Skip to Content

Gardeners, foodies and cooks all crave the tender, rich, juicy tomatoes that their grandparents grew.  Heirloom varieties offer that taste memory, and it is the holy grail to grow your own.

Hybrid tomatoes are perhaps “easier” to grow as they are bred to be smooth, round, red orbs with no cracks or green shoulders, etc. If your goal is high yields, or longer storage and no unsightly attributes, then a hybrid variety might be for you. While they typically don’t have the old-fashioned taste qualities, there are some that are quite good.

This category covers the bases of growing, cooking and selecting the best plant for the intended use.

Tips for Growing Vegetables in Pots or Containers

For many people in urban settings, growing tomatoes and edible plants in pots is necessary due to space constraints (or lack of an area with 6 hours of direct sunlight). This video and post explains the 6 key requirements for growing food in containers or pots.  Jump to: Growing Vegetables in Pots | Choosing the …

Read More about Tips for Growing Vegetables in Pots or Containers

Using Grow Bags to Grow Tomatoes in Small Spaces

Grow bags for tomatoes are a good solution for urban gardeners that may not have a large garden plot. The main advantages of growing tomatoes in grow bags is they are porous (breathability), they are economical, and they can be moved around to the best growing location. This guide will help you determine the right …

Read More about Using Grow Bags to Grow Tomatoes in Small Spaces

Problems and Solutions for Leggy Tomato Plants

Are the tomato plants you started this spring looking a little… spindly? Sad? You’re probably dealing with leggy tomato seedlings, one of the most common issues when starting tomato seeds indoors. Leggy tomato seedlings can impact how successful the plants will be in the outdoor garden, but don’t worry: it’s usually fixable. Jump to: Why …

Read More about Problems and Solutions for Leggy Tomato Plants

When to Plant Tomatoes and Veggies using Nature’s Cues: Phenology

Old gardener stories are often based around a science called phenology. “Plant potatoes on Good Friday; prune trees on Presidents Day, and never plant anything during the full moon.” Homilies or science? Is there a reason phenology has existed for thousands of years, across the world, and more importantly, can we use it to help …

Read More about When to Plant Tomatoes and Veggies using Nature’s Cues: Phenology

LED vs Fluorescent Lights for Starting Seeds Indoors

There are very scientific, detailed studies available regarding indoor seed starting with LED lights. This post is a summary of my experience using both LED and fluorescent lights as grow lights for starting tomato and pepper seeds indoors.  Jump to: LED vs Fluorescent | Cost Comparison | LED Impact on Seedlings | Troubleshooting | Video …

Read More about LED vs Fluorescent Lights for Starting Seeds Indoors

Best Heirloom Tomato Varieties by Color

This is a summary of the flavor, growth performance and unique qualities of what I consider to be the best heirloom tomato varieties in each color category. I have been growing, tasting and testing heirloom tomatoes since 1997 and this guide is based on that cumulative experience. Jump to: Orange Varieties | Yellow | Black …

Read More about Best Heirloom Tomato Varieties by Color

Best Tomato Supports: Cages vs Staking vs Fencing

If you are wanting to get the most tomatoes from your plant, over the longest season, and ensure that they are the highest quality, you need to consider how you will trellis them. Tomatoes are vining plants and different trellis support systems offer different benefits. Find out the the pros and cons to each method …

Read More about Best Tomato Supports: Cages vs Staking vs Fencing