Basil Harvest

I cut back a couple of our basil plants yesterday evening. They were starting to bloom and providing a bit too much shade for the young tomato plants that share their containers. And, I was in the mood for pasta.

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Carrot Harvest

We harvested the last of our carrots a few days ago. It seems they didn't grow much if any over the Summer. I suspect the heat had something to do with that. But even if undersized, we got a decent amount from such a small space.

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Bama Veggies

Things certainly grow well in the Alabama soil. Here are a few pictures of some okra and tomatoes harvested yesterday from my parents' and grandfather's garden. The amount of vegetables growing there is really amazing. I'll have some pictures of the garden itself tomorrow.

German Queen tomatoes

a few of many, many tomatoes from their vines

single day's okra harvest

Lemon Boy Tomatoes

For me, much of the fun of gardening results from the thrill and anticipation of growing new things. One new thing we've planted this year is the Lemon Boy variety of tomatoes. As of this point in the season, I must say these yellow orbs have been a very pleasant surprise.

So far, most of my Lemon Boys have been smallish to medium in size with the largest weighing in at about five ounces. As for production, I've harvested six ripe ones, and presently have another ten ripening on the vine. And despite the rapidly increasing heat, a few blooms are still setting fruit (we are now consistently in the 90s each day, with a few 100 plus days already mixed in).

While production has been ok for the Lemon Boy, it's the taste and color that really sets it apart. Marianne has proclaimed it her favorite as for flavor, and I must admit that it is running a really, really close second to my choice, the Black Prince. Its bright yellow appearance is also very appealing, adding great color to the presentation of any dish.

The only problem that I have experienced so far with the Lemon Boy has been a bit of blossom end rot on the first few tomatoes produced. This seems to have lessened, however, with subsequent batches.

I'll definitely be planting more of these in the future!