Blue Ribbon Tomatoes

A Rainbow of Tomatoes

2011-08-19T06:38:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-01-07T13:01:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-01-04T11:20:00.000-08:00

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

2010-08-26T17:32:00.000-07:00

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

2010-01-19T07:01:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-07T15:22:00.000-08:00

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

2009-12-17T15:38:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-01T16:40:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-20T17:53:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-18T07:39:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-12T12:29:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-05-24T13:06:00.001-07:00

A very special blue ribbon goes to Kentucky’s own Julie Maruskin for discovering and promoting local heirlooms. We can thank Julie for finding Rebecca Sebastian’s Bull Bag, Butler Skinner, and Depp’s Pink Firefly. She has also selected and improved a paste tomato that is now known as Maruskin’s Andes.
Julie also conducts classes in how to grow tomatoes, and grows out many varieties every year in her own garden. Last year she grew many oxheart and paste tomatoes, along with many others. This is what she reports about some of them:
"Paste/ Italian : tried Mike's Italian, Sarnowski Polish Plum, Lusignan's Special, Powers Heirloom, and Old Man (from Sylvia Davatz in Vermont thru SeedSavers). I grew Andes out again, of course, and I liked it and Lusignan's the best, although Powers was the most productive and the fruits kept longer. For oxhearts: Burland Burdette's Indian (did so poorly I couldn't save seed), Orange Strawberry (an accidental cross or mis-labeled seed, again thru SeedSavers), Verna Orange (first prize for orange oxhearts for me, as usual). Hartford was a big wonderful surprise, and I will definitely grow it again - great red oxheart, 12-18 oz. BiColor cherry was fun, but actually seemed to be disease prone - and I grew Carbon, which was very nice, just not as productive for me as I would have liked"
This is just a sampling from her tomato garden!
I want to give Julie a big THANK YOU for finding these three terrific tomato varieties for all of us, and I hope she keeps her eyes open for more treasures :).
Depp’s Pink Firefly (right)
Rebecca Sebastian’s Bull Bag (left)

BONANZA of Kentucky Heirlooms!

2009-04-19T16:52:00.000-07:00

Thieneman’s Herbs and Perennials of Louisville gets a Blue Ribbon for their selection of more than one hundred varieties of heirloom tomato plants. Tomato mentor Gary Millwood told me, "We are showcasing a large number of Kentucky Heirloom Tomato varieties, perhaps the largest number ever brought together at one time."
Heirloom Tomatoes, Peppers, and Eggplants will be available. April 24th (Friday) and 25th. Gary and I will be there on Friday to celebrate the start of the Tomato Season, along with tomatoaddict Terry and other online tomato fans. Come on down!
Nursery opens at 9:00 am on both days. The weather prediction is for "beautiful."
www.thienemans.com/
These photos were taken from their website.
9120 Blowing Tree Road - Louisville, KY
Off Hurstbourne Pkwy (map on website)

Seedsman Class Blue Ribbon

2009-01-24T11:33:00.000-08:00

Micki in Kansas gets a blue ribbon for her work in establishing her seed catalog, Skyfire Garden Seeds. The photos are two tomatoes Skyfire offers, Earl of Edgecomb and Adelia (top).

She writes: "I have a very, very small company - a labor of love rather than a large business - just one person (with my husband's help), working in my spare time after my regular job. I'm devoted to preserving heirloom vegetables and will continue to grow out as many as I can. I also enjoy communicating with other gardeners."

Micki also wrote to me: "I'm amazed at the sudden increase in catalog requests in the last week! I hope it is not just people growing food because of the economy, meaning that I hope people really check out how to grow plants, so they succeed."

Micki is also modest. Skyfire's print catalog is 14 newsprint pages, and has over 125 varieties of heirloom tomatoes, plus other vegetables, flowers, and herbs, PLUS several mouthwatering recipes for all your produce. You can download a full catalog and order online at:

http://www.skyfiregardenseeds.com/

Micki receives another blue ribbon in the Animals category for her promotion of guinea hogs, "a very rare breed of pig which are in danger of becoming extinct." Guinea hogs are much smaller than a full size production breed, making them ideal for the small homestead. To learn more about them:

http://www.guineahogs.com/

Tatiana receives TWO blue ribbons...

2009-01-08T17:07:00.000-08:00

Tatiana in British Columbia, SSE member BC KO T, clearly deserves not one but two blue ribbons. You can visit her site, Tatiana's TOMATObase at:

http://t-garden.homeip.net/mwiki/index.php/B.C_KO_T , where she maintains a list of over 300 varieties, with full descriptions and photos, history if known, with SSE references, as well as commercial sources! This has obviously been a labor of love for her, and a wonderful reference for all of us. Tatiana recently listed Blue Ribbon Tomatoes as a commercial source. You can see our own member page at:

http://t-garden.homeip.net/mwiki/index.php/Category:Maria_Stenger

Her second blue ribbon is for her own garden, very successful in the face of adversities that many of us would turn away from. The drainage was so poor, they first had to dig a drainage canal! Their season is so challenging that they grow most of their tomatoes "under plastic cover" and peppers and melons are grown in non-heated greenhouses so that they'll ripen. If that doesn't make you shiver, there's more. They had to install a high voltage electric fence around the garden to keep out, not only deer, but BEARS as well.

Way to go, Tatiana!

Best Holiday Greetings '08

2009-01-07T12:32:00.000-08:00

I received this postcard in the mail from Scott K. in Colorado, aka growbox13. It easily takes the blue ribbon in the category, since it's the only Christmas card I received with tomatoes on it. What a great idea! Scott noted: "I am definitely looking forward to growing Ky heirloom tomatoes this coming summer. Thanks :)"
Scott's card reads:
Mater Harvest 2008
Clockwise starting top left: Soon to be juicy Black Cherry, bowl of Sun Gold with a few Black Cherries, Rutgers in the making and a bowl of fresh picked Rutgers. In the center, a collection of Black from Tula, Sun Gold, Aunt Gertie's Gold and Black Cherry.
Happy holidays and many thanks to all the great tomato-heads out there. I really appreciate the heirloom tomato growing advice from so many and the generosity of the numerous seed traders out there.
Thank you and Happy Gardening!!

I hope this is the start of a new trend. Happy Tomato Day!

2009-01-07T10:16:00.000-08:00

Duane in Indiana aka Seymour_man, gets the blue ribbon for his entry in the category: Best Use of a Lawn. His set up would be perfect for renters as a temporary garden. With these bags, you really can take it with you.Duane says: "I tried the 10 gallon bags this year for the first time this year and are pretty heavy duty. I think I could get a least one more season out of them and maybe 2 more. They set up with the dirt in them pretty well and have drainage in them already. It was a good year for tomatoes. They were slow to ripen at first but came on strong. Most were over the top of the 8ft fence posts.No weeding, tilling, fewer diseases and less insect and animal damage. I don’t think they were as productive as in ground growing but I had plenty and some to give away.The front row were dwarfs and in 5 gal bags. The next rows were 10 gal bags.Pretty good growth for little more than a month of growing." I agree!

2009-01-05T15:50:00.000-08:00

Two More Photos

The sun is rising over my neighbor's barn, and the main trail entrance.

Welcome to the Farm

2009-01-05T15:28:00.000-08:00

Blue Ribbon Tomatoes specializes in Kentucky heirloom tomato seeds. We're located in a rural county in central Kentucky (zone 6), and actively search out newly discovered local heirlooms. Tomato varieties that have evolved here are the thoroughbreds of the tomato world. They tend to be large and sweet family jewels, grown for the simple reason that they taste good sliced on a plate.

Our growing season here is at least 160 days, with a limestone clay loam. In our county, tomatoes go into the ground on Derby Day, the first Saturday in May. Late summer can get really hot and dry, but with a little care, the plants come right through it, and some produce until October's first frost.

I use no chemicals in the garden. Permanent raised beds are kept covered with leaves, hay, and paper, with supplemental horse manure, and organic foliar sprays as needed: seaweed tea, colliodal silver, and molasses. The photos show two corners of the 1000 sqft vegetable garden, last July.

Herbs, annuals, berries, and other vegetables are included in a naturalistic style. The tomatoes are given proper spacing, and the rest is filled in by intuition. Earthworms, birds, snakes, toads, and butterflies are welcome residents.

Our farm is a 24 acre wildlife habitat on a windy hill. Walking paths wind around blackberries and raspberries, and the expanding orchard is an ongoing process.

Mary Moore Greasy Beans

2009-01-04T17:39:00.000-08:00

Most Delicate Bean

If your idea of green beans starts with the opening of a can, you probably don't want these beans. This is gourmet stuff here. They are no longer than 3" and the strings must be removed. You may never have eaten a bean this tender. I acquired seed to grow this variety from Dr Bill Best, Appalachian bean expert. This is a Kentucky heirloom greasy bean. Greasy beans are so called because they look shiny when cooked. Contrary to what we've all heard, Dr Best says that beans DO cross-pollinate. All the new bean varieties are tough, and if you plant these tender beans with tough ones, the seed will produce tough beans. Bean varieties should be spaced 1000' apart to insure against cross-pollination. So this was the only bean I grew this year, to honor my mother-in-law Mary Bachman. I ran out of these right away, but will grow more next year.

Graphic Designer of the Year '08

2008-12-20T08:43:00.000-08:00

Anyone who has seen the eye-catching appeal of Blue Ribbon’s catalog, booklet, and seed packets, will appreciate our next blue ribbon (with rosette) winner. Jody in KS takes the honor for her custom designs. Her prices are fair, and service unbeatable. If you’re in the market for business cards, check her out. http://www.businesscardsbyjody.com/
Jody also gets another ribbon for her garden. Her taste for tomatoes was stirred up from working with all those mouth-watering tomato mug shots. She says: " I had real good results with my 'container tomaters' and plan on sticking with them again next year. I like the way the water gets to down into the containers and doesn't just end up running off. I do know I need to space them further apart next year. Matt's Wild Cherry, Calf's Heart, and Amish Oxheart were so intertwined, I just let them do their thing all over the place instead of tying them up. Still did pretty good tho.
I had 7 containers, two plants in each. Can you find: Fireball, Green Zebra, Amish Oxheart, Banana Legs, Black Pear, Matt's Wild Cherry and Calf's Heart? (Squirrels broke off one of my Calf's Heart, so you'll see a few green ones in the pic, too, but they ripened up just fine). I think the yield was fantastic.
Basically, I used potting soil, a post in the center (broom handles), and a couple of inches of mulch on top. Side dressed with doses of seaweed tea and cow manure, and of course, water. Have decided next year, instead of the post in the middle, am going to use cages."

"Blue Ribbon" explanation

2008-12-18T13:59:00.000-08:00

Why the name Blue Ribbon? It seems like an odd choice for me, some crazy burst of enthusiasm in a moment of weirdness. Gardening is not a competitive sport, county fairs aside. For me, gardening is a form of active meditation, a commune with Nature, a solitary pursuit. The name was born in 2001, when I lived in a small town in south central Kentucky and entered the county fair. To my misfortune, I won three blue ribbons, and a bit of a swelled head. I have not entered a county fair since, but I do think I’ll do it again. It was FUN.
The ribbons were for: Best Large Red set of five, with "Abe Lincoln" which I’d bought as transplants; best salsa; and Biggest tomato, with Marlowe Charleston at 2 and a quarter lbs. That’s skimpy for a big tomato contest, but not so bad considering the fair was the week of July 4th. Maybe next year...

Why I Grow Tomatoes

2007-10-28T09:05:00.000-07:00

Imagine walking into a lush orchard. There are birds nesting above and around you. A gentle chirping sound floats in the air that says, "Welcome to our home."
You reach up into the branches of the nearest tree. It is hung with Christmas ornament fruit, in vivid colors: deep red, sunny yellow, neon orange. Rest one in the palm of your hand. Feel the weight of it, the sweet and tangy goodness of it. Know that it is a gift to you, perfectly wrapped, from Nature itself. It is a food and a medicine, but it is more to you in this moment.
With a firm and gentle grip, you snap the fruit from the tree. You will feel it in the sound. Snap.
In your hand it is fragile, perishable. It will feed you. It will purify you. It is a tomato.
And the beauty is that you do it over and over again, and the sound teaches you about the abundance of Nature. Fill your basket, and pick up another one. Snap. Snap. Take a picture.
Wander around the garden that is an orchard, and feel the growing things there. Brush up against the skunk marigolds. Startle baby bunnies in the carrots. Be startled by a snake moving across your path.
Sit down and listen to the birds some more. A butterfly dances by and lands close enough for you to talk to. Pull weeds out of the ground, and in your mind you are pulling the weeds out of your life. You are the co-creator; you get to say which plants are weeds.
The garden is an oasis, a place to go, a labor of love, an achievement, an empowerment, a sanctuary, a temple; yes, it is all of these things.