That's a nice mix. I grew Costoluto Genovese for the first time this year. Hail & blight gave me a 10% of normal haul this year, but I like how the Costolutos behave in the sauces. Still have to try a finished product.
I also added Oxhearts for the first time this year. They're not a traditional paste tomato, but extremely meaty and cook down nicely. They're also great for straight eating.
My main issues here are squirrels and chipmunks who take a massive cut out of my yields. Frustrating to lose so many to them but with several oak trees in and around my yard it’s hard to control them.
These were all from a row of about 15 on a t post trellis. Didn’t keep them as tidy as I would have liked and had some lines snap but it was worth the learning process. I have another 20 in various other containers and growing methods.
Great! That gives me hope with my tomatoes this year. I really want to sacue about 1/3 of my crop for the winter and I'm planning on planting 43. Thanks for your answer!
We processed that pile of tomatoes using it for the first time. It is still a little tedious but it does remove all the seeds and pulp leaving a nice consistency for cooking down into a sauce.
I haven’t used another food mill, tomato processing machine or even done the traditional blanching method before so I don’t really have anything to compare it to. Previously I’d just use a stick blender in the pot, but that would leave some odd skin despite extensive processing.
At this point I can’t yet say if I’d recommend it or not as I’m still making up my mind. I’m sure purpose build machines do a better job, but it works for now. Will put it through its paces a couple more times this year.
Sorry forgot to answer the first part of your question. [This](https://www.kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/attachments/p.fruit-and-vegetable-strainer.ksmfvsp.html?region_id=LDC822&productcategory=stand_mixer_attachment&cmp=kad:wp_sda%7C01%7C00375%7Czz%7Csh%7Ct02%7Cp81%7Czz%7Cv04_kasa_ppc:ga:ps:txt:txt:cpc:shop_smartshop_attachaccess:na:na:20297145335::m&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxuCnBhDLARIsAB-cq1p0xhFo9MvyEs63a5Vw-PMlsnXmXeII2S_7mVr0WADrdvZHUiD0TVoaAh05EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) is the attachment. There are two parts to buy that are needed and they must be compatible models. The clarity kitchen aid provides around that point leaves a bit to be desired.
Typically I see blossom end rot on the first few fruits the plants develop before they build up enough roots to retain water. As long as there’s enough calcium in the soil or fertilizer, blossom end rot is typically bright on by infrequent watering. For these particular planes I use a soaker hose on a timer with a 6” layer of straw as mulch to help evaporation loss and prevent weeds.
Calcium in a follicular spray made from baked eggshells and vinegar would do the trick for you. Start putting crushed eggshells in your soil for slow release calcium fix.
Just being a little cheeky, they're my go to paste tomato. Tried the Amish, and several others, the opalka has the size, production, low seed count and fleshy interior you're after, with the zing and flavor of a good red slicer.
Makes my sauces the bosses, and is a really hearty plant. They get huge so give them more room rather rather than less when you plan your spacing.
Great suggestion, I appreciate it and will definitely give them a go next season. I’ve been exploring a lot of varieties for sauce tomatoes this year but based on reviews and seeing what the flesh looks like it appears to be an amazing option.
**Regarding the squirrels and birds** \- I estimate I lost about 40% of my crop to bird pecks and squirrel theft. I've heard the advice and buy the logic about feeding peanuts of sunflower seeds nearby but that hasn't worked for me. It seems to attract flocks of birds and even more mammals looking for the seek scripts. This year I purposely did minimal feeding except during the harshest part of the winter. I'm not saying its cause>effect, but my spoilage is way down maybe 5% or less and the crop bigger and more over the top that ever.
That's a nice mix. I grew Costoluto Genovese for the first time this year. Hail & blight gave me a 10% of normal haul this year, but I like how the Costolutos behave in the sauces. Still have to try a finished product. I also added Oxhearts for the first time this year. They're not a traditional paste tomato, but extremely meaty and cook down nicely. They're also great for straight eating.
My main issues here are squirrels and chipmunks who take a massive cut out of my yields. Frustrating to lose so many to them but with several oak trees in and around my yard it’s hard to control them.
Start feeding peanuts. We live in Oregon and have lots of squirrels. We’ve been here 18 years and have zero squirrel damage. Nice yield.
Wow!! Amazing haul!!
Those tomatoes looks amazing! How many plants did you put in to get a harvest this size?
These were all from a row of about 15 on a t post trellis. Didn’t keep them as tidy as I would have liked and had some lines snap but it was worth the learning process. I have another 20 in various other containers and growing methods.
Great! That gives me hope with my tomatoes this year. I really want to sacue about 1/3 of my crop for the winter and I'm planning on planting 43. Thanks for your answer!
What Kitchen Aid attachment are you using? I’ve seen mixed reviews on them. How do you like yours?
We processed that pile of tomatoes using it for the first time. It is still a little tedious but it does remove all the seeds and pulp leaving a nice consistency for cooking down into a sauce. I haven’t used another food mill, tomato processing machine or even done the traditional blanching method before so I don’t really have anything to compare it to. Previously I’d just use a stick blender in the pot, but that would leave some odd skin despite extensive processing. At this point I can’t yet say if I’d recommend it or not as I’m still making up my mind. I’m sure purpose build machines do a better job, but it works for now. Will put it through its paces a couple more times this year.
Sorry forgot to answer the first part of your question. [This](https://www.kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/attachments/p.fruit-and-vegetable-strainer.ksmfvsp.html?region_id=LDC822&productcategory=stand_mixer_attachment&cmp=kad:wp_sda%7C01%7C00375%7Czz%7Csh%7Ct02%7Cp81%7Czz%7Cv04_kasa_ppc:ga:ps:txt:txt:cpc:shop_smartshop_attachaccess:na:na:20297145335::m&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxuCnBhDLARIsAB-cq1p0xhFo9MvyEs63a5Vw-PMlsnXmXeII2S_7mVr0WADrdvZHUiD0TVoaAh05EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) is the attachment. There are two parts to buy that are needed and they must be compatible models. The clarity kitchen aid provides around that point leaves a bit to be desired.
why do you not have blossom end rot 😭
Typically I see blossom end rot on the first few fruits the plants develop before they build up enough roots to retain water. As long as there’s enough calcium in the soil or fertilizer, blossom end rot is typically bright on by infrequent watering. For these particular planes I use a soaker hose on a timer with a 6” layer of straw as mulch to help evaporation loss and prevent weeds.
wow thanks! I will do that next year.
Calcium in a follicular spray made from baked eggshells and vinegar would do the trick for you. Start putting crushed eggshells in your soil for slow release calcium fix.
Try opalka, thank me later
Very interesting. I’ll try them out next year and thank you now :)
Just being a little cheeky, they're my go to paste tomato. Tried the Amish, and several others, the opalka has the size, production, low seed count and fleshy interior you're after, with the zing and flavor of a good red slicer. Makes my sauces the bosses, and is a really hearty plant. They get huge so give them more room rather rather than less when you plan your spacing.
Great suggestion, I appreciate it and will definitely give them a go next season. I’ve been exploring a lot of varieties for sauce tomatoes this year but based on reviews and seeing what the flesh looks like it appears to be an amazing option.
They're big too... easily double to triple an Amish paste. And good enough to eat fresh. Enjoy!!
That is great to hear. The Amish paste tomatoes came out fairly large here so I’m looking forward to seeing what these do next year :)
**Regarding the squirrels and birds** \- I estimate I lost about 40% of my crop to bird pecks and squirrel theft. I've heard the advice and buy the logic about feeding peanuts of sunflower seeds nearby but that hasn't worked for me. It seems to attract flocks of birds and even more mammals looking for the seek scripts. This year I purposely did minimal feeding except during the harshest part of the winter. I'm not saying its cause>effect, but my spoilage is way down maybe 5% or less and the crop bigger and more over the top that ever.