BASED ON SEVERAL SUGGESTIONS FROM READERS, I finally slow-roasted a colorful collection of cherry tomatoes. The verdict? Well, let's just say that after one bite, my taste-buds tingled. Two bites, and I imagined all was well with the world. Three bites, and I entered a state of pure, unadulterated ecstasy, the kind that Meg Ryan mimicked in her famous scene from "When Harry Met Sally." Read more » Tomatoes
Recipe: Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
August 28, 2012
BASED ON SEVERAL SUGGESTIONS FROM READERS, I finally slow-roasted a colorful collection of cherry tomatoes. The verdict? Well, let's just say that after one bite, my taste-buds tingled. Two bites, and I imagined all was well with the world. Three bites, and I entered a state of pure, unadulterated ecstasy, the kind that Meg Ryan mimicked in her famous scene from "When Harry Met Sally." Read more » How I Ripen Tomatoes Indoors
August 16, 2012
AS AN INSURANCE POLICY against damaging insects, curious chipmunks, blights, and severe weather, I pick most of my tomatoes at their mature, but still-green or mostly-green stage. These unripe tomatoes are blemish-free. Furthermore, they are only too happy to develop their delicious flavor and vibrant color indoors. The following ripening-procedure has never failed me: Read more » De-Suckering My Tomatoes
May 23, 2012
WHY do I remove the side-shoots, or "suckers," from my tomato vines? Because they burden the plants with excess foliage. Too much lushness promotes the shady, wet conditions that lead to fungal diseases. Furthermore, plants with too many stems produce small-size fruit. For healthy plants and large, high-quality tomatoes, those suckers ought to go: Read more » Keep Monsanto OUT of Your Veggie Patch
February 6, 2012
I HOPE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO YOU. When I bought 'Early Girl' tomato seeds back in 2010, I unwittingly voted for a corporation I vehemently oppose. Which corporation? Why, the evil empire known as Monsanto. Here are a few facts about this loathsome company, along with a few ways to keep it out of your veggie patch: Read more » Tomato-mania!
September 7, 2011
HAVE TOMATOES SWALLOWED EVERY WORK-SURFACE IN YOUR KITCHEN, TOO? I planted 16 heirloom varieties back in June, and now, after months of careful watering and some decent weather, I can hardly keep up with the produce. (Pictured above is at least 10 lbs. of fruit I collected just this morning, in the rain.) Can you… Read more »
When NOT To Kill a Tomato Hornworm
August 4, 2011
RECENTLY, while pruning a row of paste tomatoes, I noticed a strange-looking worm (above; click to enlarge) on one of the plants. What this worm is, why it has white projections on its body, and why — if you ever see such a thing in your own garden — you should leave it alone: A… Read more »
My Joan Crawford-Approved Tomato Trellis
May 2, 2011
WHEN IT COMES TO STAKING TOMATOES, I rely on the wisdom of the late, great Joan Crawford, who famously shrieked “No wire cages — EVER!” Okay, she was talking about wire hangers. Still, I loathe tomato cages. Most are poorly soldered — my partner nearly poked an eye out on a loose wire while bending… Read more »
