Tomato time in Texas

Tomato time in Texas

About 2 more weeks and we North Texas gardeners will be able to plant our tender crops.  And that means Tomatoes!  [Why exactly do we have to add an “e” when we make the word “tomato” plural – don’t answer that Micki Jo].

If you have ever had homegrown tomatoes you can fully appreciate the greatness of having fresh garden-ripened tomatoes.  Unfortunately half the year we are relegated to those hard, sorta red tomatoes—I call them red baseballs in the grocery store.

Garden tomatoes!

You can never have enough tomatoes during the summer months … when you are up to your eyeballs, all you have to do is can them.  Then in the winter when you are making a stew or chili, pop open a couple jars of our canned tomatoes, and ta-dah – happiness in a jar.

Canned tomatoes

I went nuts in my greenhouse this winter with tomatoes … There are about 100 or so plants. Yikes! 

Lots and lots of 'maters ... Tomato plants galore

Calling all Gardeners! I need a few of you to take these off my hands!

Just a few good Tomatoes …

I woke up and it’s Spring.  First week of March down and it seems like it was just winter – wait it was just winter.  One month ago we were still digging out of a big-time snow storm that left all of North Texas crippled — school was cancelled for a week!

This looks like the coldest animal on Earth

Nothing says spring in Graham like Daffodils. 

There was once a big push to make Graham the Daffodil Capital. [of Texas or the U.S., I’m not sure]. But you can still see the remnants all around us.

To me Spring means Baseball … 

AND gardening. Oh how I love to plant stuff to watch it grow … 

Plant a seed and watch it grow ...

 

This year, Spring has a new element for me – my greenhouse!  One of the best, most-thoughtful gifts ever given to me. (awwwhhh – thanks, babes.)

The day it was set into place ... We have very good skilled labor. Look at the hat --it's felt-- that means winter.

Look!  Sprouted seeds!  This just happens to be Nasturtiums, which are also edible.    Very cool touch to throw a few blossoms into a tossed salad.

 When these sprouts grow up they should look like this …

A red nasturtium ...

And look at the Tomatoes!  Oh I am hopeful that we will have lots of good Tomatoes!

Just a few good tomatoes ...

I am sharing my plants with other vegetable gardeners around me.  Just a few good tomatoes … that’s all I’m looking for. That and maybe a BLT sandwich …