Heirloom Tomatoes

Everyone seems to want to grow heirloom tomatoes. Why? Of course, you probably know that you will get the best flavor when you grow vegetables with heirloom seeds. Let's take a look at them this week.

I am thinking that you're someone who appreciates good, real tomatoes and is showing an interest in gardening. Great choice! Today, we're looking at one of the most beautiful and delicious fruits (yes, fruits!) you can grow in your backyard - the heirloom tomatoes. Luscious, full of flavor and color, and amazingly varied, heirloom tomatoes are the celebrities of the tomato world. We’ll guide you through everything you need to know about growing heirloom tomatoes.

Heirloom Tomatoes - 4/22/24-4/28/24

Monday, April 22, 2024

Good morning. This week we are talking about heirloom tomatoes. We sell many heirloom tomato seed varieties for your home garden. I hope you appreciate learning about these tried and true heirloom tomatoes.

Unless we do something out of the ordinary, I won't be keeping up with the farm happenings this week. I am taking the week off because I had a horrible weekend and I need some time to process it all.

Our Farm Store will be open as usual so please come by if you want eggs, plants, coffee, and seeds. Thank you for your support.

There are 4 bunnies this time. Matt took this photo today. Their hair grew in. They are so cute.

They came back today to work on the ramp.

Starting on the railings.

Adding spindles so kids don't climb through the bars...You know they would, right?

Heirloom Tomatoes

This is the Mortgage Lifter heirloom tomato that I picked just last week in our yard by the parking lot. It was delicious.

Let's start with the basics. What are heirloom tomatoes? These are varieties that have been passed down through generations of growers for their desirable traits. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors, with some bearing whimsical names like Chocolate Stripe or Brandywine, Mortgage Lifter, or Hillbilly – sounds interesting, right?

Why grow heirloom tomatoes? For starters, they are known for their rich, intense flavor, which is often superior to that of hybrid varieties. The unique colors and shapes also add beauty to your garden and your dinner plate. Growing heirloom tomatoes allows preserving genetic diversity and honoring gardening heritage.

Now, where do you find the best in heirloom tomato seeds? Fortunately, they're pretty easy to source. Many local garden centers, cooperative extensions, and seed swap events offer heirloom tomato seeds. You can also easily find them online, on websites specializing in heirloom seeds, like at David's Garden Seeds®. We have our online store as well as a beautiful Farm Store if you live anywhere near us. We are located at 5029 FM 2504 in Rossville, Texas, near Poteet.

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

A selfie on the new ramp for posterity!

Ramp over to the kitchen and bathrooms from the Farm Store.

It's Tuesday and Nacho and his son are back working to finish the ramp today. It is 62° out, still cool but yesterday was just lovely starting out at 52° and it stayed cool all day long.

They finished the ramp this afternoon and it is very nice. Then they put in a second ramp to use the bathroom as there were two steps there.

David and I had to run some errands this morning.

Jesus said the following to His disciples:

"And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet." Matthew 10:14

And so we did.

I feel much freer than I have in a long time because we shook the dust off of our feet at a place we have not been wanted at since February! I do not intend to ever go there again.

There is a beautiful breeze and it feels amazing. Too bad there are orders to fill! Don't get me wrong. We are thankful for the orders but it is just gorgeous out!

Heirloom Tomatoes

This is the Black Brandywine heirloom tomato. It is lovely.

A key aspect of gardening for beginners is choosing the right variety. When it comes to heirloom tomatoes, consider the plant's growth habit, the fruit's size, color, and flavor, and most importantly, the variety suited to your region's climate. Some popular choices include Cherokee Purple, Green Zebra, and Black Krim. One of my personal favorites is the Rose Beefsteak Tomato. The flavor is striking.

When should you plant your heirloom tomato seeds? You'll want to start your seeds indoors, about six to eight weeks before the last expected frost in your area. This usually means late winter or early spring. If you live in Texas, get your heirloom tomato seeds started by the end of December to the beginning of January so your plants will be ready to go in the ground as soon as the danger of frost is over. That way, you will be sure to actually get tomatoes on your plants before the strong heat hits. Once that happens, your plant will no longer grow fruit. But remember, tomatoes love their sunshine and warmth; they won't tolerate frost or cold soil.

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Good morning. The heat is coming back. The humidity was up there today even though we had a nice breeze going all day long.

The bunnies are coming out of the hay and playing. Looks like two more rabbits will be having babies at the end of this week.

We moved all of the aloe vera and snake plants down to the plant area to get them out of the way of any wheelchairs that will go up the ramp. It looks good.

Jesus said:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Please give me peace, Lord.

Heirloom Tomatoes

Be sure to start your heirloom tomatoes early in the greenhouse. Here in Texas, we start them at the end of December for spring.

Now, let's talk about how to grow these beauties. Start by planting the seeds in small containers filled with seed-starting mix. Keep them warm and lightly watered. Once your seedlings have grown a couple of true leaves, transfer the little plants into larger pots.

An essential aspect of growing heirloom tomatoes is hardening off- a process to acclimatize your young plants to outdoor conditions gradually. This step is vital for your plants' survival and productivity.

A week or two after the last frost, you're ready for "the big move" - transplanting your seedlings into the garden. Choose a sunny spot with rich, well-drained soil. Tomato plants are greedy, they love their nutrients. So don't shy away from incorporating some compost into your garden bed.

Plant the tomatoes deep, covering two-thirds of the stem. This encourages the growth of additional roots and leads to stronger plants. Also, remember to give them some personal space! Leave about two to three feet between each plant for better air circulation and growth.

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Heirloom Tomatoes

Once your heirloom tomatoes get started, they grow quickly and are now big enough to sell. We sold out of our tomatoes in early March.

Water the plants thoroughly after planting. Tomatoes prefer deep watering, allowing the water to reach the deeper root zones. Try to keep the leaves dry because wet leaves could make your plants susceptible to diseases.

Don't forget about support! Heirloom tomatoes, especially indeterminate types, can grow very tall. Use stakes, cages, or trellises to prevent the plants from toppling over and keep the fruit off the ground.

You'll need to feed your tomato plants, too. Use a balanced organic fertilizer, compost, or well-rotted manure to provide the essential nutrients. Feeding the plants will lead to better growth, bloom, and fruit set.

Friday, April 26, 2024

For now, we are putting the goats in a small area of the orchard. We will fence the trees so they cannot destroy them.

This morning, Nacho and his son came out to build a small temporary pen for us because today we bought two Nigerian Dwarf goats, both female. One is about 18 months old and she is pregnant. The other is six months old and she has blue eyes. They have not been handled much because we cannot get close enough to hold them. Hopefully, they will get used to us soon.

They had a hard time getting the goats from a large herd into the kennel. The goats are afraid of people which is too bad.

Here we got the goats settled in their temporary pen until we can build a proper house and yard for them.

Aren't they pretty? They have a small shelter for the time being in case it rains (ha ha ha).

The goats love hay.

In other news, we are having a contest. Whoever places the 25,000th seed order will win a Fall Seed Collection and some other popular seeds. I thought we would have hit it yesterday but the seed orders have slowed way down. We did not hit it today, either!

Heirloom Tomatoes

Hornworms on your heirloom tomatoes is trouble. Kill them immediately or they will destroy your plants.

Monitoring your plants is crucial. Look out for signs of pests or diseases. Some common tomato pests include aphids and tomato hornworms, while diseases include blight and blossom-end rot. Healthy plant care practices, like proper watering and maintaining good hygiene, will keep most of these problems at bay.

A bit of patience, and then comes the most satisfying part- harvesting! Heirloom tomatoes are typically ready to harvest 65 to 90 days after planting. You'll know they're ripe when they're fully colored and slightly soft to touch.

There's an unparalleled joy in biting into a sun-warm, juicy tomato plucked right from your garden. Slice up a vine-ripened Brandywine for a sumptuous BLT, or a handful of Yellow Pear into your salads for a zing of fresh, sweet tomato taste.

Heirloom tomatoes, like paste, roma, or plum varieties, make a fantastic base for a zesty homemade salsa, or a rich, hearty pasta sauce. Try roasting or grilling them to bring out their intense flavors, which will leave your taste buds dancing!

Saturday, April 27, 2024

Here are the prizes for the customer who ordered our 25,000th seed order on the new website.

Good morning! I am happy to say we finally have a winner of the seed giveaway!!! Molly K in Falls City, Texas, you are our winner!!! I will ship your seeds out to you this morning!

We had just two customers today in the Farm Store. I got all of the orders shipped out. It was very windy all day and overcast but it never rained.

Matt brought over dinner from a diner in Devine and we started watching the TV show Gotham. We got through at least five episodes and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Svengoolie was not on tonight. An arena football game in San Antonio was on instead. Boo!

Heirloom Tomatoes

These romas are freshly harvested heirloom tomatoes ready to make sauce and salsa.

If you’re trying to eat healthier and lose weight, heirloom tomatoes are a great addition to your diet. They’re low in calories but packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help protect against diseases.

But what if you've grown more tomatoes than you can eat? You can learn to can your heirloom tomatoes. Yes, canning is a method to preserve your harvests by storing them in jars to enjoy their fresh taste all through winter! We taught ourselves to can using a Ball book on how to can.

You can also freeze the sauce, salsa, or chopped tomatoes but the texture will be different than using it fresh.

If you have a food dehydrator, you can slice and dehydrate tomatoes.

If you are fortunate enough to own a freeze dryer, use it to keep your tomatoes or sauce edible and fresh for the next 25 years. I wish I had one!

Sunday, April 28, 2024

Dark skies this morning brought heavy rain.

The goats are standing as I approach to feed them.

I woke up to thunderstorms and heavy rain. I made egg and cheese grilled sandwiches for breakfast and then waited. The rain finally calmed down enough around 8am so I went out front and fed the fish. Then I went out back. Another rabbit had her babies in the night but four are dead. One is alive. So sad. She is a first time mother. We have one more pregnant one to go.

The goats still won't come near me. They take off. They hate to get wet but got out of the shelter when I went over to feed them. I tripped trying to get out of the enclosure because the gate does not go all the way to the ground and it is not tall enough for me to walk through. I forgot both of those facts as I tripped and hit my head at the same time. Hitting my head caused me not to fall. Now I have a headache and my back hurts. What a fun day.

The chickens and the fish are fine.

For the first time in a while, we are not going to church this morning. Last Sunday, we realized just how much we were not wanted there so we will be looking for a new place to go but not today. It is just too much. I hadn't been treated this badly since we were in ministry back in the 1990s. God will reward those who are ungrateful one day. As it says in His word,

When they went from one nation to another,
From one kingdom to another people,
14 He permitted no one to do them wrong;
Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,
15 Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.”

16 Moreover He called for a famine in the land;
He destroyed all the provision of bread.
17 He sent a man before them—
Joseph—who was sold as a slave.
18 They hurt his feet with fetters,
He was laid in irons.
19 Until the time that his word came to pass,
The word of the Lord tested him.
20 The king sent and released him,
The ruler of the people let him go free.
21 He made him lord of his house,
And ruler of all his possessions,

22To bind his princes at his pleasure,
And teach his elders wisdom.

Psalm 105:13-22

David is a pastor and I believe God brought him to that church for such a time as this. The members asked him to help. He agreed and the very next day there was trouble among the members. After nine weeks, we said enough. Right now, I don't ever want to go to any church again. Been there, done that so many times. We never took a penny but we gave a lot to them.

At least this time we still have our home and our income. Back then, each time this kind of thing happened, we were thrown out with no money, no savings, no home, nowhere to go but God provided. One day, all of them will stand before God without excuse, as will we all. The only thing that will save us is if we have trusted the Lord Jesus to save us through the blood He shed for our sins on the cross of Calvary.

We got one and a half inches of rain. Then we went grocery shopping. It was a nice day.

Heirloom Tomatoes

These heirloom tomatoes are Cherokee Purple, delicious and pretty.

Did you know heirloom tomatoes have a beautiful social aspect, too? Save some seeds from your best tomatoes and share them with your friends, neighbors, or local seed swaps. You’re not just giving someone a packet of seeds; you’re sharing a piece of heritage, a slice of history.

You'll love to see your heirloom tomato plants grow and bear fruit. There’s something deeply satisfying in watching your plants thrive, knowing that you played a part in it. Also, there’s a peculiar joy in sampling tomatoes that your grocery store cannot provide!

If you've kids at home, involve them in your tomato growing journey. It isn’t just a fun activity; it teaches them valuable lessons about nature, patience, and the joy of growing one’s own food.

So, plant some heirloom tomatoes, watch them grow, experience the delectable burst of flavors, and share the bounty with your loved ones. It's not just about growing tomatoes; it's about nurturing life, preserving heritage, learning, and sharing.

Gardening can be therapeutic. It's a way for you to connect with nature, find a sense of calm, and cultivate patience and empathy. Looking at your plants every day, tending to them, and watching them bear fruit can give you a unique sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Remember that every gardening season is a learning experience. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, your plants might struggle or even fail. But don’t be disheartened. Gardening is about patience, persistence, and finding joy in the journey. Learn from each experience, and you'll be a better gardener each year.

Growing heirloom tomatoes is a rewarding endeavor. Not only are you producing delicious, healthy food, but you're also participating in the age-old tradition of seed saving and variety conservation.

I hope this guide has encouraged you to embrace the delightful world of heirloom tomatoes. Remember, don't just grow plants; grow your happiness, health, and a sense of accomplishment.

Return from Heirloom Tomatoes to Year Five On The Farm

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