We also like stories about the seeds that have left our warehouse and have gone out into the hands and gardens of our customers. When this photo of the Pink Brandywine came across my desk, I was astonished at how much it looked so much like the one on our 2011 catalog cover, also depicted in the photograph sent in by a customer. I went searching for the story that would go with it.

Kirby and Dee Stafford of Brooksville, Florida, are dedicated backyard gardeners that grow plants in raised beds and a few 40-feet rows along the fence lines. That is impressive coming from someone who says, “Our garden size is limited to our hectic work schedules, and lots of deer/rabbits.”

The Staffords garden because they get a lot of satisfaction when they grow, cook, eat, and share the products of their garden. They both grew up with families who had gardens, and they remember that the best meals had fresh veggies in them. They also recognize that gardening helps them save on grocery bills and keeps them active as they get a bit older. When asked for their favorite tomato recipe, Dee answered, “Nothing beats a fresh tomato sandwich! White bread, Dukes Mayo, salt, pepper, and a fresh piece of lettuce! UMMM!”

Dee and Kirby turned to Baker Creek Seeds a couple of years ago when they read an article in their local newspaper about the “absolutely dysfunctional” tomato-growing business in Florida: poor soil being pumped with chemical fertilizers, gassing to create color, etc. The author of the article recommended Baker Creek Seeds as a real alternative source for Floridians who wanted to grow tomatoes the old-fashioned way and get a better product. The Staffords promptly went online, ordered a catalog, and the accompanying photo is the result of their first test of Baker Creek seeds.

The Staffords normally grow two or three varieties of tomatoes, always including at least one cherry tomato plant. In fact, they share their favorite gardening story that involves cherry tomatoes: “About 10 years ago, we planted a 10-feet by 20-feet stand of cherry tomatoes—fortifying the soil with donkey manure—and these plants just took off! By the time they finally quit producing, they were over 10 feet tall. The only thing that was unusual was that these particular plants seemed to not have any tomatoes for the first three or four feet of growth. We chalked it up to the fact that they were so tall, and so healthy, all the blooms were high up. Besides, we were getting hundreds of tomatoes, so it wasn’t a ‘problem.’ Then one day, looking out our window, we discovered why this was happening. Our dog, a 100-pound Labrador retriever, was weaving her way around the plants, gracefully pulling off all the red, ripe cherries she could reach! Following behind her was our German shepherd, getting the ones she would reach! Mystery solved!”

Kirby and Dee Stafford are typical examples of gardeners who use Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and have a story to tell. We appreciate their sharing their story.

Kathy McFarland is a Baker Creek employee and a life-long gardener.

Now that we truly are into our busiest season of the year, we are working long days to fill the many hundreds to thousands of orders that come in daily and get them out to our customers as quickly as possible. In fact, our goal is to fill orders the same day received, and we can usually accomplish that. Here is a little insight into the process of filling a seed order at Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company.

First of all, we have two warehouses, both managed by Chris. The first is where the seeds are extracted, sorted, and processed during our harvest season. It is also where we receive seeds from our contracted growers. Chris’s competent staff packs the seeds into their respective packets, either by hand or with our one seed packing machine. We now have about 85 percent of our seeds packed into colorful custom packets, with only a few still being placed into generic seed envelopes. Once the seeds are packed for sale, they are either stored in the second warehouse till they are needed or are taken immediately to the seed store where they are sold directly to walk-in customers or pulled to fill orders.

The order-processing part of the procedure begins with our customer service department. Headed by Lisa, this fine group of employees does more than just answer the telephones. Though the bulk of our orders are computer-generated and are electronically transmitted to the system for printing, we still have a surprising number of folks who prefer to send orders via postal mail. Lisa’s team inputs all of the mail orders into the computer system. They do that in the rare slow moments that they have between answering the phones to take orders, dispense growing advice, or to deal with a multitude of customer needs and requests.

Orders are then printed and filled by Angie’s floor crew. Our order fulfillment process requires a triple check for quality. Each order is first checked for accuracy of billing vs. shipping address and any special request notes by the customer before being filled. The “picker” then marks off each invoice item as he/she pulls the packet(s) from the shelf. Once the seeds are picked, a “checker” double checks to affirm that the quantity and variety of all packs is correct before sending the filled (but still unclosed) orders to the shipping department.

Danielle and her shippers take a final look at the filled orders. While they don’t verify each seed packet enclosed, they do look for special circumstances such as any refunds that are owed, invoices that need to be sent separately from the billing address, and any special shipping instructions from the customer. They take great care to bubble wrap books that are ordered and to secure the packages for transit. They are responsible for enclosing the invoice, sealing the packages, and printing shipping labels.

Seed orders under 14 ounces are put into padded envelopes and mailed first class. The USPS requires anything over 13 ounces to mailed Priority. Danielle’s crew determines if those Priority orders are better packaged in the bubble mailers, USPS Priority boxes, or in some cases for very large orders—packed in boxes and shipped by FedEx. Our domestic shipping fees are very simple. We charge the customer one price: $3.50! In most cases that is a real bargain because the very least that we can ship a priority package is $4.95, and we ship a lot of packages over 13 ounces! Shipping costs for international orders are automatically calculated by the on-line ordering system.

Finally, our huge canvas mail carts are filled with mailer envelopes and boxes. We have four daily scheduled package pickups during the busy season The USPS regular mail route carrier brings the daily mail from the post office and picks up the regular out-going mail. Toward the end of the day, the contracted USPS truck comes to pick up our multiple carts of packages. The FedEx ground driver comes around noon to pick up the packages being shipped by that company, while the FedEx Express driver comes in the later afternoon to pick any express packages. In addition, we occasionally have packages for the UPS driver to pick up.

In most cases, this entire process is completed during the course of one day—barring snow or ice storms, electric or electronic outages, postal holidays, or other unforeseen circumstances—and our customers get their seeds in a timely manner.

Kathy McFarland is a Baker Creek employee and a life-long gardener.

While the 2011 calendar year may be winding down, the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company is gearing up for a busy 2012. With the holiday season upon us, we have some great gift ideas for the gardening enthusiasts on your list.

No one will be able to resist keeping track of important dates with our beautiful 2012 Calendar featuring the glories of traditional varieties of vegetables, fruits and flowers in pastels by artist Ginger Irwin. Dates for all of the 2012 Baker Creek, Seed Bank, Comstock festivals are noted, as well as the traditional and garden holidays. Its large 12X12-inch size makes the monthly artwork with garden-related quotations suitable for framing. Electronic date organizers have little appeal in comparison to the Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Calendar. Order yours today. Only $9.95.

Sit back and enjoy a nice cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate while indulging in our 2012 Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Catalog filled with more than 1,300 varieties of pure non-GMO seeds. What better way to enjoy the warm beverage than to drink it from our collectible 12-ounce mug decorated with an original print by Ginger Irwin of Petaluma, California. The mug also has “Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds” on one side, and “rareseeds.com” on the other. Another great gift idea. $9.95. Pair it up with our 2012 heirloom art calendar.

As much of our population continues to move in the direction of synthetics, you still have the option of giving a gift of clothing that is organic. Check out our 100% Pre-shrunk Organic Cotton Shirt with an original tomato print on the back by Ginger Irwin. Who wouldn’t want to sport our cool shirt in the garden, farmer’s market or simply at home checking dates on our Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Calendar. Available in a variety of sizes. $16.95.

Few gifts are better than the gift of words. Any enthusiastic gardener would be delighted to receive a signed copy of The Heirloom Life Gardener By Baker Cree Heirloom Seed Company co-owners Jere and Emilee Gettle. Its down home, narrative style makes it a joy to read about the Gettles’ passion for growing pure food and preserving pure seeds, as well as practical tips for organic gardening. Order a signed copy of their first book just published in October and receive a FREE one-year subscription to our quarterly magazine, Heirloom Gardener. A real bargain when you can get two gifts for the one price of $29.95. Add a Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Calendar filled with heirloom art to your order for an additional $9.95.

Check out our catalog for heirloom seeds, additional books, tools, and more. Happy shopping!

All these floral treasures should be planted after summer heat wanes; planting can continue right up until the ground freezes, or through December in the mildest climates.

The method is pretty much the same no matter which spring-flowering variety strikes your fancy. They all favor a rich, well-drained garden soil. Before planting, work up the bed, breaking up any persistent clods of earth and removing large rocks. A thin layer of compost and a sprinkle of bone meal or phosphate rock is all the amendment needed if you start with ordinary garden soil. Work the soil as deeply as possible, because to do their best, bulbs need surprisingly deep planting.

Planting methods vary according to the gardener’s preference. For a few bulbs, a trowel or gardening knife is used to remove soil, to create a deep but not necessarily wide hole to receive the bulb. Once the hole is made, all that remains is to insert the bulb and cover with loose soil. Be sure to plant your bulbs right side up! Most have a flat plate or depression on the bottom or root end, and a point on the top end, where the new leaves will emerge in spring. After a few weeks in cool soil, the bulbs begin to grow the roots that will support next year’s plant, so allow at least 2-3 inches of loose, enriched soil below the bulb when planting, since the roots will mostly grow down, not upward.

For larger plantings, use a dibble instead of a trowel. This is a tool, cone-shaped and open at both ends, that you plunge into loose soil and then pull back out. The shape of the tool allows it to “grab” the soil in its path, which stays inside the dibble when it is pulled up. This leaves a neat hole the right size and depth to receive the new bulb. Place the bulb into the hole, nestle it into the loose soil, and then knock the extracted soil out of the dibble and into the hole.

Remember to plant the bulbs deeply enough. Typically they should be buried from 2 to 4 times their diameter. So a two inch bulb goes 4 to 8 inches deep. And do firm the soil over them when planting is done, and cover the bed or row with mulch to deter weeds and prevent freezing and thawing from “heaving” the bulbs out of the soil, which could otherwise be a problem where soil does not stay frozen all winter.

Gardeners often plant larger-flowered types, like tulips and daffodils, in straight rows along sidewalks or in front of the house. Such formal planting has its place, but tulips lined up like soldiers often look incongruous in today’s informal gardens. A better approach is to distribute the bulbs randomly within a bed, giving a more natural appearance. An easy way to accomplish this is simply to gently toss or dump the bulbs onto the soft, freshly worked soil, and plant the bulbs where they land. Daffodils are especially convincing in a naturalistic planting, and crocus may be planted this way right into an existing lawn, so long as compacted soil is worked up immediately around where the bulb is to grow. Both of these types will multiply annually, and where you plant a bulb this fall, you will have a small clump if you leave them in place for several seasons. Don’t trim their leaves after they bloom; the plant gets its energy from this year’s leaves, and stores it in the root for next year’s flowers.

Tulips and hyacinths, however, often “run down” in a couple of years. Few of us have soil and conditions as ideal as the Dutch fields where these types are usually produced; the bulbs will flower for a year or two, but eventually succumb to the harsh realities of most North American climates.

So give these charming beauties at try–their cheerful color is so uplifting in early spring, before most flowers from seeds are even getting started!

Click here to purchase your bulbs now, like the parrot tulilps featured in this week’s post! More will be added over the next few weeks, so keep checking back!

When visitors come to Bakersville Pioneer Village, they are usually drawn to the tantalizing aromas of fresh baked breads emanating from Baker’s Flour Mill and Bakery. Head baker (and Jere’s mother) Debbie Gettle has a knack for creating wonderful scents and tastes in her natural bakery. While she often has free samples out for visitors to try, the for-sale products also go quickly.

Debbie in the bakery

Visitors are always welcome to visit the Flour Mill, which Debbie has decorated with natural and traditional products and antiques. Baskets, as wells as various handmade and homemade items, give a homey feel to the place. One surely wants to venture to the upstairs loft of the bakery to see the antique treadle sewing machine and the weaving loom that actually works.

Outside the bakery

But I digress; folks really come to the bakery to feast upon the delicious and healthful baked goods.

While most of the featured items are vegan, Debbie particularly strives to use pure and natural ingredients. Probably the most popular treat for both staff and visitors alike is her wonderful cinnamon rolls—that sell out very quickly during the monthly heritage festivals.

Lunch time on Sundays will often find a line of hungry people waiting for her special lasagna, veggie steak sandwiches, or various soups served with rolls or bread. For those with a sweet tooth, it is hard to resist her scrumptious cheesecakes topped with fresh berries when available. But Debbie is not deterred when fresh local berries are not available, because she has already put up plenty of her own blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, etc. to use throughout the winter months.

When visitors are ready to end their day at Bakersville and are looking for a souvenir or gift to take with them, a jar of Debbie’s homemade jam or jelly is always a good purchase—particularly when paired with a loaf of her tasty homemade bread.

Canned goods

Future plans for Baker’s Flour Mill and Bakery include having an actual working grist mill for grinding our own grains.

Kathy McFarland is a Baker Creek employee and life-long gardener.

Andy Couturier will talk and share excerpts from his book“A Different Kind of Luxury: Japanese Lessons in Simple Living and Inner Abundance” at The Seed Bank in Northern California on Thursday, June 23,
from 7 -8:30 p.m. Admission: Free

By Susan Audrey

What really matters?

This was the question considered by the 11 men and women in author Andy Couturier’s book “A Different Kind of Luxury: Japanese Lessons in Simple Living and Inner Abundance.”

Andy, who is a writing teacher, essayist and poet living in Santa Cruz, California, traveled to Japan about two decades ago to teach English and discovered people living very simple lives in the Japanese countryside north of Tokyo.

“I became caught up in their artwork,” he said, during a recent interview. “I became entranced by the beauty of what I uncovered.”

His “visit” turned into a four-year stay. He learned Japanese and really got to know these people living their own version of the “good life” in the lush Japanese mountains. He wrote articles about them for the local Japanese newspaper and slowly, the foundation for a book began to take shape.

Far from the highly-populated Japanese cities fueled by a lust for materialism on par with if not stronger than that of the U.S., the people profiled in Andy’s book have “titles” that include organic farmer, anti-nuclear activist, recycling educator, potter, book binder, wood carver, harp player, and yoga practitioner.  And granted, as Andy has pointed out, they don’t have the health insurance concerns us Americans do, as Japan has a national health insurance program, and the mountain homes they live in can be rented very cheaply, but they face other challenges. They face an immense pressure to conform from a society where conformity is highly revered, Andy writes in his book. They must also work very hard to sustain themselves in a very hands-on way. For the most part, they are living a self-sustaining life, one we in the U.S. may refer to as living off the grid. Yet, they have also discovered the fulfillment in it.

For Kogun Murata, in Chapter Four of the book, his answer to “what’s really important” in life was “food.”   He started by growing what works well where he lives, said Andy, cabbage, potatoes and rice using shizen no-ho, which means “natural farming” in Japanese.

The key principals, explained Andy, are to do as little work as you can and not use outside input, such as fertilizer, compost or bone meal as well as tractors and other fuel-run machinery.

What this technique involves is to simply plant your seeds among the weeds, merely cutting them down in the areas closest to the plantings and letting the weed cuttings lay beside the plants as they grow. As the weeds reemerge, Andy added, you continue to cut down the weeds closest to the plants to allow them to get enough sun.

Leaving the grass mulch beside the crops encourages beneficial insects to remain and provides food for the insects that may otherwise feed on the crop plants, he explained. “By not taking away anything, you’re creating a whole biotic community, those plants’ nutrients, and your life.”

For Murata, who grows enough rice to have extra to sell, part of this do-as-little-as-you-can farming technique includes not irrigating, as it rains throughout the summer in his region.

Patience is an important part of natural farming. You get a very low yield the first several years, Andy pointed out. It takes about seven years for the weed mulch and loam to build up the soil.

Andy knows about long-term projects. It took him 15 years to write “A Different Kind of Luxury,” having to translate his notes and writings from Japanese into English.

“The book is not about Japan,” he stressed, “and it is not a how-to book. It’s about the fact that we can really live a good life, and it’s about people who have really figured out how to live sustainably.”

In the book, Andy mirrors the lushness of the mountainous countryside with his own rich prose and reflects the Zen-like simplicity of his subjects’ lives in minimalistic photographs of the surrounding nature, their humble homesteads, lovingly tended farms and fields, finely crafted artwork as well as poignant shots capturing the inner essence of the 11 men and women profiled. He also publishes their words of wisdom derived from their simple ways of living as well as letters he has received from them, all now friends, and certainly sources of much inspiration.

So what can we do in our lives to bring this richness, these luxuries of a simpler life into our own lives?

“Produce as much as you can for yourself and do with a lot less (a lot less things),” Andy answers.

“I am always moving in the direction to live more the way that they do,” he said.

For 20 years, Andy grew his own food, and as he undertakes his current rigorous book tour, he still finds time to grow a portion of what he eats and to volunteer in fields that grow food for others. It’s the words of professional philosopher and organic farming mentor Masanori Oe, profiled in Chapter 11 of the book, that best describe Andy’s own concern for our land: “We need to find a way of growing food that does not plunder the earth and that can last forever.”

Note: Andy shared that the people profiled in his book were not directly affected by the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in March. They are situated several hundred miles north of affected areas.

Susan Audrey is a Northern California writer, editor, photographer, and artist. She can be reached at tosusanaudrey@gmail.com

Comstock, Ferre, & Co (comstockferre.com) employees are busily preparing their big birthday party. On June 5, 2011, they will celebrate the 200^th anniversary of the company’s founding. Located in historic Wethersfield, Connecticut, the business is beginning its third century of supplying quality vegetable and flower seeds to New England, the U.S., and the world.

Jere and Emilee Gettle, owners of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds in Mansfield, Missouri, purchased Comstock, Ferre & Co in 2010. The Gettles are quite dedicated to preserving the history of seeds and seed saving and are looking forward to being a part of the festival, which is free for the public to attend.

Pumpkins at Comstock Ferre Co.

Attendees will enjoy the celebration as employees dressed in colonial period clothing help to re-create an atmosphere of the company’s early days when the Connecticut River played a major roll in supplying garden seeds to local Wethersfield and other areas far away.. A section of the property will be transformed to a settler’s camp from the 18^th Century, including a tent dedicated to selling period-appropriate goods.

Any current or “would-be” gardeners will find a wide choice of plants for purchase at the festival. Not only is the greenhouse on the grounds full of seedlings growing from some of the most unusual and delicious seeds of the Baker Creek and Comstock lines, but there will also be other vendors showcasing and selling their bedding plants and seedlings.

Heirloom Produce at Comstock Ferre Co.

Anyone not interested in the actual physical aspect of gardening but still looking for quality food will find a farmer’s market on site where they can support local farmers by purchasing locally grown produce. Chaplin Farms and Urban Oaks are just two of the farming venues to be present.

In addition, the fun-filled day will include old-fashioned music and re-enactors educating people about life in Colonial New England. Visitors will enjoy cooking demonstrations and eye-catching displays of seeds, books, tools, and more.

In keeping with the Gettles’ philosophy of educating people about gardening, there will be lots of opportunity for learning throughout the day. Receive information about bees and beekeeping, composting, community gardening, identifying and encouraging beneficial insects, raised bed gardening, trellising, and much more. Learn from nationally-known writers and speakers who will be presenting. The renowned William Woys Weaver will present a lecture at noon, titled The Mainstreaming of Heirloom Foods.

William-Woys-Weaver

At 4 pm, the renowned Margaret Roach will be presenting a lecture titled Nonstop Plants – the 365 Day Garden. Because space is limited, reserve your free tickets here: http://comstockferre.eventbrite.com/

While a wide variety of food vendors will have food selections to fit nearly every palate, other vendors will be selling and/or demonstrating herbs, soaps, gardening supplies, candles, and much more.

June 5, 2011 is definitely a day to mark on your calendars. If you live near the Northeast or will be visiting the area during that time, be sure to take in Comstock ,Ferre & Co.’s big celebration.

Check out the the Comstock, Ferre, & Co Website

Kathy McFarland is a Baker Creek employee and life-long gardener.

Taste hundreds of varieties of traditional vegetables and fruits from all over the nation this fall—heirloom produce you’ve never seen before and bring your own homegrown or farm-raised heirloom favorites to display and share. Whether you’re an attendee or a participant in the first National Heirloom Exposition, you’ll be a part of culinary and agricultural history.

Taste Heirloom Produce

The inaugural National Heirloom Exposition coming up September 13, 14, and 15, 2011, at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Northern California is destined to be the biggest and best-attended heirloom industry event ever, and it’s for everyone: the home gardener, small farmer, professional farmer, even school-age gardening enthusiast. The spring growing season has begun throughout most of the country and we invite heirloom enthusiasts of all ages and levels of expertise to start growing their heirloom favorites to exhibit at the Exposition. We hope to have heirloom produce from all 50 states, as many as 5,000 heirloom fruit and vegetable varieties represented as well as heritage livestock and more. (Contact us at info@theheirloomexpo.com for details.)

This “World’s Fair” of the heirloom industry, sponsored in part by Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company, will also feature dozens of seed companies, garden tool companies, and garden accessory craftsmen and their wares from throughout the U.S. as well as plants and plant starts, garden-inspired art and organic, natural and original food items. Top chefs will provide cooking demonstrations using the produce grown for the Exposition and participate in celebrity chef competitions. We expect to feature over 250 booths and are still taking applications from those interested in participating. Just contact us at the above e-mail address.

See thousands of different varieties of heirloom vegetables

Special demonstrations and informational booths will also be provided by our fellow event sponsors, including Seed Savers Exchange, Marin Organic, Amy’s Kitchen, Farm Trails, Green 960 Radio, Daily Acts, Comstock, Ferre & Co. LLC, Sunset Magazine, and the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.

Over 40 local and international speakers will be featured, including world-renown philosopher and environmental activist Dr. Vandana Shiva; non-GMO (genetically modified organisms) activist and noted author Jeffrey Smith of the Institute of Responsible Technology; author and Seed Savers Exchange chair Amy Goldman; and Green 960 Radio host Helge Hellberg—to name a few.

There will also be educational seminars throughout each day, including talks on seed saving and GMO’s as well as many other gardening, farming, and food preparing subjects. Special movie screenings on the history and future of our food will also be presented.

The Exposition will run on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with the idea of providing a daytime educational opportunity for school-aged children and youth. Special seminars and educational opportunities will be available for school groups, and school gardens are encouraged to grow produce for the event. (See contact e-mail above for more information.) The Heirloom Exposition is a “not-for-profit” event and any funds generated will be donated back to school gardens and food programs. A silent auction and live auctions of garden-related items and art will also benefit school garden programs and other food charities.

Hundreds Of Colorful Displays

There will also be representatives from national media, including the editors of several gardening and farming publications, including Organic Gardening, Ediblemagazine, Grit magazine, The Heirloom Gardener, and event sponsor Sunset Magazine.

And, it’s quite fitting that the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, where the National Heirloom Exposition will be held, is bound by GE-free counties: Mendocino County to its north and Marin County to its south.

Whether you join us as an attendee or participant, or both, mark your calendar now for this gargantuan heirloom event (September 13, 14, and 15, 2011) in Santa Rosa, California.

Visit www.theheirloomexpo.com for more details.

Susan Audrey is a Northern California writer, editor, photographer and artist and can be reached at tosusanaudrey@gmail.com.

Watering Tomato Transplants At Baker Creek

Tomatoes, originally tropical plants, show the signs of their background to this day. So the garden is ready for them only after spring frosts are history.

In long-summer regions, it’s possible to direct-seed tomatoes, but planting transplants yields much earlier harvests. Transplants will have been lovingly reared indoors for a couple of months prior to setting outdoors, gardeners who didn’t plant tomato seeds a couple months back will need to purchase their transplants instead.

Dr. Wyches Orange Tomato

Ground should be carefully prepared to receive the young plants. Tomatoes prefer slightly acid soil, rich in organic matter and high in nutrients. Work in lots of compost, composted manure, or even alfalfa pellets prior to planting. The calcium in a sprinkling of bone meal staves off blossom end rot; the phosphorous it contains is good for root development and fruit set. Wood ashes or greensand provide potassium, which just makes strong plants. Work the soil as deeply as possible, and a two feet in all directions from where the plants will be set, for tomato roots forage far and wide in search of nutrients.

Set the plants deep, with a portion of their stem underground, so the stem strikes new roots. But don’t cover the leaves. Apply mulch, like straw, compost, pine needles, leaves, etc., immediately after planting the young transplants. Mulch moderates soil moisture, discourages weeds and keeps soil-borne spores and pathogens from splashing up onto the leaves, where the cycle of disease could gain a foothold. Hot-caps, walls-o’-water, or row covers protect plants from the worst of the season’s occasional chill, allowing adventuresome gardeners to crowd the season by planting a couple weeks early.

Tomato plants are best staked. Staking supports the plants, keeping fruits from contact with the ground. Set a tomato cage over each plant, or, if preferred, drive a sturdy stake into the ground near each plant. Staking allows the branches to be spaced a bit, which is done with a view toward increasing air circulation and exposure to sunshine. Stakes must be sturdy to support the plants, which become very heavy when loaded with luscious fruit.

Cherokee Purple Tomato

Great White On The Vine

Red slicers—Beefsteak, Pantano Romanesco, Break o’ Day

Reds for paste/cooking—Roma, Ten Fingers of Naples, German Red Strawberry

Cherry types: Chadwick, Jujube, Riesentraube

Purples– Cherokee Purple, Paul Robeson, Vorlon, Black Cherry

Pink—Arkansas Traveler, Missouri Pink Love Apple

Orange/Yellows—Dr. Wyche’s, Lollipop

Greens—Aunt Ruby’s, Emerald Apple

Bi colors—Violet Jasper, Golden Pineapple, Old German

Whites—Great White, White Currant

GreenZone (a.k.a  Randel A. Agrella) Is a writer for The Heirloom Gardener, a Baker Creek Employee, and a life long gardener.

Contact Randel and buy heirloom plants at his website www.abundantacres.net