going to do my best to get down around 30. Less crowding and a more enjoyable all around experience is what I'm after.

Congrats on the baby!

RIK

[tomatoguy]

That sounds like my situation to a T, except that I only look pregnant so I will still grow 20-25. If I had to grow just 5, it would probably go something like this:

1. Earl's Faux - can't go wrong for taste or production
2. Tennessee Heirloom - just in case EF gets the blight
3. Clear Pink Early - Always productive and tasty, usually early
4. Black Krim - for variety's sake, I keep looking for the best black and coming back to BK
5. Big Red - great tasting and the most productive tomato of any variety that I am aware of aside from Juliet and Rose Quartz Multi-Flora

As far as Rik cutting back on his quantity of plants, I have only one thing to say:

mater

[tomatoaddict]

That sounds like my situation to a T, except that I only look pregnant so I will still grow 20-25.

That made me laugh outloud.

[spyfferoni]

Mater,
Does Clear Pink Early do well in the heat? I like Kimberly because it is early and keeps producing all summer, but I've hear others recommend Clear Pink Early. I've never grown Big Red. Is it a cherry tomato? I agree with you about Earl's Faux. I grew Noir de Crimee 2 years ago and it was beautiful and tasty. I tried a different black last year and wasn't as impressed.

Tom,
I really need to try Thessaloniki and Tom's Yellow Wonder. I need tomatoes that handle the heat well. We have hot, dry summers. Kellog's Breakfast has done well for me so I wonder if Tom's Yellow wonder would perform well too. I've been wanting to try Thessaloniki for a couple of years and just haven't gotten around to it. Does it hold well on the vine? I kind of want an all purpose red that can handle a couple days on the counter. I had good results with San Marzano a few years ago, but I think Heidi had a little more flavor for my tastes, and it didn't get as much BER--although I grew San Marzano before I had my drip system, so BER might not be much of a problem anymore. I like Aker's Pink Plum because it is a pretty dark pink paste type that is really productive and peels extremely easy---it is also the perfect size for canning whole. It is about the same size as Yellow Bell. That one peels really easy too. I may have to try Eva's Purple Ball again. I liked it, but it was on the later side for me when I tried it a couple of years ago. I also like Black Cherry, but if I have to grow one cherry only it has to be a yellow variety because my 8yr old will only eat yellow cherry tomatoes. He claims they taste different???

Thanks,
Tyffanie

[montanamato]

Tyffanie....Clear Pink Early did very well for me in a hot, windy summer 2 years ago...Plus the plants are a manageable size....Doesn't taste like the top end pinks, but I was pleasantly surprised....I am growing it again this summer too...I have found nearly all Russian origin varieties that are known for setting fruit early or in cool conditions, excel in hot conditions too...
Eva Purple Ball does not like my conditions as well, and while I got OK production it sure won't hold on your counter if you get behind...
Sioux, Sheyenne and Millet's Dakota should like dry heat too...

Jeanne

[Dukerdawg]

Tyffanie, are you and/or hubby handy? Still time to build a couple of Ray's Earthtainers (self-watering!). Then not much bending over or watering for that mater. Could probably get 5 plants' production out of those. Just a thought.

And congrats on the new addition forthcoming! Exciting stuff indeed!

Duane

[Tomstrees]

Tyffanie if its heat you have, then grow Thessaloniki a productive red Greek variety that holds quite well on the vine - comes in around 70-75 dates - good taste and disease tolerant

~ Tom ps. PM me if you need some!