Scott is back with more great TomatoMania tips!
He is here just in time too. Because instead of cooking one of the contest winning TomatoMania recipes today, I am heading to the studios of KCRW today to talk about them.
I am going to be interviewed on Good Food by the wise and wonderful Evan Kleiman about all the terrific contest winning tomato recipes you have heard so (very, very) much about here on SippitySup!
I am unsure when the show actually airs, but you can be pretty sure I will let you know. Unless of course I bomb… either way I think they call this tooting your own horn. Beep! Beep!
So enough of me and my horn. Let’s get Scott back front and center. I know you are anxious to get your tomatoes off the vine and on the plate! GREG
This is the tough part. Yes, tomato lovers, this is the part of the adventure that separates the men from the boys. It’s where the rubber meets the road. It’s where the cream rises to the top. It’s …ok, enough already. You get the picture.
If you planted at the cusp of the season, which most do, you’re probably seeing green fruit now, the promise of a good season to come. The plants are in their prime, with fat glorious leaf cover protecting fruit and flower. Feels pretty great doesn’t it farmers? Enjoy that feeling but don’t let down your guard!
We’re getting to that point where maintaining diligence and a constant rhythm becomes increasingly important and in many cases, increasingly difficult. With kids off from school, vacation time kicking in and other distractions bound to happen soon we often lose focus. You don’t need to adopt a huge new program to be successful. The best thing you can do in the tomato garden is remain consistent.
Challenge one:
Maintain digilence for pest and disease problems. A sudden change in the overall health and vigor of the plants in your garden can be easy to see at this point if all is going well. You can tell if something is different out there. Yellowing or curling leaves, spotting, new holes here and there, slowed growth etc. can all mean that your plant is being attacked on some front.
Diagnose accurately via the web or get help from a local nursery expert and treat accordingly. There are wonderful organic options that are best for the vegetable garden. Some pests can be washed off with water. Others, like hornworms, can be plucked right off the leaves.
Often you may see some yellowing or curling and find nothing significant to treat.That’s great! Some changes at this point of the year can be just seasonal and you need to know that too.
Challenge two:
Keep the watering schedule steady. Container growers, your plant is getting large and you play a more and more important role in getting it what it needs. Inconsistency here can mean stress and you need to avoid that at all costs. Soak the pot thoroughly when you water. Remember, the warmest part of the season is still ahead. Be ready to group your pots or cover (insulate) the containers to limit heat exposure and ensure a better harvest.
If you’re growing in the ground keep your irrigation schedule steady but don’t overdo it! Keep an eye on rain totals (if you’re lucky enough to get summer rain) and don’t create a swamp in your backyard. If you’ve been watering deeply you’ve created a well of available water underneath your plants that can sustain them in stressful weather or for a longer period between waterings. That’s the goal here. Deep and infrequent watering sets you up for success.
As plants grow and change (and begin to fruit) they won’t look as spry as they did earlier in the season. We’re tempted to try to fix that with water. Don’t do it! It won’t work folks.
Challenge Three:
Use fertilizer sparingly (and intelligently) this time of the year.
In-ground gardens shouldn’t need much attention in this category if you’ve fed a couple times thus far. Remember that overfeeding can get you lots of plant and an absense of fruit. A light foliar feeding on a mild day can be a good pick-me-up as the season progresses however. A liquid kelp mixture is a good choice but it’s high in nitrogen so careful that you don’t overdo it.
In containers continue to feed at least every two weeks. Organics won’t burn but careful if you’re using a chemical mix. Here too, a foliar feeding can be a huge asset for your season.
Top dressing (mulching) with compost can be the best thing to do this time — or any time — of the season.
Challenge Four:
Have you noticed green or ripening tomatoes disappearing suddenly? Critters love tomatoes as much as we do. If you live in canyons or anywhere that sees regular animal traffic of any kind be ready to take action. I’m fighting ground squirrel damage already but I know that my Australian Shepherd loves cherry tomatoes too so don’t overlook your household menagerie!
Netting, fencing or repellants can save your season. Do it now! Fruit is especially vulnerable as it turns color.
So just when you thought you could relax and concentrate on harvesting it becomes even more important that you stay with it. The rewards will be well worth it. Good luck!
Scott Daigre
TomatoMania
… on Filipina time — in this case, four days after the post! There are some seriously gorgeous sights (food and human). The pool volleyball features a great shot of some rugged … mountains.
There was so much to absorb in this post but the food and drink highlights for me were the Pomegranate Orange Blossom Vodka Punch and Bachelor’s Stew Marrakech with lamb. But the baklava — where can I get some of Rocco and Lisa’s baklava?! A truly outstanding 24,24,24 and it’s so wonderful how such a fun tradition is also of great benefit to others well after the parties are done!
What a great event you guys threw! Wonderful food, fun and friends, what more could you want?
green egg! I am trying to get the courage to dig back in the storage closet and get a pic of the red one. But I keep finding a reason not to. GREG
Everyone used all the words that popped into my head reading this…simply greg henry fabulous is what it all came to be…I bow down to your entertaining and organizing skills, not to mention your hot grill chef assistant 🙂
Great 24 post! You guys are quite creative with the cooking. Bet the weather in PS was nice too.
the weather was perfect, not yet too hot. GREG
That’s all I can say. And, are we getting recipes? Start with the cocktails!
there are links to the 3 or 4 recipes I made…GREG
Congrats on also being chosen to participate in FB May 24, 24, 24! I also had a bbq event, specifically Malaysian-style bbq. Do come over and see it.
Your party looks so much FUN and for a good cause too! I so want to join your party. lol.
Sounds like so much fun! I love Palm Springs and gorgeous desert landscape. And, with the amazing food, it sounds like a really fantastic weekend.
Greg, I always look forward to your posts and I’m happy you had another chance for a 24, 24, 24 contest. You did an amazing job and I just wish I was there to help you all cook.
I think it’s great that you put your talents to good use by helping out a charity in the way you did.
Bravo sir, bravo!
Eric
Love the idea behind your party- sounds like you enjoyed some great middle-eastern flavors!! I also really love the fact that you guys pick a charity to donate too!
Great job!!
This whole concept and all the food have left me speechless (and that is not an easy thing to do!). What an amazing event and such truly great fun. I think it is fantastic that so many people got together, cooked and prepared all these fabulous dishes, and just did all of this work for a good time, to get together and raise some money for charity.
Oh, how I miss the States and that good old American spirit! Yay!
Awesome job! Everything looks fabulous and I love the charity component.
This sounds like a really fun event(s), and for a good cause, I’m so impressed.
… and the food doesn’t look too shabby either! 🙂
Looks like a great time for a great cause with some great food. Well done!!
I’m so, totally jealous.
this idea. What a fantastic concept!
In The Pool! What? I can look.
…the food also looked wonderful and it is certainly a wonderful charity.
xxoo
Michelle
Thanks for saying what I am not allowed to say, my Floridan alter-ego! GREG
AWESOME idea for a 24–24-24 event! I have been wanting to throw a fundraiser for some time now, this gives me a much needed kick in the butt to get on it! I’m totally down with the make-ahead dishes…the flavors blend together, less stress and always delish : )
Great charity to fund-raise for!! I love this type of ideas, having fun, cooking something amazing, socializing with lovely people, and contributing in a possitive way tot he world. I had seen a few stories on this charity and it looks like a really nice cause, very useful and meaningful.
I love your contributions to the party. Actually, yesterday I made a Moroccan lamb tagine, so I’m feeling the lamb‑y vibe right now!
Congratualtions on a successful event! Sounds like my kind of party, competition, food, friends and charity. What a perfect way to spend the weekend!!!
Greg? Greg? Greg!! I had to come up with a proposal and get 2 caterng jobs for the summer AND convince my hubby how great it would be to go: go where? blogHer in July. Well damn it, if I knew this event was coming up, I would have gotten myself invited and spent my money coming to this event. Damn conference. Seriously, this looks amazing and everyone went out of their way for a great cause.
I’d comment more, but the last party is not even over! They were very patient with my live and in person blogging! But I need to go put some face time in with my friends…GREG