The End of the Tomato Crop

The 2022 tomato crop started off like it always does on January 1st with planting all the different varieties in seed pots, germinating them indoors and putting under grow lights.  Except something went drastically wrong.  The plants germinated and started growing, but turned yellow and didn't grow taller than about 2 inches.  We were using a new grow light, and I think something happened.  We'll not use that light again.

We were able to save a few of them, but I ended up going to a local nursery here in town and purchased heirloom tomato plants from them.  It was the first time in years I've done that.  It's okay - I like to support our local businesses and Fred & Jennifer run a fantastic business.  By the time I had given up on the plants I grew from seed, I was behind.  I got all the tomatoes in the ground, but it got hot and dry real fast this year.  

The stink bugs and leaf-footed bugs and worm pressure was atrocious!  We picked a decent amount of fruit, but the ones we picked weren't pretty, for the most part.  They were scarred by the bugs and worms.  When the temps hit the mid-90's, the tomatoes were done!

 I got my clippers and started clipping the vines down.  It was sad to see them go, but it'll make room for something else to be planted.  Believe it or not, you can still plant another crop of okra and cow peas.  They thrive in the heat.  Also, the fall garden is right around the corner.  In a little more than a couple of months, I'll be planting the fall crop.  Right now, it's too hot to even think about.

The cows and goats and chickens were thrilled to see the tomato vines being tossed over the garden fence.  They munched on the vines and the little green tomatoes, too.  We'll be planting fall tomatoes this year in a couple months.  It's always a little tricky - too early and they bake in the sun.  Too late and they freeze before you have ripe tomatoes.

While we didn't can any tomatoes so far, we do have a lot left that we harvested.  We've eaten a bunch raw and in salads.  We've cooked a bunch of tomatoes down in recipes and stewed with okra and onions.  We've eaten a ton of them in homemade pico de gallo!

Many years ago, we were at the Kerrville Folk Music Festival and heard a group called Trout Fishing in America.  They sang a very catchy song that we still sing!  In it (in addition to humor), it has the recipe for delicious pico de gallo.  Here's the lyrics to the song and the recipe:

Pico de Gallo, You oughta give it a try-o,

Even if you're from Ohio, It'll get you by-o,

Don't get it in your eye-o, Unless you wanna cry-o,

So come on don't be shy-o, eat some pico de gallo.

It's got jalapenos, I reckon y'all have seen those

They're kinda hot for gringos and probably flamingos

Just add some tomatillos, onions and cilantro,

Lime juice and tomato, you got pico de gallo!

Don't get it in your eye