Author: Lorraine Wade

There are more than 10,000 tomato varieties available. How many different colors of tomatoes are there? Some gardeners see tomatoes in a rainbow of colors: red, sure, but also shades of yellow, orange, pink, green, burgundy, purple, streaked and striped, and practically black. How many heirloom tomato varieties are there? There are more than 3,000 […]

It first appeared in print in 1595. A member of the deadly nightshade family, tomatoes were erroneously thought to be poisonous (although the leaves are poisonous) by Europeans who were suspicious of their bright, shiny fruit. Native versions were small, like cherry tomatoes, and most likely yellow rather than red. When were tomatoes no longer […]

80-85 days. This indeterminate, oxheart-type heirloom from Budapest lives up to its name. Each 1-pound, pink-red fruit is dense and heart-shaped, with very few seeds and a rich, hearty flavor. It’s crack-resistant and a heavy producer, and is great for canning, slicing and sauce. What is a beef heart tomato? A tomato classic that never […]

Sweetie Cherry Tomato is an open-pollinated, indeterminate cherry variety that produce heavy clusters of super sweet cherry tomatoes. Sweetie is known for its low acidity and high sugar content, usually around 12-14%. Vigorous plants produce heavy yields of 1-1.5″ round cherry tomatoes that grow in clusters of 15-20. Are Sweetie tomatoes vine or bush? What […]

Milk is excellent for tomato plants. It can be used as a fertilizer and a fungicide for these prolific growers. Tomatoes need a lot of nutrients to ensure healthy plant growth, and milk can provide an abundance of these. Sprinkle half a cup of powdered milk directly onto the soil and water thoroughly. Is milk […]

Citrus peels will give plants that need a little extra acidity the nutrient boost that they need. Grind dry peels in a food processor and sprinkle the powder over acid-loving plants like nasturtium, blueberries and radishes. How do you use lemon peel as fertilizer? Ways to Use Lemon Peels in Your Garden Add acidity to […]

Tomatoes. Tomatoes are rich in tyramine, an amino acid that triggers the brain to release norepinephrine, a stimulant that boosts brain activity and delays sleep. Are tomatoes good before bed? Tomatoes Red tomatoes offer that sleep-inducing super hormone melatonin. Gorin suggests doubling up the melatonin by drizzling cherry or grape tomatoes with olive oil, which […]

ooking tomatoes with fat can more than double their anti-cancer properties, scientists said today. Researchers found a combination of heat and fat makes lycopene, a natural pigment in red tomatoes linked to the prevention of cancer, more easily absorbed by the body. What is the healthiest way to eat tomatoes? We saved the best (and […]