What are the best moments in tomato-dom?

Ruth_10 · April 2, 2012

I got a late start on my garden seeds. After getting back from a trip last week, I got busy at the potting bench and seeded my brassica, pepper, and tomato seeds. My DH built a temperature-controlled incubator a few years ago for "hatching" seedlings, so into the incubator box they went.

One of my very favorite moments in tomatoes is opening up the incubator door and seeing new sprouts peeking up above the potting soil. Maybe I'm strange, but I get such a kick out of seeing those seedlings pop up. It's a thrill every time!

From the incubator they go under fluorescent lights.

That first tomato of the season is always a treat, too. I ritually cut the tomato in half and share it with my DH. Since the first ripe tomato is often a cherry, it's only a token taste, but, still, it's a fresh grown tomato! (Well, okay, maybe once or twice I've scarfed down the first ripe tomato right there on the spot. What happens in the garden stays in the garden.)

What are your best moments in tomato-dom?

kath · April 2, 2012

New sprouts, new flowers, seeing pollen stream when "buzzing" flowers, new fruits, breaking fruits, harvesting/eating first fruits of each variety, harvesting/eating all fruits of favorite varieties, having Sungold provide fresh snacks every day while in the garden...

ginger2778 · April 2, 2012

During the germination sprouting stage I think I check on my new seedlings like once/hour. It's an obsession. I get so excited when the first blooms form, and when the abundant harvest month comes, because I can give some away. That's what brings the most fun, seeing their faces light up with joy at the prospect of a home grown tomato.
Aw Gee, I just plain love it all

**nctomatoman** · April 2, 2012

Watching them germinate....seeding the true leaves form (the first purity/expectation check)....then transplanting. After that, it is picking and eating!

JerryL · April 2, 2012

I think germination is my best time in tomato-dom. I’m always concerned about the viability of my seed no matter how 'new' they are. I don’t know why since I’ve always had good results but I still worry.
Of course eating the final product is great.

RebelRidin · April 2, 2012

Best moments in seasonal order...

Germination. Especially 100% germination!
Pot up...
Plants that it you just potted up seemingly jumping in a week or two and are ready to start hardening off...
Seeing trays of young happy plants glistening in the sun as they wait for new digs...
Planting out...
The first truly ripe tomato of the season...
Watching your extra tomatoes dissapear from the lunchroom table...

Ruth_10 · April 2, 2012

Ah, yes, watching the extra tomatoes disappear when you bring them into work.

I always typed up a little description of the variety. Most people didn't care (actually, they were probably more amused than disinterested), but a few did take notice--I got the variety Toedebusch Pink from a colleague who knew I was a tomato afficionado.

noinwi · April 2, 2012

I love when the leaves get large enough that I get that "tomato leaf smell" when I brush my hand over the seedlings...mmm...smells like summer.

Sun City Linda · April 2, 2012

First BLT

livinonfaith · April 2, 2012

Germination, first flowers, first fruit. Those are always exciting.

This year, with so many new varieties, I'm also really getting a kick out of seeing all of the first true leaves and how they begin to gain their own unique look. The tomatoes are fun, but I love my tiny little Red Russian Kale. Adorable!

jerryinfla · April 2, 2012

From first flower to first tiny bud of fruit is my biggest thrill. I love watching it start out pinky fingernail size then develop into a beautiful, ripe tomato - and I check that first fruit almost daily as the show progresses.

RebelRidin · April 2, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sun City Linda

First BLT

Tormato · April 2, 2012

Best moments?

When the taste buds send that first message to the brain.

Dr. L

ve Apple

stonysoilseeds · April 2, 2012

my greatest moments start with the dreaming of which varieties i will be growing the following year and that entusiasm increases when i recieve my first catalogs the next level is ordering the new varieties and just when i think i over did it i order 20 more varieties.. then theres now when they are seedlings and im still sowin the bulk of my seeds.. watching the plants grow harvesting the first ones and selling at market but the climax of my happiest tomato moments happens when i meet my folks half way about 150 miles with a fully loaded car of all shapes and colors and size tomatoes and transfer them to my folks car so they can enjoy them and also my dad makes sauce from them... hes 84 years old and quite ill for the last 5 years so each year i meet them it makes my whole tomato experience exceptionally joyous

b54red · April 2, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by RebelRidin

and 2nd would be the first BLT with some fresh peas or butter beans.

:yes :

April 2, 2012	#1
Ruth_10 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MO z6a near St. Louis Posts: 1,349	What are the best moments in tomato-dom? I got a late start on my garden seeds. After getting back from a trip last week, I got busy at the potting bench and seeded my brassica, pepper, and tomato seeds. My DH built a temperature-controlled incubator a few years ago for "hatching" seedlings, so into the incubator box they went. One of my very favorite moments in tomatoes is opening up the incubator door and seeing new sprouts peeking up above the potting soil. Maybe I'm strange, but I get such a kick out of seeing those seedlings pop up. It's a thrill every time! From the incubator they go under fluorescent lights. That first tomato of the season is always a treat, too. I ritually cut the tomato in half and share it with my DH. Since the first ripe tomato is often a cherry, it's only a token taste, but, still, it's a fresh grown tomato! (Well, okay, maybe once or twice I've scarfed down the first ripe tomato right there on the spot. What happens in the garden stays in the garden.) What are your best moments in tomato-dom? __________________ --Ruth Some say the glass half-full. Others say the glass is half-empty. To an engineer, it’s twice as big as it needs to be.

April 2, 2012	#4
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Watching them germinate....seeding the true leaves form (the first purity/expectation check)....then transplanting. After that, it is picking and eating! __________________ Craig

April 2, 2012	#5
JerryL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: S.W. Ohio z6a Posts: 736	I think germination is my best time in tomato-dom. I’m always concerned about the viability of my seed no matter how 'new' they are. I don’t know why since I’ve always had good results but I still worry. Of course eating the final product is great. __________________ Jerry

April 2, 2012	#6
RebelRidin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Maryland's Eastern Shore Posts: 993	Best moments in seasonal order... Germination. Especially 100% germination! Pot up... Plants that it you just potted up seemingly jumping in a week or two and are ready to start hardening off... Seeing trays of young happy plants glistening in the sun as they wait for new digs... Planting out... The first truly ripe tomato of the season... Watching your extra tomatoes dissapear from the lunchroom table... __________________ George _____________________________ "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it’s natural manure." Thomas Jefferson, 1787

April 2, 2012	#7
Ruth_10 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MO z6a near St. Louis Posts: 1,349	Ah, yes, watching the extra tomatoes disappear when you bring them into work. I always typed up a little description of the variety. Most people didn't care (actually, they were probably more amused than disinterested), but a few did take notice--I got the variety Toedebusch Pink from a colleague who knew I was a tomato afficionado. __________________ --Ruth Some say the glass half-full. Others say the glass is half-empty. To an engineer, it’s twice as big as it needs to be.

April 2, 2012	#2
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	New sprouts, new flowers, seeing pollen stream when "buzzing" flowers, new fruits, breaking fruits, harvesting/eating first fruits of each variety, harvesting/eating all fruits of favorite varieties, having Sungold provide fresh snacks every day while in the garden...

April 2, 2012	#3
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	During the germination sprouting stage I think I check on my new seedlings like once/hour. It's an obsession. I get so excited when the first blooms form, and when the abundant harvest month comes, because I can give some away. That's what brings the most fun, seeing their faces light up with joy at the prospect of a home grown tomato. Aw Gee, I just plain love it all

April 2, 2012	#8
noinwi Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: PNW Posts: 486	I love when the leaves get large enough that I get that "tomato leaf smell" when I brush my hand over the seedlings...mmm...smells like summer.

April 2, 2012	#9
Sun City Linda Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Inland Posts: 2,705	First BLT

April 2, 2012	#10
livinonfaith Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina Posts: 1,332	Germination, first flowers, first fruit. Those are always exciting. This year, with so many new varieties, I'm also really getting a kick out of seeing all of the first true leaves and how they begin to gain their own unique look. The tomatoes are fun, but I love my tiny little Red Russian Kale. Adorable!

April 2, 2012	#11
jerryinfla Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Central Florida Posts: 377	From first flower to first tiny bud of fruit is my biggest thrill. I love watching it start out pinky fingernail size then develop into a beautiful, ripe tomato - and I check that first fruit almost daily as the show progresses. __________________ Jerry - You only get old if you're lucky.

April 2, 2012	#13
Tormato Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MA Posts: 4,966	Best moments? When the taste buds send that first message to the brain. Dr. Lve Apple

April 2, 2012	#14
stonysoilseeds Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: cincinnatus, new york Posts: 341	my greatest moments start with the dreaming of which varieties i will be growing the following year and that entusiasm increases when i recieve my first catalogs the next level is ordering the new varieties and just when i think i over did it i order 20 more varieties.. then theres now when they are seedlings and im still sowin the bulk of my seeds.. watching the plants grow harvesting the first ones and selling at market but the climax of my happiest tomato moments happens when i meet my folks half way about 150 miles with a fully loaded car of all shapes and colors and size tomatoes and transfer them to my folks car so they can enjoy them and also my dad makes sauce from them... hes 84 years old and quite ill for the last 5 years so each year i meet them it makes my whole tomato experience exceptionally joyous