March 2009 

From cold blustery weather, to our first (and likely only) snowfall of the season, we then move on to warm 70 degree sunny days.  We experience this crazy weather down here in the south every year.  Spring is always a challenge because we never know what is coming next!  The good thing is that the greenhouses are always toasty warm and our tomato plants don't know that it is cold or snowing outside.  They soak up the sun on the bright days and stretch to reach more light on the cloudy days but happily, they just keep growing.  Our first shipping date was Monday and it was quite cold outside, but our first batch of plants are now on their way and we hope they will find nice sunny warm weather when they get to their destinations.

This month we have decided to feature a few of our absolute favorite varieties that you may not know about but we just can't do without in our garden.  So often, we get asked "What are your best tomatoes?" so here is the answer along with our favorite peppers and vegetable varieties. 

We also get asked "When should I plant in my area?"  which is an easy question to answer as the USDA and others have estimated the last frost dates for all over the country.  Our recommended dates are the earliest dates we think it will be safe to receive your tomatoes and if you give them a few days to rest after they arrive, you should be ok to plant them shortly after that.  Always watch weather reports and don't jump the gun, it is better to be safe than sorry.  Herbs however, except for a few varieties, can be planted earlier and if you order them separately, we will ship them whenever you like.  Keep them in your kitchen window or greenhouse and get them even earlier!  Basils, Dill and Cilantro are cold tender so they must have protection from the weather but Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Sage and more can be grown early in the season.  If you aren't sure when to plant your herbs, drop us an email or call us anytime at 866-855-6344.

The varieties we just can't live without:

As you probably know, Cherokee Purple is probably the most popular heirloom tomato and we sell more of this one than any of our other plants.  They have the most exceptional flavor and texture that we just don't even compare it with other varieties. No question, hands down favorite around here and if we couldn't grow it, we might stop growing tomatoes altogether (just kidding).

Goliath are very sweet tomatoes which are totally underrated.  Their giant size is fine but the great tomato richness and meaty flesh is perfect for that BLT. 

Another favorite is Rose de Berne, truly one of the finest tomatoes on the planet IMHO.  While the sweetness is wonderful, the pink skins are thin and the inside flesh is rosy red and there is just enough bite to make you hum as you eat them.  I just can't seem to get a photo that does this one justice but really you must try it, they are delicious.

Last year our employees voted the Persimmon their favorite tomato.  Some are reluctant to try different colored tomatoes when they first come to work for us but we had several new folks and some of our multiyear employees try this tomato and we were all very impressed by the acidity and sweet flavor of Persimmon. 

 All the cherry tomatoes rarely make it into the house around here and they don't stay on the vine very long either.  Someone walking by will inevitably pick them when walking by and sometimes linger and pick all that are ripe but we won't mention any names!   Sun Gold is definitely the most popular cherry and they are the easiest to find in the garden too with their bright gold color. 

Lipstick Peppers are the best for cooking, salads, pasta, roasting, stuffing and anything else you need to do with a pepper.   They have the fullest flavor, sweet while still having that "pepper" taste.  

Edamame are really just soy beans but when they are lightly steamed and coated with a sprinkling of Kosher salt, they are one of our favorite foods to sit and snack on either before Sushi or just whenever.

Florence Fennel is so good that I really can't imagine life without it.  The most exquisite way to enjoy this vegetable is sliced very thinly in a salad with an orange juice vinaigrette and shaved parmesan cheese.  The anise flavor is really soft and the crispy, crunchy texture is wonderful. 

Last but not least is the French Filet beans or Haricot Verts and we could literally eat them by the thousands around here.  We pick them really fine, at about the size of a skinny French fry and toss them with butter and garlic after lightly steaming them.  We could go on and on but you get the idea of which ones are our favorites! All of them...

More New Products for 2009:  (click on the photos to see these items in our catalog)

We have added many new products this year for helping you to be a better gardener and making your life easier when it comes to growing your plants.  Whether you grow in the ground, in raised beds or in hanging pots we have the products you need. 

The famous Worm Factory composting system is a large series of trays that can hold worms while they eat down your kitchen scraps and cardboard, paper and lots of other waste to create the best stuff in the world--worm compost or castings!   The spout allows for pouring out compost tea which can be used directly on your plants for instant feeding.  It comes with everything you need except the worms! In 3 different colors and 3, 4, or 5 tray sizes.  Click here to read more!  We also sell the worms separately. 

Soft Twisty Ties are a very helpful way to tie up your tomatoes with a gentle touch.  They are also very durable and reusable from year to year!  Make them any size you like! 

Our Fruit Tree Spray by Green Light is a broad spectrum insecticide and fungicide for the control of black spot, powdery mildew, rust, leaf spot, anthracnose, scab, and blight. Provides immediate knock down of insects like aphids, mealy bugs, spider mites, scale, whiteflies, and beetles. Can be used up to the day of harvest on vegetables, fruit and nut trees and ornamentals. Active ingredients:  Pyrethrins, Piperonyl Butoxide, & 70% Neem Oil. 1 pint container will make up to 16 gallons which will last all season in your garden. 

This beautiful Garden hat really does the job in keeping the sun not only off your face but also the back of your neck which can get burned badly while gardening.  We also have Men's hats and gloves as well as tote bags, baskets, snips, tools and more all in our online catalog.

Our Organics grow the best flavored tomatoes and vegetables so try some of our fantastic new products this year:

Pro Mix is one of the best known names in potting soil.  They have been selling soil mixes to growers forever but they have recently been bagging their products for retail sales.  This is a 100% OMRI certified organic mix that has not only good compost and peat moss but also has Mycorise growth enhancer.  Mycorise, which is a beneficial fungus, will help the roots of your plants become more productive and grow healthier, stronger plants. 

Bradfield Organics "Tasty Tomato" fertilizer is also new and comes in a 5 lb. zip top bag.  It provides everything your plants need to produce the best flavored and healthy tomatoes.  Enough to feed about 6 plants for the whole season, feeding about every 6 weeks.  See even more organic fertilizers here:

We feel so positive about this growing season, we want to thank you for your business as we grow better every year!

Contact Us toll free 866-855-6344 or visit us at www.tastefulgarden.com