A Rainbow of Tomatoes

A blue ribbon goes out to Vernon, who sent these beautiful photos of his harvest. He grew 50 plants this year and says, "I have picked a 5 gallon bucket of tomatoes every day this week. Been freezing, making chili and salsa and taking them to work." A few of his favorites are Lumpy Red, Frank's Large Red, and Grandfather Ashlock, but more reds, pinks and purples are just ripening now. He is also saving seeds for next year.

Congratulations on your ribbon and harvest, Vernon - you have earned them!

Best use of Space!

A blue ribbon goes to Adam, a science teacher in Georgia, for his well planned side yard garden. Adam says, "I had great sucess from many of the varieties, and my students really enjoyed getting to start the plants in the classroom! Here are a few pictures of the tomato plants (ALL grown from Blue Ribbon seeds).... The garden was laid out as a "maze" to make it more fun for my kids, also to try to maximize the space I have."

Adam handwatered, and used soil with wood chips, and plans to try more mulch this year. Favorite varieties were Black Master, Coyote, and Champagne cherry.

This garden is proof that a lot of vegetables can be grown in yard space that would otherwise be unused -- and it's fun too!

A Regional Winner!

A blue ribbon goes to Joanna at Aravaipa Heirlooms

*** http://www.aravaipa.com/ ***

Offering organic heirloom vegetable plants... endangered, local, and desert-adapted varieties. Plants are available at Tucson, Arizona area farmer's markets and events.

Aravaipa is growing Taos tomato, a very rare tomato specifically adapted to heat and low humidity. Taos is a "slightly flattened globe, 6-8 oz. Red. Flavorful, sweet, zesty, moderately acidic. Good canner, juicer, slicer, or salad tomato." Indeterminate, regular leaf.

And very pretty too.

Rebecca Sebastian's Bull Bag

A blue ribbon goes to Lou for this gorgeous Rebecca Sebastian's Bull Bag. Tomatoes this large aren't usually pretty too! Lou says: "It's been an amazing summer in New England this year! Thanks for keeping this outstanding variety alive."

Thank YOU for growing it Lou, and for sharing this beauty.

Austrian Tomatoes

Bettina in Austria receives a blue ribbon for all her tomato experience. She sent this lovely collage of some of the varieties she's grown. She says:"I am quite sure that there are only a few people in Austria who have Kentucky heirloom seeds. And that’s why I’m really proud of it. Meantime I have collected around 1200 different tomato varieties and I know that’s still not enough!"

Can it ever be ENOUGH tomatoes? I don't think so!

Northern California Tomato Report

A blue ribbon goes to the Anderson family for their successful tomato garden. Calvin sent me his report: "We had a pretty good year growing in 2009. The Cherokee Purple, Matt's wild cherry, Black Cherry and Smoky Mountain Red all grew very well. These varieties appear to be well suited to Northern California."

A job well done!

Daisies in the Family

A blue ribbon goes to Karen Golden for her beautiful perennials. The Shasta daisies she grows have been in her family for 70 years. Now that's a real heirloom! Karen also grows and sells tomato plants. An enthusiastic seed saver and trader, she maintains an impressive collection of tomato varieties to trade on gardenweb.com. Karen says "I saved enough seed of each variety to feed a small country! LOL"

Food for both body and soul.