I stepped onto my screen porch yesterday just in time to see a chipmunk scamper down the stem of one of my tomato plants with a plump cherry tomato in his little mitts. Then he sat in front of the screen door and spun it around while taking bites of it like it was a tiny cob of corn. Last year that would’ve made my blood boil, but this year I stayed a step ahead of the little thieves.
The moment any of my tomatoes show signs of color, I pick them and let them ripen on the windowsill instead. I also left one determinate plant as fair game, but the chipmunks won’t eat any fruits on that one because somehow they know I’m okay with it.
This is the first time they’ve ever eaten cherry tomatoes on the vine. I’m guessing it’s because I keep making the full size tomatoes disappear!
Thankfully there are plenty of cherry tomatoes for everyone.