I was summoned by the Tomato Jedi, Obi Wan Tomato, and directed to go into the heirloom tomato jungle on a special mission here at Struan Farm. You see it hasn't been very hot this summer as yet. The tomatoes have grown like wild fire, but haven't really ripened at all. I'd let them go, and now they needed my help.
I was sent in with my light sabre secateurs to cut back the laterals and quite a bit of the foliage hiding the fruit. The tomatoes needed to be exposed to sunlight to ripen if they're going to ripen at all this season. Obi Wan told me that next year I must cut back the laterals as the plants grow, and do a better job staking, with much bigger stakes. Last year I hadn't needed to do this. It was a bumper season--very hot with good rainfall. This year it's different, and I've learned now why "everyone tomato" say it's important to cut off the laterals. If you don't they very well might not get any sunlight and ripen. In fact, they could rot.
While it looks like a bomb hit the tomato beds I think this should save the day (that is if I haven't killed the plants entirely but cutting back the leaves..). Otherwise we'll be eating heaps of green tomato salad and there will be no BBC Tomato Soup or slow roasted tomatoes in the freezer for winter....
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