runty tomatoes not so runty!

Back when I transplanted the cosmos and marigolds into the front bed, and the largest of the tomato seedlings into bigger pots, I stuck the littlest runt tomatoes into the big planter next to our front door. They were ones that were I thinned out. I hate thinning. I can't stand to throw little plantlings out.

And here they are, kicking butt! Go guys go! Soon I'll have to rig up some sort of support. They're on the west side of the house, so they're getting plenty of sun — no Wall-O-Water for these dudes.







You can't really tell from these pix, but there are even marigolds under the tomatoes, sprouted from a bunch of last year's seed I tossed in there.

walls-o-water!

Walls-O-Water came in this week, finally got around to setting them up today. They're on all 9 plants in all 3 beds — no control group. I want some tomatoes this summer, dangit!

Note for future reference: much easier and faster using the hose instead of the watering can; and definitely use the big orange bucket to support them while filling.

tomatoes - chillin’?

Well, it's not freezing overnight anymore, but it's still too cold (40s, 50s) at night for the tomatoes to really get going. Although the ones in the raised bed and the side bed are doing better than the ones in the backyard bed.

After chatting about veggie gardens with our friends and neighbors Jamie and Betsy this past weekend, I've decided to order some of those Wall-O-Water dealios to warm things up and even out the temperature swings.

transplanting/planting

Hardened-off 'maters went in today. One each of three types (Principe Borghese, Roma Rio Grande, Tigerella — despite my faith, the Black Princes were duds) in three locations: back raised bed; side flower bed; backyard bed.

Last year, the tomatoes in the middle-of-the-backyard bed never took off. We thought, maybe not warm enough? It gets the lots of sun, but friends of ours have had better luck with less sun, but warmer locations (since the nights are often be cool, even in July and August), like up against walls and houses. So, this year, I'm experimenting with putting some tomatoes up against the wall in the side flower bed (south-facing), and up against the house (east-facing), in the raised bed where the herbs are.





Raised bed:



Side bed:



Backyard bed:



Also direct-sowed the cukes, black beans, pumpkin, and squashes. My fingers are crossed.

Had some leftover little leggy tomatoes, so Bram and I walked the dog over to Dave and Shelby's and gave 'em to them. I'm so jealous of her raised beds!