Almost Christmas

I know it's almost Christmas, but this isn't my Christmas tree, this is actually 'Papa Misco' all decked out in its Organza blossom bags.

This is proving to be a small compact plant for me as you can see by its size against the size of the tub. Still looks like an interesting plant to play around with next year.

Yes, that's seven bags you can see.

One from the Pot

This year we ended up with more tomatoes growing in pots, in an effort to grow some of the smaller varieties for seed. Amongst the varieties is Siletz, a dwarf determinate tomato, barely 60cm high and carrying some nice size fruit. Here's a photo using my wife's for comparison, size wise.

Tomato Blossom Bags

I've started taking off some of the blossom bags from my tomato plants as some fruit are getting a bit too big to stay any longer.

I must have well over 100 bags in use as I know I've bought 75 new ones in the last fortnight and I feel sure I had 100 last year. Three small fruit are enough to fill a medium bag, so it's important that they come off as soon as possible after fruit set.

I picked a bowlful of Polar Star tomatoes from the two plants in the hothouse this morning and they are still changing colour so will get a lot more before they've finished producing.

In the Hothouse

We're starting to get some ripe tomatoes coming on now with two 'Polar Star' plants producing well. Other plants carrying a lot of fruit are 'Lime Green Salad' & a couple of the smaller determinates.

These are some taken today.

I've also got 2 seedlings that have germinated for the tomato variety 'Tamina' which I sowed as the seed arrived late from a friend and I thought I'd grow two plants just for seed for next years sale.

First Tomato for 2008

Sitting on a plant in my hothouse is a very nice looking 'red' tomato which will be carefully picked in the morning when I open up for the day. Not only is there a red one, but there are also two more which are turning, so tomatoes are about to be taste tested, I can hardly wait.

Here is Polar Star a day or so ago.

My Mate 'Pidge'

I've got a helper in the garden, but she stays out of reach although not at all scared of me. I call her 'Pidge', she's actually a Spotted Dove and is currently nesting in a tree on the property at the rear of us. I know she has had at least one baby because I can see it in the nest, but I'm not sure if she had a second baby, as they usually sit on two eggs and have two sittings.
The baby will end up in my garden too as its Mum likes poking around in the mulch and compost, so I'm hoping the baby will too.

Here's Pidge on the nest.

Here she is today doing her courting trying to attract the male.

Going, Going, Goji.

I've almost talked myself into taking 100 of my Goji Berry plants to a Market next weekend, as they are starting to reach upwards. I figure that if I can sell 3 plants it will pay for my Stall.

Nothing ventured ........

I've Been Bagging.

The Blossom Bags are starting to show up in greater numbers on the plants now, as I'm hoping to fit two bags per plant, so I'm assured of enough seed from each plant.

Here's some of the smaller growing plants I have in pots.

What's happening?

Well not a lot happening in the garden at the moment, but I did move the volunteer tomato plant from the zucchini tub. Over the past few days we've been out and about, yesterday we spent the afternoon at the Australian Garden here at the local Botanic Gardens and today in Marysville. A friend of ours had a Tomato Plants/Annuals/Rare Vegetables seedling sale and we went to see how he was going. We arrived at a busy time and helped out for a while,with sales and advice.

I have managed to bag quite a few of my tomato plants in the garden and hothouse, so I should hopefully get enough seed to carry me over for a year or two, as next year I will grow some different varieties.

I've decided to try selling some Goji Berry plants at a Market in a few weeks, so hopefully I can cut down on the quantity I'll carry through Summer, as the more that sell the easier the job of watering them will be.