Just over three months ago, we planted an orto, or vegetable garden, in our friend’s yard in Tuscany. https://blogginginitaly.com/2016/04/22/planting-an-orto/
We decided on zucchini, peppers, onions, and of course, tomatoes. And just to be sure our tomatoes would grow, we built cane trellises for them. No slouches here. Last April 22, the orto looked like this:
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Despite several spring hail storms, and thanks to the watchful coaxing of Fernanda and Carlo, the plants flourished in the fertile Tuscan soil. Each week, we anxiously awaited our photo progress reports.
Tomatoes and onions
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Peppers
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Carlo adding another row of cane
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And just three months later, here are some of the amazing fruits of our labor.
Large and small tomatoes over six feet tall!
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©Blogginginitaly.com
©Blogginginitaly.com
And bright zucchini blossoms loving the sunshine.
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©Blogginginitaly.com
The beautiful yard is also full of fruit trees, especially susine or plum trees, perfect for making marmellata di susine or plum jam.
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Needless to say, lots of serious picking going on these days…
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©Blogginginitaly.com
and of course, lots of delicious eating…
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©Blogginginitaly.com
and an assurance from our friends that there will still be much to pick and eat when we return.
Ciao,
Judy
Blogging In Italy 
Judy,
Beautiful and yummy!
New to your blog and love it!
We need to talk about an upcomomg trip, could u help out with plans on rental car and house in Cortona?
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Spectacular – you should be so proud! And at the very least you’ll have some excellent homemade tomato sauce the next time you’re there
The zucchini flowers look so good…
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I am quite proud of our work, and can’t wait to pick and eat!
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Excellent example of grower to market
The advantage of knowing everything that is in it or on it
Would like to duplicate your effort in the NW
Thanks for the update
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You definitely should plant a garden there…I’m sure it would be rewarding.
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Lovely produce. Last year we picked the last of Lapos tomatoes and made the mistake of picking an itty bitty red pepper. WOW! Look out for those!
Sending a pix to you of our best wishes to you and Len for this year’s fall trip.
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Meraviglioso! You’ve created my dream garden! Wish I were there to taste those delicious looking tomatoes!
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They do seem to love that soil!
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