I care too much.
I am in such humbled shock that they are growing , I check them everyday looking for proof.
As a card carrying arachnophobic, I am now thrilled when I see a spider spinning its web from tomato plant to tomato plant because spiders allegedly kill pests attracted to tomatoes.
This morning, when I actually smiled at a spider , I knew I had gone to a land far, far away.
After reading an online forum on protecting your tomato plants from pests, I went to every Dollar Tree I could to locate small, organza wedding favor bags.
Why?
So I could individually bag clusters of my tomatoes (while still growing on the vine) to protect them from pests my new spider friends haven’t killed.
At that point I took a deep, calming breath.
I asked myself if I would want to stand all day in 95 degree heat with an organza bag tied over my head and Spider Lady staring at me.
My answer?
No.
(at least for now…)
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Ooooh Laura,
ReplyDeleteLooks like you're ready for fried green tomatoes!
Just a few. I know you're waiting on them to turn red but battered up and fried the green ones are divine.Can you tell I just got back from NOLA, where everything is battered up and fried? I LOVE battered up and fried.
I so know what you mean about spiders. Imagine how thrilled I was to discover a tarantula in my garage just the other day. I was NOT a happy camper.
I think that's a barn spider. They are quite common and have a design on their belly that looks like a little face. I photographed one last year. Your tomatoes look as though they are doing quite well!
ReplyDeleteDi
The Blue Ridge Gal
I found the very first tiny green cherry tomato yesterday! I'm like you - THRILLED! There's nothing better than eating fresh tomatoes straight off the vine. No spiders yet, and now I need to go out and get little organza bags....
ReplyDeleteYour spider is doing such a great job, your tomatoes look wonderful! Bet you'll have enough to batter and fry some up before they ripen!! Yum!
ReplyDeleteNancy
You are too funny! I would freak out if I saw that spider hovering around my tomatoes! My tomato plants are growing little by little every day. I'm slightly obsessed with them too. I check on them way too often :)
ReplyDeleteWe call those garden spiders in our family. They are the coolest! Watch her bounce on her web when you come near!!
ReplyDeleteOMG! Summer tomatoes, there's nothing better...I like them straight off the vine while their still warm from the sunshine...and I say if that little garden spider (you should name her by the way) keeps the pests away let her stick around! have a great day~Robyn
ReplyDeleteLaura...Tomatoe Love!
ReplyDeleteThat's what got going on girl!!!
Your little spider is doing a great job...
those matoes should be county fair size in no time.
MMmmm, I can just taste them now.
Nothing beats a warm ripe matoe right off the vine.
xoxo~Kathy @
Sweet Up-North Mornings...
Too funny, Laura! I am just getting blooms on mine:) The blooms are so small that they don't even show up on pictures yet:) but I keep trying! One of these days, I am gonna get a teeeniney tomatoe and I just might wet my pants! Have a blessed day and enjoy this gorgeous day! HUGS!
ReplyDeleteOK...I'm waiting for your BOOK to come out. Your writings make me think of the late Erma Bombeck. A true humorist.
ReplyDeleteI can't handle spiders. Big, little, fat, thin, hairy, hairless, long, short, tall or tiny, I HAVE NO USE FOR THEM. And if they get into my house I scream first for Mr. AGPMan to come quick. If he isn't around I grab the broom and start whacking away.
I always win.
Glad your tomatoes are doing so well. But, if you insist on posting pictures of arachnids I might have to stop following you.
:)
xoRebecca
I didn't know spiders did that...maybe I might like them just a bit then! Come say hi :D
ReplyDeleteHa, you and me both. And I was so sad the other day because I was looking at one of the peppers the other day and moved it and it broke off.
ReplyDeleteDoes that spider leave a little zigzag design it its web? We have some that do that. I can tolerate them much better on the outside than on the inside.
Now you are seeing spiders with fresh eyes! I don't mind spiders at all - but I understand your unease with them. Maybe you can get to know each other better???
ReplyDeleteGood luck with you tomatoes!
xo
Claudia
MMMmmm...great looking tomatoes!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a very high tolerance for spiders either! I try never to kill a spider only contain and release- surely all spiders have SOME REDEEMING QUALITY.
But the average garden spider, I suppose is useful,...so it's ok!
Spiders have become my friends since I learned they eat scorpions! I don't have any tomato plants this year, but yours make me wish I had some growing. Nothing better than fresh tomatoes!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
We have no tomatoes yet, just some blooms. There is nothing that taste better than home grown tomatoes.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Sherry
Spiders creep me out too and I would have a hard time harvesting those tomotoes thinking about a spider hiding in the midst. I know I know they're good for the garden but still.......I've just now made peace with daddy long legs and I stepped on a wolf spider just last night in my bare feet. (the rain brings them in the house)Should have heard the squeeky little squeel that came out of my mouth. Creeped me out ~ I had to go wash my foot and then I slept in sandals. :)
ReplyDeleteKenda
I carry the same card as you. As much as I love gardening, I don't like surprises (including toads), but I suppose they are just doing their job. BTW, the spider was smiling back...
ReplyDeletexoxo
Jane
It is a garden spider and they are harmless. She will grow and grow, spin a silky purse and lay her eggs - then die. I love mine, especially when they make their home in a windowbox so I can watch them hourly. Try a slice of green tomato on your next hamburger.
ReplyDeleteThis appears to be a better year for tomatoes than last. Yours look great and you are too funny!
ReplyDeleteNice tomatoes and nice spider. They are great at eating problem bugs and prettier than a lot of spiders. Just ask it to move when you need to the tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow gardener, I understand completely! Last year I bought one tomato plant and it promptly died. This year I picked one up at Walmart and so far it is thriving. I've had about four ripe tomatoes for supper off of it. And I feel pride as I eat each one.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Oh, I had to laugh...smiling at a spider sounds like something I would do, too. I look outside every day to see if I detect any red coloring. :) Right now, I am having to figure out how to stake ... my stakes.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed looking at your wonderful blog and I'm glad you found mine. Look forward to more posts.
Those are some pretty healthy looking tomatoes - hope the pests stay away. I'm like you - don't care for those crawling things. :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend.
Laura those are beautiful tomatoes! I think I should move to Texas 'cause I haven't even planted mine yet. You make me laugh...smilin' at a spider!
ReplyDeletehugs
Organza wedding favour bags... hmmmm do I need them? I sound like you, or you sound like me! I go look every day too!! I also spray with dawn/water....
ReplyDeletenice post! and yes, I'm going for those bags!
Sandy
WOW! Your tomatoes look great. Keep on talking sweetly to them and I bet they will be yummy yummy when they're ripe!
ReplyDeleteOh Laura you are so funny! I can't believe you have tomatoes already!! I haven't even planted mine in the ground yet! I am hoping the next few days will be better weather to plant- it has still been down right chilly in the evenings still and tomatoes don't like chilly!
ReplyDeletethank you for not killing the spider! I love watching them spin their webs too!
When you start bagging up the spiders in organza bags, to protect them from the birds, then you have gone too far!
ReplyDeleteYou will be canning tomatoes before I even get my plants in the ground.
Hi Laura, I'm so jealous of your tomatoes. I haven't even gotten mine planted yet it's been so cold here. I'm just now getting my annual flowers in the ground.
ReplyDeleteYou asked about hosta, they do grow in the shade but if you plant them under trees, be sure that they will get watered either by the rain or by you. The don't do will under trees so dense the rain doesn't penetrate.
Marnie
I hate spiders but they do take care of other bugs. I do a spider dance when one gets on me. All I can think of now is fried green tomatos.
ReplyDeleteLaura, this is such a great post. I love your tomatoes.....so healthy looking.
ReplyDeleteI don't like spiders.....yuck! Have a wonderful weekend.
Barb ♥
aloha,
ReplyDeleteyou have a spring blooms coming out today, i love your tomato post
thanks for sharing it today
your tomatoes are beautiful. I just planted a couple on my deck. They're just a couple of leaves so far. Spiders do have their place... just not in my home :) We have those plug in things that you have on each floor of your home and we have no spiders inside!
ReplyDeletehttp://wheretheroadtakesus.blogspot.com/2010/05/fertilize-friday-new-beginnings.html
you should move across from me...then we could scare the neighbors together!!! haha..they all think I am a nut case for all the lengths I go to in order to try to protect my plants...I totally understand....but will NEVER smile at a spider!!! EVER. I run screaming for the bug spray!!
ReplyDeletethanks for flaunting with me this week!!!
This post made me smile, Laura... I too have always had such a fear and loathing of spiders, but we have one (and I mean a HUGE one) that has built the most unbelievable web on our front porch and catches every nighttime pest that flies anywhere near it. I saw her for the first time in the daylight and was panic stricken at first, but then I couldn't help but admire her beauty and the amazing acrobatic moves while she rebuilds her web from the last night's catches. Spiders are so fascinating and helpful, I've decided to tolerate them and even admire them (from afar) - as long as they stay out of my house! *LOL*
ReplyDeleteBy the way- your tomatoes are gorgeous- mine are just now blooming so I'm still a few weeks away from fresh tomatoes... I can't wait!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment... please come back for a visit anytime.
Oh, I always loved seeing that kind of spider when I lived in the South. They made beautiful webs. Is that called a "Miranda"? I don't know why I think that. Where's the close-up photo of her? Ha, ha.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting at the Old House in Texas the other day. I was intrigued to visit you because I think everything looks better with a coat of white spray paint.
Oh I love my tomatoes too! Yours are doing better than mine though. Love the pic of the spider! Enjoyed your blog!
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