I didn’t know this, but apparently there are over 10,000 known varieties of tomatoes in existence around the world. Can you believe it?
There are two main classifications – heirlooms and hybrids. Heirlooms are the old fashioned varieties and come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colors. They are really juicy and tasty, but usually don’t last a long time after being picked, which is why you don’t see them at supermarkets or grocery stores.
The thick skinned tasteless ones you buy at the store are usually hybrids – bred for long shelf life at the expense of flavor.
The world’s number one “bible” on growing tomatoes – How to Grow Juicy Tasty Tomatoes – comes with a bonus CD database of 1300 varieties. On the database you can see photos, cultivation notes, usage notes and details of where you can buy the seeds. This database is also available online. It’s believed to be the largest database of tomato varieties ever compiled.
The chapter on cultivation compares 12 different ways to stake tomato plants – depending on how big your plants grow and how big your tomato garden is. The chapter on pests and diseases contains 40 colored photos to help you identify problems and advice on how to control these issues.
I love this book. It’s got a quick start guide for beginners and quite advanced information for seasoned growers. Co-Author Lucia Grimmer holds a Master’s Degree in Plant Pathology and Nutrition – so she knows a thing or two about pest, disease, nutrition and cultivation.
Get the book today by clicking here.
Best wishes for a great crop of tomatoes!
Steven Coyne
PS: Oh, and the book comes with 5 other bonuses too. One of them is this great tomato recipe book called Our Family Tomato Cookbook. Every recipe is an old family favorite and they were all donated by purchasers of How to Grow Juicy Tasty Tomatoes – from all over the world. There are some wonderful recipes for soups, salads, sauces, chutneys – and a section on preserving. I love it!
