Ripe Russian Heirloom Yellow Salad Tomatoes
Did you ever almost cry when tomato growing season was over? It’s either back to the bland store-bought or pay through the nose for the organic hothouse variety which is almost as tasteless. Well, here is a yummy solution! These juicy teardrop salad tomatoes are still growing in front of a sunny window in my living room. All photos were shot in December 2011. I am fighting the back lighting in these photos but you will be able to see the flowers and fruit.
Check out the little seedlings in cups at the top of the transom windows. These were planted out in the garden around the middle of March. Most are beef steak tomatoes that I have grown in the house but they do not get as big; just don’t have enough light. They do taste great though and I grow them on the other side of this big window. Look how many yellow blossoms and fruits are on this plant! And it keeps on producing all winter and summer. I really do not know how long it will keep growing but the nice thing about heirloom verities is that you can remove the seeds from one, let them dry, and have more than enough for a new plant. I may do that soon because this plant is getting brown leaves at the bottom now.
All you need is a large pot filled with organic potting soil and a few heirloom seeds. I plant three in the middle to be sure of sprouting. Remove all but the most vigorous one. Next you need a big window positioned on the sunniest side of the house. Mine is in the living room where I grow all kinds of plants year round.
Here is a view of the whole plant. You can see that it grows very big. I positioned a long piece of PVC pipe which serves as a tomato stake. As the plant grew I tied it up all the way to the top. It is a happy Camper and rewards you in kind. I water it every other day and once a month give it some liquid fertilizer.
Just think: no bugs, no disease, no digging, and no critters carrying off your fruit. Just walk up to this baby, pick off a ripe juicy yellow tomato, and pop it into your mouth. Shear delicious heaven! Or save them up for a few days and create the most sumptuously tasty salad that you have ever had!
artzent
zentcreativeblog 
mmm succulent tomatoes..you think you can make a salad plate for me hahahha
Not at this distance Sir! I think not!
I remember when I used to scoff at heirloom tomatoes, thinking they weren’t any different than regular store-bought ones. And then I ate one and all previous thoughts of them being the same as the store ones flew out the window. I’m impressed at your dedication of growing them on your own! 🙂
I have twelve acres of land, mostly forest but a huge veggy garden. My thirteen tomato plants produced so much I had to push them off to my students. I don’t have a husband, kids are all grown and doing well, and as a artist need a lot of alone time. So my situation is ideal for growing and tending plants. Lately I have given Word Press a lot of my time and I don’t see how people with a family and a daily job can keep up with it. To me it’s just another creative outlet. My hats off to you Lillian; your post are always original, funny, and well written. I am beginning to learn what that takes.
I use to cry when I had to bring my plants in for winter when I lived in Chicago. I don’t have any plants now that I live in Florida, but love the option to be able to grow year round!
Oh yes Stephanie, know the feeling very well! I think that the garden shops make you think that you have to go with the seasons but that’s just not true. Of course you cannot grow Beef Steak tomatoes to full size and there won’t be as many but they are about 8oz and are perfect for slicing. The teardrop yellow and cherry are the best producers inside and something about seeing them grow in the winter makes you smile instead of cry!
They look amazing! Congratz to you to being able to grow them in your living room! 🙂
Subhan Zein
Oh, they are really good Subhan and it’s not so hard to grow them. Thank you for your comment and for tooling around my blog.
You are so lucky, I envy you so much! 🙂 I wish I could grow tomatoes in my living room, but alas I am still renting! LOL 🙂
Subhan Zein
Well, it’s not always going to be that way for you. You are gifted, responsible, and young. You will go far. Set your sights high!!
it’s nice, I like to plant vegetable too, but no place, huhu
Thank you for visiting and for commenting. So sorry that you are not able to grow plants. Maybe that will change for you one day. In the mean time at least you can connect with other bloggers who do
What a fantastic idea! I don’t know why I’d never thought of that… I do love tomatoes – even to the point of tears when I know that no more tomatoes are coming from my garden or the farmers’ market. Seriously… this post may have revolutionized my life!
Yes, start them in small cups and when they are about six inches high transplant them into a large pot, one plant each pot. If you plant two pots you will have ripe tomatoes every day at maturity. I have actually had better luck inside than out because you control bugs disease and soil. Stick with the cherry tomatoes like the little heirloom yellow teardrop on the pictures then graduate to the bigger ones. You can find seeds on http://www.seedsofchange.com and many more sites on line. If you buy heirloom seeds you only have to buy once because you can save the seeds from one tomato to last for years. Good organic potting soil is a must and liquid organic fertilizer every three weeks. It comes concentrated so last for at least a year.
They lift your spirits when you grow them in the winter as well as contribute to your
health. If you have questions just contact me and I will be glad to help.
Yummy,Yummy Tomatoes my sister. You are Incomparable In so many ways. Is there anything you do not know how to accomplish? I am amazed every time I read one of your Blogs. Love you little sister. Marlene
Hello, hello, my sister. You are finally here again! Yes, there are some things that I would not even try to do but I am finding it very creative to write. I hope that you read the four stories about Buddy and me. If not get cracking because I will be putting up number five soon. Thank you as always and i love you too big sister!
I see the Ebony Bonsai on the right side of one of the pictures, It is at least 50 or more years old.
Can’t wait for the next writing!! Love you little sister
Oh, that Ebony is older than that. I am trying to root some clippings from it now . I am worried about it because its not as full of leaves as it was. I plan to put it in a different pot soon to see if it helps. Everyone says that you cannot root an Ebony but I have done it before and gave it to Berrie who is in love with this plant. glad that you noticed it. Very like you, and right back at you with the love!
I have rooted an ebony before. you just have to be sweet and good to it. I wish i really knew how old it is and mine to
Well, It rode with us back to Florida from Virginia and when you gave it to me it was already a big mature plant that was there when you bought the nursery. If you could estimate it’s age then and add my age at the time until now you would have a good idea. I think its between 70 and 80 years old. Hugs
You really have a green thumb!!Good on ya!
Aida
Thank you, sometimes I think so. I sure have fun with it. Thanks for your comment!
I love this! I will try it!
Good for you Patricia. It will brighten your winter and thanks for your comment.