Well today is June 24th - my birthday. I'm not usually focused on my own birthday, but this year my #1 gardening goal was to have ripe tomatoes by now. June tomatoes are unusual for me here in the Cincinnati area. Last year it was August before I got ripe ones.
Not this year!
A wonderful birthday present. Actually the tomato pictured is the 6th Early Girl tomato this year (and actually is much smaller than the others). The first one was on June 15th. Next year, my family wants to shoot for a May ripe tomato!
I said "my family" instead of just me because it really has become a fun family thing working on reaching the goal. My daughters even wanted to protect our early plants from hungry or thirsty animals so much that they encouraged me to fence the plants in.
Usually animals don't bother tomatoes, but in the midst of our drought, animals might go after ripe tomatoes for the water content.
We have been seeing many foxes and raccoons lately so this fence will keep them out.
Sorry, only humans are permitted to enjoy these garden fresh, vine ripened organic birthday tomatoes!
Don't forget to visit other Green Thumb Sunday participants!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY... what a great gift that tomato is. What a challenge next year would be to get a tomato in May! Love the photos. Happy GTS too.
Posted by: June 24, 2007 at 07:36 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARC! That is one beautiful tomato! Enjoy your day.
Posted by: June 24, 2007 at 08:42 PM
A great tomato and a fun photo. Happy Birthday.
Sara from farmingfriends
Posted by: Sara | June 24, 2007 at 08:58 PM
Happy Birthday! I am very jealous of those ripe tomatoes you have there! Enjoy.
Posted by: June 24, 2007 at 09:34 PM
Happy B-Day and congrats on the tomato.
That's a great pic.
Happy GTS too
Posted by: June 24, 2007 at 10:53 PM
Happy Birthday!! The tomato looks delicious. We didn't get any vegi's planted this year:(
Posted by: June 24, 2007 at 11:37 PM
As the rhyme goes:
Happy birthday to you
Squashed tomato and stew.
Posted by: Dan | June 25, 2007 at 01:16 AM
Happy birthday, Marc! That's a fabulous picture -- I laughed out loud (in delight) when I saw it.
Posted by: Genie | June 25, 2007 at 02:58 AM
Congratulations! I love the photo concept and execution.
Posted by: June 25, 2007 at 03:19 AM
Ok, I'm totally jealous. What's your secret? How'd you get ripe tomatoes this early?! I just got baby tomatoes this week! *sniff*
Posted by: June 25, 2007 at 05:25 AM