Those of you that follow the blog or know me personally, know how much Frank and I like to cook together, and how much we enjoy doing our Red Sauce garden at the Minnetonka location. Most of the visits over the course of a summer we do individually simply based on our available time to get things done, but with my driving limitations as I heal up, Frank has been my ride and gardening partner more directly this year than in past years. Today was one of those days.
Patti and all of my girls are in River Falls for a baby shower. Seemed like a good day for Frank and I to weed, water, and finally harvest a decent amount of tomatoes. Not enough for a full stock pot of sauce, but definitely enough for Frank to make a dinner or two from.
The Christopher Columbus Paste Tomatoes are showing the typical 1.5-2# fruits, and in fairly large quantity. The lowest set clusters are starting to ripen, and that one in the middle should be ready to pick in about 2 days.
Had a half dozen handfuls of Joe Lauerer tomatoes just like this one.
Here is a (from top, going clockwise) Super Canabec, half dozen Siberian Galina, and a Rumi Banjan.
We even had two Jimmy Nardello peppers ready (enough) to pick.
So we weeded, tied up plants, I stuck a dozen Bok Choi into spots the woodchuck (God rest his soul) ate pepper plants, got everything watered with a real drenching via a watering wand (nifty thing the way this garden is set up) and all in just under 3 hours.
Other than another watering Frank says he will do in a few days due to no rain in the forecast and days expected over 90 degrees, and the ripening we should get with this heat, that should take care of this garden for a week at least. Was good having the time there, and kind of nice to have a quiet home waiting for me when I got home. Our living conditions here are really questionable due to the kids room’s contents being in the living room. This is because Patti just finished getting the bunk beds she hauled up from my parent’s house installed, and they take up more room than the triple bunk and a crib. I can get some of this addressed while they are still all at the baby shower. Maybe I will have a tomato sandwich as well.
