18 August 2014

Good tomato news from the garden

Dry (but cool) weather has finally moved in, replacing the constant rains we had through July and, expecially, through the first half of August, here in Saint-Aignan. Fears that our tomato crop had been ruined were unfounded, however. Here are a few photos I took out in the garden yesterday morning.


I think the trimming of lower leaves on each tomato plant that Walt did when we first noticed some blight on the tomatoes was effective. Cutting off the leaves close to the tomatoes helps the fruit dry off more quickly after rain or a heavy dew, and slows down the growth of mildew and other champignons by improving air flow.


Not only are the majority of tomatoes out there healthy-looking, but quite a few of them are starting to ripen. If the weather remains dry for a few more weeks, and warms up a little, we will have a big crop, as you can see. Remember, there are 36 tomato plants out there.


I don't know if the brown coloring on the tops of the tomatoes above  is an indication of blight or just the way this variety of tomato ripens. I hope it's the latter. Again, if the tomatoes stay fairly dry and get some sunshine on them, a little bit of the blight won't matter too much.


These are some so-called tomates longues that Walt grew from seed and planted this year. We're looking forward to trying them, and it appears that the two in the center of the photo above will be ripe in just a few more days.

P.S. My finger condition has a name. It's called "mallet finger" (« le doigt en maillet ») and it does need treatment right away. I have to go get a finger splint and wear it for six weeks! That's my task for today. Thanks to reader Marilyn for sending me an e-mail with the above links in it.

14 comments:

  1. It seems it will be succes in your garden. But it depends on the weather.

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  2. I'm glad your mystery injury is properly identified. Knowing what you're dealing with is half the battle.
    Also glad your tomatoes are doing well.

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    1. I went to the pharmacy this morning and got a finger splint — une attelle de doigt. Now I really can't type.

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  3. Your tomatoes look great, although I must admit that I don't like the brown 'top' on some of them. Looks suspicious to me, but I'm not an expert. My grandfather might have known. He was a professional gardener. Good luck with the tomatoes and the finger.

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  4. glad to hear your finger is not broken! a minor inconvenience, to be sure (the splint).

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  5. Glad you know what to do with your finger. I still will recommend you see a hand doctor to make sure you're doing the right thing. A trip to Blois is worth it, if there is no such doctor in Saint-Aignan.

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  6. I thought it might have been that, what is called here as hammer finger. A special splint was moulded for me at a public hospital. Make sure you keep it on. My finger was fully restored. http://highriser.blogspot.com.au/2005/07/holiday.html

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  7. Oh, man! I'm really glad you got your finger issue looked into.

    Tomatoes look good. Ours aren't ripening as fast as I'd expect, but we have a new variety out there, so it may just be a longer ripening time.

    Take care of that finger!

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  8. Glad you've got a handle on your finger now. Sois sage!

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  9. That greeny-brown top to the tomato could just be greenback, which is basically sunburn. Some varieties suffer particularly from it, like Noire de Crimee. Edible but chewy. As long as it stays uniform, you're ok. If those dark rings appear, into the bin with them pdq. Pauline.

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    1. P.: I think and hope that you are right. The brown shading doesn't look like the blight to me.

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  10. Glad you've taken care of your finger. Still, see a doctor. Self treatment might not be enough.
    I envy you your tomatoes, cucumbers and all the rest. Our garden is a bust this year. The two courgette plants put so much energy into the gigantic fruit that grew while we were away, there are no others since then, but I did spot a new flower, so maybe we'll have some in a few weeks.

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  11. Glad the pharmacie was able to identify the problem and offer a solution. Good luck with 2 finger typing; but make sure you keep the splint on :-).

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