Saturday, February 9, 2019

TOMATOES & WEATHER

The wintry weather is continuing with rain most of the day and a temperature which, apparently, reached 23 degrees although it didn't feel like it.  Luckily it was fine early this morning for our weekly visit to the Growers Market, then walking Sophie and doing our weekly supermarket shop.  I did an early wash but no sooner had I put it out than the rain started and eventually I brought it in, put it in the washing machine to spin dry and put it back out under cover.

But to the tomatoes.  We have our fingers crossed and Doug does a regular copper spray and so far they are doing really well.  Last year I froze a lot by just removing the core, cutting them in half and bagging in bags that took roughly the same size as a tin of tomatoes.  I was really pleased with the result which I used in mince and casseroles so I am doing the same again this year.  We have been picking mainly Russian Red but yesterday picked our first Black Krim.

The Russian Red are doing well.  It is like that right along the row.



The Black Krim alongside the Russian Red.  We ate it last night and it was delicious.  I picked another couple today.


In Nelson at the top of the South Island they have major fires.  Apparently it all started with a spark from some farm machinery.



  • Pigeon Valley fire continued to "burn actively overnight" as it heads into its fifth day.
  • The blaze covers 2100ha with a perimeter of 27km.
  • About 100 personnel fought the fire overnight.
  • About 1000 houses and 3500 people had been evacuated.
  • With 22 helicopters battling the blazes, it is the largest aerial firefight on record.
  • It is also the largest forest fire since a blaze in Canterbury in 1955.
With winds of 50km/h forecast in Nelson tomorrow, concerns are the conditions could fan the flames of the massive Pigeon Valley fire and prevent helicopters from flying.
Nelson-Tasman Civil Defence management controller Roger Ball said anything over 20 or 30km/h winds was pushing the fire over the control line.
Helicopters could fly in conditions of up to 50km/h winds, but they had to stop for safety reasons in winds above that, he said.
A declaration of emergency remained in place in Nelson today.
Ball told a press conference this afternoon that the situation remained "dynamic" with a risk to life, animals and property.
He said the focus remained in the area of Wai-iti, close to the township of Wakefield.
Police Acting District Commander Zane Hooper advised Wai-iti residents to prepare to evacuate.

16 comments:

  1. That looks like a really good crop you have there. I can't wait for my next lot.

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  2. There is nothing like a delicious homegrown tomato freshly picked from your own garden.

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  3. And fires in the Wellington area too..all so dry.
    The first damp misty weather often sees blight arrive..hope you'll stay lucky!

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    1. Yes, the forecast for this week is sunny 27 and 28 degrees so, hopefully we will be o.k. The peaches can't be too far from ripening and last year was muggy and we lost most of them so I am hoping for better weather this year. Yes, I saw the Wellington fire on the news.

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  4. Lovely tomatoes!
    Fires, even though they are mostly caused by human negligence and incidental sparks - it is the weather that causes the big, dangerous excalation.

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    1. Luckily, the strong winds didn't eventuate, the fire is still burning but did not get worse.

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  5. The joy of homegrown tomatoes, sun warm and delicious.

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  6. Thinking about the people in the Nelson area and the ones who had to leave their homes.
    Love your tomatoes We have not many this year. Is it raining up there We had a blasting sun yesterday with 29 degrees

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    1. A little drizzle today and a high of 25. Next week the forecast is 28 and 29 degrees. At least they didn't get the stronger winds in Nelson. It is terrible for all the people affected.

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  7. I just about live in tomatoes over the Summer period. As for the fires, I hope they find out how it started.

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    1. I can never have too many tomatoes. I thought the man who started it had owned up. A spark from farm machinery. Complete accident.

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  8. Oh, man. The fires sound grim. Hopefully, you won't have to evacuate.

    The tomatoes look superb, by the way.

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    1. Although the fire risk is high here we have had no fires. The ones I refer to are at the north of the South Island and we are at the north of the North Island.

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