Tomato Picking Time
June and July was busy for me. I knew I’d be busy this summer, so I only planted a few plants, 6 tomatoes, one of which died, and 5 pepper plants. I did not have to till the garden because it still has last year’s mulch covering. So I dug 11 holes and planted the 11 plants and then I went inside to work for two months.
Occasionally I would go outside to see the garden and pick the few tomatoes and peppers that were ripe. Many weeds came up and I ignored most of them. A few I pulled, but the rest I left.
Most of the weeds are zinnias, various tomato plants and milkweed. These plants came up from seed that fell last year. I call these plants “Volunteers.”
The most weed-free area is the weediest looking area. It’s 600 square feet of weed suppressing mess called herbs. They are on my to-do list for later.
So I’m picking tomatoes. I have to lay down on the ground to get some of them. Serves me right, it’s my untended garden. The vines have been growing out of their cages and crossing over the path into the next cage.
I need to get to the caged “Volunteer” grape tomato plant because it’s loaded but it is surrounded by zinnias and tomato vines that are laying all over the ground.
Meanwhile the mosquitoes like me too much and it’s the last thing they do.
I notice that some of the tomatoes have been eaten. I’m not alone in the garden, rabbits, snakes, frogs, turtles, mice and unmentionables such as bugs live there.
So I make my way over to the caged volunteer, gingerly, there are no paths in this area, just vines and more vines and zinnias everywhere. I try not to step on the tomatoes growing on the ground. 
Success, I’m there! I had no place to lay the basket, so I have to tip-toe back to the basket and dump my shirt-load of grape tomatoes into the basket, then go back for more.
Shortly I make my way around to the north side of the cage and find something I’d rather not disturb.
A writing spider – I took a picture. Then my camera battery died. The spider probably did it. ;-)
Back inside, I place the camera battery in its charger. 
I dump out the vegetables and herbs and tend to them. I had also picked a little mint, a little basil, and the ripe mexi-bell peppers.
I cleaned and placed the herbs in the dehydrator. While sorting out the tomatoes, I find the conjoined tomatoes. One of these usually appears during each season.
Tomorrow I will do something with the tomatoes, make juice or sauce; I haven’t decided yet.
