The Joy (And Challenges) of Homegrown Tomatoes

Growing these delicious fruits (yes, fruits!) is surprisingly achievable, even for beginners.

Here in Fresno, with its warm, sunny climate, tomatoes thrive. Start by choosing your variety. Cherry tomatoes are perfect for snacking, while larger sliced tomatoes are ideal for sandwiches and salads. Heirloom varieties offer unique colors and flavors, but you should be prepared for slightly fussier plants.

Plant your seedlings after the last frost, usually around mid-April in Fresno. Amend your soil with compost for extra nutrients and plant your tomatoes in a sunny spot with good drainage. Water deeply and regularly, especially during hot spells.

As your plants grow, provide support with stakes or cages. Pinch off suckers, the small shoots that appear between the main stem and branches, to encourage the plant to focus its energy on producing fruit.

Keep an eye out for common tomato problems like blossom end rot (easily remedied by adding calcium to the soil) and early blight (treatable with fungicide).

With a little care, you'll be rewarded with an abundance of juicy tomatoes throughout the summer. Harvest them when they reach full color and enjoy the satisfaction of a delicious, homegrown meal.

Is Golf The Hardest Sport?

What makes golf so challenging? 

Isn’t it just some sport for old guys? 

Arguably, golf is harder than games like football, basketball, and soccer. Games like those named are all… physical. Your play style is traditionally based on your size and weight. Though no matter how big or small you are, you have the same goal as the guy you’re next to you.  

Golf is a game of skill; your success will be based on your work ethic and discipline. But just because golf is hard does not mean it isn’t fun. Despite the difficulty of mastering golf, it is a game which is fun for all skill levels.  

The rules of the game are very simple. Get the ball in the hole with as little strokes as possible. To hit the ball is very simple, but to continuously and consistently hit the ball where you would like to be incredibly challenging. It is to be believed that hitting a hole in one is statistically the hardest thing to do in sports.  

I strongly urge all of you to go “hit the links” with a few friends. It’s a great way to get outside and if you have a driver's license you can get a golf cart to use to get around.