Another Tomato Experiment

After years of testing tomato cultivars in my San Francisco garden, I am well aware that cherry tomatoes are the most successful and rewarding type for our climate and foggy summers. But this is yet another attempt to try to grow a beefsteak tomato in this coastal climate. I shutter at the thought of buying plants at "big box" stores because I know full well they often offer plants that are inappropriate to our area. Still, when I saw 2 foot tall tomatoes at Costco, I just had to give them a try. They were selling 3 different varieties for under $10 per 3-pack (a penny under...who's fooling who?). Even though one was Early Girl, a tomato I don't even think is worth buying, I bought a pack for the other 2 types that were included, a beefsteak and Black Krim.

My thought is that if I can plant a tomato this early in the season, that is already that mature, it may be my best shot for a cultivar that usually takes 85 to 90 days to mature. As you can see, they are already too big for my makeshift cloches after 2 weeks, but the weather is starting to warm up and I remain hopeful.

I've Been Robbed!

Wasn't I just delighted beyond belief when I found this strawberry ripening in my very own garden in early March? The answer is yes, indeed! It was a thing of beauty and I couldn't wait for it to ripen fully for that first of the season, heavenly scented, berry to pass through my parted lips into my mouth for a burst of flavor in what still seems like winter weather. Not in the cards. It disappeared, like so many fantasies, when I woke up and noticed it was missing. This strain of strawberry is really working well for San Francisco. It's called Diamonte and grows very large, very healthy plants that die back during winter, but reappear in spring. I'm hoping to find more.

Orphans

Within what seemed like a short span of time, I lost both my aunt and uncle, my last living relatives in San Francisco. When their house was placed on the market, my cousin asked if I would like to take a few of their orchid plants as a memento. I'm not a big orchid fan, but my connection to these dear people was strong enough to overcome my indifference to cymbidiums. I took a few of them into my garden. With very little care they thrive and multiply as if to thank me for taking them in and helping them to survive. Each year they change just a bit, so I never know what to expect. This year they are particularly beautiful, but reminding me of departed loved ones is what I treasure most about them, as we were all orphaned by our loss. I also grow "flags" an old fashioned, fragrant iris from my mother's garden in Pasadena, and oregano from my grandparent's garden in San Francisco.

Royal Blenheim and Katy Apricots

It's very early March and both apricot trees have bloomed just before we are forecast for heavy rains. As in years past, I hope that they are pollinated before the blossoms get knocked off by rain or heavy winds. Since I'm still eating apricot sauce and jam preserved last year, I suspect that a smaller "crop" will not be such a disaster. The number of blossoms seems fewer this season than last. I have my small muslin bags set aside to test out my theory about sparing the apricots from being foraged by birds and roof rats. This year, after the fruit is set but still green, with just a blush of color, I'm going to cover each one individually. They will be hiding in plain sight from the critters, being able to ripen on the tree. The small draw strings of the bags will be tightened, keeping each fruit from view of hungry beasties who have the audacity to take one bite before going to the next ripe apricot.

Negrita

Negrita is about as black a tulip as you can get, which means it is really a very deep burgundy color. It's also supposed to reach 18" tall and I'm not complaining when I say that these beauties exceeded that by 2" this Spring. Actually it was still Winter, but all our January and February heat made the bulbs think it was Spring. Since I buy 50 pack bulbs from Costco*, occasionally I plant bulbs that were not necessarily wanted, in order to get 25 of my first choice selection. I don't recall what other bulb accompanied Negrita home, but I'm glad they were paired together, because this one is a keeper and lasted for weeks in the garden. During a particularly blustery day, I cut them down for the house, because they didn't stand a chance outside. In the house they lasted over a week. For mid Spring bulbs, these preemies put on quite a show. They were planted in November, so had some time to develop strong roots. As is my habit, they were stored in the refrigerator for 8 weeks before planting with a tablespoon of bone meal for each bulb. I also stored late Spring tulips that I fear will not do so well, as some were planted in early January. I suspect I will learn a hard lesson this year.

*Although I do not think supporting big box stores is a good idea for gardeners, they do have some seductively low prices on bulbs. I fully support my local nurseries for trees, perennials and vegetable starts (with one exception concerning tomatoes that I will explain in another post). Big box stores bring in plants grown in locations that may not be suited for our climate, so I recommend supporting local nurseries that bring in items you will surely have success in growing.