RIPE & READY GARDEN EXPERTS PLANT SEEDS OF KNOWLEDGE.Byline: Jennifer Errico Correspondent You say tomato. I say tom-ah-to. And when it comes to heirloom varieties, author and garden consultant Scott Daigre says Polish Linguisa. And Cherokee Purple Cherokee purple is the name of a cultivar of tomato, unusual for the deep purple/red hue of its fruit. It was one of the first of the "black" color group of tomatoes. It is also unusual in being extremely popular for the sake of its flavor, instead of only its unusual color. . And that's just the beginning. Daigre, owner of his own garden design business and author of ``Tomatomania! How to Grow Tomatoes Successfully in Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, ,'' knows tomatoes. And he says each heirloom variety has its own story and unique characteristics. ``It's like going to the flea market See computer flea market. flea market yard sale of used items at low prices. [Pop. Culture: Misc.] See : Inexpensiveness to shop,'' said Daigre, who will be at CSUN CSUN California State University Northridge Botanic Garden a garden devoted to the culture of plants collected for the purpose of illustrating the science of botany. See also: Botanic in Northridge March 18 to discuss how to grow tomatoes. ``You can amaze your friends and impress your associates with what you have found.'' Heirlooms are the talk of the garden and full of surprises, Daigre says. They can be unexpectedly striped in red or green and spicy instead of sweet. The rare Yellow Stuffer has fruits shaped like bell peppers. The Black Krim is named for its deep, dark skin. The Aunt Ruby's German Green is just like it sounds - a green tomato. How do they differ from your standard tomato? There are several ways the fruit can be classified as an heirloom. By definition, tomato heirlooms are open-pollinated and bred using classic practices. Open-pollinated varieties have been grown and selected for their desirable traits. These tomatoes are often older varieties. ``The concept is that as tomatoes were distributed around the world, they found things to adapt to different gardens,'' said Brian Houck, manager of the CSUN Botanic Garden. ``In Siberia, you would have a tomato that could grow in the cold; in Hawaii, one that could handle bacteria in the soil and the climate. We now have hundreds if not thousands to choose from.'' This doesn't mean that there are no new heirlooms. Sometimes there are new varieties found, and sometimes new heirlooms are bred. ``One time, someone sent us some heirloom seeds they found in a coffee can in their grandfather's garage,'' said Tracy Lee, seed purchasing and product development manager for the Burpee
The burpee is a calisthenic exercise performed to increase strength and explosiveness. seed company. Tomatoes are always popular plants - they are Burpee's No. 1 seller - and heirlooms are gaining ground. New varieties are created by crossing two plants - often two heirlooms, but sometimes an heirloom and a hybrid - and by dehybridizing the resulting seeds for however many years it takes to achieve the characteristics desired, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. heirloom tomato An heirloom tomato is an open-pollinated (non-hybrid) cultivar of tomato. Heirloom tomatoes have become increasingly popular and more readily available in recent years. Requirements The definition of the use of the word heirloom to describe plants is highly debated. experts Craig LeHoullier and Carolyn Male Carolyn Male is a member of the Queensland State Parliament. She represents the seat of Glasshouse and is the Government Whip. References . For instance, Burpee recently improved the Red Zebra variety, which is known for its striping Interleaving or multiplexing data to increase speed. See disk striping. striping - data striping . ``We noticed that the pattern on the Red Zebra was fading, so we used breeding to create one that had the distinct pattern the plant is known for,'' Lee said. As beautiful as they are, heirlooms are also bred for their great taste and can often be found at local independent nurseries. Noir de Crimee has a spicy flavor with a smoky overtone overtone In acoustics, a faint higher tone contained within almost any musical tone. A body producing a musical pitch—such as a taut string or a column of air within the tubular body of a wind instrument—vibrates not only as a unit but simultaneously also in , Bloody Butcher has a rich flavor, and Tomande is fleshy fleshy (flesh´e) 1. pertaining to or resembling flesh. 2. characterized by abundant flesh. and juicy. Daigre said his favorite heirloom is the Polish Linguisa - a meaty tomato good for saucing or drying, and good enough to eat right from the garden. One of Houck's favorite heirlooms is the original - and difficult-to-find - wild cherry wild cherry, n Latin names: Prunus virginiana, Prunus serotina; part used: bark; uses: coughs, colds, respiratory ailments, diarrhea, astringent, bronchial sedative, possible anticancer agent; precautions: pregnancy, lactation, children; may from Mexico. ``It's about the size of a marble but has more flavor packed into it than any other,'' he said. ``They don't make it into the house.'' 5 tips for growing tomatoes 1. Plant in full sun. 2. Plant in a new place every year. 3. Water deeply and in the morning. 4. Plant in organic material. 5. Stake plants to keep them off the ground. Tomatomania! events March 24-26: Tapia Brothers Farm Stand, Encino. April 2: Party on La Cienega, Beverly Hills. May 6-7: L.A. County Arboretum arboretum: see botanical garden. arboretum Place where trees, shrubs, and sometimes herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes. An arboretum may be a collection in its own right or a part of a botanical garden. and Botanic Garden, Arcadia. Information: www.tomatomania.com Popular heirloom varieties Big Rainbow - Large yellow fruit with mild, sweet flavor. Cherokee Purple - Has a black or deep dusky rose color. Tomato Mortgage Lifter - Huge heirloom beefsteak. Tomato Yellow Pear - Yellow, bite-size tangy fruits. Tomato Black Krim - Medium-size, very dark maroon beefsteak, with rich flavor. - Burpee.com TOMATOMANIA! What: Garden consultant Scott Daigre discusses all things tomato. Heirloom tomatoes will be available for purchase. When: 11 a.m. March 18. Where: CSUN Botanic Garden, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Reservations: Free, but required; call (818) 677-3496. CAPTION(S): 7 photos, 3 boxes Photo: (1 -- cover -- color) You say tomato... AND DELICIOUS HEIRLOOMS COME TO MIND (2 -- color) CSUN Botanic Garden manager Brian Houck displays a flat of Garden Peach variety heirloom tomatoes. ``The concept (of heirlooms) is that as tomatoes were distributed around the world, they found things to adapt to different gardens,'' he says. (3 -- 5 -- color) At left, volunteer Helen de Gyarfas, front, and horticulturist Brenda Kanno attach labels to tomato seedlings in the CSUN greenhouse, where more than 50 varieties are grown. David Sprague/Staff Photographer (6 -- 7 -- color) Heirloom tomatoes - including Black Pearl, left, and Brandy Boy, below - are bred for flavor, stamina and coloring. Courtesy Burpee Box: (1) 5 tips for growing tomatoes (see text) (2) Tomatomania! events (see text) (3) Popular heirloom varieties (see text) |
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