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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.

Leggy Tomato Seedlings | What Should You Do?

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. Legginess can affect the health of the plants, but don’t worry: it’s fixable. Jump to: | Why Legginess Is Bad | Leggy Tomato Seedlings: Causes …

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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 …

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How to Get the Earliest Tomatoes: Heirloom or Hybrid

When I sell the tomato plants at the Farmers’ markets in early spring, customers are always curious about which tomato varieties are the earliest to produce and what they can do to hurry it along. Here are some tips that will lead to an early harvest of tomatoes, whether they be heirlooms or hybrids. Jump …

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How to Harden off Seedlings Before Transplanting Outside

Hardening off young tender plants so they can withstand the heat, wind, rain and cold swings of Spring is the most important thing you can do before transplanting seedlings in your garden, particularly if you started your plants indoors. Jump to: Step by Step for Transplanting Outdoors | Pro Tips | Troubleshooting | Video For …

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Growing Food in Pots for Decks, Patios or Balconies

For many people in urban settings, growing tomatoes and edible plants in pots is necessary due to space constraints (or lack of an aread with 6 hours of direct sunlight). This video and post explains the 6 key requirements for growing food in containers or pots.  Benefits of Growing Food in Pots As noted above, …

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