Listen and find out about the new 'Old Time Tasty' Tomato

ALL ABOUT TOMATOES

Originating in South America and domesticated in and around Mexico , the Tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum was an integral part of the Aztec diet, and made its way to Europe with the Spanish explorers in the early 1500's. It was accepted in southern Europe , primarily Spain , Italy and France , and soon became a part of their culinary history.
   In northern cultures however, being a member of the Solanum family which includes Henbane, Mandrake and Deadly Nightshade, it was treated only as a poisonous ornamental. It carried this curse with it all the way back to North America with the early settlers, and it wasn't until the mid 1700's in England and the early 1800's in America that this fear was debunked and tomatoes began showing up on tables, in recipes, and in family gardens. Now, a little more than a century later and with hundreds of different varieties to choose from, few people can imagine the world's tables and cuisines without tomatoes! No ketchup, no pizza or spaghetti and meatballs, no slices on a sandwich or bite sized whole cherry tomatoes in a salad? Horrors! Not only do we love them, but we now find that they are really good for us too!

HEALTHFUL ASPECT OF TOMATOES
Tomatoes are an excellent source of lycopene, the major carotenoid contained in tomatoes that is responsible for the deep red color. Similar to beta-carotene, lycopene has been noted as a potent anti-oxidant which eliminates cancer-causing free radicals. Numerous studies have confirmed that people who consume increased amounts of tomato products experience marked reductions in cancer risk. A University of California at Davis survey also ranked the tomato as the single most important fruit or vegetable of western diets in terms of overall source of vitamins and minerals.

GROWING TOMATOES
Set out as transplants (like VIVA! Veggies!) after the danger of frost has passed. When planting, remove one or two sets of lower leaves from the stem and bury the entire stem up to the remaining leaves. Tomatoes will root along the entire stem creating a stronger more robust plant.

• Tomatoes are categorized as early, mid, or late-season as well as determinate or indeterminate. Determinate tomato plants grow to a certain height and then stop. Indeterminate tomato plants grow, flower, and set fruit throughout the entire growing season.

• Choose a garden site that receives full sun and has good soil drainage. Tomato plants can also be grown in containers using a sterile planting mix with good drainage.

• Tomatoes grown unstaked are usually planted 3-4 feet apart. Plants to be staked or caged are planted 2-3 feet apart. Stakes and cages should be set at planting time or soon after to minimize damage to the root system.

• In most situations plants only need to be fertilized when transplanting and once after fruit set has begun. A soluble starter fertilizer, high in phosphorus, is recommended. Use according to label directions.

• Deep but infrequent watering once established. Water when soil becomes dry down to 2" below soil surface.

Harvesting and Ripening: Tomatoes are at their finest when picked thoroughly ripe from the vine. If picked slightly unripe, they can be left on a kitchen counter or windowsill and they will still ripen perfectly. Never refrigerate tomatoes; it stops the ripening and dulls the flavor. At the end of the season when the plants have finished and there are still green tomatoes on the vine, pick them and enjoy “fried green tomatoes”, or wrap individual tomatoes in newspaper and store in a cool dark location checking on them frequently. Over a few weeks or so they will ripen into nice red tomatoes when the season is long over!