Muddy Bucket Update 26 July 2016

[ContainerTed]

I had harvested three days ago, but spent 3 1/2 hours gathering all these this morning. It takes longer to pick, identify, use the Sharpie, and put in a tray or bucket.

The bushel basket has mostly large tomatoes and the 5 gallon bucket has large and medium. This is the largest one trip harvest I've ever had (and, I didn't check two of my rows because it got too hot out there).

I see a lot of seed saving and making juice in my immediate future

[WilburMartin]

wow - that is quite the haul!

[efisakov]

Boy o boy, there are going to be lots of cooking soon. Nice harvest in just 3 days.

[ContainerTed]

Let me be clear. I had harvested three days ago and processed all of that. This all was picked this morning.

Yes, actually, I'm exhausted. But, I get to work indoors tomorrow.

[akgardengirl]

Boy Ted, I thought you were retired. Instead, that looks like a full time job to me. That's a grand harvest and should keep you in juice for some time.

[ContainerTed]

Sue, this morning when the sun finally got above the big pine tree, you might have heard me say that this is like TWO jobs. Temp was 79-84 F during the picking time and the humidity started out at 73%. When I finally came in, I didn't have a dry stitch of clothing left on me. I had to jump under the shower and then strip my wet clothes off. It didn't help the wetness, but it did help the cooling off.

I certainly set myself up for a hard road this time. I don't get any help from anyone. I will never do this again. Of that, you can be sure. I'm getting too old to risk myself this way.

But they taste so good and make such yummy juice. I gotta learn how to scale back. I don't think a young man could handle this. But, 20 ounce Brandywines are a huge temptation.

And, Sue, Kodiak Brown will be released this year. It may be more prolific than anything in the "saladette" size that I've ever grown. And the taste is sweet-ish with a full old fashioned flavor burst. This makes it great for my juice and is gorgeous in salads. 50-75 tomatoes per plant and each about 2-4 oz's.

How's your garden doing this time around?

[clara]

Ted, I can only admire your energy - starting, transplanting, taking care of all varieties, now harvesting and processing them! I'd wish I had only a small part of them, but with our terrible weather in Germany, I have to be happy when I get enough for a bowl of salad...

[heirloomtomaguy]

Yeah buddy! Those are some great looking mater Ted. Keep em coming my friend.

[dustdevil]

That's a bountiful harvest Ted.

What variety are the two large pinks in the basket in the bottom far right?

[ContainerTed]

Originally Posted by dustdevil

That's a bountiful harvest Ted.

What variety are the two large pinks in the basket in the bottom far right?

Dusty, back in the spring, I got my large mature plants from the guy who goes to the greenhouses over in Grainger County. Well, he also had a bunch of "4 packs" of plants. One of those was a name that always intrigues me and I picked up two of those "4 packs". I gave away most of them, but kept one for myself. The results are what you ask about.

It was listed as Brandywine Pink. Curious, I did some research and after a few phone calls, discovered that this is "Cowlicks Brandywine". But here is the good news. This plant has only produced fruit that weigh an average of 16 ounces. It has shown that it is not late, but is actually a Mid Season ripening version this year. So far, the plant has produced 17 fruits (all the same size) and absolutely scrumptious. I can't understand why there are no "small" ones on the plant. And, it is still blooming and setting fruit, even in this horrible heat and humidity.

I am delighted with my BLT's, as you an understand.

Edited === There are 4 more of those in the bushel basket.

[MissS]

Owner, Operator, Head of Harvest, Chief Processor and Head Chef

It is so nice to see that you are having such a bumper crop this year. That is an amazing harvest.

Perhaps you could invite others to help with the processing. Explain to them that they enjoy consuming the tomatoes so it would be nice if they helped. Also as a side benefit they get to spend some wonderful time with and and enjoy your great company.

Hopefully you will have enough seed from all of these so in the future all you have to do is process for juice.

Take it easy Ted. Do what you can and leave the rest. There are still more out there so give some of them away. Careful in this heat we need you healthy.

[pixlpush]

Nice, it's an awesome time of the year isn't it! All the hard work finally paying off.

[efisakov]

Ted, are you growing some 300 plants? Or I made a mistake and confused some info in my head. How do you manage so many?