Goldy | The Stranger
Tomato varieties clockwise from top-left: Pruden's Purple, Ultimate Opener, Stupice, Sungold, and Sweet Million
My dog and I awoke this morning to find the backyard covered with water, the result of the first measurable rainfall in 49 days. In case you're wondering, that's just shy of Seattle's record 51 day drought set back in 1951.
Ah well, this extended summer was nice while it lasted, particularly in the garden where this year's sloooow tomato crop took advantage of the past couple weeks of unseasonably warm and sunny weather to finally start ripening in quantity. We are now enjoying a steady supply of ripe tomatoes from all five varieties we planted: Pruden's Purple, Ultimate Opener, Stupice, Sungold, and Sweet Million.
While we only got a touch of rain—not enough lessen the need to water—the mornings have begun to get rather dewy, so I remain on the watch for the usual late season tomato troubles. Rain or dew can crack the skin of ripe tomatoes, and that means use 'em or lose 'em. And once the season turns wet, late blight is always a possibility.
I guess any tomato season in which I get a few beefsteaks can be considered a success, but I'll wait a few weeks to pass judgement on the 2012 crop.
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