My tomatoes haven't done well this year. I feel that container gardening and tomatoes don't go together. I tried planting 1 determinate, 1 indeterminate, and 1 cherry tomato in containers to see which would grow the best. I haven't been able to judge, however, because something keeps taking a bit out of my tomatoes before I can get them in the house. At first it was the ripe ones. They were high up and the branches were not broken like they would have been with a tiny creature nibbling away We figured at that time that it was deer doing the damage. Now, I see that pesky squirrel racing through the yard. I see broken branches on the plants and feel that they are climbing the vines to get to the choice tomatoes. They are attacking only the green tomatoes. They break a vine, the tomato falls to the ground and they take a quick bite and run. Everyday I pick up several green tomatoes half eaten. Nothing is bothering the cherry tomatoes. I think that the vines are a little too spindly for a squirrel to climb on.These are the most tasty tomatoes this year. Full of flavor...no cracks, ripe red, hanging in clusters. I fill my pockets with them and eat them while I garden. They are away from the water source, but I am carrying water to them...I do love these little gems. I am having to water, sometimes, twice a day to keep the big plants from withering. Not crazy about the varieties I chose. They are watery and not as full of flavor as I remember from the past. There is one tiny little tomato plant behind the air conditioner. A volunteer..boldly standing with just one tomato on it. Nothing has bothered it.I'm waiting for it to ripen. It may be the best tomato yet.
Today is bright and beautiful. It got down into the 40's last night. It feels good to have this change. I have more energy in this kind of weather. Fall housecleaning comes to mind. I love sparking clean windows, so I can enjoy looking out in the winter. My house needs a good cleaning and this is the time to begin. Clothes need to be switched to the main closet, houseplants need to be brought in, the down comforter fluffed and made ready, fall candles need to be brought out, fall decorations brought up from the basement, summer cookbooks put away and fall ones brought out, oh so many things to do right now. I'm so looking forward to this season...like no other year in the past.
I had better go check on that tiny tomato ...hope it's still there.
Balisha
