SUMMER 2011

My first attempt at growing tomatoes was in 2008. I had a bountiful harvest from only 6 plants, but I hated how the worms would eat into the flesh and ruin them. Not forgetting I had to battle with the birds as well. It was a race to see who would get to them first, the worms, the birds or me ( roll eyes! ).

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In 2009 I decided not to plant any tomatoes as I couldn't be bothered battling the worms and birds, and they were cheap to buy from the shops.

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In 2010 I decided to try again as I found that they were expensive to buy ( between $4 -$7 per kilo ) because it was a poor season due to bad weather, and most of the tomatoes available at that time were hothouse tomatoes which lack in taste.

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Since I have now discovered the joy of freezing and being self-sufficient, I thought I'd try again, but I was too enthusiastic, or rather forgot, that each punnet of tomato seedlings I bought contain 6 plants and suddenly I found myself having 25 plants... duh!!

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Some of the varieties for a normal size tomato include Early Girl and Dynamo. Both are good varieties as they are worm resistant.... hmmm, wonder if there are any varieties that are also bird resistant. They also produce a heavy crop.

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These are Sweet 100 Cherry tomatoes. No worms and a bountiful crop.

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These are Grape Cherry tomatoes and are smaller than a normal Cherry tomato.

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The results of having a brain fart.... 25 tomato plants.

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The above and below pictures show Early Girl and Dymano tomato varieties.

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A freak among the beauties.

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The 2 pictures below are from the Roma Acid Free variety. The worms love to eat these as I guess they have got no acid!!! They have a distinctive oblong shape and the plant does not grow very tall.

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These are the Sweet 100 Cherry tomatoes.... but I have got millions of them! ( slight exaggeration... muahahah! )

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I also have a few million Grape Cherry tomatoes!

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The comparison!

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The casualties! Due to very bad weather, heavy rain and gale force winds. Don't fret as I will sunbathe them and they will ripen.

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The courgettes / zucchini

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Last year I complained my courgette plants only produced male flowers. I've changed my mind this year.... I've discovered zucchini flower fritters. Love them and don't mind if all my plants produce only male flowers:)

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The results of having 7 zucchini plants despite having quite a lot of male flowers and harvesting a few courgettes already.

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Cape Gooseberries. My poor stick thin plant only produced 7 berries, 3 in my tummy and 4 for you to see! Root Blaster, here I come!

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Don't wet yourself, I didn't grow these spray-free strawberries. Bought from a Farmers Market and has now become organic matter;)

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Organic blueberries all the way from Mamaku, Rotorua.... by truck:)

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