Tomato Problem, Blooms, and Redness

Let me start with some bad news. One of my large tomato varieties has fruited, and one of the tomatoes is completely fine. It's growing perfectly, and its skin is smooth as a baby's bottom. But it's sibling tomato (which grows on a higher vine) has a few spots on it.

Below: The trouble tomato. Can anyone identify what the problem is?

Is it a bug problem? Or a disease? I recently sprayed all of my plants with organic insecticidal soap (made from natural ingredients), so far, I have not seen any aphids or bugs on my plants. Perhaps, I should spray again to ensure that the bug problem is controlled. The damage is minimal, so I'm sure the tomato will be perfectly edible when it's ripe.

Below: The Oregano

In the front vegetable bed, the oregano grew and I never got a chance to pick any of it for spaghetti or other Italian dishes. I would love to dry the leaves, but I've been so busy, I haven't had the time. But alas, it has flowered and a few sprigs have started to die.

In better news, the red bell pepper plant in the front has started to turn red! At first, the color was rust-like, and I thought the plant had been infected with something. But as the plant has matured, the red color has darkened. Isn't she a beaut?

Corn and Green Beans

The corn and green beans at my parents' house are growing strong. Maybe it's the good soil, the one my father has kept in impeccable shape. Or it's the sunlight .. Whatever it is, I'm just in awe of the healthy growth. Since we only planted the seeds for these a month ago, they aren't large enough to actually harvest any vegetables. (I am so jealous of you gardeners who have abundant vegetables waiting to be picked out of your garden!)

Below: The tall corn... Behind it are the green beans

I think I waited rather late to start my garden this year. Next year, I will start to do a little bit more research about the exact type of plants I'll need. And I will start planting seeds and seedlings in late March or early April. Of course, the tomato plants will need to wait until after all threat of frost. But I might try other cool, spring vegetables.

I wonder if it is too late to plant more seeds? What are some vegetables that perfect to plant now? Any ideas?

Back to the green beans. At Cam's house, I pulled out all the dead pea plants and replaced them with green bean seeds. Hopefully, I will have better luck.

The green beans in the shaded portion of my parents' raised beds are growing at a remarkable rate. Some of the leaves aren't so pretty, but for the most part, they are green and growing.

Below: Green beans... We should thin it out, but I don't want to minimize my chance of getting a good harvest.


I wonder if this is the beginning of a tiny bean... Could it be or is it just my wishful thinking? :-)

Good eats-Tomatoes

Today has been one of the busiest days I've had this summer. And this is going to be one of those really long and tiring weeks, full of business meetings and catching up on work. *sighs*

I apologize for the very short post, but you'll finally hear good news from the garden. I took the advice of Frances of Faire Garden and I've been harvesting a few yellow and orange cherry and grape tomatoes. Instead of letting them ripen on the vine (I guess the birds love to poke holes in the colorful and delicious ripe fruit), I've picked them early and let them ripen in my kitchen.

Below: The newly ripen cherry and grape tomatoes


These little tomatoes were so delicious! Mmm!!!! I don't have to worry about the tomato scare. They were very sweet and left me craving more! Only a few more days until more ripe tomatoes...

Cam thinks the cherry and grape tomato taste the same, but regardless, they were quite a yummy treat!

In other news, I added Black Kow composted cow manure to our SFG beds. My dad uses this brand, and it's worked great for him. You were all right--my soil needed the manure. It's only a few days later, but so far my vegetables are reacting quite well.

Below: One of my large tomato varieties have started to turn color. It's more of a green-yellow color now, but I'll be harvesting it when it turns orange. I don't want to risk the chance of a bird poking a hole in this!

My poor Concord Grapes

Oh! Sadness. My concord grapes are not doing so well. One looks shriveled and dead, and the other has blemishes on it.


Oy me! Time to do a soil test, I know. And to add Black Krow manure. Yep! I had such high hopes of having beautiful grapes. They were doing so well for 2 months, but now the plants aren't producing any more fruit.