Italian tree tomatoes
I just now read your blog about the Italian tree tomatoes. They sound wonderful! This is one I have to try. We have had similar luck with Great White tomatoes — huge tomato, made the best BLTs. We also had good luck with the Japanese Black Trifele, great taste, great yield. Where did you get the seeds for this tomato?
Barb Mundorff
North Royalton, Ohio
I got my seeds a few years back from Totally Tomatoes. They are easy to save seeds from as each tomato is huge! Some companies call them Tree Tomatoes. Others call them Climbing Triple Crop. Isn’t it fun trying new varieties? — Jackie
Hopi Pale Grey squash
My Bride and I have recently grown some Hopi Pale Grey squash, and we have yet to use any of them because there are only 7-8 of them total. What we would like to know is this — what type of squash do they compare to? We grow and eat the usual Butternuts and Acorn variety, but have never tasted these new ones. Also, can they be safely canned? Any information you have on these old heirloom squash would sure be appreciated!
Jan Morse
Houghton Lake, Michigan
Good for you, for helping preserve this great, very rare squash. They compare to hubbard squash, but are sweeter, more fruity tasting, and they last for nearly two years, stored right in your living quarters — not a root cellar or basement. They definitely can be safely canned using the method for all winter squash (cubing, instead of puree). As you’ve probably found out, they are rampant growers and provide many pounds of squash, per plant. I first started growing them when we lived in New Mexico, on the high plains, and have grown them in the mountains in Montana and here in Minnesota where we have only about 90 days of frost-free growing — and we direct seed! I use them to make pumpkin pies and they are great! Enjoy and be sure to save and share seeds. — Jackie
Thank you Jackie, I’m off to find an envelope. I’m looking forward to trying what I’ve heard so much about.
Donna,
Just send your SASE to the magazine (padded would be best) and I’ll send you some of my seeds.
Jackie
Julie,
Our garden is, also, on a gravel pit! We’ve added tons of rotted manure on top of the rocks and gravel and are finally getting good crops after struggling for a few years. Raised beds are great IF you can keep enough water on them in a drought. Good luck next year. Your struggles are why I always laugh when non-gardening survivalists say if the s…..hits the fan, they’ll just plant the seeds they have stored up. It just “don’t” work that way.
Jackie
We are so inspired by your haul this year. We had terrible heat and drought here in Kansas and maybe got 20 tomatoes total from our 20 tomato plants before they finally burned up in the heat. Our other crops were just as pitiful. There has been no canning for several years as it is very hard to grow anything on an old, old gravel pit. We spent a great deal of time and energy building raised beds in the past 2 years, but the weather has fought us terribly. We are hoping next year brings enough to refill the larder.
My squash did not grow this year. It was screaming hot and dry. So unfortunately no squash going into storage. All the talk of the Hopi grey sounds interesting. If anyone has a few seeds they would care to share I would send a self addressed stamped envelope. Thanks.
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