My first tomatoes of the season!

Shlomart Ben Yisrael · Tue Jul 29, 2014 8:22 pm

RACK me, guys!

Unfortunately, i crushed my fingertip staking some of the plants in...ouch!

Goober McTuber · Post by **Goober McTuber** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 8:58 pm

They're kind of small.

Goober McTuber · Post by **Goober McTuber** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 8:58 pm

Sorry if that last comment brings back painful memories.

mvscal · Post by **mvscal** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 9:01 pm

They look like mini romas.

Shlomart Ben Yisrael · Tue Jul 29, 2014 9:09 pm

mvscal wrote:They look like mini romas.

Yes.

These are my homemade bruschetta topping of choice. I don't like the flesh to be too "mushy".

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Tue Jul 29, 2014 9:14 pm

Bruschetta? Doesn't sound very hebrew.

Shlomart Ben Yisrael · Tue Jul 29, 2014 9:55 pm

Screw_Michigan wrote:Bruschetta? Doesn't sound very hebrew.

I'm 1/16th Sicilian Jew...on my father's side...twice removed...

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 12:02 am

Went with the tried and true Rutgers and for a change of pace, some Big Boys. Only a few have ripened yet but they are mighty tasty. Looks like a bumper crop. The plants are loaded and over powering some heavy duty cages I bought this year to try to keep them contained. It just seems to piss them off. There is no containing a well watered tomato garden in this perfect, sun drenched climate.

Loves me some home grown tomatoes.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Wed Jul 30, 2014 12:53 am

War Wagon wrote:Went with the tried and true Rutgers and for a change of pace, some Big Boys.

Are you sure you didn't mean Marlboros and Tall Boys?

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 1:28 am

I went out after posting that to water the 'maters and must come correct. That plastic tag you stick in the ground next to each variety says they are Beefsteaks, not Big Boys. Wifey picked them out, just her wishful thinking I guess.

And no tall boys in my fridge. But when I go the Royals game tomorrow night (scored some nice seats and a parking pass from a vendor today) they sell 25 oz. tall boys for $10 a pop. Reckon that'll leave me at least $50 poorer, depending on how many the wife can down. She doesn't drink often but when she does, time to get out the credit card.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 2:22 am

War Wagon wrote:That plastic tag you stick in the ground next to each variety says they are Beefsteaks, not Big Boys.

Congrats on growing the shittiest variety of tomato known to man.

velocet · Post by **velocet** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 2:34 am

velocet

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 2:50 am

Dinsdale wrote:Congrats on growing the shittiest variety of tomato known to man.

I'll be the judge of that... actually the wife will. If she says it's good then by damn, it is. I'll let you know in about 2 weeks.

But what leads you to believe that?

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 3:15 am

Beefsteaks have very little flavor, due to low sugars and acidity.

Basic berry stuff. Chances are, with a berry that large, it isn't going to develop flavors the same (not a carved in stone rule, but generally true of berries).

Goober McTuber · Post by **Goober McTuber** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 5:14 am

I usually plant one heirloom called Brandywine. Those suckers can get plenty large, and have huge flavor. Just a caution for Whitey who I believe is new to this tomato farming. It helps to replace some of the soil each year, or invest in some plant food. Growing tomatoes in the same soil year after year will eventually catch up with you.

Shlomart Ben Yisrael · Wed Jul 30, 2014 10:01 am

velocet wrote:

velocet

How did that eggplant get mixed up with my beautiful, red tomatoes?

:?

velocet · Post by **velocet** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 2:49 pm

Shlomart Ben Yisrael wrote:How did that eggplant get mixed up with my beautiful, red tomatoes?

:?

You said:

Shlomart Ben Yisrael wrote:RACK me, guys!

So I thought I'd do one better and perform a mini-roast in honor of yer 'maters.

velocet

trev · Post by **trev** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 3:23 pm

Rack Velo.

Marty, by the looks of it you have short, fat hands. I don't date short, fat guys, FYI.

MgoBlue-LightSpecial · Wed Jul 30, 2014 3:27 pm

trev wrote:I don't date short, fat guys, FYI.

HOW DARE YOU!

trev · Post by **trev** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 3:30 pm

Is he short?????

by the way.

mvscal · Post by **mvscal** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 3:52 pm

If you aren't growing San Marzanos, you're wrong.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 4:55 pm

From the little I can see of them, those are some pretty anemic looking tomato plants.

Give me a day or so, and I'll show you what a U&L mater looks like. The ones I have got started a little late, so are a week or so from the first ripe fruit, but are significantly bushier than Shlo's.

I guess having 18 hours of sunlight a day helps their cause. The U&L growing season ain't messing around.

Shlomart Ben Yisrael · Wed Jul 30, 2014 8:34 pm

trev wrote:Rack Velo.

Marty, by the looks of it you have short, fat hands. I don't date short, fat guys, FYI.

My fingers may be a bit short (which is why I'm such a shitty guitar player), but by no means am I fat.

You could easily wrap your arms around me (given the opportunity)...

Truman · Post by **Truman** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 9:33 pm

Dinsdale wrote:From the little I can see of them, those are some pretty anemic looking tomato plants.

Give me a day or so, and I'll show you what a U&L mater looks like. The ones I have got started a little late, so are a week or so from the first ripe fruit, but are significantly bushier than Shlo's.

I guess having 18 hours of sunlight a day helps their cause. The U&L growing season ain't messing around.

Apparently, that extra two hours of sunlight you people enjoy during your growing season makes all the difference. Missing from your take, however, is your understanding of the high heat and humidity necessary to grow proper tomatoes.

We have what call "tomato weather" in these parts, Dins. Temps in the 90's; humidity approaching the 80's. And the tomatoes just BOOM. It ain't like we're growin' hops here. What's next? I suppose you people think you can barbecue too? lulz...

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Sun Aug 03, 2014 10:23 pm

Truman wrote:Missing from your take, however, is your understanding of the high heat and humidity necessary to grow proper tomatoes.

Yes, that's why California is by far the leading tomato state... since it's so humid there.

Shlomart Ben Yisrael · Sun Aug 03, 2014 10:54 pm

Truman wrote: What's next? I suppose you people think you can barbecue too? lulz...

It's ON!

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 12:32 am

Truman wrote:Missing from your take, however, is your understanding of the high heat and humidity necessary to grow proper tomatoes.

We have what call "tomato weather" in these parts, Dins. Temps in the 90's; humidity approaching the 80's. And the tomatoes just BOOM.

Straight up bullshit. High humidity, especially at night, can be the death-knell for tomatoes.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 12:35 am

Dinsdale wrote:
Truman wrote:Missing from your take, however, is your understanding of the high heat and humidity necessary to grow proper tomatoes.
Yes, that's why California is by far the leading tomato state... since it's so humid there.

Eeeaasy there, trigger...
Leading producing state does not equate to tomato quality. You like eating cardboard?

Truman · Post by **Truman** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 1:07 pm

Dinsdale wrote:
Truman wrote:Missing from your take, however, is your understanding of the high heat and humidity necessary to grow proper tomatoes.
Yes, that's why California is by far the leading tomato state... since it's so humid there.

...And St. Louis brews the most beer in the country, but that doesn't make it any good. Wanna take another run at it, Dins?

Truman · Post by **Truman** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 1:12 pm

Ken wrote:Straight up bullshit. High humidity, especially at night, can be the death-knell for tomatoes.

Ah. So that's a dry, "Nevada-like" heat growers crank through their hothouses?

No, no, Ken - Really. The stupid fits you well...

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 2:16 pm

Truman wrote: ...And St. Louis brews the most beer in the country, but that doesn't make it any good.

But it's damned humid in St. Loser so I bets they have some good homegrown 'maters as well.

Goober McTuber · Post by **Goober McTuber** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 2:26 pm

States growing the most tomatoes are growing genetically engineered tomatoes. Engineered for shelf life, not flavor.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 5:16 pm

Ken wrote:High humidity, especially at night, can be the death-knell for tomatoes.

As can high overnight temperatures.

ALL berries develop more flavor (and convert acids to sugars) if they undergo significant cooling overnight...

But don't tell Truman, his head and misplaced homerism might explode.

jiminphilly · Post by **jiminphilly** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 7:34 pm

I sometimes get my tomatoes (and other produce) from a road-side produce stand run by an Amish family. It's amazing the difference in taste from a bland-store bought tomatoe vs. one I get from the produce stand.

mvscal · Post by **mvscal** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 8:08 pm

Truman wrote:Missing from your take, however, is your understanding of the high heat and humidity necessary to grow proper tomatoes.

Probably because neither is necessary or even desirable. Ideal conditions for tomatoes are low to mid 80s and relatively low humidity. That isn't an opinion. It's a simple fact.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 8:23 pm

mvscal wrote:Ideal conditions for tomatoes are low to mid 80s and relatively low humidity. That isn't an opinion. It's a simple fact.

Man, if only such a place existed, they could probably grow some good tomatoes.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 8:52 pm

Crappy pic, and the yard (not mine, I just tend to the vegetable garden) isn't quite smackoholic-worthy, but the maters are about 5' high and quite bushy. They went in very late for these parts (probably not until late May, early June), so they aren't cranking them out yet, but should be GO time in about a week.

All the strawberries and blueberries behind them along the fence are pretty much done producing for the year.

BTW -- here's what's for lunch:

Homemade eggplant and parmesan (not my choice) pizza, and homemade bread.

Pretty deece.

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 10:29 pm

Dinsdale wrote:the maters are about 5' high and quite bushy. They went in very late for these parts (probably not until late May, early June), so they aren't cranking them out yet, but should be GO time in about a week.

Only by using a TVO yardstick are those bushes 5' high... and that's exactly what they are, all leaves, no maters.

A week is GO time? Try again next year from what I see. That's not a tomato garden, it's an untended sandbox where some weeds sprouted.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 10:52 pm

You made me measure, assface.

5'3 from the soil in the bed to the highest leaves. Pic with the tape measure next to it was for shit.

And they're loaded with berries, but with the late start, none are ready yet. Need to get them in late March/early April to get early season fruit.

War Wagon · Post by **War Wagon** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 11:57 pm

Dinsdale wrote:You made me measure, assface.

ok, I'll take your word for their height, but I still don't see much in the way of fruit, just a few blossoms that might produce a mater or two... by Halloween.

I think I see the problem. You took that last pic at what, around 3:30 PST? The sun is bathing only the topmost part?

It's 6:55 here as I type and my plants are still in full sunlight, and they are fucking loaded. I have 8 plants and I counted over a hundred. That's not counting the ones that we already picked or the fucking squirrels and rabbits have helped themselves to. :brad:

I have to go out most every day and straighten the cages out as they lean heavily south towards the blessed midwestern sunshine.

Sir Dinsdale, you may know the science of growing tomato's, but the practical aspect, not so much. Who the fuck plants tomato's in late May/early June and then in a spot where they don't get full sun?

Your dumbass neighbor, apparently. I don't blame you for not owning up to them, but I sure as hell wouldn't be bragging about them either.