HOW DO I GET A JUMP ON THE TOMATO-GROWING SEASON? By starting the seeds indoors. Have a look at these seed-starting tips which usually produce strong, healthy seedlings — the kind that are worth planting outdoors when warm weather (finally) arrives: Tip #1: Timing is everything, so don’t start the seeds too early. The best… Read more »
I PICKED THE REMAINING good-sized tomatoes from my collapsed trellis last evening. This was not a moment too soon. The fruit would have perished overnight as the temperature here plunged to 32 degrees. What are my plans for the last of these last “Love Apples?”Tonight I’ll turn the few ripe ones into a Classic Tomato… Read more »
REMEMBER MY SUPER-DUPER TOMATO-TRELLIS? The one I built from long, skinny sumac saplings and jute twine? I’m sorry to say it collapsed in a miserable heap this morning, still covered with vines and fruit, during a visit from tropical rain storm “Nicole”: How proud I was of this no-cost architectural statement (above, to the right)… Read more »
RICHLY SCENTED WITH GARLIC AND BASIL, and perfectly suited for freezing, is my “Lazy Sunday” tomato sauce. You don’t need a culinary degree to make this brew. What you do need is time; for the sauce must be stirred every half-hour or so until the tomatoes boil down to a fairly thick consistency: Lazy Sunday… Read more »
CUT A TOMATO IN HALF, fill it with fresh breadcrumbs and an aromatic blend of garlic, parsley, and olive oil — the flavors of Provence — and Voila! you have Stuffed Tomatoes Provencal. I like to prepare this classic first course early in the day so I won’t feel rushed when guests arrive: Stuffed Tomatoes… Read more »
HOW ARE YOUR TOMATOES DOING? Any troubles to report? My own recent harvest isn’t picture-perfect. As you can see from the photo up top, the skins have cracks, or splits. Read on, and I’ll tell you the cause of these blemishes (hint: I’m to blame) and how they can be avoided on emerging fruit: Skin-splitting… Read more »
WANT TO TURN A TINY TOMATO-SEEDLING INTO A FRUIT-MAKING MONSTER? Follow my planting and growing tips, which can make all the difference between a mediocre harvest — and a mind-blowing one: Plant Deeply . Bury the tomato right up to its first set of leaves (or even deeper). New roots will emerge all along the… Read more »
