Piotique Tomatoes

This weekend was the annual festival in Clay Center called Piotique (the blending of Pioneers and Antiques, just FYI). Back in early May, yes May. I decided that I want to plant a late planting of tomatoes and I want to have them for Mid-September until November. Being I was short on seed, I decided to purchase more of the selected variety.

Dear Jay Sleichter
Thank you for your order!

Your order will be sent after credit card approval. For seed orders only, we send by U.S. Postal Service, so there will be no tracking number assigned. Expect 7 to 10 days for delivery time.
_______________________________________
Customer/Shopper ID: 235544
Date and Time: Mon May 16 12:32:21 2011
_______________________________________

Item: Details: Quantity: Each: Item Total:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
#3992A Florida Large Quantity 3992A - 1 $ 28.30 $ 28.30
91 Hybrid Florida 91 Hybrid
1/32 Ounce $28.30
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sub Total: $ 28.30
Shipping Total: (US & Possessions - First Class) $ 5.25
Grand Total: $ 33.55 PAID


And with this, my plans were put in place. Keep in mind, we had a light frost on May 15th and I was talking about producing tomatoes up to the first frost/freeze in the Fall.

Well received my seeds and I got them going. Had a problem with germination. I started them over again, lost 10-14 days doing this.

Despite one of the hottest summers on record, I went ahead moved my seedlings outside to the high tunnel to harden off. Then the heat really cranked up.

I finished building the new rails for my movable building and got it ready and moved it to its new home.



I proceeded to plant the tomatoes out on July 16th. About 10-14 days later than I had wanted.

Here they are after being planted. Sorry about the poor picture.


Here they are on August 12th, about 1 month after planting.



Here they are on August 28th.


Finally on September 16th, a full 60 days past the planting day and 120 days after ordering the seeds.


Well here we are on September 24th, I didn't get my tomatoes for Piotique, but I do have them turning.



Here are some other pictures from the 23rd of September.





So when you say, "Where are the tomatoes?" I can honestly say I have been working on in for the past 120 days or longer. Stuff just doesn't happen, everything has to have been planned and well thought out. I guess I should think harder.

More tomatoes, maybe next week!

Jay

Piotique Tomatoes