Garlic removed Jan 9, variegated microdwarfs now in place

There are certain points in the year of a gardener that are simply the best. Each gardener of course will have their own particular favorite parts. For me, seed starting, transplanting, and checking out progress as the plants mature reign supreme. Sure, harvesting and tasting are great - but that part comes and goes like lightning. My least favorite part is hammering the stakes into the ground to support the indeterminate tomatoes.

As we race through June, it’s a good time to take stock. On June 5, I harvested the garlic from the elevated raised bed and used the space for variegated microdwarf tomatoes. The rest of the garlic (in the other raised bed) came out on June 9 - I think I have about 30 big bulbs curing on trays in my garage. Additional variegated microdwarfs, as well as one sent to me by my garden pal Justin, are now where the garlic used to be. Some lettuce and strawberries share the bed with the tomato plants. In the elevated raised bed, some chard is keeping the microdwarf tomatoes company.

We’ve been enjoying rhubarb, using it in combination with strawberries or blueberries for delicious crisps. We have a few containers of basil growing here and there. It feels odd to have the garden largely planted. The weeks are settling into the weekly feedings, daily waterings, and regular passes through the plants to note where suckering or tying or blemished foliage removal is needed.

The eggplants and peppers in strawbales or growbags are looking great. Most of the peppers have tiny buds, and a few of the eggplants do as well. I am so pleased that I decided to move both crops to a more favorable position, and put many in strawbales. The scant crop of each were really disappointing the last two years. Though many are unconvinced about eating eggplant, it is a star in some of our favorite summery things to eat. And who can ever get enough sweet peppers! Having Shishito and Padron as options will be really fun, and delicious.

As for the tomatoes - WOW. I still am amazed at how quickly the plants take to the strawbales and containers. It has been a month and a week, and the plants are pretty monstrous, with ample fruit set on most varieties. There are so many varieties to look forward to that I will start to feature some on my next update blog. With only a few familiar varieties - Egg Yolk, Mexico Midget, Mortgage Lifter (both Halladay and Mullens), Cherokee Purple, Cherokee Green and Cherokee Chocolate (two plants), everything else is going to be a mystery - either family heirlooms recently sent to me, or F2s of my recent crosses. What fun!

Be sure to catch my weekly Instagram Live - Thursdays at 3 PM eastern. My handle is @nctomatoman . Weekly tours of the garden demonstrate how quickly things grow!