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Rebekah and I took the following pictures during Saturday's fishfry at Aunt Tootsie's. The scarecrow is doing too good a job in her garden -- there is a blight or virus that has ruined her tomatoes and watermelons. The problem started last year, but this year has really grown. The plants are stunted or wilted, and the fruit undersized or inedible. Not sure what is going on, and the county's extension service, although consulted, doesn't appear to be able to help, or want to help. It's a shame because there won't be as many tomato sandwiches this summer, and no tomato soup or stews this winter.
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While admiring those purple hull or black eyed peas, I'm noticing the cucumber vine infringing on the pea vines for a place to grab on to! As thick as those peas appear, watching where one steps looks like a bit of difficutly. Please advise your Aunt Tootsie to be very careful - and cautious of snakes. I just received a photo of a just shy of 5 foot rattler with 8 full rattles and the 9th almost formed. This snake was killed Sat. just south of Pearce Chapel Road - this is their 3rd large one in all their 34 years at their home. Fortunately he was on a riding mower when he spotted it all curled up, got a gun and shot it. I've seen "blue" racer snakes longer than 5 ft. and found a few snake skins that would rival that length although I can't prove what type of snake "was wearing that detached skin." So, Mona, do be careful also if you do more cemetery researching this summer.
Maybe a virus is the problem with my Better Boy planted in the Topsy Turvy hanging basket - that one tomato I mentioned sometime ago is finally turning red - and I doubt we could eat it if we tried to slice it. bettye
Bettye, speaking of snakes and "summer in Peaceful Valley", Chip told me that he killed a cottonmouth with a hoe this past weekend. It was near Fessie and Beck's spring. Lordy, but snakes are the worse thing about summer.
Sorry to hear about the tomato and watermelon situation. It has been my experience that my husband/farmer and the internet are more helpful--especially when working together--than the county extension agent. Here's a link to something that might enlighten you.
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/notes/oldnotes/vg9.htm
Beautiful Pictures the garden goodies and flowers !!!
Having experienced the same issues with our tomatoes in two different gardens I can say I fully understand and am equally frustrated.
This is the second year in a row that this "blight" has utterly ruined our small crop. I spent all winter drooling over what I hoped would be wonderful tomato sandwiches and large sweet slices alongside my peas and cornbread. Unfortunately, all we got were small piles of slightly reddish fruits with large black indentations through the center of them. The few that finally did ripen were bland and virtually tasteless.
I will be working this winter to find out if this problem can be overcome. I was thinking of giving my plants some antibiotics but I am not sure I can get them to swallow the pills.
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