Twigs from my garden

If summer were grown in a garden patch, it would have to be a tomato. At least, that is my thinking since tomatoes are America's all-time favorite produce. Of course, our tomato plants have been planted by now, so some of this information is too late for this year, but we still need to remember some facts while growing, and harvesting, them.

If you weren't certain from past experience what type tomato plants to buy, you may have spent considerable time looking at the plant sticks to see just how long it would take for the tomatoes to ripen on the various varieties. Unless you just love propagating vegetables from your own seeds, experts recommend buying plants instead of starting seeds indoors since the prices for nursery tomato plants are so reasonable. You should avoid plants that have already bloomed and buy smaller sturdy-looking plants, since the bigger the plant, the more likely will be the shock of transplanting. If you do buy a plant that has already bloomed, pinch off the bloom to divert the energy back into the growing plant.

In addition, buying the earliest producing plants may not equate into the best tasting tomatoes. Katherine Whiteside writes in "The Way We Garden Now," "... a great tomato takes time." This is a good adage to remember whether you are picking out tomato plants or buying seed packets to start your own seedlings.

Remember seeing varieties named Better Boy, Big Boy and Early Girl? These are hybrid tomatoes. They produce tomatoes that are larger and more uniform in size; the plants themselves grow from three to four feet tall and don't require pinching back. Small tomatoes, such as cherry and patio, are good to grow in a large container or hanging baskets. Non-hybridized tomatoes, including the heirlooms, have longer vines (six feet long or more) and the side shoots must be pinched off. While they are less uniform in size and color, tomato aficionados claim they have the most superior taste.

Tomatoes can grow in as little as six hours of full sun, but produce the best tomatoes with eight hours of sunshine. They actually like heat, which is the reason they shouldn't be planted until about Memorial Day.

Water tomatoes often early in the season, but less after the fruit starts to set. During dry spells, be sure to water deeply from time to time. Too much or too little water can cause the blossoms to drop off. Too much water can cause the tomatoes to split.

Surprisingly, fertilizing tomato plants will produce more foliage but poor fruit, so resist the urge to fertilize once the plants are established. Just one more reason, tomatoes are so easy to grow!

As for harvesting, Whiteside advises not to pick a tomato until it is completely ripe, feels heavy and nearly falls into your hand. She adds, "Your first homegrown tomato should be consumed on the spot while it is still as warm as a freshly laid egg, while it still smells like the garden, and with its juices running down your arm. It'll definitely be worth the wait," she promises.

Events

• From 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, master gardener Tim Staley will talk about "Propagating Hydrangeas" at the Children's Garden behind the Allen County Museum on West Market Street, Lima, for the summer's Brown Bag Series. Bring a lawn chair, and your lunch, if you wish, and learn more about gardening.

• From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, the Northwest Welch Society invites the public to its first Welsh Garden Tour at Gomer. A farmer's market at one location will offer food, plants, garden accessories and many gift items, as well as lunch in the market tent. Gomer is located on Lincoln Highway, east of Delphos. Watch for garden tour signs and come and enjoy beautiful flowers and landscaping. Rain date will be Sunday. For details, call 419-642-4944.

• At 10 a.m. July 22, the garden clubs of Allen County will hold their annual meeting at the Faurot Park stone house on the east end of the park in Lima. Rosa Wollenhaupt will present the morning program. In the afternoon, there will be a lily flower show and talk by Juanita Wilkins. Plants and garden items will be for sale. The meeting is open to the public; you need not be a member of a garden club nor do you need to pre-register. Bring along a covered dish to share; drinks and service will be provided.

Master Gardener Tip of the Week

Tomato plants are defined as "determinate" or "indeterminate." Determinate tomatoes all ripen about the same time. If you are planning on canning (or own your own packing plant), these are the tomatoes for you. Indeterminate tomatoes will ripen continuously up until the first front.