July 4, 2011

Happy Fourth of July!

I’m pretty confident in saying this…Burpee Home Gardens is psychic.

If they aren’t, well then, they’re some kind of geniuses, using their minds for the greater good, but of the vegetable growing variety. Perhaps we should get those brains trained on things like Homeland Security or the stock market and oil spills. We could use more mindpower like theirs.

Why the sudden foaming at the mouth for BHG?

Check this out…

We have never, ever had a tomato this time of year. Not once. And yet this year, after getting our shipment from BHG and planting within a couple of days, we have THIS phenomenon.

garden-4th

Fourth of July Tomatoes, READY exactly on the Fourth of July.

I can’t make this kind of thing up, folks.

Jon has been just about to keel over in excitement at having tomatoes this early. Not only have the Fourth of July Tomatoes started coming on, but a few of the Cherry Reds have a couple of little guys just about ready for picking. Seven will most likely eat every single one of those as they are ripening – that child is a tomato freak. He eats them right off the vine – big ones, little ones, he eats tomatoes just like one would eat an apple.

I’m hoping we’ll have enough to can this year, as we want to make tomato sauce. So, if you have some great technique or recipe, PLEASE let me know. I am very new to canning, but feel it’s my Southern duty to become adept at it. I also have this book, The Joy of Jams, Jellies, and Other Sweet Preserves: 200 Classic and Contemporary Recipes Showcasing the Fabulous Flavors of Fresh Fruits, from Harvard Common Press that I think will help me with things like jams and jellies – and I do hope so, as I have a TON of grapes hanging in the arbor. Fingers crossed we did everything right this year to keep them happy and healthy!

I also have a question for you…I bought up a BUNCH of old, blue Ball Mason jars. I’ve always had a bunch that I use as decoration, but I came across an auction where I was able to pick up quite a few, and Jon also found a place and brought some home to me. Since they are so old, are they still safe for canning? Obviously, I know I need to buy rings and lids, but I’m just concerned to know if they are safe. Help?