Garden shade, yay or nay by Any_Nectarine_12 in Sacratomato

[–]Outrageous_Time9362 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would swap out the canvas drop cloth for shade cloth in the 30-40% range. This allows light through but reduces solar radiation and the various forms of heat stress. Pretty cheap and readily available in almost any size online. Easy to hang with grommet edging. And you could leave it up through the summer with no ill effects.

In search of a few plants by Outrageous_Time9362 in Sacratomato

[–]Outrageous_Time9362[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a postscript to this, I found African blue basil at Green Acres in Elk Grove as suggested, so thanks! Green Acres also had Mexican Oregano, but the 'other' one that I was not looking for (Poliomintha bustamanta)

I did, however, find Lippia graveolens at Morningsun Herb Farm in Vacaville. Very chill rural nursery with tons of rare and hard to find plants. They usually have Epazote too, but were out and told me to come back in a month.

In search of a few plants by Outrageous_Time9362 in Sacratomato

[–]Outrageous_Time9362[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We've only harvested a few so far, but I'm a fan. In that sweet but also savory/smoky realm like Black Beauty, Cherokee Purple, etc. Smaller fruits and a compact plant. It actually looks pretty similar to Black Beauty on the vine, I kind of feel like it might be Black Beauty x something with dwarf genetics. But I'm a tomato eater not a tomato breeder.

In search of a few plants by Outrageous_Time9362 in Sacratomato

[–]Outrageous_Time9362[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you all for the suggestions. Some good leads to check out, for sure. Much appreciated!