Growing Tomatoes

Dearborn, Michigan--I snapped a picture of this painting hanging in the Henry Ford Museum Michigan Room which  houses snacks and lunch.

Tomatoes? We've got 'em! Don't you know those cherry tomatoes produce abundantly? Pop them in your mouth for a surprising burst of flavor. My DH snaps them off the vines for a snack as he waters the garden.

We have Early Girl, Champion, Crista, and Roma tomato plants. And they are all producing now for an outrageous harvest of red fruit (or is it a vegetable? LOL the perennial question)

My DH loves sliced tomatoes covered in sugar. He can also eat them like an apple fresh picked from the vine. I prefer a tomato on a sandwich or in a salad.

So far no signs of blight or fungus. Keep your fingers crossed.

Gardening tip:  To prevent fungus, do not overwater plants. It's best to water in the mornings so the air dries the leaves during the day.

If you have problems with your tomato crop click on the Tomato Problem Solver, find the picture with your tomato problem and learn how to deal with it.

Tomato Bonanza

Last year, tomatoes were hit by the blight, but this year we have had a perfect growing season producing a bonanza of tomatoes. Pictured above are the Crista tomato which came from our garden. We are pleased with this meaty tomato and selected it because of its disease resistance.

  

Brief History

Tomatoes were discovered in the Aztec culture about 500 BC. The Spanish explorers brought the plant which produced small yellowish tomatoes back to Europe where it became popular. In the 1590's the British believed it to be a poisonous fruit as it was a member of the poisonous nightshade family. But with the mingling of cultures, especially Italian, the tomato became a popular item on tables. Now tomatoes are developed  for cooking, canning, shipping, fresh sliced, salads, etc. Next year you may want to try this new variety.

I hope you have plenty of tomatoes peeking out from your vines. What variety/varieties of tomatoes do you grow? What is your favorite and why?