Backyard Summertime Nature in New Jersey. Deck Garden and Jersey Tomatoes.
For the last several years I have not been keeping a kitchen garden for a combination of reasons — mainly too many deer and too much work or photography related travel during the summer. This year I already used much of my vacation for my photography trips to Patagonia and then Central America so I am home this summer. I didn’t get the garden ready during the spring so didn’t expect to be doing any gardening again this summer. However, a few weeks ago one of my neighbors told me that he had excess tomato plants that he didn’t have room for. I decided to try to grow them on my deck (away from the deer) in some small high density self watering containers and self watering container soil (obtained, but not used several years ago from Gardener Supply Company). Yesterday I took images of some of the first tomato flowers, and some green tomatoes. As long as the critters stay away, I should have some fresh tomatoes soon. Although the containers are supposed to be “self watering” with the excess heat we have been going through, I have been watering each container with about 2 gallons of water each day.
Summer New Jersey Tomato Flower. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens plus TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with a SB-900 Flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS5.Summer New Jersey Tomato Flower. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens plus TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with a SB-900 Flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS5.Green Tomato Fruit. Summer New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens plus TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with a SB-900 Flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS5.Summer New Jersey Tomato Flower. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens plus TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with a SB-900 Flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS5.Green Tomato Fruit. Summer New Jersey. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 105 mm f/2.8 VR macro lens plus TC-E III 20 teleconverter (ISO 200, 210 mm, f/16, 1/60 sec) with a SB-900 Flash. Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS5.
Author: David Mathre
I am a scientist by training (Eckerd College, BSc; Caltech, Ph.D.). I worked for 27 years as a Chemist in the Pharmaceutical Industry developing processes to manufacture medicines for human and animal health. I now spend my time as a photographer and world traveler. My interests include the natural world, wildlife, landscapes, sky, and seascapes, travel, and astrophotography. I look for unique ways of viewing the world and presenting my images. I have traveled to over 55 countries in six continents, often on Semester at Sea voyages. While at home in New Jersey, I spend time on home renovation and expansion of a wildflower garden/meadow.
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