Papi Tomato's 2012 Line Up - First Wave

The first tomato in the 2012 line up is the Michael Pollan

This is a returning tomato to the line up first planted in 2011. It is named after the famous author, Michael Pollan, known for his books on food, gardening and environmentalism. The plant was very prolific with beautiful green tomatoes of smaller size and great flavor. During the harvest of 2011, we had used up all of our canning jars and we had so many of the Michael Pollan tomatoes that needed to be used, that we made a big batch of green pasta sauce.  The sauce ended up tasting great, but looked kind of funny.

Here is a picture of the Michael Pollan tomatoes from last year.

The second tomato in the 2012 line up is the Vorlon.

For those of you that are not sci fi aficionados, the Vorlons were a race of alien people populating the universe in the Babylon 5 science fiction series.  I loved that show, but then I love nearly all science fiction shows.  I saw this tomato at Tomatomania in the spring and had to try it.  I hope it does well as I would love to add it to my tomato line up in future years.

The third tomato in the line up is the Black Seaman. 

This is another tomato from Tomatomania. The name of this tomato is so NOTpolitically correct that I had to try it.  Political correctness is not my strong suit.

The fourth tomato in the the first wave was supposed to be a Brandywine.  It was a gift from my daughter.  As it began to grow, it was obvious, it was not a Brandywind.  It turns out to be a container tomato that is small and compact in size.  I am not a fan of container tomatoes, but more on that in a future post.  It is just now starting to show some red tomatoes.  They better taste good, or it will get replaced in the line up.

I expect to have approximately 20 different tomato plants for the 2012 tomato growing season.  Watch for future blog posts on the rest of the 2012 tomato line up.

Papi Tomato

May, the Quick-Grow Month

I love May in the garden. The plants are vibrantly alive with flowers and the beginnings of fruit. Lovely scents permeate the air and loud colors demand appreciation. May also brings a slight turn of season for I have removed the majority of my early spring flowers: the pansies, violas, nasturtiums, and early wildflowers. The sweet peas have been removed to prevent the spread of mold to the vegetables. Their scent is replaced by white jasmine, that unmistakable May fragrance. We have been fortunate to have more sunny days than "May Gray" days and I hope that means "June Gloom" will not send too many overcast days our way. The garden is off to a great start and we will whether the clouds (if needed) with mildew spray and field trips to the Eastern (and sunnier) part of the county.

Butterfly Garden with Yarrow and Sage

Large tomatoes were planted 4/1, the smaller ones on 5/6. Staggering ensures fruit through the season.

Testing my green thumb with Japanese eggplant

Peppers in supports, lettuce, and cucumbers

Wildflower bed making way for future pepper patch

Patio flower bed with jasmine, lemon verbena, kangaroo paw, lavender, and purple hibiscus

Alternate view of patio

Pomegranate blooms

Artichokes are coming in!

Artichoke patch under the pomegranate tree

Sugar pie pumpkins grown from seed

The site of the future pumpkin patch

My first Hot Coco Rose

 

16th Annual Clairemont Garden Tour 2012

The Clairemont Garden Tour is back and better than ever! I saw the reemergence of wonderful, do-it-yourself gems and some amazing show-stoppers! The diverse central San Diego garden tour, which encompasses the area east of Interstate 5, south of Interstate 52, and west of Interstate 805, had a lovely range of 14 gardens that showcased multiple themes including an Tuscan Terrace, a Southwest Tropical front yard, an extensive canyon property with chickens, a model train front yard, a terraced butterfly garden, and a combination Tropical Rain forest/ floral garden. Included in many of the gardens were terraced hillsides tailored to the topography of the area, drought tolerant xeriscaping and native plants, certified wildlife gardens that provide food, water, cover and shelter to animals, and fruit trees incorporated into the landscaping. Vegetable garden plots were smaller this year, with a lot more focus on the flowers. But oh, the flowers: Hydrangea, lilies, roses, epiphyllum, protea, grevillea, multiple kinds of butterfly bush, and so many more! Some gardens were nascent developments, just beginning to put their roots down. Other gardens have been established for up to 20 years. Many thanks to the exhibitors, Clairemont Town Council, volunteers and sponsors who made this event possible!

Avanti Tuscan Terrace in Bay Ho

This certified wildlife habitat had water, plants to provide food, cover and shelter for animals.

A perfect spot to read on a hot summer day

Grape vines make a living roof

Terracing follows the lay of the land

Cole Canyon View Garden in Northwestern Clairemont

View from patio, fruit trees line perimeter of garden

Stairs through the terraced garden beds connect the lower level to the patio.

Drought tolerant succulents look lush, not sparse.

Chicken coop!

Terraced garden beds maximize cultivated space

Sunglow Butterfly Terrace in Northeastern Clairemont

A waterfall with pool creates relaxing garden soundtrack.

Butterfly nectar flowers - Butterflies were released earlier that day!

Another view of waterfall and pool.

Butterfly garden terracing provides food an shelter for winged friends.

 Burgener Rain Forest Garden in Bay Park

Walkways lead through the garden like secret passages

Second level walkway leading to greenhouse on top of home

What could be around this turn?

Light and shadow display amazing textures

To view more pictures of the 2012 Clairemont Garden Tour, please click here to see my entire photo album of the event.

Dreaming in the Color of Roses

Hubby and I are now proud members of the San Diego Rose Society and last Sunday we were treated to a tour of some of the most beautiful private rose gardens in San Diego County. We have determined that we must make some mandatory additions to our seven going on six rose bushes: Fourth of July, Fame, Memorial Day and Rock N Roll. I also must find a Koko Loco and a replacement for my Ketchup and Mustard - it sadly does not look to be surviving the transplant process. I have a lot of catching up to do before I can deem my garden in the same class as these loveliest of lovelies! Also, a reminder that this year's Clairemont Garden Tour will be held Saturday, May 5, starting at 10 AM. For more information or to purchase tickets, please go to Clairemont On-line. Now, on with the roses!

Ruth Tiffany Rose garden:

Fourth of July - must have!!

Whole wall of Roses in partial sun

Rock N Roll - must have!!

Linda Clark Rose Garden

Koko  Loco - must have!!

Dick and Sue Streeper Rose Garden

Fourth of July and Day Breaker

More Rock N Roll

Hot Cocoa - just planted one in February