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.

Seed Swap in Berea

One Day Event For Gardeners at the Sustainable Mountain Agriculture Center, Berea, Ky
Some years ago a group of gardeners and others would gather at the SMAC for a weekend to share and discuss all aspects of gardening. One of the most enjoyable activities was being able to share/exchange many varieties of garden seed. This gathering now is a ONE Day event and will be held on October 3rd from 9:00 Am until 4:00 pm at the Sustainable Mountain Agriculture Center.just outside of Berea, Kentucky. Folks are encouraged to bring their own lunch, water, a folding chair and any seed you might be interested in sharing. This is a very informal time for meeting and making new friends and sharing a one on one conversation or participating in the group. So whether you are a new gardener or a seasoned gardener, there is so much to learn in an informal gathering such as this.

For information about and directions to the Sustainable Mountain Agriculture Center (Dr Bill Best's farm): www.heirlooms.org

Choptag Tomato Tasting

If you are anywhere near Cincinnati this Saturday, you must attend Choptag's annual tomato tasting. I'll be there with tomatoes!

Here's the information I received:


It’s time to start a new thread for the 8th annual CHOPTAG Taste Fest.It will be held on Saturday Aug 22nd starting at 1pm. It will be held at our usual location, Paxton Ramsey Park in the Loveland, Ohio area. (Eastern side of Cincinnati)http://www.miamitwp.org/recreation/parks/paxton/paxton.htmCome prepared to have a good time, share tomato stories, eat good food and enjoy some of the world’s best tomatoes.Remember, everyone is welcome, with or without tomatoes. Gary will have some spreads and others will have a variety of good eats.Looking forward to seeing everyone.Directions to the park:If you are coming from the North, Down I-75 or I-71 you’ll want to take I275 East to exit 54 (Wards Corner Rd). Using the CENTER lane turn LEFT off the exit. This will put you in the right hand lane on Wards Corner Rd. Turn RIGHT at the 1st street, Loveland-Miamiville Rd. Go about 7/10 of a mile and turn RIGHT on Price Rd. The park is at the top of the hill, about ½ mile, on the right. If your coming from the South up I-71/75 take I-275 North to exit 54 (Wards Corner Rd). Turn Right off the exit. Stay in the right hand lane. Turn RIGHT at the 1st street, Loveland-Miamiville Rd. Go about 7/10 of a mile and turn RIGHT on Price Rd. The park is at the top of the hill, about ½ mile, on the right. For those coming from Indiana on I74 use I-275 through Kentucky continuing to exit 54 (Wards Corner Rd). Turn Right off the exit. Stay in the right hand lane. Turn RIGHT at the 1st street, Loveland-Miamiville Rd. Go about 7/10 of a mile and turn RIGHT on Price Rd. The park is at the top of the hill, about ½ mile, on the right.

TN Agricultural Museum

A blue ribbon goes to the Tennessee Ellington Agricultural Museum in Nashville, TN. I enjoyed my visit there recently. The museum is housed in a renovated plantation barn, and filled with artifacts from a bygone era when farming was a way of life. Also on display are primitive log cabins and seasonal gardens. The vegetable garden features BRANDYWINE, RED FIG, and YELLOW PEAR tomatoes, Cherokee Trail of Tears beans, Civil War peanuts, Red Velvet okra, and other old vegetable varieties, along with many colorful annuals. Admission is free.

Max's Large Green

Very RARE tomato. This large evergreen tomato is an heirloom from Hardin County, Kentucky. Sweet and tangy fruits; skin turns amber when ripe, keeping their green shoulders. In the one pound range. Delightful fried. Very prolific! I am out of these seeds right now, but hope to have more soon.