I had a ripe tomato on the first of June —I’m not kidding!
It all started when I was grocery shopping at the super market and spied these tomato plants, in the pot, complete with trellis. They were good looking plants of different varieties. I studied the selection carefully. They were sort of pricey, but if I could grow tomatoes on my doorstep, what the heck?
I went for one Early Girl, because she would produce 6-7 ounce fruit in 54 days; and one Big Boy (ideal for sandwiches), because he would make 14 ouncers in 65. A good combination, I surmised. I picked plants that were tall, deep green, and already blooming. It was an impulse buy, pure and simple.
When I got home, I set them on the doorstep and checked the weather forecast. Nope, no frost forecast for that night.
In the morning, the plants were blown over, and a bunch of dirt spilled out of the pots onto the grass. Dang. I sat them back up-right, and put what dirt I could scoop up, back in.
During the day, a squirrel must have gotten in the pot, because there was a hole dug in the dirt. I looked around for my BB gun and sat it by the door. I would teach that critter a thing or two, by golly.
The next morning Early Girl and Big Boy were blown over again. This time I tied the pots in place. But, miracle of spring, I could see a baby tomato forming on Early Girl. Halleluiah! I text Ginnie the good news.
There was to be a light frost that night. I surmised in my infinite wisdom that, since the tomato plants were beside the house, they would be protected. Not. The next morning, the tips of the plants had turned black. Darn. I brought the plants inside to warm up, and cursed my stupidity.
I noticed right away, that if the plants were getting a little dry, they would start to wilt and look puny. But upon watering, they would rebound, like, within an hour. That was amazing. Shows to go you what a little water will do.
Early Girl’s tomato was getting big, and she had others. And so did Big Boy! My mouth was starting to water.
I noticed my cherry tree, a few feet away from the tomato plants, was showing a smattering of little green, hard cherries. This was going to be a good year. Bees are still around my house!
Early Girl’s biggest tomato was starting to lighten in color. It wouldn’t be long. I purchased a bag of salad mix in anticipation.
On the day I picked her, I was so pleased, I sat her on the step and took her picture, her smiling face shining up at me. Ginnie arrived. Along with burgers on the grill, we had salad with our first Earl Girl tomato. She was so sweet and juicy, she almost brought tears to my eyes.
Other tomatoes are starting to ripen. So is the cherry tree! Ginnie and I picked cherries and made a pie. The first pie I have ever made. My cherries are so mildly sweet, they taste like the early blush of an abundant spring.
Big Boy’s tomatoes are huge! If he wasn’t tied in, I know he would topple over. I predict BLTs by the first of July!
Call or text Curt Swarm in Mt. Pleasant at 319-217-0526 or email him at curtswarm@yahoo.com