Forever and a day ago (that would be the last mid-August to you calendar dwellers), the final producers from the garden were harvested and the beds have been sitting idle since then. Not quite idle as they grasses are five feet tall.

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Just a few days later after the last chard were plucked from their beds, Sun Gold and San Marzano tomato seedlings were planted in peat pots.. Twelve peat pots, three seeds each. A month after sprouting, the plants had out grown their pots and were ready to be transplanted into solo cups.

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By Septembers’ end, two beds were prepared and plants were once again transplanted. Eight of the best plants were chosen, four plants each bed. Half of bucket of compost and a nice soak later the plantees were ready.

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Chickens be dumb. I know it is not a nice saying but sometimes the truth hurts. Chickens don’t eat tomato leaves but they sure can scratch up a mess. Not even a week after tomatoes were moved, they had to be fenced off. Was really hoping not to have to but we are not growing tomatoes for chicken feed. They can eat grasshoppers and roaches.

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Tomatoes should have been transplanted earlier than the first of September but the summer heat was just too intense. Late transplants have frost concerns but typically this is not a South Texas concern. Plants grew quickly and were productive all through October. Mid November a few of the plants gave up the go but the few that were remaining were heavy producers. Even a December frost did not deter production

Looks like Christmas tomatoes for everyone this year. Better than coal.