Gardening wierdness, packing, painting, etc.

[helwen]

It's true that tomatoes and potatoes are from the same family (the nightshade family), but....

...and while I've read about someone breeding a plant to do this on purpose...

...today I spotted a small tomato growing on one of my potato plants.

***

L went to the composting center with the old hay bales.

Much packing done today, mostly of yarn and fiber. L loaded the old large dining room table into the minivan, and also the newest (to us) loom. He also put some of the clothing boxes in, to stabilize the furniture. I filled in with boxes, bins and bags of stuff.

Tomorrow morning we'll make a trip up to the barn.

***
L has painted 3 walls with the final coat. Trim is completely painted on one of four walls, and mostly on two others. Room is looking more and more brighty and shiny new. Yay!

Comments

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

I found another site you might enjoy
http://www.downsizer.net/
A lot of misses, a lot of potential.

[kellan_the_tabby]

Your _what_ has a _what_ growing on it?

*boggles*

[fitzw.livejournal.com]

Have a look at what we found growing on one of the tomato plants:
http://fitzw.livejournal.com/37115.html

Poisonous "tomato"

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Okay, did a search online, and have found more info on this fruit.

Potato blossoms usually just blossom and blow away, but occasionally will produce a tomato-like fruit. Unlike the tomato however, it's poisonous.

The berry and the stems of potatoes are high in solanine, a poisonous alkaloid.

Also, the plant won't breed true from the seeds, so it really isn't useful at all.

So tomorrow, off it comes and into the compost -- should get all nice and broken down in there.

Re: Poisonous "tomato"

[kellan_the_tabby]

Things I never knew...thanks!

*still boggling*

Potato berries

[flouncytrouncy.livejournal.com]

That's odd, all my potatoes have always grown berries. Didn't realize it was so rare. Knew they were infertile and toxic. Chopped and sugared, they make good rat poison.

JMM

Re: Potato berries

[helwen.livejournal.com]

Yes, apparently since the flowers are kind of fragile, they get blown away a lot. Maybe your potatoes are in a more sheltered area? *very much not an expert*

Thanks for the info on possible use for them. Happily, we don't have a rat problem, but still good to know.