Call me clairvoyant, but as predicted last month, Cherokee Purple is the 2012 winner in the ‘first tomato to wind up on a BLT’ race. It was an impressive feat, coming in a couple of weeks earlier than last year, and cruising in far ahead of any other contenders. It would likely have been even earlier if I had started seeds a bit sooner. But who knew what kind of weather we would have, with an early spring and even earlier summer.
Cherokee Purple tomatoes (click on image to enlarge)
There may not be as many of the Cherokee Purples (aka CP) as we had last year, due to the long string of days with temps over 100F. That has resulted in not many setting on lately, and will probably cut into the yields of all the larger slicing tomatoes. The smaller fruited tomatoes and the paste varieties seem to be holding up a bit better. At any rate, CP is going to star on the first BLT of 2012 tonight. I even baked a special loaf of bread just for it. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Not in any races, but making their first showing this year were the yardlong beans. I stir-fried them Szechuan style for a side dish. Unlike some of the tomatoes, the yardlong beans are loving the heat, and loaded with blooms and young beans. Maybe they are winning the ‘who can take the heat’ race!
yardlong beans
To see other Gardeners’ winners, visit Daphne’s Dandelions and see what’s going on this Harvest Monday. I’ll be back later this week with a recipe to share.