Shades of Red

The tomatoes on the one plant that didn't raided are doing good. None are as big as the first one I got, but there are several in various stages of ripening and turning red. Meanwhile, the other two plants that were stripped of tomatoes last week are growing some new flowers, so maybe they'll give it a second try. The consensus is that it was a deer. I've seen a doe in the neighborhood twice recently. In fact, Eric and I saw her in a yard in the back of the neighborhood last night while we were out for a walk. She didn't seem particularly shy and I had a little talk with her from across the street requesting that she not eat my plants.

Tomato Theft!

So much for the little tomatoes that were looking promising on the two plants I've been having problems with. Both plants have been stripped of the tomatoes. I don't know if it was someone or something. They're just gone. All the little tomatoes from the ones at the very top of the plants to the ones at the bottom look like they were broken (or cut) clean off. I can't imagine what a person would do with a bunch of little green tomatoes so I have to believe it was an animal of some sort, but I don't know what kind would have had the reach to get them all and the dexterity to do it neatly. And oddly enough the only two tomatoes left were the one that's turning red and the only other larger one with rot on the bottom. All the smaller ones of varying sizes are gone. Crazy. I guess I just have to hope some more grow back. I took some of the bean plants out of the cage that look like they may have grown their last bean and moved in the two tomato plants (the one tomato plant that has been doing well was already in the cage and is fine). Speaking of the bean plants, I don't know if they'll flower again or if they're just done for. I can't complain, they were easy maintenance and the beans were good, but that seemed quick. Next time maybe I'll try pole beans instead of bush beans.

Delicious

The first tomato was quite tasty. I cut up part of it for a salad for supper tonight. There's another one on one of the plants that isn't doing well that is yellowing so I suspect it'll turn red before long as well. Cutting off all the yellow/brown leaves on those two tomato plants really seems to have helped. There are new little green leaves growing back around the bottom where I cut off the old leaves. I've found some tomatoes still with rot on the bottom, but there are more little ones growing to replace the bad ones I've taken off that so far seem good.

I Promise, I'm Only Watering!

The bees have officially taken over the pollinating and having taken to buzzing my head in the morning when I go out to water the plants. I'm glad to leave the job to them, but until they learn to carry a water jug we're going to have to work together. I did have a male and female butternut flower open at the same time over the weekend, so finally an officially pollinated butternut. The squashes that started before any of the male flowers had opened still seem to be growing though. Some of the zucchini plants are looking a little sad. Temperatures have been in the 90s here, so I think they're hot (along with the rest of us!).

Tomato Celebration

Picked the first ripe tomato today and decided to throw a cook out in its honor. Although we all oohed and ahhed at the tomato we didn't end up eating it, so I can't speak to taste yet. It's very exciting though. On the advice of a neighbor, I also cut off all the yellowing leaves on the other two tomato plants that aren't doing well, so maybe that will help with all the tomato rotting.

Seeing Red

Finally- a tomato that's turning red!! This is on my one good tomato plant. The tomatoes on the other two plants continue to rot. A number of new tomatoes have appeared as I've pulled off the ones with the bruised-looking bottoms, but those too then succumb to the same ailment. I can't think of anything I've done differently between the three pots.

Two more male butternut flowers this morning as well too. Of course now no sign of the females.

Bzzzzzz

Found a bee busy at work this morning when I went to check on the plants.

I finally had a male butternut squash flower open today, but of course all the ladies are closed up now. Hopefully they'll get on the same time table sometime soon.

And in quite exciting news the largest tomato I have is finally looking... less green. No sign of red, but a paler green. I hope that's good news anyway.