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Explore this category for:

  1.  detailed how-to’s on planting, growing and harvesting heirloom tomatoes;
  2. distinguishing the flavors and colors of different varieties;
  3. freezing, drying and cooking with heirloom tomatoes.

Gardeners, foodies and cooks all crave the tender, rich, juicy tomatoes that their grandparents grew.  Heirloom tomato 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.

** Note: To help with tomato growing and cooking tips check out our facebook group where we share all things cooking and gardening that will help you grow your own food. Search facebook for this group. It is called “Growing (and Cooking) Your Own Food”.

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 …

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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 VarietiesYellowBlackStripedPinkRedRoma typesCherry types What to …

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Ukrainian Borscht with tomatoes and beets: (meatless)

Borscht is typically known as the Ukrainian soup made with beetroot as the main ingredient.  In some Eastern and Central European countries however, borscht is made with tomatoes as the main ingredient with beetroot as a secondary ingredient.  Apparently other non-beet varieties also exist (such as green borscht made with sorrel), but this recipe is …

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Best Tomato Supports: Cages vs Staking vs Fencing

Many people who are new to  growing heirloom tomatoes in the ground start with a tomato plant, a bag of fertilizer and a tomato “cage” purchased at a garden center.  Here are some alternatives to typical tomato cages that will result in more tomatoes, a longer season for tomatoes and higher quality tomatoes. This support …

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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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Tips to Harden off Tomato 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 Seedlings OutdoorsPro TipsTroubleshootingVideo For me, hardening off young plants …

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