I’ve given up
Posted: August 10, 2020 Filed under: Uncategorized 42 CommentsI’ve given up on growing tomatoes. I can’t compete with the squirrels and chipmunks. I was destroyed this morning when I found this almost-ripe very fat heirloom tomato knocked to the ground and partially eaten. I’ve watched this beauty grow and ripen all summer. I had big plans for it. And while the squirrel watched from his perch on a fence, and to torture myself even more, I weighed it after I found it this morning. One pound, two ounces. Probably would have been one pound three if you count what the squirrel ate.
So that’s it for me and growing tomatoes. That’s why this sketch is my form of a note to self: Leave it to the farmers next year and stick to sketching.
Shari Blaukopf's Sketchbook 
Oh I know this feeling well. My heart goes out to you, Shari. 😕
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Thanks Gail!
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Oh, yes. There are probably a lot of us that can relate to this one!…. My husband, who is our tomato grower, was especially interested to see your painting this time! He keeps a slingshot on the back deck take out his frustrations on the squirrels! Fantastic rendering of a partially eater Heirloom tomato!!… We feel your pain…..
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Thanks Jane. I hope you have better luck than me!
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I know this, too. I worked with a farmer who told me he tied his tomatoes in his wife’s panty hose to keep the birds/squirrels/chipmunks away. Who wears panty hose anymore???
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That’s funny. I certainly don’t wear pantyhose anymore! What does he do? Does he use them as a form of netting?
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He does. He wraps his tomatoes in them to protect them from birds and squirrels. The tomatoes grow but no one gets to them but the farmer. I have never tried this…..
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I live in an apartment setting. Couple of years ago i planted tomatoes. The first one came up and before i could harvest it, the neighbors grandson grabbed it. He got in trouble, yet i wont plant again to protect my privacy.
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Oh no! So sorry to hear this! Thanks for writing Cathy.
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if it’s any solace, my friend slaved as long as you have but couldn’t even get starts … she says getting red & green peppers much easier.
loved the painting
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I have lots of starts and we have even a few of the small ones, but I was really waiting for this big one!!
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Such a timely post! Finally conquered the birds eating my tomatoes with netting only to spend the last few days picking off hornworms and stink bugs. Feeling defeated-again, as this happens each year, but I’m quite certain I’ll plant again next year. There’s no food more luscious that a warm fresh tomato! Enjoying your lovely watercolors!
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Tammy, you are undaunted! I don’t think I will do this again but maybe by next year I’ll change my mind! Thanks for writing.
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I feel your pain, Shari. I gave up a long time ago fighting nature. 😌
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I am at that point too Linda!!
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But at least you haven’t given up sketching!!!!! When I first read the title in your email notification…I became concerned….until I read the the complete article! One can always find tomatoes at the grocers or vegetable stands….but great artwork such as yours is a much rarer feast!
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Ah Gayle, you are so kind. No, I am not giving up sketching nor my blog. Makes me too happy. But the tomatoes will now come from the farmer…
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It’s a lovely sketch, Shari! I’m sorry about your beautiful heirloom tomato! I didn’t know that squirrels ate tomatoes. Maybe ours are safe because the squirrels are busy filling themselves on our pears. They leave the partially uneaten ones along the fence, as trophies, I think.
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HI Vicky. It’s so nice to hear from you. I hope your Portland summer is nice! I was supposed to be there just about now : (
As for the tomatoes, I am happy you have pears as a diversion. Hopefully you have enough for you and the squirrels.
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The rats ate all mine last year just when they were perfectly ripe but this year they have left them alone. They went after the plums instead. 😱🤬🤯
cemeryposh@gmail.com http://www.corneliaemery.com
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There’s always something!!
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That’s quite painful.
I gardened at rental apartments for twenty years before I had my own yard (where squirrels raided my tomatoes, yes). I had neighbors dig entire plants up and put them in front of their apartments; human marauders who picked tomatoes and peppers when they got ripe; landscaping crew that sprayed herbicide around the vegetable patch; rental managers who came and went and were more, or less, sympathetic to our efforts at a community garden plot. Then when I finally got my own place, there were the squirrels. I did finally determine that one thing that helped (somewhat) was to leave lots of water available in bowls here and there. Often the birds and squirrels that bite tomatoes and other fruit are just looking for a source of hydration when it hasn’t rained in a while.
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PS That was a beautiful tomato.
Here’s hoping that Ferme Tournesol or another favorite farm can fill in the gap somewhat.
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Betsy, I had never thought of water for the squirrels. I have four birdbaths but they are mostly too high for the squirrels to reach. I will certainly try that.
As for you, you have also had your share of troubles trying to garden.
I just heard that at a local high school garden in my neighbourhood, someone stole 120 heads of garlic that were ready to harvest. A local teacher had created this garden with her students. She was so upset when she arrived at the school and all the garlic was gone.
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Ugh, what a shame! Those poor kids!
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I can relate to your pain – every year the fruit bats would come and raid our mango tree and we would find their left-overs on the ground…..Marylin Smith (Queensland, Australia)
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I love mangoes. That would destroy me too!! Thanks for writing Marylin!
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Nice Tomatoe painting, too bad the squirrels are eating them.
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I know!
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Maybe a notice saying ‘No squirrels or chipmunks please’?😉
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Perhaps hand-lettered in nice calligraphy for them too??
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I don’t think I have ever had a squirrel eat a tomato. And I have lots of squirrels. My yard is really too shady for tomato plants. By the time they begin to ripen its getting cooler at night and they don’t do well. And I begin them as plants from a nursery. I have a cherry tomato plant in a pot this year…I can move it to sunny spots…It’s doing ok.
I would try caging your tomato plants…especially if you can cage them with a rather tight weave cage. Good luck with the rest of your tomatoes!!
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Thanks Laura. I think cages or netting would be the answer. Or simply give up and grow cherry tomatoes only.
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Oh nooooo! All those plans and dreams…. your beautiful tomato.
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I know!! A big greek salad. Or tomato and burrata. Or a sandwich on really great bread with only mayo and salt and pepper to keep my tomato company…
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That’s so disappointing! After that happened to me I bought light netting that I put over the tomato plant. It worked and we have really smart (and mischievous) squirrels here in the South!
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I have heard that suggestion from so many people. If I forget my pledge not to plant tomatoes next year, I will definitely get netting or cages. Thanks for writing Nancy.
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I absolutely Love your art. And, by the way my tomatoes are almost as beautiful. Your blog always inspires.
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thank you so much!!
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Hah-hah Shari! The same here. We planted one beefsteak plant and it has grown to over 7 feet and every day Guy would go and check the beautiful, still green tomatoes — we had 8… and one morning, they were all bloody gone!!! We were crushed — some animal had stoken our tomatoes — hah-hah!!!
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Squirrels tend to make a feast of what is in the gardens. I wouldn’t mind so much if they actually took something and at the whole thing. But why take a bite and then leave it ruined? At least you got a great sketch out of it.
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Good Evening dear friend Shari,
Though I am late to request, still:
Please, don’t stop growing tomatoes.
Let those poor fellows enjoy the product from your hard work.
They are also like us and these fellows are cute too.
They too can be a subject for your art.
Please.
Blessings
Uma
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