It’s time for Harvest Monday, where gardeners from all over celebrate all things harvest related. It’s another week, and the heat wave still dominates the news around here. Daytime temperatures peak out in the 90-95°F range, with the heat index (aka “feels like” temp) up over 100°F. That has resulted in daily heat advisories, and dangerous conditions for those working outdoors. We have done our outside chores early in the morning, and do our best to stay inside during the heat of the day. We’re not expected to get a break until later this coming week, so it will continue to bake until then.
weather station console
Harvests continue however, and I am out early in the morning to bring them in before it gets too miserable out there. We are getting a good supply of tomatoes for fresh eating, but I doubt there will be enough for processing into sauces this year. Still, nothing beats a home grown tomato and we have been enjoying these for sure!
one morning harvest
Black Angel is a new variety I’m trialing this year. The flavor is good, and I believe more tasting will be necessary as new fruits ripen. I’m not sure the hot and wet conditions this year will make for good taste comparisons anyway.
Black Angel tomato
Purple Zebra is a 2022 AAS Winner and remains of of my favorites for flavor. I use it as a yardstick to compare others – if they can beat it in flavor then they are truly keepers! As slicers go it may not be big in size, but it is definitely big on flavor.
Purple Zebra tomato
I enjoyed one of the Purple Zebras along with our pickled cucumbers one day for lunch to go with our bean and cheese quesadillas. That made for a tasty meal combo.
quesadilla with tomatoes and cucumbers
I also cut another tromboncino squash last week, along with a few more tomatoes and a cucumber. We used the tromboncino instead of zucchini in a batch of Sheet Pan Ratatouille I made one night for dinner using our eggplant and tomatoes along with some fresh basil. I like the way the trombo holds its shape better than zucchini, and is less watery.
Tromboncino harvest
In non-harvest news, I’ve found the time to make a small table for my wife’s studio. I got the metal legs from a craftsman on Etsy, and cut and finished the koa wood top and bottom shelves. I enjoy projects like these, and I’m working on a similar but taller table for my office area.
koa table
The hardy hibiscus don’t seem to mind the heat, and the Fireball variety has big red flowers on the tall plants. We’ve got a good collection of hibiscus, and the Fireball is one of my favorites. The bees love it too, as well as other pollinators.
Fireball hibiscus
Harvest Monday is a day to show off your harvests, how you are saving your harvest, or how you are using your harvest. If you have a harvest you want to share, add your name and blog link to Mr Linky below. And please check out what everyone is harvesting!
The pattern on the wood is beautiful
A lovely little table. What fun to grow the hardy hibiscus. It looks so tropical and I guess you’re feeling that tropical heat too. Purple zebra is a very nice little tomato and sounds like it’s a favorite.
That Purple Zebra looks like a very nice tomato and you have high standards.