And this is why I grow heirloom tomatoes!
And for us, you can’t beat the flavor!
The Sampler Platter
life in and around the garden
life in and around the garden
And this is why I grow heirloom tomatoes!
And for us, you can’t beat the flavor!
down to earth digs 
Beautiful! How many varieties did you grow?
This year, I got really carried away! 40!! Saving seeds so watch for a little seed give away “contest” this Winter! Thank you so much for visiting my little garden blog and your lovely comment!
That looks like a delicious feast.
We had a taste test right there in front of the “table”! Cooking tomatoes today! We will be all stocked up for the Winter.
They are stunning. I’m so jealous 😉
And just when I was suffering some garden burn out!! 🙂
Holy Cow! What a BEE-utiful bunch of ‘maters!
Any estimates on the total tonnage? 🙂
Lot’s and lot’s, but I’m slow roasting them with olive oil and herbs and freezing them….will make lot’s of pasta sauce, chili, soups, etc. this Winter!
and my son has been eating salsa 3 meals a day!
I have plain sauce cooking in the crock pot all day, nearly every day. I have help coming tomorrow to watch the little one (and a ton of rain in the forecast) so I’ll be canning it then!
Ditto what Marie says 🙂 i.e. Holy Cow !!! Looking fabulous Stacy, and I know a lot of hard work has gone into getting them just right
Thank you Claire, you really did watch the whole process! I’m saving some seeds for you! 🙂 Stacey
Nice! Looks like a catalog picture. Maybe better.
Why thank you! 🙂
Wow, maybe the Gardening Magazine needs to visit you next year 🙂
Yikes, I don’t think I could handle the stress of trying to be “magazine worthy” again.
You have the eye Stacey. I love the simplicity of this photo. And I’m beyond impressed by the number of heirloom tomatoes you’ve grown. Wow. I had no idea tomatoes could come in so many colors, shapes and sizes. I am most definitely learning a lot from you.
Thank you Audrey….but I am the one learning from your wonderful blog!
Claire, thank you for the kind link…..it was sure a tough year in the garden for many people…If I had not had the pressure of the pending Country Gardens magazine visit…I may have given into the heat and drought!
Gorgeous!
Busy saving seeds from all these beauties!
I grow the heirlooms each year too. They taste so much better, but what i noticed in comparison to the hybrids, they always take much longer to ripen where they can be picked.
I agree, they took forever to start to ripen….I do think the extreme heat was such a factor also–when evening temps only cooled to 80 degrees–the tomatoes just didn’t have the conditions needed to ripen. Do you have some favorite varieties? I’m always asking for recommendations! This year my favorite was Creme Brule’– really tasty, perfect size and it was an early one.
I grew that same one two years ago and I agree that it was tasty. It took longer to ripen here though. But, my favorite of all time was one I had no name for. An old, like 90, farmer grew them forever and did not know what they were called. Everything about that tomato was perfect, from size, skin and meat texture, sweetness, everything. I only kick myself for not saving the seeds. The guy died the next year.
Marvellous! I wish the larger heirloom varieties would set (and be happy) in our heat. I’ve often thought to plant them out in January and take my chances just in case I get one beautiful old giant.
Oh, yum. These look so good!
WHats your secret? I had zero luck growing them this year!! GORGEOUS!
I think the Fish Emulsion really did wonders, light feedings every week….but there was no more motivation then having a magazine come photograph your garden! Except they were here right before the tomatoes starting ripening!
and thank you for your very kind comment! So glad to have gardening friends! Stacey
I am writing that down. 🙂 Yes, you really did have the right kind of motivation!!