Suitably horrifying, that title? Well, it should be! There’s carnage out in my backyard; let me tell you.

Alas, all 20 or so of my tomato plants are dead. Last week, they fell victim to a tomato hornworm that ate about half of the plants. And there were 20 or so plants that were, on average, about eye high. Then, practically overnight, they were waist high. So those ugly worms did quite some damage before I found out about it and killed the little boogers.

For a while, I thought I’d have a late crop, but now I realize that the plants are in shock from losing so much plant mass. Well, I guess they’re in shock; they’re turning brown and black. The leaves are shriveled little husks that disintegrate when a soft wind blows upon them. 

At the very least, I know they’re dying. So regardless of what’s causing the brown and black withering, no tomato crop for me this year unless I go out an buy more plants.

I guess I really don’t have an excuse not to finish my quilt now. Sigh. Oh wait! I can do laundry…