Fort Tomato

While Lisa's parents were here this past week, they got our shade cloth erected over our cherokee tomatoes -- something Lisa and I have been putting off for weeks. We bought the cloth this spring, which provides 30% shade, knowing that it was necessary to give the tomatoes a bit of a break from all that scorching sun once summer rolled around. The cloth, of course, sat in its box while our tomatoes became sadder and sadder.

Luckily, the tent is finally up and since the cherokees seem to be hanging in there pretty well, I hope they might catch a second wind. The recent rain and dramatic drop in humidity and temperature are a plus, too.


We have quite a few fruits still ripening, and new flowers, too:


Unfortunately, it was too late for the paste tomatoes:


Yikes.

It wouldn't be 4th of July without corn on the cob. We have a few ears growing:


The close-up distorts the perspective-- these ears are about the size of my thumb (maybe slightly bigger). Oh well, maybe they'd be good in a stir fry? ;)


Some days I think we should just stick to peppers. Check this out -- there are at least 7 peppers on this one plant alone:


The great thing about chilies is that they freeze really well. We pre-dice them and freeze them in little storage bags. Definitely comes in handy over the winter!

Pepper Rowe: