In USDA Zones 9 and 10, February is the month to be starting tomato seeds indoors. For colder climates, you may want to wait until March. We continue our evaluation of great tomato varieties worth trying with Don Shor, owner of Redwood Barn Nursery in Davis, California. We talk strategy as well as good tomato varieties worth trying in 2021. 

In the world of unique looking, tasty tomatoes, Wild Boar Farms has the market cornered. We pay a visit with owner Brad Gates, who offers up his tomato seed starting tips.

And, UC Davis Arboretum Superintendent Emeritus Warren Roberts tells us about the multi-faceted Cornelian Cherry, which is not a cherry, but a dogwood. The Cornelian Cherry  is a tree or shrub that can be grown just about anywhere in the U.S., but is especially successful in colder climates. It’s our plant of the week!

It’s Episode 75 of the Garden Basics with Farmer Fred podcast, our tomato variety preview edition, Part 2. And we will do it all in under 30 minutes. Let’s go!

Pictured:
A myriad of tomato varieties as seen at the Heirloom Expo in Santa Rosa, CA.

Links:
All-American Tomato Selections Winners
Farmer Fred Rant: Short Season Tomato Varieties
Farmer Fred Rant: Tips for Starting Tomato, Pepper Seeds
What is a "Schmoo"?
Tomato varieties mentioned in the Tomato Preview (Part 2):
Costaluto Genovese, Principe Borghese, San Marzano, Sweet Million, Sungold, Sweet 100, Barry’s Crazy Cherry, Beauty King, Michael Pollin, Furry Boar, Pork Chop, Berkeley Tye-Dye, Sweet Carneros Pink, 4th of July, Bush Early Girl , Grushovka, Polar Baby, Oregon Spring V, Sub Arctic Maxi

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