Perhaps it happens to most eager gardeners….Spring in the air is a dangerous time. As soon as the weather is warm we gather all our seeds and plant ’til we drop.
We’ve all experienced our plantings maturing all at once, leaving us with trying to eat our harvest before they spoil. A better solution is to plan out an annual edible garden so crops mature steadily through the seasons.
Also staggering the sowing of the same seeds 7 to 10 days apart, this is what they call succession planting. With a little planning and the patience to plant each crop, soon enough the garden and the kitchen will be in harmony.
Succession planting is how I’m working these lovely Isis Tomatoes. I recall the first time I planted tomatoes… I went crazy! Planted so many I could not keep up with them. Some were rotting on the vine; then the rainy season came and some were bursting because I could not pick them fast enough.
I wised up and learned canning. …and that was an eye opener!!
I can not begin to explain to you how wonderful it is to open up a jar of home canned tomatoes after the tomato season has passed in the middle of Winter.
AMAZING.
The Isis tomato has that wonderful tang that we look for in a tomato along with a mild sweetness that can be intensified when cooked. As small as these are, don’t be fooled… these are great sauce makers!
With succession planting I don’t have to be overwhelmed in the kitchen canning all day. We can enjoy fresh harvest and do small batches of canning.
Two tips I will share when canning tomatoes… always make sure to get the air bubbles out and add a little lemon not only to your whole tomatoes but also when you can your sauce. I have been using the water bath technique and it does the job.
About the Isis tomatoes: Number of Seeds approx 25 per tomato
Spacing in Row 18-24″
Spacing Between Rows 36″
Planting Depth ¼”
Days to Maturity 70 (from transplant)
Indeterminate plant.
