Did you know that fruits and veggies teach you things? They are veritable zen masters. Take my tomatoes here at Struan Farm as an example.
This year they've taught me that they like to hide, so I must be observant. The first ripe tomatoes were hiding in the leaves at the bottoms of the plants. At a certain point in the growing season I need to cut back the leaves on the plants to expose the green tomatoes so they can ripen, and so I can find the ripe fruit. I also need to pull out all the lovely marigold plants that I planted at the garden edges as companion plants, which are going to seed at this time anyway. Otherwise the marigolds provide perfect cover for the ripe fruit hiding at the bottom of the plants. I need to look carefully, every day, for ripe fruit.
Like John and me, tomatoes are pretty antisocial, they don't like crowds. I went overboard planting way too many plants this year and as a result have a serious tomato jungle happening. I knew I was doing it when I did it, but I should have stopped myself. Crowding makes it hard to walk between the plants to pick. They're okay with my stumbling around to a point, but have asked me to reconsider this for next year.
Some diversity is a good thing, but we don't need the United Nations of Tomatoes in Piopio. This year I planted about twelve different varieties of heirloom tomatoes. Yes I did label every plant, but can I find those little popsicle sticks in the dirt now? I recognise some but not all. Next year thinking I will stick to four or so varieties, two of which will be Black Cherry and Black Krim.
Lastly, like most people, tomatoes need support to grow properly. They should be staked well. My approach has been, shall we say, haphazard? John stepped in at one point to assist, but he's no expert either. I will read up on the finer points of this for next season, invest in taller stakes as well, so I can provide them with the support they truly need.
So I'm listening to what they're teaching me, and becoming enlightened. No koans required.
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