Do you see what I see? Ripe, red tomatoes...in July? In a backyard garden? In Oregon? Impossible you say!
Well, that's exactly what we thought when we were told that this particular variety was guaranteed to produce by the fourth of July. OK, heard that before...never happens. Not here anyway. And even though at the time we already had a greenhouse full of tomato seedlings, after hearing such a claim we brought one home from the Thyme Garden Nursery anyway. Hopeful. To see such a miracle with our own eyes. You could say we were all just a teensy bit doubtful having never experienced anything so grand. In fact, last year our tomatoes didn't ripen until October, right before the first frost set in! Gathered up in the nick of time too. (Remember all those green tomatoes I had decorating my kitchen window sills last fall?)
Anyway, we wanted to be really convinced and just planted this right out in the open. No special treatment whatsoever was given it. Just put it to the test. And as you can clearly see, it passed. I can now therefore say, with certainty, that it did live up to the promise. I'm a believer. I'll never underestimate the potential of a tomato plant again. Now. If I could just get the peas and cucumbers and beans to wake up and take notice of the competition over here. The lettuce seems to be stepping up, but the spinache keeps bolting. I guess we can't have everything now can we? But how about some art and a little music to go hand in hand with the whole wonderous process. Compliments of School House Gardening. Enjoy!
That is early for your area. We are just now getting some vine ripened fruit. I will have to plant Annie next year. Maybe I will have red tomatoes in May!
Posted by: Carla | July 06, 2012 at 11:10 AM
Oh how exciting! Do they taste good?
Posted by: Vee | July 06, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Wow, I need to get that plant! Thanks for sharing the tip! Teresa
Posted by: Teresa | July 06, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Wow! That is amazing! I'm putting this one on my list for next year!
Posted by: Dori | July 06, 2012 at 01:50 PM
wow! good for you. I don't even have any red ones on my plants growing here in NC.
Posted by: Carrie P. | July 06, 2012 at 02:06 PM
Goodness. I was just out checking my tomato plants this morning and was happy to discover tiny green balls forming. To have tomatoes now would be wonderful! Yay for Early Annie!
Posted by: Lorrie | July 06, 2012 at 02:31 PM
GORgeous and oh so yummy!! :) Wish I were there to share them with you.
Posted by: Angie | July 06, 2012 at 03:01 PM
Hope they taste as good as it looks. Congratulations on geting tomatoes to ripen in July. It's good to see yourgarden.
Posted by: Velma | July 06, 2012 at 04:10 PM
Wow! That is so great that you have tomatoes already! I so love homegrown tomatoes. Also that video of the painting of the tomato was pretty neat!
Posted by: Bonnie@WhatAboutPie | July 06, 2012 at 06:49 PM
THey look lovely! Glad you found a tomato that works well. Hope you enjoy eating them and they taste as good as they look!
Posted by: leslie | July 08, 2012 at 05:58 AM
Do they taste as delicious as they look? Here in the NE my cherry tomatoes are starting to turn red. I must have done something right this year. Hope they will start selling the Early Annie variety out here next year. Partial to the name. cheers, annie
Posted by: Annie | July 09, 2012 at 08:28 AM