And so it begins...

This is on a sort of time warp because I am posting stuff that happened last April. I'll catch up soon, I promise.

So how does one plant 32 tomato plants without having their modest backyard look like a demented Del Monte test garden? I'm not really sure.

I know we want to keep the lawn so Chewiee can run around--sometimes with one or both of his humans in playful (and futile) pursuit. The yard is also essential for when his cousin Vinnie comes over. They look cute together and everything, but we'd rather they take their Tasmanian Devil roughhousing outside.

Vinnie, Chewiee and Chewiee's yard.

So, lawn stays tomato free.


That leaves me with the two south-facing side yard areas I used last year, and maybe the concrete slabs that we one day hope to turn into a proper patio--this space gets nearly full sun.

The side yard's giant tomato plants, summer 2008

First stop was the longer part of the side yard, which will hold 12 plants (Brad's Black Heart, German Red Strawberry, Wisconsin 55 Gold, Yasha Heart, Jersey Devil, Japanese Black Trifele, White Queen, Spudtula, Pink Berkeley Tie-Dye, Tsar-Kolokol (Tsar of Bells), OSU Blueberry Tomato, San Marzano).

Amending soil with compost on April 19th, a ridiculously hot day.

It was dark by the time I finished, so I had to wait until the next day to take photos.

Howdy, little tomato plant!

'Big Side Yard' Tomatoes Planted on April 19th, 2009:

Brad's Black Heart

German Red Strawberry

Wisconsin 55 Gold

Yasha Heart

Jersey Devil

Japanese Black Trifele

White Queen

Spudtula

Pink Berkeley Tie-Dye

Tsar-Kolokol (Tsar of Bells)

OSU Blueberry Tomato

San Marzano